meaningless

I had no idea it has been 2 years and now I am doing my PhD in NUS, although self financed and "funded" by my same full time appointment accepted 2 years ago. The only thing I want to add is the concern over cultural shock. Maybe it is only me, the cultural shock I have had (or still having) by staying in SG would have been the same or nothing much less than that if I have gone to the State. I realised that this message would be enormously useful to hk-er, and that I would add one more sentence for the other fellows - cultural shock is something depends on you and your mentality than anything else. That is, do not expect a lower cultural shock of a move from Wisconsin to New York than a move from the State to China. Although I have no regret in my decision. Not because of what had happened but the journey itself.

I am in pretty much the same situation as the OP. I got a job offer from one country and got into a funded PhD program in another. I am thinking the same - to ask for deferral for the PhD and work in that country for a year before I actually decide which one to stay. If I were you, I will continue to argue for the deferral in order to complete the contract. Through this actually you can even understand more about your will and your advisor in person. Caveat to stay professional and rational. If this plan doesn't work out, surely you have to eat it up and quit your job. I understand it is not easy to say goodbye. Best of luck.

thanks for the suggestions.

Dear all, First of all I can't believe I will have the chance to start a thread in this sub-forum due to my poor GPA for my bachelor - <2.50. Many doubt I can even get any PhD in my life, however, I did it. Long story short, and this GPA issue made my decision even harder. #1 - National University of Singapore (Full Time Research Assistant job appointment) - will work in the field of neurodegeneration, new section in the country with experienced researchers recruited around the globe. Anticipating a huge amount of funding with few competitors within the institute. - research interests greater align than option 2. But still not exactly tho. - I like the country, intended to apply for PR. - colleagues are nice, especially my future direct supervisor. I flew there and have met them face to face for a few times. - this is a job, with intention (me and my supervisor) to pursue/change to PhD, but nothing concrete yet. I am worrying about my GPA. - more funded, since i don't need to worry about whatever fee except living cost. - four hours flight back home with more than 20 flights everyday. - only cost me 3 years if I do my PhD here #2 - Georgia State University (Direct PhD) - Full tuition waiver, 20K/yr stipend, TA-ship 3.6K/yr, no teaching requirement for the first year - 3K mandatory fee/yr - will work in the field of cancer immunology. - i don't think i will stay in US for long after I attained the degree. I haven't paid any visit to Atlanta tho. - with hall stay, i don't need to be troubled by housing. meal plan provided as well. - boss would be a pushy young PI. I can foresee a much easier life in Singapore when compared to this. - 3 rotations or stick with POI's to save up a year Addition information: I am 28, my life partner is studying in back home. We are stable and she advocates whatever I pick. I would like to stay in academic research for my life course. And actually I have no idea the funding in option 2 would provide me with what kind of life in Atlanta. Thanks, mls

