2014 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results

[jean21]

I need a little help determining which programs to apply to.  I am interested in studying genetics, more specifically, epigenetics, and even more specifically, histone modifications/histone code.  So far I have 4 schools I'm definitely applying to (see below).  My stats aren't amazing, but I do have quite a bit of research experience and should have good letters of recommendation.  Does anyone know any other programs that are strong in epigenetics that I would be competitive at?  I'm thinking UPenn and UNC are my 'reach' schools, so I should probably avoid applying to more top schools.  I'm hoping to apply to a total of 7-8 programs.

 

Undergrad Institution: Small lib arts - not very well known
Major(s): biology
Minor(s):
GPA in Major:
Overall GPA: 3.44 (much higher senior year)
Position in Class: not sure
Type of Student: Domestic, female

GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q: 159, 750, 75%
V: 157, 560, 73%
W: 4.0, 54%
B: n/a


Research Experience: 2 years in undergrad studying biochem (senior thesis), 1 summer internship in immunology, over 1 year at Ivy in genomics lab, no publications, 1 poster presentation

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: received undergraduate research grant from Beta Beta Beta (biology honors society)

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: undergrad genetics tutor, current job at Ivy, internship

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: expert in Next-Generation Sequencing technologies

Special Bonus Points: 2 of my recommendations will be from faculty at Ivy - one helped me write my SoP

Applying to Where: UNC-Chapel Hill, UPenn, USC, NYU-Sackler

 

hoping to find 3-4 more... 

[sys88]

Undergrad Institution: Large State School

Major(s): Biology with a concentration in Genetics, Cellular and Developmental Biology
Minor(s): N/A
GPA in Major: 3.76
Overall GPA: 3.48
Position in Class: Top 20%?
Type of Student: White domestic female

GRE Scores (revised):
Q: 165 (91%)
V: 165 (95%)
W: 4.5 (78%)
B: 780 (81%)

Research Experience: 

2.75 years in lung biology lab as RS I

9 months in insect physiology lab as undergrad

 

1 second author pub

2 middle author pubs

Undergrad honors program thesis

1 conference poster presentation

Awards/Honors/Recognitions:

4 semesters Dean's List

Honors Program

Cum Laude

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 

Ocassional volunteering for things like Science Day or the science center

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:

N/A

Special Bonus Points: 

One LoR is a big name, albeit not in the exact field I'm going into

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:

N/A

 

Research Interests:

Mesenchymal and limb/face development

Genetics

Applying to Where:

 

UCSF - DSCB (super reach haha)
UW - MCB

OHSU - PCMB

UNC - BBSP

UC Denver - Cell Bio, Stem Cells and Dev.

Cedar Sinai - Biomed Sci. and Translational Med.

 

Wondering if I should apply to more than one program at UW, and maybe add on another program!

[persimmony]

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
Position in Class: Not sure.
Type of Student: Domestic, female, asian

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.

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: NA

Special Bonus Points: One of my recommendation writers is a well known scientist in the field. She's a faculty member at one of the schools I'm applying to and also has connections to a POI at another university.

Applying to Where:

UC Denver - Biomedical Sciences Program

CU Boulder- Molec, Cell, and Dev Bio (MCDB)

Univ Wisconsin Madison- CMB

Duke - Dev and Stem cell bio

UC Irvine - CMB

Cornell-Weill - BCMB

BostonU - CMB

[QuantumBiology]

Undergrad Institution: Mid-sized liberal arts institution

Major(s): Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BS), Mathematics (BS)

GPA in Major: 4.00

Overall GPA: 4.00

Position in Class: Top 5%

Type of Student: Domestic Female

 

GRE Scores (revised/old version):

Q: 169 (99%)

V: 170 (98%)

W: 4.5 (78%)

Biochem: Eagerly anticipating score report in November

 

Research Experience:

Sophomore year: 1 year undergraduate research at home

                       institution in computational/organic chemistry

                       - poster, conference proceedings article

Summer 2012: summer research fellowship in computational

                       quantum chemistry - paper published

Junior year: 1 semester research in microbiology as a continuation

                       of a molecular techniques class - poster

Summer 2013: REU working with a well-known biochemist

                       - poster, presentation

 

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's List, Promising Student in Biochemistry

 

Pertinent Activities or Jobs:

tutored gen bio/genetics

prep work for undergraduate labs in biochemistry

part-time TA for immunology and molecular techniques

 

This list is subject to change. I am looking mainly at biophysics programs that allow me

to combine a strong mathematical focus with traditional lab work.

