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damnedghost

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    Chennai, India
  • Program
    Biotechnology

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  1. So, here I am: Indian student. IIT. CGPA of 6/10 Zero research experience. Reasons - without getting into too much detail, let's just say that I had totally withdrawn myself from my life. I wasn't facing it. You could call depression an issue - and I am still struggling with it. Now, I want to research in the field of computational biology/Systems Biology. As laughable it might seem, I want to give myself a shot at Tier I institutes in USA. And this is why I ask this question here: How do I build up experience now? What are the alternatives available that can make me work on projects that can compensate for my lowly CGPA. I stumbled in life once. I find it a little hard to believe that it can set me back for ever. I know that there would be a lot of hustle involved, but I am willing to do it.
  2. Hey, that was really good! Thanks for the advice. I am already picking up on my math, doing traditional math courses/following textbooks. Also, I have joined some Computer Science courses on the much publicized Stanford online course platform - which will start later this March. I do not know if I'm inclined towards Biomedical Engineering, but right now, I'm not inclined towards anything. (The closest I could find in terms of an interest is BioMEMS, but only because they involve Physics, Mech/Elec and Bio!). In the end, is it advisable to do some primitive research work online under a professor who would want to give a research project on meta-analysis or anything else which can be carried over the internet? I could use that as a stepping stone for more projects later on in a lab. But hey, one way or the other, this has helped me. Thanks and regards!
  3. Hi! [For reference, I'm studying Biotechnology in an integrated program - which spans over Mol/Cell Bio, Bioprocess Engineering and introductory Biomed] I'll try and keep it short - even though I have been thoroughly confused the past few days. So, as it happens, I find that I'm very much inclined towards technology. I like understanding whatever that's put forth to me. I have been told by several professors, and some of my friends, that anything else apart from engineering/research won't suit me. And here's the twist : Most of my undergrad life has been spent miserably with no real academic/research work done. [Reason's related to choking up, but hey, let's not make this a teary eyed story/confession]. I recently participated in an international competition - and was surprised at the amount of digging up I could do, when it came to learning something. So, with 7 months to go for applying, I really do not think I'd be selected in any program, whatsoever. You could say I have no safety school on my list. [What Next?] So, what I'm looking at somewhere in the future is a great graduate program (Not from a Brand Name point of view, but from the quality of work). And that's because I'd want to do a PhD for the excitement and challenge, also because I'd want to be involved with Technology as a life pursuit. So, what do I do? How do I go about making a profile for research? I'm from India, so I don't think being involved in random research projects around here could set me up to be selected in a worthwhile graduate program. The whole purpose of the graduate program is doing something that is engaging and worthwhile - not Primarily as a career pursuit. I have had enough of misery. Why be miserable for five more years, and two-three years leading up to that? Any advice? Any SPECIFIC advice? Step 1 is doing a good project for Master's. What next? Step 2 would be the Subject GRE, to compensate for my grades. (Not worth mentioning. As an amusing fact, I haven't checked my grades in the last one year.) For example, working with a start up? Interning by collaborating online? (<--- has its own limitations if it comes to lab work, but work like systems biology could be great). I'd be glad if any good advice comes along. I'd be even more glad if you have a similar experience/anecdote to share. Looking forward to your replies!
  4. Hi! I'm a biotech student from India. Does someone around here know about universities, or know a place where I can find out about them, that offer online learning courses to students in India. I am looking for very specialized courses and so not very hopeful on this front. Again, What? : Online Learning Courses by Univs FOR? : Grad Level, MEMS/Comp Science/Nanosciences/Syn Bio (I realized how impossible it is just as I listed these topics out.) Available to: Students in India Alternatively: Any POST GRAD courses in Biotech and fields that have an interface with Biotech?
