Johndg2

To kroms, it seems like these top tier programs have already made invites and even admit decisions. I dunno, hopefully you applied to alot more programs. Yes, this process of waiting is fustrating. It seems to me that 90% of all applicants, to all programs, are qualified and can get the job done; it's more a matter of fit, luck and connections. I got an interview at Georgia State but I'm declining it becuase I have already been accepted to a program I didn't list up there. See my other post, I was directly admiited to a lab, and I'm at that university ALREADY; the PI is paying me the stipend until I start proper in May. I'm so glad I made this decision so quickly because I can already tell that it's going to be good. Best of luck!

This happened really suddenly. Yesterday I was looking at a program that requires you to have a faculty sponser before you are admitted to the program. I found a few labs that were interesting, emailed one with a message and resume and the PI called me by phone an hour later. We talked for 30 minutes and he is flying me out there in a week. I'm cautiously optimistic but everything sounds legit at this point.

Yes of course there are some mid-tier programs that have sent out invitations, 2 out of 10 of my programs have already sent out invitations based on what I've seen on the Results board, but I know for a fact that they have a rolling type of admissions/interview invites and that they are not finished. Hopefully we will all find our places soon. It seems like neuroscience programs are the first to accept/reject in this game. Best of luck everyone.

I would suggest to go to UMass, the chances of getting into MIT are slim for everyone even with great scores. Also, you are a good fit for the program and that's what PhD studies is all about. It depends on what you want to do. You could always get a job as a tech for a year and netwrok at MIT, sounds like your good at that. On a side note, I also applied to Umass Amherst with a Master's degree in Biology, great numbers, letters and 7 years of research experience but have not heard a thing. Do you know if they are having later interviews. Congrats on your acceptence, if I were in your shoes I would go to Amherst, it's less about the prestige of the school and more about who you work with and what you do, you could publish 4 papers at Umass and only 1 at MIT, or vica versa, who knows. But yay, good luck!

It's still to early to get interview invites to the mid-tier programs, although I've seen a few on the reults section. Especially if they do rolling admissions. I just got an email back from the program coordinater at UMass Amherst CMB program and she says they send out invitations all the way through May and their deadline was Dec. 15th! It would be encouraging to get an invite early, but there's still PLENTY of hope. So, in the meantime, let's relax (tell myself). I am writing a paper for publication that we are sending to a reputable international journal and sitting in on a protein biochem course while I wait. Congrats to those of you that got invitations and acceptances already!

To all those who have replied to my topics, thank you for responding and thank you for the encouragement. I'm realizing that it is a bit to early to get interview invites for 80% of my program. Although, I have seen 2 interview invites (UMass-Amherst: Cell and Molecular and U of Colorado-Denver: Molecular Biology). The one post at UC-Denver seems premature given that I spoke with the program and coordinator who says that reviews are not completed. I also spoke with the department head there, nice fellow, who said the only get 25 applications, invite 10 people, and accept 7-8. The chances seem good at that program, but I suspect that they are getting more than 25 applications. So.. has anyone heard from the programs listed below. One current student (Thank You) at the University of Utah (neuroscience) says that the Molecular Biology program starts reviewing applications in mid-Febuary; they get 400 applications and admit "alot" of students. I am very eager, as all of us, to hear something back. I've listed the programs below with the application due dates. If you have any information, we would all like to hear. Good luck with your application! 1. University of Massachusetts- Amherst: Molecular and Cellular Biology- 12/15/10 2. Georgia State University: Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry- 12/10/10 3. University of Utah: Molecular Biology- 12/15/10 4. University of Cincinnati: Molecular and Developmental Biology- 1/1/11 5. University of Colorado-Denver: Molecular Biology- 1/1/11 6. University of Rochester: Biology- 1/1/11 7. Boston University: Cell and Molecular Biology- 1/1/11 8. Indiana University: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology- 1/5/11 9. Colorado State University: Plant Molecular Biology- 1/15/11 10. Purdue University: Biological Sciences- 1/31/11

Do you think a SOP that is broad might be detrimental to an application? I stated that I was interested in cell, molecular, developmenal, biochemistry, bioinformatics, molecular genetics and phylogenetics. I explained that students need to be trained in multiple discpilines to be well rounded researchers. I did mention that I have become increasingly interested in developmental biology and the regulation of gene expression. I spoke with the department head at Purdue by phone, when he asked me what I was looking for in a doctorate program, I said that I was looking for variety and that I wanted TO DEVELOP specific interest. He said he really liked my answer. I really made sure that the programs I applied to had alot of different types of research. Ultimately, I would like to join a lab that takes multiple approaches to answering questions. Good luck with your applications. I haven't heard anything yet, it's a bit too early for most of my programs and from what I've seen on the results board, there has only been one interview invite to the programs I've applied to. So eager to get in somewhere!

Hello, I've applied to 10 programs in Cell and Molecular Biology and I have not heard anything yet, no interview invites, no rejections, nothing. I realize that it is still early, but I noticed 2 of my programs have emailed out interview invitations. It's possible that there are multiple interview sessions for those programs. It's the norm I think to get invites in January and Febuary and to get rejections in March or April. If you want to view my stats and programs I've applied to, look a few post down (Johndg2). I think I'm a pretty strong applicant with lots of research experience. I know for instance that U of Utah won't even start reviewing applications until mid Febuary. Oof.. I just wish I could have a decision either way now. So, what do you think, good sign,bad sign, tough to call. Good luck with your applications, we should all get in somewhere.

Hello all, I guess I'm looking for some encouragment or perhaps a bit of reality (feel free to be honest), on my chances of getting an interview to doctorate programs mostly in Cell and Molecular Biology. I met all the deadlines and I haven't heard a single decision yet. It is a bit early; I was hoping for at least 1 early interview. Here are my stats. Master's degree in Biology from a medium sized school in the University of Georgia system- g.p.a. 3.2 Undergraduate in Biology at same institution- g.p.a. 2.5 ( I realize this is quite low, I've addressed this in a seperate letter explaining why I was not a motivated student and plus it was like 10 years ago. I'm 30 now.) GRE- (V) 520 (Q) 750 (W) 4 4 strong letters of recomendation 1 co-author publication and 1 in preparation (not counting master's thesis) 7+ years of research experience: 2 at Brandeis, 2 at Joslin Diabetes Center, 3 for my master's My Statement is pretty decent I think, I really emphasized my research experience. I am applying to "middle of the road" programs without huge reputations that still have adaquate funding (supposedly). I've also spoken with 3 professors over the phone. I have emailed all programs, multiple professors at some, all with encouraging responses. I would be happy to go to ANY of these programs, I've looked at them in detail and the curriculum /research /stipend /location would be good for me. Here are the schools. Indiana University Bloomington- Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology Colorado State- Plant Molecular Biology University of Colorado Denver- Molecular Biology University of Utah- Molecular Biology Purdue University- Bioscience University of Rochester- Biology Umass Amherst -Cell and Molecular Biology Boston University Medical- Cell and Molecular Biology University of Cincinnati Medical- Cell and Developmental Biology Georgia State University- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Also, if anyone has information on when interviews are announced at any of these schools please let me know. Feel free to post your stats and prospective programs too. I'm especially interested in knowing about applicants to non-Ivey, high octane programs. Best, me