I have been accepted to a PhD program with full funding just today. My undergraduate GPA, of the first and only bachelor, is 2.30/4.00. This thread helped me hugely while I am searching for my PhD degree, therefore please allow my contribution to the thread with my long long searching story. I completed my first bachelor degree in 2008, the same year Lehman brothers gone bankrupt, exit with 3rd Honor at 2.3/4.0 GPA. I joined the work force in business field, earning a grand each month and suffering with nadir self-esteem. In the middle of 2009, swine flu pandemic hit Hong Kong. Research assistant positions in local University gusted out cause of funding rushing in. I grabbed the chance and, just by absolute luck, joined the WHO reference lab for virology in a global-scale-top-tire University located in Hong Kong, directly under the supervision of a Global known epidemiologist. I served the team for five years, attained my Master's degree in 2012, published 5 publications with 3 first authorship, and another 4 in preparation. In the mean time, I established a strong professional network, joined lab meetings and various courses and workshop, learnt a great deal of scientific knowledge of my research project and methodology, and trained up my English in the multi-national working environment. While I was not given good chances to work on research even though they are more than able to provide, literally my boss wants me to routinely work on his assigned work without any deviations for my whole life, I struggled to get publications myself and learn all I could by myself. After I graduate from my Master's degree in 2012, I started my searching of PhD position by then. I research Professor of Interest (POI) by checking University website, read their papers and profile and tailor made emails to inquire possible vacancy in their lab. My search didn't restricted to US, but also Canada, UK, Europe, middle east, but not in Asia except Singapore. Concerning my honors, I put my focus in Europe and individual positions, where they don't care about that much, except UK. I got response from them in a rate of roughly 1 in 30, and somehow positive feedback at a rate of around 1 in 200. At the same time, I checked out, daily, various scientific job websites such as naturejob.com, the job vacancy webpages of various research institutions around the world, subscribed job notifications, surf grad cafe and other postgraduate orientated forum. I tailor CV and PS/SoP/LoM for every position. I keep doing this for 2 years. The first positive response for interview was from Germany, a renowned historical University with research focus on virology. And then I received another phone interview followed by face to face interview, asking me to fly to Germany on my own expense, from Germany, near Berlin. I got another interview from Oxford, where the POI is one of the collaborators of my current boss and this is the only reason for his entertainment. I didn't apply to any US school in 2013 Fall. and this is the end for that round. After I virtually get nothing in the last round, my boss asked me to stay and offered me MPhil in his lab. I figured out that is actually not a great idea to spend (waste) two more years for a degree, which focused on a field that I never ever studied, worked or intended to switch to, which is not necessary for my career, I turned down my supervisor and started looking for career advancement else where, since I have proved to myself this is not a place (and supervisor) which worthy to waste even more time. I prepared to apply to US schools, keep looking for individual positions and stopped spamming POI's mail box, which is actually not really totally useful in my POV. I took GRE for 3 times, TOEFL for once, tailored PS with focus on my research background, write separate paragraph to explain, professionally, why I picked the faculty member as my future supervisor, why I picked this University, and never mentioned personal particulates. Please check out my result for 2014 Fall from my signature. To conclude, accumulate real world research experience, publications, improve English writing and speaking in academic manner, keep searching and asking would help. References do count, but not in every case. A strong, well written and positive reference letter weight out the reputation of the Professor, but definitely not vice versa, where it is the best if you can shake out whether he or she would like to write you a very nice one. If he or she is reluctant to let you know whether they are going to give you what, forget about it and move on even if they are the faculty dean of Ivy league. Finally, keep your faith, maintain a preferred attitude and never ever give up if you are determined to get your PhD. Undoubtedly it is a long battle especially for low stat applicants. It is very easy to conclude this long journey by 3 paragraphs or less. However, the personal quality and things that I have improved in the process can never be taken away and I cherish this experience. I would never be the same if I haven't gone through all these. Last but not least, get used to arsehole and I can assure you they are everywhere in any field and any place. Once you confirm you are under such, let go and move on. They are less than benign to remember you right after your departure and once you gained a position which can benefit them, who knows who will approach you with words like "It is because of me." Best of luck.

Got the only official acceptance just then. Undergrad Institution: Local University Major(s): Applied Biology Minor(s): Biotechnology GPA in Major: 2.3/4.0 Overall GPA: 2.3/4.0 Position in Class: last one out with honors Type of Student: International female GRE Scores (revised version): Q: 166 V: 152 W: 3.5 Biochem: no subject Research Experience: 5 years, full time, in WHO reference lab. 5 Publications with 3 First authorship. 4 Pending. Awards/Honors/Recognitions: No. Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Time and patience? Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: 3 Strong LoR from no name. Being an Asian with fluent spoken and written English? Application: see my signature. Never give up.

i think your profile is stellar, that seems not a reason to refute your ability in research. if you are worrying about your UG GPA, your post graduate GPAs have definitely make that up for you, since UG GPA is merely the criteria to judge whether you can survive the post graduate courses. but to be honest, some of the programs got strict UG GPA cut off and therefore your chance is limited. I got the same UG GPA as yours, and I got no luck in the last round, not even an interview (in US). However I got like 4 or 5 interviews in the last 2 years in other places. never give up.

some programs have second round review and admission. i think it is safe to say most of the schools have something called "rolling review". if you are tried of waiting you can just submit that way before the deadline and if that is positive you should hear that earlier than expected. but to be honest i don't think that makes so much a difference.

i will retake my GRE tomorrow and RIGHT after that I will have all my application submitted (except Iowa and Iowa State)

What I get from this graph is - Sub 3 is not hopeless, thanks!

