Orims

Can't talk much about other schools, but Stanford's review process is very holistic. I have seen people get in with various experiences, undergrad institutions, ages, GRE score ranges, GPAs, etc. The one unifying factor was research experience, which most people seemed to have a few years under their belt and were actively involved in their projects (as opposed to being a pipetting robot for a postdoc). I can also say that having publications won't automatically give you an interview. In my program we have interviewing people with Nature, Cell, Science papers and have both accepted and rejected them, some rejected without interviews. I, and many of my peers (probably more than half of the people I know), got in without a publication. Finally, other than research, I feel Stanford really values diversity as a whole. The Biosciences program and the School of Medicine, which Biosciences is affiliated with, make a great effort at promoting and culturing diversity. If all you have for your application is research, research, research, you might be at a slight disadvantage.

If anyone has questions about Stanford Biology's interview session feel free to shoot me a message!

Stanford Biology interview invites should be going out very shortly. Good luck!

To everyone applying to Stanford Biology, I just got word that adcoms will finalize reviewing applications early this week and will probably send interview invites later this week or early next week (this is most likely true for all other biosciences home programs). Best of luck and hope to see you here in March!

All of the places I interviewed at had 10-15 minute breaks in between interviews. At places like MIT where all buildings are close to each other these breaks were good to eat a snack, use the restroom, check your e-mail, etc. Other schools like Wisconsin - Madison, which has buildings spread throughout the city, had breaks that were used more as a means of getting from point A to B. Interviews are held in your interviewers office or a small conference/seminar room with only yourself and your interviewer. Most interviews tend to end around 5 PM, this usually followed by a dinner of sorts or social event. Dress nice but take into account weather, people will understand if you are wearing rain/snow boots or a rain coat. I usually read my interviewer's lab webpage and if I couldn't find anything else I would try to read at least their most recent paper (or the abstract if there was lack of time). I think reading multiple papers per interviewers is over-preparing a little much, lab webpage or 1 paper should be more than enough. If you have a professor your REALLY want to work with and impress, then go ahead and read as much as you'd like. Out of all my interviews in all the schools I went to only one professor asked me a question about his research. He showed me a few slides on his research and then asked me a simple question based on a slide he was currently presenting. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Your scores are WAY better than mine and I was able to get into good programs without people even asking about my GRE scores. Given that you also have a good GPA I would not worry at all about re-taking the GRE. I believe your time will be better applied to writing and polishing your personal statement.

My GPA was indeed above 3.8, however my GRE scores were horrible for a top 10 (<75% on all categories).

I applied to mostly top 10 programs as an international who studied in an unknown state school and was able to get into half of the schools I applied to. Also, during my interviews I met many people who were from state schools, unknown liberal arts schools and who had no publications whatsoever, very rarely would I meet someone who had published. Publications aren't a requirement to get into top 10, 20 or whatever schools IMO. Good luck!

I remember last year how much I would freak out about grad school aps and spend countless of nights thinking of possible scenarios, haha! Everything will work out in the end but best of luck to everyone! I will be starting in Stanford's Biology program in September if anybody has any questions about this specific program or anything related to grad school interviews coming from an international student's point of view. Best of luck!

Got assigned a studio at the new Kennedy residences! Anyone else living on campus?

Working at my REU site from last summer and then taking a month off before I start grad school.

If a program does not require it, don't take it, save those dollars and apply to another program. Some programs also recommend it but don't require it (some of Stanford's programs for example) and you might consider taking the subject test for these programs, however, I've know if people who get in without it.

Well by the time you go to their third week they already accepted a big bulk of international students and almost ever international I met during the 3rd week got put into this "we want you put can't afford you" wait-list because they had already accepted internationals from the previous two weeks. I also know quite a few faculty and administration from my two summers and a few of them outright told me that had I gone to the 1st or 2nd week I would have been admitted without a doubt. Still, MIT is a great place regardless and I feel going to Stanford and expanding my network is for my benefit, I can always post-doc at MIT .

Can't believe this process is over and that I was admitted to my 1st choice! Here is my final breakdown: Undergrad Institution: Large state university with lots of research but lots of pre-med/pre-vets Major(s): Biochemistry GPA in Major: 3.86 Overall GPA: 3.92 GRE Scores (revised/old version): Q: 158 (72%) V: 155 (68%) W: 4.5 (78%) Research Experience: 3.5 years in the same lab at my institution 2 summers at MIT Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's list every semester A few poster presentation award from my school Pertinent Activities or Jobs: I guess my extensive research experience greatly helped me out. Applying as an international student was very scary and all I was aiming for was to get into 1 school. Today I cannot believe I was offered 5 interviews and pretty much accepted everywhere I interviewed (MIT wanted to accept me but wait-listed me since I went to their last recruitment week and they had already ran short on international funding). If I could give any advice for people applying within the next few years is to never doubt yourself. I thought that my list was too risky but I was able to get interviews at my 1st and 2nd choice. Also, don't let your GRE scores think that you are not good enough, I scored lower than the average student admitted into most of the schools I applied to but still managed to get acceptances. Finally, if you are an international student try to go to the 1st or 2nd recruitment week you are offered, going to the 3rd recruitment week at MIT was a bad choice given that they had already accepted many international students. PS: Interviews are awesome, don't be scared/nervous about them! Officially moving to the Bay Area and Stanford this fall! Good weather here I come!

If I don't hear anything by tomorrow I think I will be spending my next 5-6 years in California, sunny beautiful California .

Has any international student who got waitlistet at MIT Biology after their 3rd week heard anything?

I interviewed with the IMBS program a few weeks ago, here's what I thought about it. The faculty and students were really nice and friendly, specially the faculty, it seemed like they really cared about their students. The school itself, or the medical campus, was also nice, a few new buildings here and there but mostly older building but great labs. My main reason for not accepting their offer is because Houston seems to be extremely big and I would need to buy a car at some point, I am more of a small town/biking/walking person. Great programs otherwise!

Your undergrad research won't define your graduate school research. Based on what I experienced this application cycle during interviews faculty care more about the amount of research you've done. Personally I am currently doing research in a Virology lab and I am interested in chromatin biology and transcription for graduate school and I've been accepted to programs that have people specializing int hose fields. Your research credentials and GPA are also great, you've got a great profile! Best of luck when you apply, feel free to hit me up with any questions.

Accepted to UT Southwestern! Now if only MIT would make up their minds...

Officially done with interviews! Time to make the biggest decision of my life so far.

It seems like they accepted many internationals from the first two weeks so maybe they really want us but are waiting to hear back from all the other internationals they accepted.

Did any other international who interviewed at MIT during their last week (March 10) also get waitlisted?

Just got placed in a wait list list of international students for MIT Biology. If you are an international and planning to not attend MIT please let them know!

For those waiting on news from MIT Biology. My friend who is a graduate student there informed me that the graduate admissions committe has yet to finalize their decision and that they will be meeting periodically throughout the week to release the last admissions. Let's hang in there!

Still waiting on MIT Biology... Has anyone received acceptances or any news after 5 PM? I just need an answer from MIT so I can finalize think better about my decision.