Jump to content

khushi.ban

Members
  • Posts

    7
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Profile Information

  • Program
    PhD Molecular Biology/Bio

khushi.ban's Achievements

Decaf

Decaf (2/10)

0

Reputation

  1. Thanks guys. I am a bit wary of posting it on websites. I am currently in a Masters program in Cell and Molecular Biology and want to do a PhD in the same. Because most people in the sciences go into PhD programs directly after a BS and end up hating scientific research, which is a common problem science grad programs face, my essay explores my journey from the undergrad life to the graduate student life. I discuss my slightly bumpy shift of focus from classes to research, my Masters thesis research, the skills and personality traits that have prepared me for advanced studies. I go on to discuss how I am applying with complete knowledge of what graduate student life in the sciences is like. I conclude with a paragraph that explores the evolution of my general interest in molecular research into a sepcific topic that I want to look into, how that interest developed and how the department I am applying to will help me achieve what I want (with specific references to the professor I want to work with and have been in contact with for some time). I have a plethora of very rich expeiences from my life prior to my Masters but this degree has taken over my life in the last two years and therefore, I have not gone into any of that. But I'm open to suggestions! Unfortunately, my professor is hoping that I decide to stay on and do my PhD in his lab but will not hold it against me if I choose to leave. So he is not the best person to ask for help. (Plus the only thing he ever reads is stuff related to his research). And the advising at my department is bad bordering on nonexistent.
  2. Anyone know of any site where admissions essay critiquing costs less that $150/essay? I need my SOP critiqued but most people I've approached don't give me any insightful advice. They either say it's "nice" or "sounds good" or something equally vague. I don't really know who else to ask. My professors are not into helping with this sort of thing.
  3. I'm applying for '09 Fall. I'm getting my Masters from the University of Rhode Island. I have a thesis Masters so I have significant research experience. My letters of recommendation are going to be very good. My General GRE scores are quite high, and my Subject GRE scores in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology and Genetics are in the 77th percentile. I also have two years of teaching experience, both as a lab TA and as a one-on-one tutor. But my Masters program GPA is only around 3.15. I have made contact with a professor and have been invited up to BU's Biology Department to spend the day there at the end of the month (even before my application has gone in) and meet with professors and grad students and attend their department seminar, a whole 10AM to 5PM invitation. But I am worried about my low GPA. What are my chances of getting in if my interview at BU goes well?
  4. That depends on what field you have your MA in. In the sciences, and especially in the biological sciences, or in Chemistry or even in Physics, a prior graduate degree means that you have proven skills in the lab. That's very important because a lot of 4.0 GPA kids come into the field of the research and are somehow just not good at conducting experiments. So any field where significant lab work is part of the PhD research, prior successful lab experience at the grad school level is a huge plus.
  5. Is that true for all programs at U Wisconsin, Madison?
  6. Just knowing that you know what graduate school is really like, and the fact that you have proven research experience higher than the little projects undergrads do (I'm assuming here that you have a MS with thesis), you are a very attractive candidate for a PhD program. The size of the graduating class from any PhD is so much smaller than the matriculating class because most undergrads don't really know much about the graduate student life. They often get bored, or depressed or just impatient with all the hard work for such little pay. So yeah, since you know what grad school is like and are willing to go through it again shows that you must really like doing research and are not likely to drop out midway. I'm in the same position as you are, and I've talked to a few of my profs. They told me that I have a good chance of getting into any program in the country. And it will help you even more if you can take the Subject GRE and get anything above a 50th percentile. I think your chances are quite good. And since you have done research, you should have some idea of what you want to do in terms of research for your PhD. So read professors' research papers and email them about it. Ask to meet them if the school isn't too far away. Then if they do invite you, definitely go visit. It will help your case a lot if you can make a good impression (i.e. know what you are talking about, are able to fluently discuss your research, your career aims etc.)
  7. I'm applying for '09 Fall. I'm getting my Masters from the University of Rhode Island. I have a thesis Masters so I have significant research experience. My letters of recommendation are going to be very good. My General GRE scores are quite high, and my Subject GRE scores in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology and Genetics are in the 77th percentile. I also have two years of teaching experience, both as a lab TA and as a one-on-one tutor. But my Masters program GPA is only around 3.15. I have made contact with a professor and have been invited up to BU's Biology Department to spend the day there at the end of the month (even before my application has gone in) and meet with professors and grad students and attend their department seminar, a whole 10AM to 5PM invitation. But I am worried about my low GPA. What are my chances of getting in if my interview at BU goes well?
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use