I haven't yet submitted my application, same program, but 2014 fall intake. Their offer is tempting in terms of money, and they commute Globally to recruit students. A lot of people handed in their application as curious. The low acceptance rate is most likely cause of the "safety-school" principle. My GPA is crap and they want >3.5, I heard, anyway hope to meet you there.

Hello TakeruK and fuzzylogician, thank you very much for the opinion, such a relief! Since my first referral is a good people, I mean she actually helps to improve my PS and all sort by correct them for me while I am not under her anymore for years, so at the same time I worried if I apply to multiple programs will terribly increase her workload. I think my friend who told me this is just too paranoid and I shouldn't worry about that. Thanks again! mls

Hello all, I heard that when you are applying to different programs in same school and you choose the same referral, some of those will just upload the exact same letter to the system. Some of my friends said that is not good as even if the programs are not the same, the AdCom is most probably the same group of people and they will consider the referral to be "not willing to talk to them and not bother to twist a bit for their letter for different programs" and this turns out to be a flag to the applicant. Is that true? If so then I will be a bit screwed as I know two of my referrals do this to me, and when I ask one of them said it is fine for two programs, but not to three or so, where I am applying to at most two programs for the same school. Thanks for your two cents!

Undergrad Institution: a middle tire university in Hong Kong, low or no reputation in biology. MSc from global known school. Major(s): Biotechnology Minor(s): NA GPA in Major: 2.3 (no GPA for my MSc, school policy) Overall GPA: 2.3 Position in Class: Last one out with honor Type of Student: International female GRE Scores (revised/old version): Q: 164 V: 150 W: 3.5 B: what is this? BTW I am going to retake the GRE on next next Wednesday. Hope for a 155+ Verbal and 4.0+ AW. TOEFL Total: R28, L27, S24, W28, 107 Research Experience: - 1 year UG research in environmental science - 0.5 year cancer research after graduate - then change to current lab and worked for 4+ years, in virology, epidemiology and evolution Publications: 3 first author, 2 contributing author, 2 pending first author Awards/Honors/Recognitions: None Pertinent Activities or Jobs: stated above Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Nah Special Bonus Points: My current supervisor is a world-renowned epidemiologist, however I didn't ask for his reference letter. I have 3 strong LoRs from no-name. I spend 6 hours a day to search for PhD opening on various website, and tailor PS for each one. I also send MYRIAD tailored email to contact POI. Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: I tried my very best to remedy my crappy GPA. I hope I won't be cut off solely because of my GPA at the first round screening. Applying to Where: Emory - Epidemiology, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Wisconsin-Madison - Microbiology and Cellular and Molecular Biology Rochester - Immunology, Microbiology and Virology Georgia State - Microbiology Iowa - Microbiology Iowa State - Microbiology ZIBI - Max Planck of Bioinfection, Germany ....and to individual PhD opening posted on everywhere.

hi EGMann, I have some experience with EU schools. Generally they asked for similar statement with similar requirement served for similar purpose. You can just modify your SoP for US school to them. Though I think their criteria for selection is not the same as US schools. Nevertheless i think you can first get in touch with POI, if possible, and ask for their opinion. mls