  5. Thanks man! Appreciate the effort! Will reply to this post in a while. I am actually working on my summer schedule for catching up on the last two years of work. Really liked your suggestions about planning for the next one and a half year. As a slightly offtopic and insincere question, are Oxbridge, EPFL, MIT, Harvard, Cornell, JHU are all out of the question now? I mean, I am somewhat convinced I might not be applying for a program straightaway after my graduation, so is there nothing that can make up for that GPA? C'mon man, those courses were elementary If I do well in my masters courses and research experience, doesn't it automatically tell people that I have caught up on my elementary courses? So, there are two parts to this question: 1) Do I permanently forget the high ranked (and highly endowed/funded/better networked univs) 2) Making up for my elementary courses is enough or not? Or even if they do realize that I have paid my dues, will they select someone else over me if he/she has been consistent throughout the program? [That is, All other things being equal.]
  6. True that!!! And this is not discouraging at all. And thank you for the incredibly detailed and informative reply! I do have a lot of questions brewing, but I'll bring them up later. Maybe a day or two. Just need to articulate them better. Once again, thanks! That was HELPFUL!
  7. Wow. Both the posts have been such eye openers. @wtncctfs That wasn't whining and no, you don't need a kick in the butt. I say this from some of such similar instances that I came across when I read about some professors and scientists and their grad experience. It's not gonna get over just like that, and it's a natural call - the way we have natural call for hunger or thirst. Maybe it all rises from a certain emptiness. The last sentence, I should say very carefully. I guess it's just time to explore. And find out some pursuit or engagement that allows you to be in useful for the world outside. I don't mean to imply isolation, I just want to say that any means by which you feel of use and help to the society/others will always fight that emptiness and the feeling of being terribly unsuccessful. Like I said, they're just a natural call. Instead of thinking of that feeling as a whine or imperfection, think of it as a call for action.
  8. I am new to the forum and today I have been trying to get around this fact. HOW do you actually manage to offset a low GPA? I've got a 7.05/10 and got two more years to go before my program gets over. Over here, although the Grades matter, people are more of the opinion that if you pursuit your interests and get results, it should suffice. Ofcourse, it took me a while to realize that it was about getting a job NOT a PhD! So it all comes down to this - how do I offset the low GPA? Also, most univs have a cutoff for the GPA. Is there no special circumstance that this can be circumvent?
  9. Hi. I am interested in the subject of BioMEMS. I'm a third year undergrad in Biotechnology so, have nothing but a decent background in the basic sciences (from the common courses that are required). Now, I still have a year to go for making a final concrete decision. What I want to know is, whether I should hunt for an MS program or a PhD program in the field of BioMEMS? I'm interested in the field because of Using my biotechnology/life sciences background IN ENGINEERINGBioMEMS is heavy on creativity like any other MEMSOpportunities as an entrepreneur, especially in India.Now, the roadblocks are: No extraordinary GPA - 7.05 on a ten point scaleNo research experienceThe field is very specific and might not serve the purpose if I do the program from just any other school!What could be the road ahead? I have a few more things on mind, but will bring them up if the discussion goes any further!
  10. Hi! I am a student in B. Tech. + M. Tech. Integrated program in Biotechnology at IIT Madras, India. I had been clueless about my plans after the 5 year course gets over, but now that my third year has ended, I am feeling a bit inclined towards a PhD. There's a problem in it though - my record in the program has been merely satisfactory and I haven't really gone that deep into my field! I still have a year and a half to apply to universities in the USA and thought I'd start moving in this direction. What can I do to differentiate my profile in Biotech now? What are the options? I have not been a part of any research fellowship programs, took up a project under any of my prof. or did anything to really explore the subject by getting my hands dirty. [Writing this down itself makes me feel more miserable ]. I am not worried about my understanding of my subject - because It's a matter of three months for me to go through the entire program in a much fuller way. What I'm worried about is my profile. I am a 7.05 on a 10 point CGPA scale with no other differentiating items in Biotech! What are the routes from here? 1) Apply to the mid range Univs and be happy with any where I am able to go? 2) Work with a startup after my program in the field of Biotech? 3) Join a research fellowship after this? 4) Take up internships and projects under Profs. right now? Clueless and distraught because of the sudden realization. OMG! Please help!
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