Applying to Where

UGA biochemistry

Stanford biophysics

UC Boulder IQ bio

Harvard Biophysics

MIT CSBi

UC Davis Biophysics

Princeton QCB

Duke SBB

[Eatin' Biscuits]

Undergrad Institution: Directional state university with reputation for parties rather than research
Major(s):  Biochemistry/Chemistry
Minor(s):
GPA in Major:  3.98
Overall GPA:  3.98
Position in Class:   Close to top
Type of Student: Non-traditional domestic male

GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q:     166 (93%)
V:     167 (97%)
W:    4.0 (54%)
B:     not bothering

Research Experience: 

1.5 years molecular biology lab

1 year analytical chemistry lab

NIH summer intern 
One paper in prep as middle author. Another project will be published but it won't be finished until after applications are due. 

 
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: 

Undergraduate research grant

Award for outstanding undergrad in analytical chemistry

Pertinent Activities or Jobs:  None

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:  I'm really outstandingly good-looking (my mom says so anyway)

Special Bonus Points:  None

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:  This was my 2nd bachelor's degree. GPA for my 1st degree over a decade ago was barely above 2.0.

Applying to Where:

I'm somewhat restricted geographically due to family obligations or I'd apply to a couple more.

UNC BBSP

Duke Immunology

Emory GDBBS

UVA BIMS

Hopkins Immunology

Penn Immunology

[sunpenguin]

Master's Institution: Medium-sized state university

Undergrad Institution: Small liberal arts college
Major(s): MS in cell and molecular biology

MA in biological anthropology
Master's GPA: 4.0
Undergrad GPA: 3.96
Position in Class: Not ranked
Type of Student: Domestic female

GRE Scores (old version):
Q: 700--61%, revised down from 69% prior to 2011  
V: 770--99%
W: 4.5--78%
B: Will take later this month.

Research Experience: 

(1) Master's thesis, which was of a bioinformatics/computational bio nature

(2) One single-author paper published, which was also presented at a conference

(3) A one-semester, unpaid internship at a biotech company. Worked on one of the kits sold by the company.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: 

(1) Won a graduate student paper contest (scope: university department)

(2) Received three merit-based tuition scholarships at my undergrad alma mater, where I graduated summa cum laude.

(3) Was a National Merit Finalist

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 

(1) TA for three semesters. This involved only a little teaching, a lot of grading, and some educational content creation.

(2) Fairly extensive non-higher-education teaching experience (for-profit workshops and classes).

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:
Published author of non-academic books.

Special Bonus Points: 

Have had the opportunity to connect personally with a couple of POIs at universities near me.

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:
My bachelor's was in an unrelated field, earned in 1994. Around 1999 I knew I wanted to go into biological research. As it was feasible, from the early 2000s to 2010, I took the prereqs necessary to do a master's in bio (fitting them in around work and starting a family), and from 2010-2013 did my two master's degrees. This could be seen as a positive (I'm a mature student who knows what I want based on life experience as well as academic work and who has a proven track record of two master's in three years), or it could be a negative that my bachelor's isn't in bio. I think it will depend on the individual members of the adcomms.

Applying to Where:

University of Washington Genome Sciences
Berkeley Integrative Biology

UC Santa Cruz Biomedical Engineering/Bioinformatics

Stanford Biology

University of Massachusetts Boston MCOB

Boston University Biology

Harvard OEB

Brandeis Biology

Northeastern Biology

Tufts Sackler Genetics

[Gram Neutral]

So I applied last year, got interviews at Loyola and Medical College of Wisconsin. I'm considering switching out some of my schools and adding some, probably Notre Dame and Florida. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Undergrad Institution: Big Ten

Major(s): Molecular and Cellular Biology

Minor(s): Political Science

Overall GPA: 3.06 (3.60 last 4 semesters)

Type of Student: White male, Domestic.

