Johndg2

Thanks Fernandes that helps

Hello everyone, I've got somewhat of an odd question. I am most likely going to Brazil for a PhD program. The stipend that they are offering isn't that bad, but I would like a bit more. I've been searching for loans online for US grad students in Brazil and have not come up with anything. If you have any suggestions it would be greatly appreciated.!

So here's my story. I'm posting this not to discourage anyone by no means, just because I want some to know, especially the older applicants, that getting a PhD is not everything. I am still very passionate about biology, and I encourage everyone to pursue their dreams. In fact I'm writing a book on the evolution of multicellularity. In short, I've been doing molecular biology and other things for the past 11 years. I've done well, worked at some premier places and have published 5 papers, 2 in top tier journals. I had to quit a doc program because the funding ran out, I was 2.5 years into it, passed my prelims, published, and did well in my teaching and coursework. It was a disaster. Half the lab left too. Long story. I moved back home and started teaching Bio at a community college as an adjunct ( I have a masters). That was OK, but it didn't pay well. Fast forward one year. Saturday, 3 days ago, I applied to a position at a hospital for a Neuroimaging technologist, thinking, I had absolutely no shot. The hospital is literally .5 miles away from my house. Yesterday I get an invite to interview: they want to pay me 32K/year to train. I think I have a good shot now, and I have an interview next week. I think the starting salary should hover around 50K with a potential to make 100K. So, I love research, but hey, this will be ALOT easier, probably pay more, and I can explore my own interests like writing and music. Plus, I won't get caught up in a post-doc and have a 5% chance of professor ship (and 5% getting a grant as a professor). Having said that, I've come across a lot of bright, motivated scientists that are doing well, and I'm happy for them. Good luck

Hello all, Today I noticed that Drexel University has an online PhD program in Biochemistry, although, there is no mention of it on their website. I was wondering if anyone knows about this, what it entails, and if it is legitimate? Best, John

I just moved to ATL to start a doc program in Bio and I have found a really cheap place in East Point. It's not the best neighborhood but the house is clean and spacious, I can drive to the West End Marta station in 2 minutes and I couldn't be happier. So far, I've been exploring all parts of ATL and despite what people say about the crime, I fell very safe; walk with confidence, avoid transients and bums and be friendly.

I just posted a similar topic, I'll be starting PhD in the Mol Genetics and Biochem, good luck everyone!

Hello there, Just looking to see if anyone here is also starting grad school at GSU this Fall, especially those in the Bio dept. I'll be in the Mol Genetics and Biochem dept., and I'm getting fired up about starting. Much to my surprise, I got an external fellowship for the Molecular Basis of Disease prog; it's a one year appt. and it raised my stipend 2K. Anyone out there starting Bio this Fall? Best Wishes and Good luck, John

I'm glad that you want to pursue a master's, but you might have a hard time finding a funded master's with a lower g.p.a. an no research experience. If I were you, and this is what I did because my undergrad gpa is lower than yours, I would get a nice technician position in the research type you want to pursue, maybe take some grad level courses, and do some networking along the way. But who knows, you might be able to get into a non-funded master's somewhere. But who wants to pay for grad school? Good luck!

knightrunner, Hey there, ya, I'm definitely considering it as an option. It's funny that you mentioned Austria, I am looking at a really cool program with a focus on cancer at the CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. You should take a look (it won't let me copy the link, just google it). It seems like that they promote collaborations within the program, very international group, doing some cool basic biomedical research. The program seems small, like only 10 professors as far as I can tell. I emailed the coordinator with my resume and she encouraged me to apply. Can I ask what websites you are using to find PIs? I didn't know that European programs would fund master's program, that's really cool, go for it! I got an invitation to see a program yesterday, been rejected from 1, and this looks like an acceptance, but I have 8 more programs to go.

Yes, I've made contact with POI at each program that I applied for, even had Skype conversations with 3, and went to visit one for two days at my expensive. I'm doing all the things I should, but I'm still doubtful somehow. I'm glad you got into Berkley and that a PI helped you, it seems like that would be the way in for me too. I've applied to 10 programs and only have been rejected from 1, but no interviews. Granted most of the deadlines were Jan 15th or Feb 1st. A lot of the programs I applied to are large, and it seems almost by chance that I would find a POI and have them help my app, although, like I said, I have made quite of few contacts. It just seems like that if you build a rapport with a PI in Europe, they have better sway in admissions, they even advertise specific projects. Thanks for the reply.

Thanks bsharpe, That was really helpful and may have saved me 36K

bsharpe269, I have a question for you since you are applying to bioinformatics programs next season. I'm thinking about doing a master's in bioinformatics online. My background is in molecular biology. What classes would I need to take to be accepted into master's program. I have no background in computer science or math. Also, with a online master's in bioinformatics, would that make me a competitive applicant to PhD programs in Bioinformatics? Best, Johndg2

Well because in a lot of situations, you can apply directly to the PI, and they will have an influence on admissions. Instead of being up against 200 applicants, a PI may only have 10 applicants. I really don't know, that's why I posted my question. It seems like there are various ways of getting admitted depending on the university and the program. I thought by networking with PIs, I could build a relationship and have a better chance.

Hello all, I'm just seeing if anyone has experience with applying to PhD programs in Europe. I applied to 10 programs for Fall 2014 in the USA but I really don't think I'm going to get in anywhere given my C/V so I'm looking at options in Europe. From what I've seen so for via websites, you do not take coursework and a lot of times can be directly admitted to a particular lab. This would benefit me as I have a Master's and my research interests are more specific. I have only contacted 2 professors so far, at the University of Dundee in Scotland, and I'm wondering if it would be a good strategy to contact professors before I formally apply to the announcement (usually they have announcements advertising open positions in labs). I am very eager to begin PhD studies, and would prefer to do one in the USA, but I have an unusual background that I feel makes me poised to start doctorate studies, but doesn't look so "good" on paper. I have 11 years of research experience spanning 4 labs. I have 2 publications and one pending in decent journals. My GRE is V(510) Q(700) W (4). My master's g.p.a is 3.2. My undergraduate g.p.a is low, like a 2.4, and I have explained this in an informal letter I wrote that most programs I applied to this cycle has allowed me to give them. Basically, I said that I was not motivated until I finished my undergrad and started doing research. However, the biggest reason I think I don't have a shot this time around is that I was actually in a doctorate program for 2 years but had to quit because my advisor ran out of money and the department couldn't offer me a TA. I had no other choice. My research was going well. What was I to do? Get a fulltime job AND be a student, that would have been insane. My former doctorate advisor and master's advisor are supporting my application and I have strong letters from them. Also not so good, I took four classes as a doc student and made 3 A's and 1 measly C. I have also explained that C in the letter I wrote. My SOP from programs was probably strong too. I dunno, I'm sure that most applicants are actually qualified to do the programs, but it seems so competitive, that I think I'll be passed up for a younger applicant with less research experience with a better academic record (I'm 39). I can see why an addcom would not accept me and this makes me depressed, especially knowing that I'm well capable. So you do you think? Do I have a better shot at getting into a lab in Europe by doing some networking? Thanks for your advice!

Biological interpretive dancing!