2021 Biology PhD Admissions Results

[pipettingerror]

Has anyone here applied to Harvard BBS, UPenn BMB or Vanderbilt Biological Sciences?

[prayingforamiracle]

9 minutes ago, pipettingerror said:

Has anyone here applied to Harvard BBS, UPenn BMB or Vanderbilt Biological Sciences?

I applied to Harvard’s BBS and Vanderbilt’s IGP! The anxiety is real for these applications. I was going to apply for UPenn but I knew I didn’t stand a chance anyway

[pipettingerror]

50 minutes ago, prayingforamiracle said:

I applied to Harvard’s BBS and Vanderbilt’s IGP! The anxiety is real for these applications. I was going to apply for UPenn but I knew I didn’t stand a chance anyway

Ooh good to hear from someone waiting to hear back from the same places! I am fairly confident I don't have shot at any of these places but the heart wants what it shouldn't. ?

Still, hopefully there is some good news around the corner for us. Good luck and please let us know if you hear back from these programs!

[prayingforamiracle]

49 minutes ago, pipettingerror said:

Ooh good to hear from someone waiting to hear back from the same places! I am fairly confident I don't have shot at any of these places but the heart wants what it shouldn't. ?

Still, hopefully there is some good news around the corner for us. Good luck and please let us know if you hear back from these programs!

Same here!! I keep thinking about the BBS program all day and all night ? I’m so passionate about the program and the research there that I’m praying my SOP reflects my enthusiasm. I’m banking on Harvard’s ability to see potential and take a risk on some people rather than other unis’ hardline qualifications. That’s why I didn’t apply to too many top tier unis anyway.

I really hope all of our dreams come true! And yeah I’ll keep you updated for sure! I do know that Harvard’s decisions come in late next week or early the week after so I shouldn't be checking my inbox all the time ? I’m honestly praying for a miracle. 

Also what’s your field of interest by the way? 

[pipettingerror]

1 hour ago, prayingforamiracle said:

Same here!! I keep thinking about the BBS program all day and all night ? I’m so passionate about the program and the research there that I’m praying my SOP reflects my enthusiasm. I’m banking on Harvard’s ability to see potential and take a risk on some people rather than other unis’ hardline qualifications. That’s why I didn’t apply to too many top tier unis anyway.

I feel so seen ? I keep thinking about it all day too and I am also hoping my enthusiasm comes across! I am hopeful it will, for both you and I

 

1 hour ago, prayingforamiracle said:

praying for a miracle. 

Haha username checks out. Did you hear this from the AdCom? Seems feasible, since last time interview invites were sent around the 20th, but quite a few places are being delayed because of the extra volume of applicants this year so let's see. It would be nice if its before Christmas break, I think I would go mad checking the portal otherwise, despite knowing full well that nothing will change till they reopen.

I am interested in proteostasis and related fields! What about you?

[prayingforamiracle]

1 hour ago, pipettingerror said:

I feel so seen ? I keep thinking about it all day too and I am also hoping my enthusiasm comes across! I am hopeful it will, for both you and I

 

Haha username checks out. Did you hear this from the AdCom? Seems feasible, since last time interview invites were sent around the 20th, but quite a few places are being delayed because of the extra volume of applicants this year so let's see. It would be nice if its before Christmas break, I think I would go mad checking the portal otherwise, despite knowing full well that nothing will change till they reopen.

I am interested in proteostasis and related fields! What about you?

Thanks ? and no I just deduced it from the results section here. Harvard gives me the impression that they’re pretty timely so I think we’ll know before Christmas. Then again, I’m making too many assumptions at this point. There’s a lot to do, but I’m still fixated on refreshing graduate and my inbox ? I need to wrap up another SOP, prepare for interviews (in the hopes that I’ll get one anyway lol), and apply for jobs too.

I’m applying for microbiology and immunology programs, and I’m super passionate about the gut microbiome! Even though I haven’t done research on it specifically, I’ve seen its impact on my life, and I hope I get the opportunity to study it. Problem is, it’s the top unis that do research in this field, so even though I’m applying to lower rank universities, I don’t think my enthusiasm shines as much as the ones that have microbiome research ? 

So have you applied to just 3 universities or have you gone for more? In my case, I’m totally not confident so I’m applying to around 15 ? 

Edited December 8, 2020 by prayingforamiracle

[pipettingerror]

1 hour ago, prayingforamiracle said:

There’s a lot to do, but I’m still fixated on refreshing graduate and my inbox ? I need to wrap up another SOP, prepare for interviews (in the hopes that I’ll get one anyway lol), and apply for jobs too.

Fret not, last minute panic is the cure to all meandering distractions, haha. Def prepare for interviews, I'm sure there is a barrage of invitations just around the corner

1 hour ago, prayingforamiracle said:

I’m applying for microbiology and immunology programs, and I’m super passionate about the gut microbiome! Even though I haven’t done research on it specifically, I’ve seen its impact on my life, and I hope I get the opportunity to study it. Problem is, it’s the top unis that do research in this field, so even though I’m applying to lower rank universities, I don’t think my enthusiasm shines as much as the ones that have microbiome research ?

Thats really cool, its a very hot and spicy field too! I think your enthusiasm definitely comes through, and its a very important factor to be able to see a PhD through. I am sure your top choices will be able to see it!

 

1 hour ago, prayingforamiracle said:

So have you applied to just 3 universities or have you gone for more? In my case, I’m totally not confident so I’m applying to around 15 ? 

3 in the US, but 10 in total. Only five submitted so far but kinda like you I am busy daydreaming about skipping down the places I have applied to instead of focusing on my upcoming applications ?