GRE Scores (revised/old version):

Q:158

V:160

W:4.0

Research Experience: 2 years as undergrad doing western blots and measuring photosynthesis rates. 3 months doing HIV research in the summer, and for the next year I'll be working 20 hours in a vet pathogen diagnostics lab, and then 20 hours doing DNA marker work with plants.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Deans list Fall senior year.

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Secretary of fraternity, Knights of Columbus officer, board member for a group dedicated to promoting community on campus, director and coordinator for a weekend retreat for up to 45 college students. Led a team of 23 peers.

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: May get published this upcoming year, may have internship in Italy right before school.

Special Bonus Points: one recommendation is from former Dean at my school, one is from professor on board of admissions at one of the schools.

Applying to Where:

University of Illinois-Urbana

University of Illinois-Chicago

Loyola Chicago

Medical College of Wisconsin

Iowa?

Purdue?

Florida

Notre Dame

All will be for Microbiology programs if possible.

[chibisa]

I think it isn't too early. I like it but i can't because i live vietnam. 

[user165]

Another question for those on here with experience: I have 4 strong reference, but many schools ask for three. Where it isn't obvious, would it be OK to send in four, or should i stick to three?

 

Thanks!

[biotechie]

Another question for those on here with experience: I have 4 strong reference, but many schools ask for three. Where it isn't obvious, would it be OK to send in four, or should i stick to three?

 

Thanks!

 

Don't send more than they ask you for. Honestly, most of them have it set up so that you can only submit 3 letters and they require that you submit via their online portal. Some schools do allow 4 letters if you have two PIs for your undergrad studies and some allow 4 letters in general, but you'll have to look at the applications.

[PicklesJD]

Undergrad Institution: Small state school in CA
Major(s): Microbiology
Minor(s): Chemistry
GPA in Major: 3.3 (3.5 in M.S.)
Overall GPA: 3.2
Position in Class:  Near top 2% in Micro, but since they grouped us with Nursing and allied health, it shows bottom 1/2
Type of Student: Male, domestic student. BS - 2002, MS - Microbiology from very good state school 2004, J.D. 2007

GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q:160
V:162
W:5.0
B:n/a


Research Experience: Undergrad - Pathogen ecology of a small lake in northern california and research in hyperiodocyclization (org chem). Grad - research in multidrug efflux pumps and novel chromosomal recombination systems in gram negative bacteria. Led to two second authorships in major periodicals.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's list, Kierney family fellow in Law school, etc.

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Tutor in undergrad (Upward bound program), TA in graduate school, kept teaching continuing education to other attorneys in last 5 years.

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: 

Applying to Where:

UC Davis Microbiology and Molecular Bio

 

 

​Hey all, so I know I'm an aberration, but just looking to see what my chances might be. I feel like I've got a competitive resume, but I also think I may get hammered due to being out of science for 9 years.  I'm limiting myself to Davis due to family considerations.

 

Any ideas?

[tuba250]

Hi everyone!!

Major(s):Biochemistry
Minor(s):Biotechnology
GPA in Major: 3.93
Overall GPA:3.9
Position in Class: Top 5%
Type of Student:International,female

GRE Scores (revised version):
Q:156
V:154
W:3.5

TOEFL Total: 107 (R 27,S27,L28,W25)

Research Experience: Working in an international Research Organization as a trainee.Also working on my thesis here.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions:Candidate for Dean's Award , Scholarship on the basis of merit from the Uni

Pertinent Activities or Jobs:  Worked as TA for more than a year

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Worked to help educate under privilaged kids

Applying to Where: Uni of virginia

                                  Uni of Texas at Austin

                                  Uni of Texas Southwestern Medical center

                                  Washington State Uni

                                  UNC chapel hill(??)

 

I am a lil bit confused about UNC chapel hill.I mailed a prof and he told me to apply and said if I go for interview,he will discuss how I can work in his lab.But I know the GRE requirement is quite high for this school. And my score isnt that good.What should I do?help me out.Also suggest me some uni where I can apply considering my profile.Thanks

[QuantumBiology]

Took the biochemistry subject GRE in September and got the scores back yesterday:

Overall: 650 (89%)

Biochemistry subscore: 66 (91%)

Cell biology: 62 (80%)

Molecular biology and genetics: 64 (87%)

 

Are these scores high enough to be looked at favorably by top programs (such as Harvard biophysics)? I think my other stats listed above are pretty good, but am nervous that my score on the subject test is about average for applicants to some of my top schools.

