m114rh.02

Anyone heard from Columbia CMBS (specifically the Integrated Program)? I'm pretty sure they're done with interviews and I expected to hear by now. Applied (11): UNC Chapel Hill BBSP, University of Virginia BIMS, Columbia CMBS, UChicago Molecular Biosciences, Boston University PiBS, UPenn CAMB, Mt. Sinai Biomedical Sciences, Northwestern DGP, Tufts GSBS, NYU Vilcek, Jefferson GGCB Interview (5): UNC BBSP, UVA BIMS, UPenn CAMB, Columbia CMBS, Tufts GSBS, Jefferson GGCB Rejected: UChicago, BU PiBS, Mt. Sinai, Northwestern, NYU Accepted: UVA BIMS, UPenn CAMB

Has anyone heard from UNC BBSP yet? I saw one acceptance in the results page but wondering if anyone else has received an acceptance following the first interview weekend (Jan 27-28).

Has anyone interviewed with Columbia CMBS yet that could share how it went? Their statistics show that only about 45 or 50% of interviewees get accepted, so I'm wondering if it's more cutthroat or intense than other interviews, or if it's nothing different really. Would appreciate any advice! Thanks!

Finally received a response from Northwestern DGP for anyone wondering: "At this time we have sent out invitations for all available interview slots. The chances that new invitations will go out in the next week or two are very slim. We anticipate updating application status later in the coming weeks." This was in response to an email I sent them a few weeks ago asking if they are still sending interview invites.

Hi, that was most likely me. I interviewed with the BMG cluster/track last week.

Anyone know if Northwestern DGP is still sending interview invites? I know they start interviews this week so I think it might be a silent reject at this point. I emailed admissions last week and received no response. Applied (11): UNC Chapel Hill BBSP, University of Virginia BIMS, Columbia CMBS, UChicago Molecular Biosciences, Boston University PiBS, UPenn CAMB, Mt. Sinai Biomedical Sciences, Northwestern DGP, Tufts GSBS, NYU Vilcek, Jefferson GGCB Interview (6): UNC BBSP, UVA BIMS, UPenn CAMB, Columbia CMBS, Tufts GSBS, Jefferson GGCB Rejected (2): Mt. Sinai, BU PiBS (waitlist) Accepted:

I'm still holding out hope for NYU Vilcek just based on their website that says their timeline includes interview invites sent from December to March, but I'm not sure about the others! Please update if you hear back from NYU and good luck!

Just want to bump this up again- has anyone heard from UChicago specifically in the Human Genetics track (in the Molecular Biosciences program)??

In the email with the interview invitation they wrote out the general structure/times of how the interview days will be set up, but I have not received anything else yet.

Yes, I applied on Nov 20th and got the email on 12/4 for an interview at the end of January. I think interview invites have slowly been coming out since, but if you're concerned then it might be worthwhile to just ask admissions if they are still reviewing applications or not. Good luck!

Just wanted to update that I just received an email interview invite from Tufts GSBS (track: cell, developmental, and molecular biology). I'm starting to get a little stressed about overlapping interview dates. So far I have been able to select ones that don't conflict, but Tufts only offered 2 dates which both conflict with other interviews. Hoping I can move one to make room for Tufts. Has anyone had experience/advice with conflicting interview dates? Applied (11): UNC Chapel Hill BBSP, University of Virginia BIMS, Columbia CMBS, UChicago Molecular Biosciences, Boston University PiBS, UPenn CAMB, Mt. Sinai Biomedical Sciences, Northwestern DGP, Tufts GSBS, NYU Vilcek, Jefferson GGCB Interview (5): UNC BBSP (12/4), UVA BIMS (12/14), UPenn CAMB (12/16), Columbia CMBS (12/17), Tufts GSBS (12/21) Rejected: Accepted:

To those who have received interviews from UChicago Molecular Biosciences, can I ask what track you applied to? I applied to the Human Genetics track and I'm wondering if I should still hold out hope. And congrats to all with interviews so far!

