lanaabear

Overall, your profile sounds good and I think you are a solid PhD applicant. However, I would definitely apply to schools that are not as "top tier" just to be safe. All the programs you've listed are fantastic but they are highly competitive programs. I can say that I personally know several people, have seen people on here and heard of others, that only apply to high tiered schools and go 0/10+ on interviews. Why? because hundreds of outstanding applicants apply to these programs and they can only give out so many interviews. But then again, safety schools do not really exist... just maybe something for you to think about? Side note: with this many programs, applying can be expensive so maybe check to see if you qualify for application fee waivers? I never did and turns out, I qualified for some of the programs I applied to. I could have saved myself a ton of money - don't be like me lol. Also professor connections can be a tricky thing; each program admissions is different and in the end there is no guarantee that a professor can secure you a spot in a cohort. Best of luck!

Oof. Honestly, this is really tough. Was Baylor pushing more towards academia and you wanted to go elsewhere (industry I'm guessing?). Most importantly, were the individuals in the Baylor career center against you pursuing you career path of interest? Personally, I would put more weight on research fit. It would be really difficult for me to do well in a lab/program as a whole if I'm not very interested in the research. So I think you should think about that too for you, as that might put one program over the other. You also have to consider that a better research fit would mean more labs for you to rotate through etc. I've had so many grad students tell me go where you have options, because you might love a lab on paper but hate the atmosphere or whatever. I know this decision won't be easy but best of luck to you!

In case you haven't made your decision yet.. here are some of my thoughts. I'm not doing MPH but doing biomed PhD 1) Both programs will absolutely challenge you. I don't think you should view one as "easier" since its a similar set up to what you have done as an UG (I'm assuming your honors thesis is an UG thesis). Take the difficulty of the program out of it, it will be challenging but both programs should provide you all the tools you need to be successful. 2) You seem to be pulling apart hairs here, which is totally expected when picking between two really great programs. I was in this situation between two PhD programs that were both fantastic. For me it came down to stipend support and which program would put me on track to where I wanted to go as a post doc, for me that was definitely one program over the other. If your goal is to work at the CDC, Emory is literally right down the road from the CDC and there is most likely a larger amount of Emory faculty with CDC connections due to that close proximity. Those connections would make your ability to collaborate with people at the CDC so much easier, maybe landing an internship etc etc. Not saying that people at JH don't have those connections, but I would suspect there to be more of those types of connections at Emory! 3) These are both renowned programs. I think that at either you would be successful in a future career, one choice just may make that success a bit more streamlined/easier? So I would maybe focus on, what program can I have a better quality of life? So consider things like, How comfortably can I live off of the monetary support? How is the city? Is the scholarship for JH guaranteed? It sounds like Emory's financial package is guaranteed? (I'm not on the up and up about MPH funding support, just PhD) I think these types of questions can help you better figure out which program will be a better fit for you. Side note: I would **highly** recommend reaching out to current MPH students at Emory and getting their input on the program, how Atlanta is, etc since you were unable to visit. They can give you some insight for sure. You can probably reach out to the program recruiter and ask to be connected with some students. Best of luck on your decision!

I interviewed a month ago and have not heard anything. Although, I did not really like the program and have accepted elsewhere. Hopefully they get back to you soon!

Reviving this thread! Recommendations for apartments within walking distance to Emory?

Hmm.. that's so strange. That sounds like a great SOP! It could entirely be possible that schools rejected you because they felt like your research did not fit well with their program? Or the professors you liked were not taking students and no other faculty matched research interests with you? I'm sorry. You sound like an amazing applicant! What programs did you apply for?

Hey there! So rankings are kind of arbitrary. I wouldn't focus on those so much. Your SOP, LOR, and research experience are the most important. Many biomedical and biological sciences programs are phrasing out the GRE. Some put very little emphasis on it while others do not require it to even apply. I would not stress about retaking it. I would look over your SOP and make some adjustments. Your LOR's sound solid and your research experience is definitely there. I would not put a ton of emphasis on your medical diagnosis (hope you are well/okay btw!). I do not think you need to explain your GPA, its a solid GPA. If it was below a 3.0 then maybe, but yours is honestly fine. Also, if someone asks about the W you can explain it in person. Again, I don't think it needs to be addressed unless you are specifically asked. Your SOP should be focused on your research interests, how you discovered those interests/fostered them with previous research, and in the future how you want to pursue those interests. It may have been that your SOP seemed to be too focused on your medical diagnosis? Everyone applying to grad school has research experience and LOR's saying how great they are etc etc. What sets a student out can be your SOP, especially in a stack of hundreds of applications. For example, in my SOP I mention how I like puzzle and the immune system is my favorite puzzle (I wanna do immunology work.) Good luck on reapplying! I'd be happy to answer any other questions for you.

