ImmunoXX

Its my second time applying to grad school. I feel I have improved my app this year. Here we go again....

^^^ wow! impressive! that must have cost a small fortune! :/

All mine are in but 1!!!! Now the waiting game!

I just heard back from my top professor at one school! Same day! She said she is not on the admissions committee, but that she would like to talk to me if I am offered an interview! I know this doesn't affect my chances, but its great motivation!

So some of my apps say not to contact professors, and a couple say list any correspondence. I have emailed my top choice professor for those programs that ask for it, but haven't for the programs that say not to. Did your programs say to contact professors? Should I email professors at schools that say not to contact?

I just submitted to my first program! Just wondering where everyone is at? This forum seems a bit bare, but we're not even down to the last month. Keep at it everyone!

When in doubt call the department/program! It doesn't hurt to ask!

I would guess that it would not make a difference when you graduated. Try to fill that time with something prouductive if you can. Are the programs you are applying to only offered for fall enrollment? Some MS's programs also have spring......

I have three strong LOR's lined up, but have a good candidate for a forth. Most of my programs allow for more than three LOR's so should I go for 4? I realize some programs may only read 3, but I can't think of any downside to having 4..... Would it be a benefit at all?

Call the admissions dept and ask!

Its not necessary to do a post-doc. You can go straight to industry as a scientist. In the one industry lab I worked that is how it went, and also from conversations with the people there.

Quant matters most for you and 168 is fantastic! As for chances with schools its about the whole package, GPA, LOR's, etc.

Be honest. Most applicants apply to multiple schools and they know this.

You get 130 for just showing up, then every correct question is one point. There is some minor adjusting between sections, but for an idea of where your score is that is the way to calculate it. Then you can look up estimated percentiles online.

Every school is different, but you often have some flexibilty between programs if both are offered through the same department. For grad school you want to build a strong package for application. Depending on your Biology GPA, your GRE scores, who you can get letters of rec from, any publications, research experience, etc. The more the better, but no one thing is necessarily an app killer. I live in San Diego which has alot of biotech and research labs, so jobs are not really a problem even with just my BS degree at this point. You should research a few schools to get a feel for what they offer, what the applying is lilke, what kinds of research projects there are, etc. I'm not sure of funding for MS programs though, I am applying to PhD programs which in biology are usually fully funded with a stipend.

I would put them in their own section, but you can connect them to the internship as well if you want, since the time spans overlap. Were they through or sponsored by the same program as the internship?

I would not include the location as a reason why you are applying. I'm applying to schools in Southern Calfornia, but they don't need to know that I'm geographically limiting myself. You can mention a topic that a few professors cover and say that this program is strong in X topic. I think it is a good idea to include why you chose these programs.

It also depends on where projects are when you start in the lab. In my current lab I started at the beginning of a project and I'm 2nd/3rd author on two papers in preparation, but a tech who joined almost a year after me (but toward the middle of a project) is already published on another paper. Unless you're first author, its a bit of luck and circumstance.

Definitely use the pharm experience! As for fit, my understanding is that you should have a general area of interest in mind, and then make sure there are around 2-3 professors at the schools you apply to. I learned a lot of applying watching a coworker apply, interview, and get in last year. Research experience, LOR's and the SOP are the "heavyweight" components. GRE's and GPA aren't as impactful. My coworker got in to several schools without a subject test, which I didn't think would be possible. I didn't want to risk it, so I took the biology one last year and i still have scores from psychology from the year before I got my BS (I'm applying for neuroscience). Try to have a good range of schools and you should be fine!