failing_upward

For the video interview, wear something slightly formal and professional. Most likely they will ask you about your honor thesis research. Be able to explain every single detail of your research. A common mistake I see among applicants is they fail to explain the big picture of their project. Yes, often times we work on things that are assigned by the postdocs or PI.  The interviewers certainly know this but they still want to see if you have the ability to explain the rationale behind. For example, why do you work on gene X? Why did you choose this approach? What alternative approach can you take? What is the ultimate goal of your project? Try to explain these from a broad perspective.  Most PIs like to see that you understand the value of science. 

A 3.5 GPA is perfectly fine to get you interviews at good schools (thats what I came out of undergrad with). In the next year or two before you are re-applying, I would focus on getting good research experience that fits with your long-term goals (and making sure your PI will be a solid letter of rec to add to your next apps) and refining your personal statements. Honestly so many schools are doing away with GRE requirements altogether that taking subject GREs or MCATs seems like unnecessary overkill. The conference attendance sounds like a great idea.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

I feel - I’m looking at jobs as a backup. You seem incredibly motivated and I wish you all the very best; stay strong friend ❤️

Some of my coworkers have sat on admissions committees for very competitive programs and they said it actually is kind of random. One of them said that one time, someone got an interview because they were a runner. I know it's tough because I've been on the receiving end of lots of rejections myself, but try not to take it too personally. 
If you're still an undergrad, I strongly recommend working in the industry for a year or two, if the worst should come to pass and you don't get in anywhere. I've been told that a lot of programs look pretty favorably on people who are able to hold down a research job after graduation. 

I cannot say how much I agree with all that you have said...I have gotten a rejection from UC Berkeley (expected) and nothing from my other 7 schools....UChicago and Duke have apparently sent out all interview requests and people have been rejected but I have received nothing/the website says nothing yet. I’m extremely anxious and it hurts because a PhD is what I truly want to do — I’m losing hope so quickly and I also have a semester and graduation left 

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.