Coconutman39

Hey all, I am just finishing up my undergrad and will be attending a PhD program next year for biochemistry. Recently, I dropped my Mac and have a huge crack in the screen, so I am looking into buying a new computer. Does anybody have an opinion on the choice between PC and Mac? In the end, I imagine it won't matter (this is a personal computer, so it probably won't be running lab programs) and comes down to personal preference. I just wanted to check in and see if there is a distinct advantage to either. Thanks in advanced!

I just got the following email. "Thank you for your email and interest to the Kellogg School of Science and Technology at TSRI. As of February 1st, the login is no longer accessible since they have expired. This is because the program is reset for the new year applicants for fall 2013. At this point, the admissions committee is still in the process of making their decisions of who will be admitted into the program as we received over 700 applications. You will receive an email stating the interview schedule no later than the end of February if you are chosen for an interview. If not, you will receive a decline email sometime in April." Well, at least there is still hope, but I am not going to hold my breath.

So I went onto the Scripps website the other day to see if my application status had changed, and I couldn't log into the system. It made it seem like my application had been deleted. I am assuming rejection if that is the case, kind of a strange way to find out. Anybody else have that problem?

Whoever was admitted to USC chemistry, mind sharing your stats and when you completed your application? Man, I am coming to hate admissions season...

One UCSF CCB invite came out on the grad cafe, but the email wasn't until late Friday, so I expect that they will send more out next week. Kind of a weird way to do it, but I imagine if they were all out we would have heard about more of them. At least, we can hope that is the case.

For those of you that have received invites from Scripps, would you mind letting us know when you submitted your application? It says on their website that they are reviewed in the order they are received, so knowing when you submitted would give a good reference point for the rest of us. Thanks!

Thanks for the comments back. I also discussed this with my advisor, and he agreed that they won't hurt or help my application. Cantorg, I can only hope that I get the same type of treatment! My motto is, I only need one admit (although more would be nice).

Hey everybody, So I got my GRE scores today by phone, 720 and 57%. I am an American student and was wondering if these scores are useful to send to schools. Only two of my schools actually require them, but would these scores help or hurt my application? For reference: 3.2 GPA, chemistry and biology major at a small liberal arts school. 750 Q 570V 4AW. a year of research experience and a coauthor publication has been submitted. I am applying to biochemistry/chemical biology programs. Thanks for any help

I do see that aspect, but when I was applying I researched the professors very well before putting them in my SOP as potential PIs. What I am more concerned about is the possibility that by emailing them now, or in the past, that when they see your name if they review applications, they will have some predisposition to accepting you. I find this hard to believe, as it is essentially making the application review process even more subjective than it already is.

Hey everybody, I am applying for biochemistry programs for Fall 2012 admission, and have read a lot about the application process. Everybody seems to think that you should email potential PIs, talking about their research and asking questions about their group, to give yourself an advantage later. I am at the point where I am finished with my applications, and since I have some downtime, I was wondering if this really accomplishes anything? Does anybody have input on whether emailing a PI gives you a distinct advantage, or is worth doing? (Of course I realize, you will learn more about their research, but I assume everybody knows at least the basics of the research they are going to ask about)