failing_upward
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Posts posted by failing_upward
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On 2/11/2019 at 6:33 PM, daauni said:
So I applied to 7 schools last year (1 interview) and was rejected by all of them. After an extra year in research, I retook the GRE, rewrote my statement, and switched up some of my LORs. This year, I applied to more schools and have 7 interviews. Things are looking much better.
As others have mentioned, I wouldn't waste your time or money on taking the GRE again. My scores didn't drastically improve and are pretty average, and over half of my schools I applied to this year didn't even need it.
I don't know if a PREP program is the best option. Unless you feel you need to improve your undergraduate record in biology/biomedical sciences, I would just apply for lab positions, preferably in academia (quicker in publishing than industry). I think your best option is to stay at your current lab or look at other labs in your university, leaving other institutions or industry as a last resort. Just work your ass off for 6 months and by the app deadlines next fall you could have at least one manuscript in the works if you're in the right lab. One manuscript, even if it's still in writing, can be HUGE for your apps.
Lastly, I agree with @Hamsterball about applying to umbrella programs; they are less competitive and good for people that are unsure about what specialization to go into. If you do have an idea about a track in an umbrella program, mention it in your statement and it shows initiative and focus.
I Still nada from Vandy or UC Denver. I am interviewing for a PREP program, fingers crossed. I will be applying to present my honors thesis at ASM and SACNAS, as well as a few other events, both big and small. My thesis also requires I do a defense presentation and a presentation to a large audience. (>_<)
Mostly, I am getting the feeling I need more general experience and I need to take more time with my essays. Also, three of my LORs are from profs at my university, all have good backgrounds, but it's a small school. One LOR is from a very experienced mentor and PI of a major research facility (note I am in Houston) that I did 2 summers with and has an amazing background. I have to work hard not to be kinda awed by him.
ON A WHOLE OTHER NOTE-
I'm terrified. I have a Zoom interview for the PREP program! How do I not look stupid and stiff? Where should I do this thing? The quietest place I know is my research lab at my university. Would that be weird? I am high-functioning autistic so I can communicate well in writing and have learned how to do it in person... How do I not seem "off?" I have never video chatted before!!!! What are they going to ask me? About my experience, my goals, my future hobby plans, the recipe for meatballs?
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I'm positive I was rejected all around this year. I put in 4 applications. Vanderbilt, UC-Denver, WashU, and Baylor. I was outright rejected by WashU, and Baylor sent me from Micro(1st choice) to Developmental. Email to UC-Denver was replied to with "yes we sent out our invites, but you're pretty awesome so welcome to the hold list!" Email to Vandy was just responded to with we're still reviewing applications. That was a couple weeks ago. I've given up hope.
I graduate in May, and now I'm assessing how to be more badass next year. Hoping my honors thesis project goes awesome so I can maybe present a poster at some national events (SACNAS or ASM, etc) and I'll be doing a verbal presentation of the project at least twice guaranteed. I've already apllied for a PREP program and am looking into jobs as well. My GPA is 3.5 and I think that's the one that I graduate with, so that is set. I did mediocre on the GRE, so I am retaking that. I'm also rewriting all my essays/statements/papers with more "pop," and I'm definitely apllying to way more schools. I'm also thinking about also taking a couple of the subject based GRE or the MCAT to make up for the ok GPA. I don't know what else to do... Any suggestions?
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Since it has been more than 6 weeks since I submitted, and it has almost been 6 weeks since the deadline, I feel I should send out an inquiry email. However, I don't have the slightest clue how to ask. I am so worried that no matter what I do I'm just going to look needy or impatient or nosey.
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2 hours ago, MMM7 said:
Definitely check you spam! I just found interviews to CU Boulder for IQ Bio and MCBD from the 9th. I also have not heard from Vanderbilt yet.
I have been, lol. As well as anywhere else I could possibly consider and watching my phone (and even my snail mail) like a hawk. I saw all the responses from Boulder, but not much from Denver/Anschutz. I think they are still processing applications, but I'm still worried I'm shuffled to the bottom. After WashU rejected me I've been pretty sobered about my chances.
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I've planned for alternate options. I have 3 separate contingency plans, lol. I applied to a PREP program, and I am working on my resume so I can get applications going for lab positions as soon as I graduate. Plus my part-time job can easily be converted into a full-time position, I've been doing that every break for 2 years now. I know the steps I need to take to improve my chances next fall.
I really just wish it wasn't so random, and that all my hard work would be rewarded. I burnt the candle at both ends and sacrificed time with my kids and family, I missed events and funerals, my credit rating has plummeted, I got fat, and I generally just put my personal life through the wringer to go back to school.
I love science, it's what I want to do, and I am damn good at it. Moreover, I did all the things they tell you are important for a strong application. I finished in four years, taking 16 or more hours almost every semester. I volunteered a ton, I did research for three whole years at both my school and at a major research facility during two summers, I have good strong GPA, and two publications in my school journal. Lol, I would have been training for a half-marathon this last year but I developed an auto-immune issue so I guess that works against me too!
However, my school is small and I am a minority, first generation, low income, non-traditional student and single mom. People like me aren't supposed to do this in the first place. I hate my life being at the whim of whether someone sees my application at all.
Sorry for venting, as I said, I am so stressed about it. I can't fail.
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7 hours ago, ActualPotato said:
Vanderbilt has interview weekends all through the end of March, and they get tons of applications. I wouldn't worry about them yet, as a friend who is a PhD student there told me they're often reviewing apps well into January.
I really hope so, I just feel kind of bummed about it all. My mentors have been telling me how I am super qualified and such, then it seems like I was shuffled right to the bottom at schools I had a lot of hopes for. I see people in the results survey even more qualified than me getting rejections and people with stats way below mine getting interviews and accepted. I am just so confused and stressed about the whole process. So much rides on this, even with my back up plans. It sometimes feels so arbitrary how they choose the students. Ah well... Stiff upper lip and all. I still have a semester of undergrad and graduation to get through.
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I'm dying over here. Absolutely nothing from Vanderbilt or the University of Colorado... Already received one full on rejection and was pushed over to my second choice on another... I think I've just accepted that I was rejected by everyone.
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There doesn't seem to be a thread for this year's grads school admissions yet, so I'm creating this topic for everyone to communicate and discuss their chances as well as admissions results. I copied the template as the following from last year:
Undergrad Institution: Very small not notable city university.
Major(s): Biology/Microbiology
Minor(s): N/A
GPA in Major: 3.5
Overall GPA:3.5
Position in Class: ... no freaking idea
Type of Student: Domestic lady wannabe scientist
GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q: 152
V: 162
W: 3.5I took this thing after walking in the freezing rain for twenty minutes. I was soaked and cold. If I don't get in, I can definitely blame these scores for a start.
Research Experience: 3 years at my school on more than one project, two summers at MD Anderson
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Deans List, Honors, lots of merit scholarships
Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Won grant to teach nutrition classes in a low-income area of the city; Two publications in the school science journal; several poster presentations; selected to do an honors project.
Special Bonus Points: Hispanic, Nontraditional, Female, Single Mom, First in college
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Ummmm... I'm not a felon?
Applying to Where:In all cases, my research interest is the development of the microbiome in response to lifestyle and socioeconomic factors.
University of Colorado- Denver; Biomedical Sciences;
Vanderbilt University; IGP;
Baylor College of Medicine; Microbiology;
Washington University; Microbiology.
NIH PREP 2019-2020 Applicants unite
in Biology
Posted
So if you get an interview, is that a good sign? What is their typical acceptance from those? I noticed there were only a handful of interview slots available in the first place.