sleepingkitty

You are right, UCSD/SDSU is competative!!! However, I did research for faculty involved in the program and would have been a good applicant for that program. Numerous faculty would have vouched for my spot, they saw my intelligence and knew me. The one thing I need to do is get a better verbal GRE score for the next round of admissions. Because my score won't cut it. BTW, how do you all get good verbals? Still crossing my fingers that USC will have a spot for me! If not I figure out my next step towards PhD.

Here is the beautiful part about UCSD, there biology programs are joint at SDSU which is where I did my undergrad.. kicking my self about not applying there!

still on hold... wanting to cry... has any body heard from usc pibbs???

I am on hold... you should find out why and sway admissions GL

Alright, I am now on hold with USC PIBBS!

What are your stats?

Thanks, I have. I have a mentor who put in a good word for me, she is involved in PIBBS. I'm considering, if I don't get in, forwarding my PhD app to the masters program at USC MIMG, and then applying when there is funding. Has anyone else experienced this?

i think since no news is scary news.... and if I call departments its "up in the air" STATS: Major: Biology; Emph Cell & Molec GPA: Overall 3.5, BCMP: 3.75 (~17 units a semester-every single semester) Good mix of recs, although, I wrote 4/9. GRE: 400v, 650q *note: How are you all getting such high verbal scores... (luck? or shall I read more?) Undergraduate research: 1 cardiac research lab (stricly volunteer) 2 projects: a. cancer stem cell research b. bioinformatics Extra curricular: piano, choir Work - full time (which I mentioned in my PS) Post-grad: 1. lab manager/nicotine research with rats (I loved my furry little creatures) 2. industry-support in the development of assays for brain injury/lab manager (current) Publications: none Schools: UCLA (access-micro), USC (PIBBS) USC (MIMG) - (no funding=no admits, waste of my money) The only school I'm waiting on and have a chance with is: PIBBS -- I will hear the verdict, I hope, after the 13th.. I'm terrified. Now the economy, I'm learning, is having a huge impact on funding and grad admissions. I hope there are enough seats available to accomadate my chances.

I'm so sad! I applied to microbiology depts: UCLA and USC. UCLA: didn't get GRE scores in time. So now my app is on their back burner. I'm sure the burner is off. USC (MIMG): They had no money to fund! My only option is to be admitted to USC PIBBS. Which, actually is my top/first choice institution! If, a rejection. My dreams can wait, and I will get into a program somewhere, somehow, sometime--eventually. God will lead me into the direction I'm supposed to be headed. I'm clinging to faith, trying to not let go.

This is an example of I had this gut renching feeling that something was wrong with my application. I called UCLA (in which my GRE scores got to them later than expected) their responce was: in this program we make our decisions early and this time around we are cutting our interview amount and scheduling fewer. The reason; the economy I then called USC-MIMG (microbiology/immunology/genetics): I explained to them I hadn't heard back from them in a while and was getting extremely nervous. The lady on the phone who was compassionate and understanding informed me that MIMG was not accepting any students due to funding. She then informed me that, that the department had forwarded every application to the PIBBS programs (which I applied to as well). She informed me that lack of funding is happening to many departments and in many schools. I then inquired about starting a masters program, then when the funding is available applying for their PhD, but what if this situation persists. I'll end up in a pile of loans from a wonderful private institution. Agh! So, then, the only good news is news with the PIBBS, which I called. They only meet once a week. My application has finally been reviewed. No verdict, but they need to go through more applicants before they can make a decision. Their program recieved the same number of apps as usual + the combination of forwarded apps from other departments. I hope the same number of seat are available. If not, my chances of getting in are dwindling. Thank GOD I have a job and am getting great industrial experience from a successful startup company. If I stay with an industrial compnay I may grow and get opportunities in biotech, which is good. BUT, my hearts desire is to be a research scientist. I want to have a lab and be PI and, and, and. And, we'll see. Hopefully, the planing and preparation in undergrad and out will make me a good enough and competative enough applicant for their program.

ok brain!!! let's do it! lol seriously can admissions at least tell me if they are keeping me in the grad applicant pool as a plan b because plan a students could drop out... or are they refusing to read my app, or did they file it in the trash can.. my god if it's a no it's a no, tell me.. if it's wait list give me a notification.. and the chance I have of getting in with a plus or minus error! EEEERRRRRRRRR

lol!

I was told by multiple of my recommenders.... "i trust you to write it yourself" 4/9 letters were written by yourstruely... I spent hours pretending I was the different professors so my letters would all appear distinct and professional.... but they are all "too busy, really liked me, and this is how they "choose" to do this... now I'm wondering if schools noticed anything!!!! hmmmmm... grrrrrr

Yes. I do feel like I deserve a reason for rejection, because I'm a strong candidate academically, professionally and personality trait wise. My question to them: So what did you not see in my app that you would like to see next time to make me stand out more to ultimately be accapted?

USC Gradauate Preview email made my heart skip a beat for no reason! I already previewed the schools (no my own) I wanted to attend, and let the admissions office know that I already met with various people in the department and had visited their campuses to make absolutely sure this school my "cup of tea," as a result of this email. They were impressed!