Just got an acceptance email from Emory IMP program! Congrats to anyone else who interviewed w/ IMP/with another Emory GDBBS program and received an acceptance!

I did not hear anything during my interview weekend about a second interview weekend. In fact, when they offered me an interview they only stated their was one weekend. They did mention that they used to do two weekends but since then, they have just done one. So I actually have no idea if they would give you an interview in March. I think perhaps if a good bit of students decline offers they may do more interviews? They were really selective for in person interviews this year, offering about 10-15 less interview spots than in previous years. Good luck! Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.

Which specific track? I had an interview with their IMP program a week and a half ago. Cancer Bio also interviewed that weekend. Cancer Bio is sending out acceptances and IMP should give out acceptances this week, maybe even today. Emory is very selective in interviews.. so were you waitlisted for an interview or post interview? As far as I am aware, IMP and cancer bio were the last two tracks to interview. So, if you were waitlisted for an interview then I do not believe there are any more interview opportunities. Post interview waitlist, it would entirely depend on how many of their interviewees decline offers of admission.

I had an interview with Emory's IMP program, within their biological and biomedical sciences division. I was contacted early december for an interview that was conducted late Jan. I think it would be safe to assume that if the interview is a few days away, you have not been selected. I'm sorry! I hope your other applications result in interviews.

Which program for Emory?

I sent all my interviews one, the director of recruitment and the program administrator. At min, say thank you to the interviewers.

Yes UNC has already sent out interview invites. I got my interview itinerary just a few hours ago.

For Vanderbilt's IGP program they contacted a majority of interview applicants in mid December, that is when I was contacted. Their interview weekends begin two weeks from today. I'm not sure if they are still reviewing apps but I think that may be a bit unlikely with their interview season being so close, having to wrangle travel arrangements etc. Good luck on your other interviews!

Thanks, that's what I'm thinking. I just don't was to get my hopes up. I loved it during the interview weekend. From past years, I should get notified tomorrow or Saturday so lets begin with the neurotically refreshing my email lol. P.S. - hope your interviews are going/went well! you have a ton. I feel so behind in classes even after just one weekend away.

Am I reading too much into emails? I had an interview last weekend and after sending thank you emails I got some responses that seem very positive. One was from the Director of Recruitment and he said something along the lines of it was great to meet you and hear about your research, then he closed the email out with "I've heard lots of good things from the faculty you interviewed with. Expect to hear from us soon." That seems really positive to me. Then one of my interviews was with a faculty member who sits on admissions committee. She sent me response to my thank you email, saying "It was a pleasure to talk to you...blah blah... I hope to see you at ______ University in the Fall". Am I wrong or stretching it to read into those emails that I'm going to get an admissions offer? Why would she say that unless I was getting an offer? This school is my top choice but they haven't had any official offers given out yet. Would love some outside perspective as I'm really stressing over this.

I would say look for admissions statistics on the program website, as that will have information published by the school and therefor the most accurate. All four schools for biomedical sciences I applied to published statistics for admissions, as I would assume any major university would do. I could see much smaller niche schools not publishing data.

No problem! I'm sorry you haven't heard. I do know they had a lot of applications, its difficult to pick candidates for ~75 spots in the end for the entire program. Last year they fielded over 1200 apps and this year I wouldn't be surprised if it was close to 1400. I'm scheduled to visit Feb 14-15 but I know there were two other weekends, both the following weekends after mine.

Vanderbilt contacted me for an interview on Dec 19th I believe. All other interviewees I know for vandy were contacted around the same time then as well.

I guess I just feel like I did well but I was one of the few UG's there. Everyone else was either an NIH post bacc, masters etc. I just don't want to say all week "yeah i fucking rocked this" and then get rejected you know? I don't know, I just feel unsure about myself. It's gonna be a long week for sure.

Has anyone had an interview and been rejected afterwards? Emory's interview pool was very competitive.. worried about my chances.

Yay! Who are you interviewing with ?

Has anyone who applied to UAB's non priority deadline heard anything? Also will anyone be at Emory's IMP weekend that's this week?