[cww]

Undergrad Institution: Private engineering schools
Major(s): Biochemistry, Biotechnology (Double Major)
Minor(s):
GPA in Major: 3.80
Overall GPA: 3.73 (4.0 over last 3 semesters)
Position in Class: No way to know
Type of Student: Domestic Male

GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q: 163
V: 158
W: Waiting
B: 760 (77%)


Research Experience: 

Summer internship + Senior year thesis at nearby medical school researching mechanisms of viral proteins

Will be 1 year, 3 months total, but only about 7 months by December deadlines

No publications yet, but have one in the works, it won't be out before the deadlines though

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: 

Dean's list

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 

1 year in biotech industry working with LC/MS/MS

Special Bonus Points: 

Senior thesis lab is run by a nobel laureate

LORs are coming from Biochemistry department head, Nobel Laureate and CEO of a consulting firm


Applying to Where:

UCSF - TETRAD

UC Berkeley - MCB

UCSD - either BMS or Biological Sciences

Stanford - Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine

Harvard - Biological and Biomedical Sciences

MIT - Biology

Scripps - Kellogg School

UCLA - ACCESS

Caltech - Biology

Johns Hopkins - Cellular and Molecular Medicine

WashU- Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Yale - Biological and Biomedical Sciences

UMass Medical School - Basic and Biomedical Sciences

How does my list look?  Is this way too far out there to be realistic?  I'm interested in pursuing Stem Cell/Regenerative Medicine research in school and want to make the transition to industry afterwards.  Any advice you guys have would be great.

Thanks!

[tcmazer]

Undergrad Institution: University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Major(s): Neuroscience
GPA in Major: 3.39
Overall GPA: 3.04
Type of Student: Domestic Male

GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q: 157 (69%)
V: 161 (87%)
W: 4.5 (78%)

Research Experience: 3 years at bio of aging lab at Michigan, 1 paper at PLoS Genetics (4th author/10), 2nd paper in preparation, 1 poster at Michigan undergraduate research symposium, summer doing research at School of Social Work

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Jack

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Lots of IT experience, currently a sys admin for Medical school handling laboratory servers

Applying to Where:

Michigan - PIBS

MIT - Biology

Wisconsin-Madison - Cell and Molecular Bio

Stanford - Cell and Molecular Bio

UT Health Science Center SA - Aging Training Program

UW - Cell and Molecular Bio

WUSTL - DBBS

Northwestern - DGP

Sackler - Cell and Molecular Bio

UT Austin - Cell and Molecular Bio

 

4 applications submitted so far - Madison, WashU, Northwestern, and UT Austin.

[mop]

Hi everyone!!

Major(s):Biochemistry

Minor(s):Biotechnology

GPA in Major: 3.93

Overall GPA:3.9

Position in Class: Top 5%

Type of Student:International,female

GRE Scores (revised version):

Q:156

V:154

W:3.5

TOEFL Total: 107 (R 27,S27,L28,W25)

Research Experience: Working in an international Research Organization as a trainee.Also working on my thesis here.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions:Candidate for Dean's Award , Scholarship on the basis of merit from the Uni

Pertinent Activities or Jobs:  Worked as TA for more than a year

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Worked to help educate under privilaged kids

Applying to Where: Uni of virginia

                                  Uni of Texas at Austin

                                  Uni of Texas Southwestern Medical center

                                  Washington State Uni

                                  UNC chapel hill(??)

 

I am a lil bit confused about UNC chapel hill.I mailed a prof and he told me to apply and said if I go for interview,he will discuss how I can work in his lab.But I know the GRE requirement is quite high for this school. And my score isnt that good.What should I do?help me out.Also suggest me some uni where I can apply considering my profile.Thanks

There is no minimum gre requirement for UNC. PhD programs are holistic, other factors in your application can shore up weaknesses. Go ahead and apply, worst comes to worst you just lost the application fee, no real harm in trying.

