persimmony

I know NSF is more focused on basic science research, but they do have Biomedical Engineering listed as a choice for the primary field. I've also heard they make exceptions to the no translational medicine rule if you are a BME student. I am a 2nd year in a BME lab, but our work is more engineering "in principal." Basically we are a genome editing lab that develops and uses new CRISPR constructs for genetic diseases. To be more specific, one of my main projects is using CRISPR to differentiate pluripotent stem cells into other tissue stem cells ultimately, for human disease relevant purposes. Even if my application is sent to Biomedical Engineers, would this work be TOO translational and be denied immediately?

Ahh I remember refreshing the 2014 thread between experiments last year. Good times... I'm a first year at Duke, pm me if you have any questions about Duke or Durham! Or other programs in my sig.

Found a place to live! After much research, I decided on the area by Southpoint mall with close access to the american tobacco trail, which my bf and I are very excited about. I've come to terms with the fact that crime exists throughout Durham and that I'm 108% more likely to get robbed/murdered in Durham than I am in Denver...but apparently I'm 100% less likely to get raped so I'm cool with that I need to stop looking at crime stats.

Oh good, I thought it was just me. Everyone keeps asking me "Are you excited??!?" And I'm like "oh.. uh yeah!" I'm almost dreading it! It's been 3 years since I graduated so I'm nervous about handling the work load. I love coming home everyday at 5pm and spending the next few hours cooking and watching the tv with the bf. No worries and care-free weekends. I can be bored and unproductive and not feel bad about it. I'll miss that feeling.. I just remind myself of what it'd be like if I didn't get in anywhere or if I didn't even try. I'd probably just feel like I was in a rut and be jealous of my friends who are all moving forward...so it's for the best and once I get the hang of it I'm sure I can keep it going

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I'm wondering how vacation/sick time works in grad school...if it even exists. I'm specifically talking about PhD programs (biosciences). Should I be able to go home and visit my family once a year or is that stretching it? Do I actually accrue any vacation/sick time or is it all kind of depending on the situation? Thanks in advance.

Well guys, it was nice to have a supportive thread to obsessively refresh during this whole process. Here's a wrap-up of my stats when I applied: Undergrad Institution: Large state university. Not very research oriented. Major(s): Biology Minor(s): Chemistry, Physics GPA in Major: 3.57 Overall GPA: 3.65 GRE Scores (revised/old version): Q: 159 (75%) V: 161 (87%) W: 4.0 (54%) Research Experience: 1 semester as a Research Intern in my undergrad. A little over a year at my current Lab Researcher position in a stem cell lab, which is what I want to study. 3rd author paper submitted last week, a 1st author paper in preparation. Awards/Honors/Recognitions: 2 semester Dean's List Graduated cum laude Pertinent Activities or Jobs: I was a lab technician in an analytical environmental lab for 4 years before I got interested in research. Worked with a transmission electron microscope to analyze x-ray crystallography patterns of asbestos structures from samples brought to us by clients. Not research, but still lab work so I hope it counts for something. With an okay GPA, decent GRE, and 1.5yrs of research experience, I wasn't sure what to expect and even considered waiting a year to get more experience to match my competition; turns out I didn't need it. I think as long as you have 1 year of really solid research and can explain it to others in detail, you're good. I met a few people at my interviews who had more years on me but could barely describe their research. It's about quality, not quantity. Looking back, I do wish I had applied to more "competitive" schools that would have been a good fit. Gotta admit that reading through the 2013 thread and comparing other people to myself based on stats made me shy away from schools that could have been good for me. So future applicants, apply where you think you'd be happy and have a good fit. Also mention why it'd be a good fit in your SOP. Another thing is I really should have considered location before applying to some schools. Why I bothered applying to places where I'd never want to live is still beyond me.. Overall though, I'd say I had a good experience throughout the whole process and am super excited about where I'm heading. Good luck to the rest of you!

So far, I know that east durham is not the safest place to live. What about south durham? Or those complexes between Durham and Chapel Hill? Or the research triangle area?

Which one do you use?

I didn't realize negotiating stipends were a thing. I feel like it is very generous of schools to pay for the education along with giving a yearly stipend. I'm assuming the two places you're talking about are Princeton and Harvard, bc I remember you mentioned getting an additional scholarship from Princeton. The problem I see with asking Harvard for more money is that your potential PI may have to pay for it. Isn't it that the school pays for the first year and then when you join a lab your PI pays your stipend? It might look bad if your PI raises an eyebrow at the heightened cost to have you join the lab. I know Boston is super expensive (which is why it was easy for me to mark BU off my list) but I feel it will be awkward to ask for more...because you'd have to ask a higher up in the program. Just my two cents.

Not sure if you guys have seen this but here is a great review of various apartment complexes in the Durham area, rated by current students and post docs: http://studentaffairs.duke.edu/sites/default/files/u110/2010_Apartment_Complex_Report.pdf

It depends on why you didn't get into any programs this year. Was your GPA insufficient? Or just not enough experience? I would recommend getting some valuable feedback from your schools and figure out what aspect of your application you need to work on. Of course, getting more research experience will help when you re-apply next year. I never did a post-bacc and am not sure what it entails, but I worked in a lab full-time for 1.5years before applying and gained some valuable experience that grad schools liked. I would not recommend option #4 if by a "normal job" you mean a job outside of science.

Hey, congrats on your successful application and final decision! (I remember you being super excited about SD, good choice)

Or you could uh... you know, try to lose weight? I don't know your situation at all and don't mean to be judgmental... but if you have to rest after every 20-30 paces you are definitely not getting the exercise you need and should be more concerned about becoming healthier than finding a campus that have seats with no armrests. Edit: oh and to answer your original question...stay away from Colorado I guess. Lots of active health nuts here.

^ Haha you found the thread. I'm from Denver, CO. Originally from Southern California. What made you visit a second time so soon? I think I'll visit in June to find apartments.

Congrats on your success as well! Sounds like you have a tough decision to make.