banksy

Do you really think they are asking something other than your research? At this stage in your career/life I think it is expected for you to eat, breathe, and sleep science. Of course if you are asked to about what "non-science" activities/things you are interested in then that should be easy. If I was asked by myself, I would say something along the lines of - I'm a curious person, my curiosity has motivated my interests throughout my life and only recently did I find a focus that I am considering pursuing for the rest of my life. I have spent the past three years exploring these interest and I want to spend the next 4-6 years developing them. In finding and beginning to pursue these interests I have learned a lot about myself, such as certain strengths and weaknesses. Identifying personal weaknesses during my pursuits has allowed me to grow as a person in x,y,z ways, while simultaneously developing as a scientist. So much of my life in the past three years has been geared toward pursuing a career in science and I am excited about what this next step will bring me. I'll leave it to you to fill in the details about what motivated you to apply to graduate school and what you have learned about yourself during your extensive research experience. Seriously though - all other activities about yourself should be taking a back seat to you determination to pursue a career in science during this process. Maybe I am wrong, but that is how I honestly feel.

I think the chance of admission is equal for both interview dates, though I can not say this with any certainty. People get accepted within a few days of the first interview session. On the other hand I was accepted to Columbia on 4/18/11, which was well after both interview dates. I went on an alternative date.

Just got word from ASU Biodesign program for an interview 2/22-2/23 - I am trying to reschedule due to a conflict with Madison.

Biohopeful - I would have just traveled by some sort of public transportation (bus/train). I can't imagine why it would be a big deal though.

Don't get too caught up in the numbers of accepted/rejected pre and post interview invite. Just keep in mind that if you have an interview - an acceptance at this point is yours to lose or gain, however you want to look at it (this statement is a bit outdated at this point). It depends on the year - the first year I applied I got 2/7 interviews with a 3.26 and 9 months of research experience and got 1 acceptance, though like i mentioned before if i did not express doubts i would have gotten both acceptances. Last year the applicant pool was MUCH tougher and bigger! I applied to 9 and got 1 interview, I hardly changed my application thinking I was good from the previous year. I talked to the admissions committee from the 1 interview/rejection at Umass I got and he said last year they only accepted 50% of the people they interviewed. I have been in contact with many people on the admissions committee's in preparation for this application and they said last year was unusually competitive and it is not expected to happen again this year (clearly because I am 6/9 currently). All in all, I think this is a good year to be applying because all the tough candidates got snatched up (added bonus is all those smarty-pants will be a year above us). By the way the Umass admissions committee member this year who told me the 50% number said they did not see the same ridiculous pool of applicants - i think this is a general trend. My mentor/recommender got that information from the committee because he was wondering why he was seeing my application for the second year in a row, after i received an interview and rejection. He looked at the books and realized last year was straight cray-cray..

anyone know if UCSD Biological Sciences is done sending out invitations?

you need to be "on" the entire time. to me informal means what you wear every day and to me this means wearing tight pants and t-shirts that are slightly too small. i will not be dressing like this at any point during a recruitment weekend. use your best judgement - this is an interview for a job that will last 4-6 years and set up your career... there is no need to be informal

no need for a suit, unless you are comfortable in a suit. business casual is the attire for most programs.

4:05pm I will be useless around the lab for the rest of the day...

Things just got real.... Took a walk around the lab after receiving this one

UCSF iPQB INTERVIEW ~@.@~ YIKES!!!!

Yes, the Biochem, Micro, and MCB interview weekends are all the same - joint mixers - ho-down

I will see you at Austin next week SynBio - I sent you a message regarding that interview. I haven't heard anything from UCSF iPQB...sometime soon I would assume.

Just heard from Rice SSPB for interview on March 7- 10....>HOLLA

Thanks dlouble, I put UNC as rejected in my head... Though I still don't think I will receive an interview.

Interview tips - This is my third time applying to graduate school and I have been on three interviews, two my first year and one last year. I received one acceptance and decided to decline the offer to hold out for something better. (I have 4 interviews already this year because have put a lot more effort toward my apps and I am not prepping for interviews). I was accepted to Columbia, and rejected from U.Chicago (i expressed doubts of going to grad school that year) and UMass last year.... First and foremost you need to stay relaxed, this comes from being prepared and knowing what you are talking about. There is no pressure during the interviews and no need to be anxious. All they want to see from you is enthusiasm about the program, the research going on there, and your research. Of course, you can get a jerk interviewer who will try to make you stumble -- out of my 18 or so 1-on-1interviews I did not come across such a person, but they are out there. If you don't know something, say it, don't scramble to make up an answer. Search the web for common grad interview questions and think of answers to them. Practice your spiel with your mentor or a graduate student. You need to remember that you are just as in control of the interview as the professor is - it is your job to ask them questions in order to inform YOUR decision. I found that it is sort of a competition between interviewee and the interviewer who gets to talk about their research. I'd estimate that 60-40 the professor talked about their research, so pay attention and ask questions even if you think they are stupid...Professors are always looking for a fresh young perspective on the problems they are working on - so asking "dumb" questions could lead to something they have never thought about. Everyone affiliated with the program you are visiting gives feedback to the admissions committee, so don't get drunk and act a fool or be rude to someone you think doesn't matter in the process. Get together an "elevator pitch" of your research that is between .5-2min for the mixers with professors and students, don't let this drag on forever because people are drinking and honestly don't really care - but be convincing and play to their interests if you can. Why is what you do important? How is your research applicable? How can it be applied my research? What skills do will you bring to my lab? Think and talk big picture, gloss over the details, but know the details if you are asked for them! Again ask a lot of questions because they convey enthusiasm. Take the opportunity to practice your pitch with other interviewees before the event starts, this lubes you up for the real thing the next day. The process is fun and exciting - so enjoy it and make sure the program is right for you by asking questions... I can't really stress that enough. Good luck.

When are you going to Austin, SynBio?

Tabor seems cool. Matt Bennett, Suh, Zhong... I am interested in the program's quantitative biology theme and coursework. I had a typo in my essay , though nothing glaring

SSPB site says LOR are accepted until today, so they will probably be meeting next week... it would be pretty awesome to be the first class of a brand new program.... only 8 spots available though. i'm hoping they did not receive a lot of applications --ranting and raving because there has been no time to eat food yet today. almost done

wahh...i wanted an interview at UCSD :-( maybe next week...won't hold my breath. anyone apply to Rice SSPB? if so any word from them?

today was pretty uneventful, wonder what tomorrow will bring

erbbie3 - ucsd didnt even offer their earlier interview weekend?

PHEW! I contacted the Austin Admissions Committee yesterday as soon as i received my interview invite to try and reschedule due to a conflict. I woke upt this morning to -- "You are the official last person I am confirming for the January visit". A good start for the day!

UT austin just came through --- only one interview date??? They be Crazy!!!

@nishiki me too