CellMol Biologica

Thank for your response AntroDork that was really helpful and helps me calm my nerves to know that the faculty do chitchat and made smalll talks as well. - May I ask if it was one of top 10 schools on east and west coast or more of a good school in the midwest? I ask as I see people from midwest or non-top10 schools are more friendly? - Second can you pleaseeeee tell me how you explained an F on your tranacript ( I too have a bad grade and I have NO IDEA hoe to explain it. In my defence I have a lot of researc experience beyond that grade, but that letter on my transcript embarasses me no end!). Please help me in explaining! thanks

How did you sell yourself in your interviews despite your long age? I ask as I am simialr age as you. thanks

So how did you explain why you want to do PhD at 40+? I ask as I am an old applicant too. Your feedbacl would really help. thanks

thanks - how did you explain applying for PhD so long since graduating form undergrad in your SOP and inteviews?

Thanks, can you repeat if you were doing 'relevant' or 'non-releavant' work during those 4 years? I asked as you said "have been working (in the same field I plan to study for a doctorate, pharmacology) for over 4 years. If I was doing some non-relevant work during those 4 years," If you were working in the same field how can that be nonrelavnt? My second question is - how did you explain your age and applying so late in your interview? thanks

Can you please tell me how you answred both these questions? thanks

Lying is NEVER a good idea. I think you should rather spend time in explaing the bad grades - and here again- Be Honest.

Big congratulations! had some questions for you.... Did all 8 faculty end up asking the same questions again and again? Were they all serious, or is it ok to laugh or joke about something just to lighten up? thanks

Thanks Abbaerant for your answers. Can you please clarify this point for me "H-1B or J-1 if the customs considered reimbursement as salary. Otherwise, I don't see there are problems with B-1 and/or B-2" . Is reimbursemnt considered a salary when on B1 or B2? thanks! And I see you are already in a program? I believe it is twice as competitive if you are an international student, so congratulations. Can you please share with me your interiew experience? thanks

Parents, parerents, how can we forget family?? Please borrow some from your parents. All the best for your interviews

Congratulations on getting the interview! Why can't you ask your parents?? Your siblings? Isnt family around to help first - specially in emergencies?

thanks guys. Schools 'are ready' to reimburse and will provide all paperwork. The issue here is the 'legality' of 'accepting $$ reimbursemnt', and that I think is an issue decided by the US consulate.

Anyone, please compile a list here so that myself and other students can use it for years to come. Thanks

Thanks, -can you please tell what University (or atlest what rank University was it?) - was it a phone interview or in-person? - And what was your answers to Q2, Q5 and Q6? - Lastly, what does Q1 mean? As in, what "research process" are they talking about? thanks a ton!!

Thanks. When they ask a simple question like -"Tell me about yourself?"- where should one begin? Should I start with my name? My current lab research where I worked?? Start with the degree I have?? Start with the city/state I belong to? Why I applied to PhD?? Finally, how long should the answer be? This seemingly "simple" question can be tricky, isn't it?

Hello friends, I thought of starting a thread where people jot down an exhaustive list of the questions they were asked during their PhD admissions. It wd be great if they are from biological sciences, but other disciplines also welcome to write as I believe many questions will be generic to PhDs. Most helpful would be people who have already attended the interviews, but others who are yet to take their interviews may also write the types of questions they think might be asked. It would be great if you can write in this format: (for those who already attended) Program Name: PhD Development Biology Type of Student: Domestic/ International School Interviewed with: (#1) U Penn Type of interview: Phone/Skype/ Face-to-Face Questions Asked : (#2) Ohio State University Type of interview: Phone/Skype/ Face-to-Face Questions Asked : (#3) Cornell University Type of interview: Phone/Skype/ Face-to-Face Questions Asked : etc thanks a lot for your help!! CMB

thanks coonckee, that kind of makes sense - but who gave you the special forms for reimbursement (the US embassy) or the school? thanks.

Dear Friends, This is in regards to Cell and Molecular Biology PhD. Thank you in advance for answering my questions: Q1- If an international student gets a call for interview, how are they interviews? On Phone, on Skype or are they expected to travel to US? Q2-Do domestic students who can come for an in-person interview have an obvious advantage over international students who may only be interviewed over phone and Skype? (After all in-person interviews applicants often attend recruitment weekends, have lunch with faculty, hang out with grad students, and meet face-to-face with interviewing faculty, so get a bigger chance to make an impression on them) Q3- However if the above is true then "every time" a domestic applicant has an 'advantage' over an international phone applicant- and so the faculty MUST KNOW this by now factor the fact in that phone interviews candidates have a lesser chance of making an impression. Do you think the faculty factor these things in when comparing domestic vs international candidates? Q4- If the student himself wants to travel for an interview at his own expense what US VISA class is most appropriate to come to US for a few days for an interview? In my humble opinion, I see only the "Visitor Visa", i.e. B-1 or B-2 which 'may' be applicable, but those two categories also do not include "interview". Those two just mention "Business" or "Pleasure", so are you sure if that is the most appropriate Visa class to come to US for an interview? Q5- If indeed B-1 or B-2 are the Visa that would allow me to come to US for a school interview - can I be reimbursed some of the money (like the apprx $300-$500 that they reimburse domestic applicants?). I asked as many US visas do not allow $$ to be accepted. But can such a small reimbursement amount be accepted by an international applicant when visiting the US school on a B-1 visa? Q6- My above Q4 can be answered by answering this question - when international scientist come to US for big conferences for a few days what Visa do they come on? I believe that will be same visa that wd be appropriate for applicants coming for interviews? Q7- Similarly, if scientist who come to US for conferences get reimbursed by any US university, then it means that it is legal to get reimbursed travel expenses from US when you are on a B-1 visa. Q-8, One more question to add, is health insurance a big factor when coming down to US for an interview (they did not mention in the letter that the school will pay for my health insurance for my interview visit) Thank you for answering my questions