Regrouping and Reapplying next year

[Marius]

So it looks like this is not going to be my year. In hindsight I'm not surprised. After going through interviews I realized I was not prepared nor experienced enough compared to other applicants. I wasn't confident enough, and couldn't speak with enough authority even on my own research. Basically, I wasn't ready.

My application this year looked like this:

Neuroscience B.S. degree

GPA: 3.56

GRE: 1330

One year of laboratory experience but no abstracts or publications. I've done work pertaining mainly to neurodegeneration. I have done research with amyloid-beta and also neurotrophin signaling.

I was applying for neuroscience PhD programs at these schools:

Drexel

Thomas Jefferson

UPenn

Columbia

NYU

Boston U

Rutgers

and only got interviews at Rutgers and TJU.

Next year I will have two abstracts to add to my application, so I will have some completed research to talk about. I hope to get an research assistant position for some added lab experience as well. Given those two factors: another year of lab experience and the two completed abstracts, how much stronger does my application get? I was also thinking of retaking the GREs, and my GPA should be about the same when I graduate this spring, somewhere between 3.5 and 3.6. I'm also going to be much more selective in what schools I pick so that they match my strengths.

Any recommendations for where to apply to next year?

[greenertea]

Did you get rejected from Rutgers and TJU or are you turning them down?

[kgumps2012]

I know TJU is still accepting people and Drexel hasn't done anything as far as I know. I just got an email from them letting me know my application was complete and is under review. What programs did you apply to? I'm guessing neuro ones?

[Marius]

I believe TJU began sending out acceptances already and I haven't heard anything. I was advised by my PI that if you don't hear back in a week or two after your interview, and they already made offers to other candidates, it means they're probably not interested in you. I'm not sure about Drexel though. I know they sent out interview invitations over a month ago, so I'm not holding my breath. So no formal rejections yet, but all signs point to rejection right now.

Edited February 17, 2012 by Marius

[dhm0219]

Don't give up hope on TJU. I just got an acceptance from a school I interviewed at three weeks ago, and I know they starting sending offers two weeks ago. A lot of schools do waves of offers, where they make offers to their top choices and people who they are fairly confident will accept first, and then as they start to hear back from those people they slowly release more acceptances.

If you do end up taking the year off, focus on a few things:

1) concrete evidence of your results. This means abstracts, posters at conferences, papers if at all possible, etc

2) think about the big picture of your research as you're doing it. As you know by now, you need to be ready to field questions beyond the minute details that you deal with every day in the lab, and more focused on why you are doing what you're doing and what the next step(s) would be.

3) contact PIs at the schools you are most interested in ahead of time. This has the potential to really help your application.

4) work on your SOP. From people I have spoken to who have worked in admissions at the school where I am currently working, the SOP is one of the most important aspects of the application.

Taking the GRE again probably couldn't hurt, but I actually don't think GRE scores carry as much weight as research experience and your SOP.

Good luck!

[kgumps2012]

Yes TJU did send out some acceptances already but I also know they have at least another interview weekend so no worries. I know they are swamped right now. (I work in the same building as the grad admissions since I am doing my master's there). So keep up hope!!

[Marius]

Don't give up hope on TJU. I just got an acceptance from a school I interviewed at three weeks ago, and I know they starting sending offers two weeks ago. A lot of schools do waves of offers, where they make offers to their top choices and people who they are fairly confident will accept first, and then as they start to hear back from those people they slowly release more acceptances.

If you do end up taking the year off, focus on a few things:

1) concrete evidence of your results. This means abstracts, posters at conferences, papers if at all possible, etc

2) think about the big picture of your research as you're doing it. As you know by now, you need to be ready to field questions beyond the minute details that you deal with every day in the lab, and more focused on why you are doing what you're doing and what the next step(s) would be.

3) contact PIs at the schools you are most interested in ahead of time. This has the potential to really help your application.

4) work on your SOP. From people I have spoken to who have worked in admissions at the school where I am currently working, the SOP is one of the most important aspects of the application.

Taking the GRE again probably couldn't hurt, but I actually don't think GRE scores carry as much weight as research experience and your SOP.

Good luck!

These things exactly. I need to work on them all. Some of it is just experience I didn't have. I will have two abstracts by next fall that just aren't finished yet. I may have jumped the gun a little on this, but at least now I know what I need.

[Marius]

Well it looks like I'm still in the game. The admissions adviser at Drexel just contacted me to say the program director would like to invite me for an interview. I've gotta hit a home run on this one guys. After doing two interviews I think I have an idea what to expect, but what are some tips you guys have for successful interviews.

One thing I would like to bring up is my current research. I'll have *hopefully* some preliminary results by the time of the interview. Is it appropriate to talk about results you've gotten before you've actually finished a study?

Edited February 22, 2012 by Marius

[Jimbo2]

you could certainly mention the results that you anticipate if there's a trend in your work. if you don't get in, i would recommend not taking a year "off," but rather continuing to work and get another year of research experience. without classes, you should be able to get a ton of experience, build reputations with LoR writers, etc. i wouldn't recommend retaking the GRE unless there's a really bad subscore within the 1330. from the perspective of a PI, i would be much more concerned with research experience, familiarity with lab equipment, reputation, ability to think independently, and writing skills than the results of a math/vocab test. good luck at the upcoming interview!

[dhm0219]

One thing I would like to bring up is my current research. I'll have *hopefully* some preliminary results by the time of the interview. Is it appropriate to talk about results you've gotten before you've actually finished a study?

Of course. You should absolutely talk about your preliminary results and just show that you have a sense of what they mean, how you should interpret them, what the caveats are, and what you will try to do next. Remember that they are likely not interested in the actual result, per se, but rather your ability to understand the result and think critically and creatively about the progression of the project as a whole.

[Spore]

I agree with the above advice re GREs.

Try to rock the interview.

If you do not get in, look for a research technician job in a university you would really like to go to. If you do well, you can expect a great LOR and a possible publication. Also, your boss should have sway at the adcom meetings.