[prayingforamiracle]

38 minutes ago, pipettingerror said:

Fret not, last minute panic is the cure to all meandering distractions, haha. Def prepare for interviews, I'm sure there is a barrage of invitations just around the corner

Thats really cool, its a very hot and spicy field too! I think your enthusiasm definitely comes through, and its a very important factor to be able to see a PhD through. I am sure your top choices will be able to see it!

 

3 in the US, but 10 in total. Only five submitted so far but kinda like you I am busy daydreaming about skipping down the places I have applied to instead of focusing on my upcoming applications ?

At this point, I’m hoping I’ll have the luxury to choose! People that have that opportunity are really lucky ?

I really really hope that they’ll be able to sense it since I don’t have much research experience under my belt. Fingers crossed!

It’s great that you’re going global!! Good luck with that! Mine are all in the US, and I only have like 3 left, but I’m just so tired now after submitting for the December 1st deadline ? Hope we can reenergize and get to the last stretch of the application process. Good luck!!

[sirtuingirl]

22 hours ago, Neuromantic said:

I think that UNC BBSP only sent out invites for the priority applications. I applied on the final deadline (11/30 - 12/1) and still haven't heard anything...

Not sure of that. I think a few programs within BBSP related to microbiology, immunology etc have reviewed applications and sent out invites. I don’t think others such as genetics, molecular biology etc. have gone out.

[Crucial BBQ]

2 hours ago, prayingforamiracle said:

At this point, I’m hoping I’ll have the luxury to choose! People that have that opportunity are really lucky ?

 

In reality, the opposite.  Trying to decide on multiple offers is not as easy as it seems.  Those who receive only one offer are the lucky ones in my opinion. 

[Neuromantic]

1 hour ago, sirtuingirl said:

Not sure of that. I think a few programs within BBSP related to microbiology, immunology etc have reviewed applications and sent out invites. I don’t think others such as genetics, molecular biology etc. have gone out.

I applied Neuro & am still waiting. So nervous >.< 

[prayingforamiracle]

28 minutes ago, Crucial BBQ said:

In reality, the opposite.  Trying to decide on multiple offers is not as easy as it seems.  Those who receive only one offer are the lucky ones in my opinion. 

That’s also true tbh! I faced that when I applied for a master’s, and it was pretty difficult, but now, I just feel so anxious that I wish I can get at least one offer. That’s why I’m also wondering whether it’s even possible that I can get more than one offer with how competitive it all is right now. Honestly best of luck to all of us, and I hope that we all get into our dream schools so that we don’t have to overthink anything.

[hopefulimmunologist]

12 hours ago, pipettingerror said:

Has anyone here applied to Harvard BBS, UPenn BMB or Vanderbilt Biological Sciences?

I applied to Vanderbilt IGP! Still waiting to hear back. I also just heard back from UPenn IGG (got an interview!), so maybe the BMB program will get back soon too? 

Edited December 8, 2020 by hopefulimmunologist

[immunolover]

12 hours ago, pipettingerror said:

Has anyone here applied to Harvard BBS, UPenn BMB or Vanderbilt Biological Sciences?

I applied to Harvard BBS and Penn BGS (just heard from Penn!). I didn't apply to Vandy. Really hoping to hear from Harvard soon ?

[pipettingerror]

1 hour ago, hopefulimmunologist said:

I applied to Vanderbilt IGP! Still waiting to hear back. I also just heard back from UPenn IGG (got an interview!), so maybe the BMB program will get back soon too? 

 

1 hour ago, immunolover said:

I applied to Harvard BBS and Penn BGS (just heard from Penn!). I didn't apply to Vandy. Really hoping to hear from Harvard soon ?

Ooh exciting! Congrats on your interviews for Penn you both! I haven't heard anything yet, I applied to the BMB track. If anyone from the same track has heard please let me know!

 

[Neuromantic]

Anyone hear from UMich PIBS?

[helpert]

3 hours ago, Neuromantic said:

Anyone hear from UMich PIBS?

i haven't heard anything, but they did post their interview weekends. jan 28-30 and feb 4-6, which makes me think they'll have sent out all invites by early january, at the latest.

[Hepatotox95]

18 hours ago, pipettingerror said:

Has anyone here applied to Harvard BBS, UPenn BMB or Vanderbilt Biological Sciences?

I applied to Harvard, but under MCB, hopefully I will hear good news about it too lol. 

[pipettingerror]

5 hours ago, Hepatotox95 said:

I applied to Harvard, but under MCB, hopefully I will hear good news about it too lol. 

Nice! Good luck!

[Sav_wrigh]

15 hours ago, helpert said:

i haven't heard anything, but they did post their interview weekends. jan 28-30 and feb 4-6, which makes me think they'll have sent out all invites by early january, at the latest.

I'm pretty sure they said they would send out invites by Dec. 31st. I've heard from other grad programs that Michigan assured them everything would be done before Christmas though...

Edited December 9, 2020 by Sav_wrigh

[stem_ness]

A little birdie told me Yale BBS is starting to send out interview invites

[immunolover]

4 minutes ago, stem_ness said:

A little birdie told me Yale BBS is starting to send out interview invites

Did this birdie say which program under the BBS umbrella? ? was just going to comment about how today seemed slow for invites....

[stem_ness]

Just now, immunolover said:

Did this birdie say which program under the BBS umbrella? ? was just going to comment about how today seemed slow for invites....

MCBDG

[helpert]

9 hours ago, Sav_wrigh said:

I'm pretty sure they said they would send out invites by Dec. 31st. I've heard from other grad programs that Michigan assured them everything would be done before Christmas though...

an interview would be a great christmas gift ?

[biolgurl]

3 hours ago, stem_ness said:

MCBDG

Is Yale's BBS program one that sends out in waves? Hoping to start hearing from schools any day now