[2021 Biology PhD Admissions Results]

5 hours ago, pipettingerror said:

Now that the Dec 1 deadline has passed, where did you guys end up applying?

Good luck to everyone!! 
I applied to PhD programs @ VTech, Notre Dame, UMaine and UGeorgia. Also to NSF GRFP. Let the incessant email checking begin ??

[2021 Biology PhD Admissions Results]

12 hours ago, StemCells4Lyfe said:

So I just got off of an open house event, and some one asked a similar question, and the admissions board said don't do that. You should focus on applying to the Ph.D., and if you're not admitted then you have the option to apply to the masters. 

This is interesting. Thanks for sharing. I'm curious about the "if you're not admitted then you have the option to apply to the masters." Do you mean the next year around? Or will you be recontacted if you are not accepted to a PhD program and offered the option to apply to the masters? 

I had been wondering about this previously and asked a couple of departments if applicants not accepted to the PhD would be considered for masters admissions, I was told that it is not a guarantee unless you indicate to the department in advance that you would like to be considered for the masters program. 

 

Thanks for the insight!

[2021 Biology PhD Admissions Results]

6 hours ago, DevoLevo said:

Honestly, I wouldn't worry so much about the low UG GPA, particularly since your master's was great. Yes, its probably below average but with a good GPA in your masters you show that you have the capacity to do will in school and your research/publishing record shows you can do well in science. Definitely apply to some mid-tier programs you'd feel comfortable with, but apply to some reach ones as well. Multiple first author publications is nothing to scoff at - I still have a solid 0 pubs under my belt and managed to get into good schools with a 3.5 and a lot of time spent on my personal statements.

Thanks for your response. I graduated from UG 7 years ago and it is certainly time I stop beating myself up over not reaching my potential. I really appreciate you taking the time to both respond and offer some encouraging words. Best of luck as you continue your PhD and congrats of being accepted to such a strong Biosciences program!
 

[2021 Biology PhD Admissions Results]

On 9/10/2020 at 10:11 PM, DevoLevo said:

I'm happy to give people feedback on application profiles as well as strategies I might suggest for how to strengthen weaknesses thereof.

Also can give perspectives on Stanford biosciences - I do molecular/cellular/developmental/genetics type stuff so I can particularly give advice in that realm.

I'm not the most active on here, so I'll be more responsive to direct messages!

 

I know things are super weird with COVID and all right now - hope you all are doing alright and not stressing out too much!!

I would love some advice/perhaps brutal honesty on my profile. I'm quote concerned about my chance of admission. 

UGGPA: 3.1 from a top liberal arts college -- double major if it matters
MS GPA: 3.8 from an average state university
GRE: 169V/164Q/5.0
Other: first-generation, domestic
2 first-author pubs
1 middle author pub
1 first author and 1 middle author in the works
3 years working in a research lab with well known PI
 

I've contacted PIs from each university I plan to apply to and have had Zoom meetings with each (~40mins). All said that they would love to have me in their lab or I would be a great addition. As silly as it may be, I feel like I am duping them though, since they don't yet know my less-than-stellar UG GPA.

I spent a long time finding PIs with very similar research experience to my own and (I think) have written a fairly specific statement-of-intent outlining my research questions and ideas. Any advice on anything else I can do to hopefully make-up for that 3.1? Also, I'm being realistic, so I'm planning to apply to mid-tier programs. 

Thanks!