RobertMoog

Might be late info but I JUST got an official rejection from UW Seattle! International here, which might explain why things are a bit lagging behind.

That's very helpful, thanks a lot! And not an actual question about strength and weakness, but generally how you stand out and why they would admit you out of hundreds of applicants. It might be a great match of interest (and hence the question how do you specifically show your interest and passion if you don't have to read papers), strong intellectual ability, or a clear idea of what research you would want to do as a PhD (when your current field isn't directly relevant to your POIs, and when you have done many other different types of projects, how do you show that you are focused and dedicated to research in that field?)

Hello fellow researchers!! I applied for 5 programs this year, and I got one interview invitation from my dream program, a confirmed rejection from a safe choice (which was surprising) and haven't heard from others (they have sent interview invitations in Dec so I assume they all failed.) The very tiny pool of interview invitations made me confused about why I even got invited by the very competitive, top program (and I even had a dream that I got another email saying the invitation was a mistake ?). As I am preparing for the only interview weekend I have so far, I feel less and less prepared The more papers I read about my POI, the less I think I know about the field. And as I read from here and there on this forum, many of you have talked to your POIs before even receiving interview invitations, but the only contact I got from my POI was a general reply from their assistant. I don't even know if it was a good match, especially because their work is not directly related to the current project I am doing right now. (Hence why it has been hard reading.) I know getting frustrated and lingering on the question of why i got the interview at all will get me nowhere, so here are the questions I am asking: Should I, or is it a good move in general to email my POI again about the interview weekend and ask for pointers (e.g. current work for me to think about my potential projects working with them, recommendations for other faculty members that I should talk to as I need to name a few for one-on-one interviews)? Is it unnecessary/bothering, or will it be very helpful if I ask for an informal chat with them before the interview weekend? And also the general tips about preparing for interviews. How do you read about your POIs? Should you get more familiar with your current work to showcase your research abilities, or should you focus more on the POIs? If they are doing research you are very interested in but you haven't done any direct work/use any methods in the field, how do you prove that you have the ability to work with them? And a more abstract question about dealing with your strengths and weaknesses. How do you highlight your specialties/strengths to stand out in the crowd, and how do you deal with obvious shortcomings? By strength I'm talking about more specific qualities, not "fast-learner/academically strong/experienced at independent research" that almost every researcher has. Examples from your own applications will be very helpful! Thanks for bearing my whining and looking forward to your inputs...

I'm also on the lower side of the balance lol, but I'm sure we will all get something eventually. You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes... Whether we have 1 or 10 or no interviews at all, it doesn't hurt to start preping! Does anyone know if there is an existing interview prep group/chat for all those who want some "peer-reviews?" If not, is anyone interested in starting one together...?

It also depends on the programs you have applied for. I'm sure you will get something, unless you only applied for a few very top ones. Don't panic there's one more workday before Christmas! and January to come of course. Not sure if the "irrelevant" reference will do anything, but if it's strong then it will still boost your apps. IMHO you have a great profile of relevant research too, not just good grades. And good grades are important (I'm often ashamed about how to explain the dip in my 3rd and 4th year major electives), at least you won't be easily cut out by the numbers!

3 in limbo too, uh how much I hate it!! I got a very positive response from one POI but then the program was the first to reject me. Not the level of contact compared to you though.

PIBS!

Does anyone know the usual number of slots of acceptance/interviews at Caltech/Princeton/Stanford? Just want to have a rough idea...

I know right. The thing like "you don't have to be neuro/life science major,""we don't have a minimal GPA," "publications are not required," etc. is not completely true, if not a lie. I know a third-year PhD in the program who was very encouraging and they told me it wouldn't be as crazy as I imagined. Yes it isn't, cuz it's crazier than I've ever thought. Thanks a lot for the info btw. Best of luck with your apps this year!

Thanks for the info! I guess it's gonna be harder and harder every year....

And no I haven't seen one US PhD with Jan. deadlines yet, not as I remember. A lot in UK and Canada (almost any one you can think of) are open further till Feb and even later (without fundings). I haven't applied for any one yet, was busy and lazy in filling the apps... How about masters in US? Have you seen any and would you mind sharing?

@EVIL GENIUS sounds real fierce (They do admit a few more than other programs I guess). I'm not ashamed! @t_lulu and @siguy, you both got really strong background, I bet you are popular!! Have you got any other invitations? Best of luck with all interviews everyone!

Any internationals got Harvard PiN yet? I guess they have sent all invitations and I'm just not qualified. Harvard invites, mind sharing your stats?

I think someone on the result page said they've sent out all invitations. Sadly I didn't get one somehow I thought it would be a safe choice

That's very impressive! Thanks loads for sharing the info, I will start looking...

Do you have a US degree or did you intern in the lab before, or did you just apply? That's interesting!!

if you love it you should go for it, esp. if your country has loads of research opportunities. Many professors/postdocs told me they had to work unpaid in the lab and get side hustles like baristas before their PhDs. IMHO only with real passion in science can you make great discoveries. Personally I'll stop applying and move on if I can't get anything. Many here have strong research background, GPA and publications. And without an orthodox bio/psych background all I can do is jump from one lab to another seizing whatever is given to me (I've been really feeling like a "homeless" in academia in all these years.) Few labs in my home country are doing the topic I'm interested in. And I can't get a Visa to do research in the labs I like if I'm not also pursuing a degree there that costs a fortune. Sometimes as an international I'm jealous of how lucky you are to have that many postbacc, RA and technician opportunities. Doing more research in your path will definitely strengthen your background so if you do have those choices, don't give up just yet.

I did the same but most didn't reply! I guess they were just not interested. Thank you and good luck!

Congrats! I thought few PIs are willing to talk before committee view your materials. Have you skyped many of your POIS?

I applied for Harvard as well and didn't hear anything today so far a rejection from U Michigan, interview from Caltech. I wonder if they have a different schedule for international applicants...? CSHL is great, a colleague from my lab worked there, and she liked it Good luck!

Not sure about UCL but I know Cambridge isn't as hard as Harvard/Stanford etc. Also with UK credentials applying for US programs is hard mode (in a lot of disciplines). Not holding my breath for it! Mind if I ask if you applied for any US programs and how it's going?

Believe it or not Oxbridge are easier to apply for than those with similar reputations in the states. (Funding of Cambridge has closed, but they still receive apps.) Personally I don't like the programs as much, cuz my undergrad is not in the field and I need courses. I guess I'll try a few more in Canada and UK, and maybe masters as well (I'd hate the debt but what else can I do?). Do you have anything in mind?

It's approaching weekend and judging by the pathetic number of interview invitations I received so far, I think it would be safer if I apply for a few other programs with January deadlines. Anyone else...?