Hello Biotechie, i would like to get a bit more info about this school: University of Utah (Molecular Bio) how is the competitiveness of the program? i am searching for middle tire school with middle rank program as my profile is crappy. can you kindly help to evaluate my chance and also give your two cents on what should I put in my PS to make up a killer essay? i have four years of post graduate research experience, in global renowned lab under reputed supervisor. a MSc (no GPA tho, school policy), and my UG GPA is 2.3. my LoRs are nice and strong, and i have multiple publications. and Hello NNS91, I just happened to fall into the immunology of viral infection sector. the idea of "immune response against viral infection" can be wide or narrow - depends on the school you are applying. as immune response to infectious disease is quite ubiquitous, CD4+, CD8+, CTL, vaccine, drug resistance etc etc. that doesn't differ much when you look at the big picture between bacteria and virus. However, when you come down to molecular level, the immune response between influenza and HIV can be two different story. so just as general suggestions, i think if i were you i will browse the school website, look up for professor's pages. if there are only one group who works on immune response of T killer cells upon HIV infection, then your topic is "too" wide (that i think the POI will doubt if you are just shooting the board hoping for a shot). but if there are actually a "centre of virology" that 4 big groups are working on HIV, SIV, influenza, SARS, whatever virus with T cell, B cell, MHC I, TLR whatever receptors, then this idea is appropriate, imho. tho up till now i still am not sure if i will subtly indicate my interest pointing to specific POI in my PS, i am looking for any ideas upon this.

i personally won't advocate to reveal this situation to any of the committee board. to be blunt, people in academic, especially who are so superior to earn a position in University, usually are quite complacent, and against all the odds no matter you are trying to raise that up for goods or bads. just let your referrer knows about your tot and ask him to focus on positive side - not to lie, but just because you have limited space for your recommendation letter to show your brightness, make it as shiny as i can be, just like thousands of others.

hi all, I majored in life science section, here are my stat: international asian female undergraduate GPA: 2.3, major in biotechnology, school ranked 401-500 in THE globally 4 years of research experience after graduate, worked in highly reputated lab MSc in medical science, research thesis as partial fulfillment, no GPA based on school policy, grad school ranking 20-30 in THE globally GRE: Q164, V 150, AW 3.0 publications: 1 first author (IF: 2.X), 2 contributing author (IF: 5+) (2 pending for submission, 1 first author, 1 contributing author (IF: 5+)) recommendations: 3, 1 from prestige, globally renowned professor in the same field, who is my current supervisor. 2 from professors in other field. i believe the letters are stellar. so now i have gone through the first round application in fall 2013 (in EU only). i got no offer, despite with a few interviews. I am contemplating how to improve my application and throw in my next round applications in US. 1. i have a back up plan for MPhil in my current lab - which has course work but still no GPA as school policy. Nevertheless that guarantee some more lead author publications. Should I just finish this degree and apply later? 2. should I retake GRE? and what score should I aim at? 3. what should be included in my SoP? i have friends who is working PhD in US and she will help to review my SoP. but first i want to get some second opinions on what to mention. i think it is cogent to state my research ability, where i have capacity in designate methodology to address research question, hands on lab techniques, analyse result and write up publications. also i lived along and financially independent since UG study (and this is the reason for my UG GPA, family issue). 4. i am thinking whether to apply to school with similar research as my background regardless of ranking, or to apply to whatever program that is mediocre and i get a chance based on stat? i basically have no preference on research topic, like i am comfortable to change to cancer biology if a place is offered. However based on my profile, my strength is my research experience, so does that matter to change field? thanks, mls

agree. this topic was on this forum as well.

the 1st 166, in 1st part Q is 20/20, 2nd part is 14/20 - total 6 mistakes the 2nd 166, 1st part Q is 17/20, 2nd part is 16/20 - total 7 mistakes

oh about the Manhanttan Quant part, i am talking about the questions in the practice test set. the hard section in their strategy guide is not difficult enough for me as challenge. I don't have the 5lb book so i can't comment on that. btw, for me, the "difficulties" is majorly due to the time limit - that said if i am given 40 minutes instead of 35 minutes i can best the score. but then time is time, i won't say this and that, so i concede the fact that i am not good enough for a 99% percentile. and actually the improvement, that might be reflecting in the practice test score, is because i have accustomed the question format and the traps (like hour to minutes...). as an asian student myself, the maths is not a matter of I-can't-compute but the matter of examination skills. thus i consider this is useful to fellow exam takers as well - it is very important to master the examination skills for GRE.