I received an invite for CMBS today around 1pm. Don’t give up yet! I think for most applications in general there’s no mass email they send at once- it seems to range over a few hours if not days.

What program at UChicago?

Just got an interview from UPenn CAMB today! I applied for Genetics and Epigenetics but not sure if that makes a difference in terms of when they are sending interview invites. Applied (11): UNC Chapel Hill BBSP, University of Virginia BIMS, Columbia CMBS, UChicago Molecular Biosciences, Boston University PiBS, UPenn CAMB, Mt. Sinai Biomedical Sciences, Northwestern DGP, Tufts GSBS, NYU Vilcek, Jefferson GGCB Interview (3): UNC BBSP (12/4), UVA BIMS (12/14), UPenn CAMB (12/15) Rejected: Accepted:

Yep this is what my interview invite looked like too! The interview dates are January 13th and 14th and they asked us to submit a list of faculty we would like to meet with.

Hi everyone! I just wanted to give an update of my applications and my background. Undergrad: BS Biological Sciences from mid-tier state school (3.88 GPA), very minimal lab experience (~1 yr, just basic tissue culture) Research: Currently in a 1-yr NIH PREP program doing full time research in a cell biology/epigenetics lab (also taking a graduate cell biology course through the program) No publications or poster presentations 3-4 decent LORs? I'm not sure if any were particularly strong but I waived my right to read so who knows I think I have a strong GPA and even though I lack research experience in terms of time, I think my work now in this post-bacc program is pretty intensive and makes up for it. But I am nervous about not having any publications, posters, conference presentations, etc. Applied (11): UNC Chapel Hill BBSP, University of Virginia BIMS, Columbia CMBS, UChicago Molecular Biosciences, Boston University PiBS, UPenn CAMB, Mt. Sinai Biomedical Sciences, Northwestern DGP, Tufts GSBS, NYU Vilcek, Jefferson GGCB Interview (2): UNC BBSP (12/4), UVA BIMS (12/14) Rejected: Accepted:

Edit: This is supposed to be a reply to MindyMermaid (oops!): I don’t know anything specific about UNC’s admissions process but it’s definitely too early to assume rejection from any school. Even if you don’t get an interview invite right away, you might be on a waitlist for an invite. Some people will also cancel interviews as they start getting more interviews from other schools… I’m told it gets very overwhelming to do multiple interviews! Just try to stay patient Good luck!

I just got an interview invite from UNC BBSP this morning! I submitted my application on the 22nd.

Hi! In my interviews I actually didn't get any "standard" interview questions like strengths and weaknesses besides a question to give an example of a challenge or something that didn't work out as expected during a research project. Interviews go by so fast in only half an hour, so the questions were pretty much "Why do you want to do PREP", "Why do you want to do our program specifically", "tell me about your research experience", "What is your career goal/what do you want to do after getting a PhD" and "Whose lab in our program are you interested in working in". It's basically whatever you probably already wrote as your personal statement but you get a chance to explain yourself in more detail and show your enthusiasm for their program. And definitely come up with some good questions to ask them at the end because it's important that you're also getting a good sense of what their program is like and if it's a good fit for you. I hope that helps!

Update: Just got accepted to Brown too! If anyone has any personal experience or insight into either Penn or Brown that could help me make a decision please let me know!!

Hi everyone! I applied to Brown PREP, Tufts PREP, Einsten PREP, Mt. Sinai PREP, UPenn PREP, UChicago PREP, and BU PREP. I interviewed with Brown over two weeks ago and haven't heard back, which I don't think is a good sign. I just interviewed with Penn and got an offer, which is very exciting, but I don't think I'll hear back from anyone besides Brown before they need my decision. I just got an interview offer for Mt. Sinai, but I decided to withdraw my application since I won't have a decision back from them either before I need to answer Penn, and I don't want to decline Penn unless I have another offer to fall back on. It's just very frustrating that these decisions will all be coming in over a long period of time, and these programs need answers pretty quickly.