ivyworm

he never said that it wasn't specialized or prestigious. get over yourself. are you just bitter? maybe you go to a no-name school...

HAHAHA, got interview invites from all my schools and have even gotten accepted from 2 of them (the only ones i've interviewed at). SUCK IT!!!!!

I don't know much, but from what have read in this forum. YOU SEEM EXTREMELY COMPETITIVE. i don't know what your master's was in or if your undergraduate curriculum included a lot of rigorous science courses but i think with a strong SoP and strong LoR's, you are competitive. however, i also don't know what programs you are looking into. evolutionary biology? biochemistry? is your past research experience at least slightly related to your proposed field of interest?

Hello All, I have just recently taken the GRE and, as a result, have some new stats to post on here. I am looking at applying to programs in molecular and cellular biology. The schools I am looking at are Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Columbia, Cornell, UPenn, Michigan, and NYU. What do you think my chances are at getting in these prestigious programs? Here are my stats: Cumulative GPA: 3.678 (Rigorous Science Curriculum at University of Miami, Coral Gables, Fl) Quantitative (Range): 750-800 Verbal (Range): 540-630 Research Experience: Currently doing a post-baccalaureate fellowship at the University of Kansas in Developmental Neurobiology (the program started in June and will last up until I begin graduate school in the fall ~1.5 years). Before this, my research experience was in the field of peptide synthesis and nanochemistry (1.5 years). I have written what I believe to be a phenomenal statement of purpose and should be getting great letters of recommendation (1 from my current PI, 1 from my PI in Chemistry, and 1 from a well respected Biologist who is the assistant provost of undergraduate research at the University of Miami). I have prior teaching experience (General Chemistry Lab TA, 2 semesters; Biology workshop leader, 1 semester; Chemistry Workshop Leader, 4 semesters) and extensive leadership experience (Research Coordinator of BBB honor society executive board; Undergraduate Facilitator in Research in Ecology; Biology Peer Advisor, 2 semesters). I also worked throughout college in retail and did several volunteer/service experience )National Gandhi day, relay for life, Biology guest lecturer and science fair judge at local high school). I have attended several national research conferences and have memberships at a few science societies. Also, if it helps, I am a latino minority. What do you think?

Thank you so much for your help!! I did take a lot of upper division science courses (I was a chemistry minor). So i'm hoping my rigorous curriculum will show that I have lots of science background. I am definitely shooting for a 1300 on the GRE and both glowing LOR's and an outstanding SOP. It was very comforting to know that my research in Chemistry does count. I've been worried that it won't count as much research experience. I know that the some of the schools I am interested in are reach schools, and the truth is, I am okay if I do not get into Stanford or Yale. But I would love to get into Michigan, Emory, WashU and Vanderbilt...I'm keeping my fingers crossed and staying hopeful. I have also added Baylor and Alabama-Birmingham to my list...Again, thank you!!

thank you all for your help.

I am looking at applying to a PhD program in Cellular and Molecular Biology. The Schools I am looking at are: Stanford, Yale, Chicago, Michigan, Vanderbilt, Emory, Maryland, WashU and UConn. What are my chances of getting into any of these programs? Here are my stats: Degree: BS in Biology, University of Miami CUM GPA: 3.68 GRE: Will be taking August 20. I did research in a Chemistry lab for 1.5 years (very minimally related to Biology, but research nonetheless). I am currently doing an NIH funded Post-Baccalaureate Research Education program at the University of Kansas in Developmental Neurobiology. I started the program in last month and will continue in my research until I begin graduate school next year. As part of the program I will be taking 6 credits in the fall and spring of graduate level courses in Biology. I will also be required to do 30 hours of research each week, though I have been doing more because I have been having so much fun in the lab. In college, I taught Inorganic Chemistry labs for two semesters, was a Biology and Chemistry workshop leader, a Biology Peer Advisor, and I volunteered at the local childrens hospital. I worked part time as a sales associate in the mall. I was also on the executive board (research coordinator) of the BBB Biology Honor society and a member of several other honor societies. I have attended several national research conferences but do not have any publications. I have written what I believe to be an incredible SOP and have requested a recommendation letter from my PI in Chemistry. I plan to ask for a recommendation letter from my current PI and will be getting yet another recommendation letter from a college professor who is well respected in the sciences and organizes many minority outreach programs in science. Also, I am a hispanic minority (if that helps) lol. WHAT ARE MY CHANCES OF GETTING INTO THE PRESTIGIOUS PROGRAMS I LISTED ABOVE, PENDING THE RESULTS OF MY GRE???? HELP, BE HONEST PLEASE!!

Before I came to this forum site, I thought I was a shoe-in for graduate school. Then I started seeing posts from people with concerns that they would not get into graduate school with a 3.9 GPA and a 1310 on their GRE. I mean, are those people doing it to fish for some compliments? Do they just need further validation that they are beyond brilliant? If you ask me, they're hateful. In any case, those posts brought me a lot of unease, so i'm turning to you guys for help. WHAT ARE MY CHANCES FOR GETTING INTO A PHD PROGRAM? I graduated from the University of Miami (Rank: 45) with a 3.68 GPA. I did research for nearly two years in a Chemistry lab and am currently doing a post-bac research education program for a year at the University of Kansas in molecular biosciences. I should be getting excellent recommendation letters from both my research PI's and one from a faculty member who is very well known in the sciences. I taught chemistry labs at my school for one year and held several leadership positions in school clubs. I also worked during college and volunteered at a local children's hospital. I have not yet taken the GRE but will be in August. Pending the results of that exam, which I hope will be up to par, what are my chances of getting into a GOOD program in Cellular & Molecular Biology? The schools I WAS looking at are: Stanford University, University of Michigan, University of Chicago ,Vanderbilt, University of Alabama, University of Maryland, University of Connecticut, University of Kansas, and NYU. I know the schools are somewhat ambitious, but again, I thought I was a shoe-in for graduate school. HELP!!!! OH, AND I'M A MINORITY (IF THAT HELPS, LOL)