i think it is time to update my progress: Practice test scores: Barron's (17-18 Apr) practice test (online prep) V:155-160 Kaplan (19 Apr) V: 152, Q: 168 (first time to meet 320) Manhattan (22 - 25 Apr) 1st: Q164, V: 158 2nd: Q 166, V: 162 3rd: Q 166, V: 157 PowerPrep II (1st set) (25 Apr) Q: 167 V: 155 I hope my progress can bolster the motivation of the multiple time takers. Q: the improvement, if really considered a significant change, is by practicing over and over again (manhattan). IMHO i think manhattan Q is a bit more difficult than Magoosh, but then to be fair i will have a more detail evaluation after my exam on this Sat. Just one thing to add: Barron's Q is for basic of basic. if you are aiming for >155 then just forget about Barron's quant practice. V: except expanding the vocab, i use Barron's six practice test and their online prep majorly. they focus on obscure vocabulary, and the RC is really good in the questions setting and the comprehensiveness and structure of the passage is parallel to the one in the 1st set of powerprep. I would recommend Barron as your Verbal prep. Less than a week for the exam. in the time being i will try to: 1. complete the Barron six practice test 2. complete the remaining 3 Manhattan practice test 3. complete the 2nd set of PowerPrep II practice test And I think to try to adjust your expected score is another important step in your prep too. As I think Q 170 is beyond my reach, so then i will try to secure a higher V score to obtain the minimum 320. If I keep insisting on getting Q 170 then I will be too stressed out and that is the last thing you want for exam preparation and also the exam itself. of course i will keep up with that and maybe i can get the targeted prefect score on the test day? who knows

if you purchase a ebook from Manhattan they will also grant you to access all 6 exams - for as low as 8.99 for free practice, you can try out majortest.com (for V) and the Magoosh blog (for Q) there are also free online full length practice test on princeton review, the Barron and McGraw Hill Good luck!

Started: mid March 2013 Goal scores: V160 Q170 Practice test scores: 1st - V:149-154 Q160-165 (Barron's online prep diagnostic) 2nd - V:155 Q162 AW: 4.0 and 4.5 (Princeton review free online test) Previous GRE scores: V144 Q160 GRE test date: 4th May 2013 Materials: RC: Manhatten Strategy Guides TC/SE: Barron's New GRE 19th edition, Majortest.com, Princeton review 1014, practice set from varies online resources (blog....) AW: Manhatten Strategy Guides, GRE blogs, my working experience Q: Barron's GRE math workbook, Barron's online prep, Manhatten Strategy Guides hard section

hello mutantmanifesto, i am currently using barron's online prep, they are on sale at $69 so i think this is of great favorite of you. however, i have to say if i can choose again i think i will go for magoosh. first of all the barron's prep you cannot customize your practice, that means you can only go for verbal practice but you have no say on which type of questions you are going to take. as i have been doing quite ok on TC and SE, they gave me less than 5% of TC and SE in my practice sets. what i am working so far, for over 20 practice question set, are almost ALL RC - where I really am exhausted in reading over and over again for the LONG passages - over 500 words with poor word alignment. second, the maths are too easy that i get all correct in so far six set of question. where in my 1st run of GRE i get 160Q and this time i aimed at getting a perfect on that. so this is not really helpful to me. thirdly, some of the explanation of the answer has not yet completed (some even with only a "D" and then nohting - absolutely nothing), and few of the answers are just obviously wrong. for the good deals, it is really a huge Q bank for $69, over 1000 questions available with 4 practice tests. also after the torment of the RC marathon, it is quite irrefutable that my V improved both in pace and accuracy. the correct % and the clock is also a good tools for self-evaluation. i tried the demo on magoosh. the maths are useful to me - that i feel the format is at least a bit correlation with the real GRE. also they have a reputation of harder maths questions. it is good to reinforce the basic and concept, but i think it is not useful to maths people that score low in Q because of careless mistake. their verbal part is also quite good as well. the question is good written, logical and not vague. i didn't try kaplan yet, for princeton review i only tried their free online test. the program is crappy that my browser get a few crashes before i can run the test. nevertheless the prediction of the score is similar to barron's one, and they do have tutor to review you assay.