WannaBePh

Hi All, I've been thinking about getting a master's in something a bit more technical (bioinformatics or biomaterials) before doing a PhD in biology as I have an engineering background that will go to waste otherwise. Given the cost of an MS in the US, I'm thinking about doing it abroad, particularly in either France (Grand Écoles) or Germany. My main concern is whether it will be perceived as truly equivalent by US universities when I apply to PhD programs. What's the attitude like at your various institutions?

Hi All, I have what I'm guessing is a bit of an odd question. I am applying this round for PhD programs with pretty subpar GPA (~3.1 overall, ~3.3 in major), and relatively high GRE (~90-95% overall). Total of 4.5 years of full time research experience, 2 full time during undergrad, 2.5 by the time of application, plus 2 years as a part time undergrad. Until this past year I had no publications due to switching labs/some of the experience being in an industry setting. Currently I have a first author in review and one about to be submitted in very good journals (both IF ~16), as well as 2 co-authors in top tier journals (CNS sub-journals) and 2 more in lower tier journals, 2 published conference talks, all in the same research area. My question is - how much does the impact of my research matter in the eyes of an admissions committee? I find it somewhat funny that if I had a PhD I could win a post-doc at top 10 institutions but maybe not get accepted to those same institutions as a grad student. Thanks for your input.

Hey thanks for the reply! What was your gpa, if you don't mind me asking? Also, approximately how many years of research did you have in UG vs your current workplace? Technically speaking, I know about as many techniques as the average post-doc in my lab, albeit without a true specialization like many of them have. Specifically, I've yet to meet a non-engineer who knows as much about microscopy as I do, and at this point I'm designing my own flow panels. I can clone, although I'm definitely not as adept as the post-docs I work with.

Hi All, I recently graduated from a tier 2 university with an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering and a pretty mediocre GPA (~3.3 in major, ~3.1 overall). While I was in school I took a few biology classes (genetics, physiology) and did some long term, full-time, internships in bioprocess engineering and immunology research at one of the best known biotech companies worldwide(6 months and 9 months, respectively). I also participated in part-time research for 3 of my years in school at a few different labs (in biomechanics and biophysics). I'm currently working as an RA in an ivy league university in a big lab, definitely going to be on some medium to large papers in the next year or so, assuming no scoop happens. I've got good LORs lined up from my job and past internships (one from an industry PI, the other from an R&D director, one from a post-doc I work with and a very likely cosign from a big name PI in academia). Currently trying to decide what my next move should be admissions-wise. I'm certain I want a career in research, and am super passionate about immunology/immuno-oncology (one of the papers is in this field as well), but coming from engineering I'm pretty disheartened by the way biologists are treated career-wise. Debating getting an MS to help smooth the transition and help the gpa a bit. Also considering post-bac positions at the ivy I'm working at. As an aside, I'm also interested in doing a PhD abroad and the MS would help with this. If I was to do a PhD at home, I'd definitely aim for top institutions, because of the aforementioned treatment of biologists, although overcoming the GPA gap is tough. And advice on the best way to approach this? Would an Immunology MS (from a good school) help my chances for PhD?

Hi All, I recently graduated from a tier 2 university with an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering and a pretty mediocre GPA (~3.3 in major, ~3.1 overall). While I was in school I took a few biology classes (genetics, physiology) and did some long term, full-time, internships in bioprocess engineering and immunology research at one of the best known biotech companies worldwide(6 months and 9 months, respectively). I also participated in part-time research for 3 of my years in school at a few different labs (in biomechanics and biophysics). I'm currently working as an RA in an ivy league university in a big lab, definitely going to be on some medium to large papers in the next year or so, assuming no scoop happens. I've got good LORs lined up from my job and past internships (one from an industry PI, the other from an R&D director, one from a post-doc I work with and a very likely cosign from a big name PI in academia). Currently trying to decide what my next move should be admissions-wise. I'm certain I want a career in research, and am super passionate about immunology/immuno-oncology (one of the papers is in this field as well), but coming from engineering I'm pretty disheartened by the way biologists are treated career-wise. Debating getting an MS to help smooth the transition and help the gpa a bit. Also considering post-bac positions at the ivy I'm working at. As an aside, I'm also interested in doing a PhD abroad and the MS would help with this. If I was to do a PhD at home, I'd definitely aim for top institutions, because of the aforementioned treatment of biologists, although overcoming the GPA gap is tough. And advice on the best way to approach this? Would an Immunology MS (from a good school) help my chances for PhD?