helicase

I never posted one of these, so now that I've made my decision I figured I might as well. Maybe it'll give some hope for those with sub-3.0 GPAs in the future!
Undergrad Institution: R1
Major(s): Biology
Overall GPA: 2.821
Type of Student: American, Female
GRE Scores (revised version)
Q: 160 (83%)
V: 163 (93%)
W:4.5 (72%)
Research Experience: 2.5 years as an undergraduate research assistant in a molecular biology/biochemistry lab (no thesis or publications, no LoR from this lab), 3 years in a mbio/biochem lab as a research assistant (one 2nd author publication, 2 LoR from PI and co-mentor)
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Awarded funding as an undergraduate in form of a fellowship
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 1.5 years as a TA in undergrad, 5.5 years total as a research assistant, 2 years as a mentor to high school students
Special Bonus Points: Publication, LoRs from well-known PIs in the field I want to remain in, already took a few graduate courses at Case Western while working as a research assistant
Applying to Where: I knew where I wanted to go (and where I had a likelihood of getting in based on my PI's connections) but I also applied to a handful of extreme reach schools just to see.
Case Western Reserve University (BSTP) - Interviewed, Accepted
University of Rochester (BMB) - Interviewed, Accepted
University of Massachusetts Medical School (GSBS/BBS) - Interviewed, Accepted, Will Be Attending
MIT (Biology) - Rejected
University of Washington (MCB) - Rejected
University of Wisconsin - Madison (CMB) - Rejected
UC - Berkeley (MCB) - Rejected
The Ohio State University (MCDB) - Never Heard From
Tips for Future Applicants: Do what you can early on to recognize problem areas and do what you can to rectify them or boost other areas to compensate. I knew coming out of undergrad that I wouldn't be a competitive applicant. I took time off, worked hard, got a publication, and saved enough money while doing so that I can now buy a home when I start grad school this fall. I also spent all of last summer studying for the GRE.
Also, when you're interviewing, know your own research really well. Practice talking about it with friends, so they can ask you the obvious questions that you should be prepared for, but don't sound too rehearsed. Don't spend hours reading papers by your interviewers - focus on abstracts or reviews, but most will assume you haven't anyhow.
And most importantly, a bad undergraduate GPA will not ruin you. Just be prepared to defend your past and explain how things will be different in the future!

I never posted one of these, so now that I've made my decision I figured I might as well. Maybe it'll give some hope for those with sub-3.0 GPAs in the future!
Undergrad Institution: R1
Major(s): Biology
Overall GPA: 2.821
Type of Student: American, Female
GRE Scores (revised version)
Q: 160 (83%)
V: 163 (93%)
W:4.5 (72%)
Research Experience: 2.5 years as an undergraduate research assistant in a molecular biology/biochemistry lab (no thesis or publications, no LoR from this lab), 3 years in a mbio/biochem lab as a research assistant (one 2nd author publication, 2 LoR from PI and co-mentor)
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Awarded funding as an undergraduate in form of a fellowship
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 1.5 years as a TA in undergrad, 5.5 years total as a research assistant, 2 years as a mentor to high school students
Special Bonus Points: Publication, LoRs from well-known PIs in the field I want to remain in, already took a few graduate courses at Case Western while working as a research assistant
Applying to Where: I knew where I wanted to go (and where I had a likelihood of getting in based on my PI's connections) but I also applied to a handful of extreme reach schools just to see.
Case Western Reserve University (BSTP) - Interviewed, Accepted
University of Rochester (BMB) - Interviewed, Accepted
University of Massachusetts Medical School (GSBS/BBS) - Interviewed, Accepted, Will Be Attending
MIT (Biology) - Rejected
University of Washington (MCB) - Rejected
University of Wisconsin - Madison (CMB) - Rejected
UC - Berkeley (MCB) - Rejected
The Ohio State University (MCDB) - Never Heard From
Tips for Future Applicants: Do what you can early on to recognize problem areas and do what you can to rectify them or boost other areas to compensate. I knew coming out of undergrad that I wouldn't be a competitive applicant. I took time off, worked hard, got a publication, and saved enough money while doing so that I can now buy a home when I start grad school this fall. I also spent all of last summer studying for the GRE.
Also, when you're interviewing, know your own research really well. Practice talking about it with friends, so they can ask you the obvious questions that you should be prepared for, but don't sound too rehearsed. Don't spend hours reading papers by your interviewers - focus on abstracts or reviews, but most will assume you haven't anyhow.
And most importantly, a bad undergraduate GPA will not ruin you. Just be prepared to defend your past and explain how things will be different in the future!

I never heard back from OSU's MCDB either. I did contact them in February and got an email back saying I'd hear "between [then] and mid-March," but never did. I met another student in early February who had an interview in early March and he said that it was their second weekend. I also have friends that have been interviewed and accepted in the Biochemistry department and the IGBP at OSU (both are similar programs to the MCDB) and they both heard back in February. I'm assuming no contact at this point means rejection.

I never heard back from OSU's MCDB either. I did contact them in February and got an email back saying I'd hear "between [then] and mid-March," but never did. I met another student in early February who had an interview in early March and he said that it was their second weekend. I also have friends that have been interviewed and accepted in the Biochemistry department and the IGBP at OSU (both are similar programs to the MCDB) and they both heard back in February. I'm assuming no contact at this point means rejection.

How many boyfriends do you have? and why are they sharing an account with each other?

Thought this might be a helpful thread. When you post your dates, copy and paste the list from the person above you and insert your schools in alphabetically. Bold the schools you added so we know what is new.

To start:

Harvard (Neuro): Jan 19-22
Northwestern (Neuro: NUIN): Jan 19-20, Feb 2-3, Feb 23-24
UPenn (Neuro): Jan 20, Feb 10