 

How does my list look?  Is this way too far out there to be realistic?  I'm interested in pursuing Stem Cell/Regenerative Medicine research in school and want to make the transition to industry afterwards.  ANy advice you guys have would be great.

 

Thanks!

UC Irvine has some top notch stem cell labs

[tcmazer]

Considering dropping MIT and replacing it with Albert Einstein - Yeshiva University.  Anybody know more about this school's acceptance rate?

[penguinshooray]

Sad that I don't see more EBE applicants!

 

Undergrad Institution: Big R1 Public School
Major(s): Ecology/Evolution
Minor(s): Marine Science
GPA in Major: 3.8
Overall GPA: 3.7
Position in Class: somewhere near the top
Type of Student: Traditional, domestic, female. Currently a MS student. 

GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q: 159 (75%)
V: 164 (93%) 
W: 5.0 (93%)
B: lol nope

Research Experience: about 5 years total. 3 publications in low tier journals, 7 presentations (oral and poster, 2 at conferences). Currently working on an MS thesis. 

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Graduated cum laude with Distinction in Biology (departmental honors at my school), Phi Beta Kappa, won REU funding and Smithsonian funding for research. 

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 3 years as a TA, a handful of RA jobs. Currently teaching elementary school science part time, including designing their science curriculum. 

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: 

Special Bonus Points: Phone conversations with POI's, one said he will lobby for my admission. Also wrote on another POI's science blog. 

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: lol I dunno

Applying to Where:
schools with a focus on phylogenetics and museum-based work:
Harvard OEB

Yale EEB

U of Arizona EEB

U of Michigan EEB

 

Probably too top-heavy. There is a decent chance I won't get into any graduate schools, but I'd rather apply again next year if it means going to a school that I'm really excited about. 

 

[Monochrome Spring]

 

Sad that I don't see more EBE applicants!

 

 

EBE student here!

[meaningless]

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.

[Eco PlantGirl]

Undergrad Institution: Top 15 public research university, top 45 national universities in the US
Major(s): Aquatic Biology
Minor(s): English
GPA in Major: 3.80 cum. / 3.96 upper division
Overall GPA: 3.85
Position in Class: ~Top 7%, ‘High Honors’
Type of Student: Domestic Female

GRE Scores (revised version):
Q: 161
V: 166
W: still waiting…

B: Not taken
 

Research Experience:

- 2 years as an undergraduate researcher

Senior Honors Thesis

Presented at annual SERCAL conference, UC Natural Reserve System conference, Undergraduate colloquium (x2)

Draft for publication is in the works

- 0.5 years as an undergraduate researcher

            Primary lit search on the movement of microzooplankton

- 0.5 years as a post-BS researcher in a plant ecology lab

 

Awards/Honors/Recognitions:

- University Academic Excellence Achievement (Honors program)

- Deans List (x10 quarters out of 12)

- Distinction in the Major (Departmental honors)

- 4 merit-based scholarships for research endeavors

 

Pertinent Activities or Jobs:

- 1.5 years as university staff – introductory biology tutor

- Summer research outreach mentor for 1^st gen college students

- Volunteer experience: protecting endangered birds (public outreach), chemistry outreach program, sea center outreach

 

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:

- I've been told that I give better presentations than some grad students by my advisor

 

Special Bonus Points:

- Current research advisor is well respected in my field

- I bake excellent banana bread
 

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: 

None that I can think of. I graduated with an Aquatic Bio degree but am heading into the plant sciences... so, we'll see.
 

Applying to Where: 

- Stanford – Ecology and Evolution PhD

- UCSC – Environmental Studies PhD

- UCSD - Ecology, Behavior and Evolution PhD

[wintersbane]

Undergrad Institution: Research focused state school
Major(s): Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, M.S. Biochemistry
Minor(s): Math? (1 course away right now)
Overall GPA: 3.2
Position in Class: Not given
Type of Student: Domestic male

GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q: 166 (93%)
V: 164 (93%)
W: 5.0 (93%)



Research Experience: 

-3.5 years undergraduate researcher in biochem lab.

-1 first author paper in Biochemistry.

-1 conference poster presentation.


Pertinent Activities or Jobs: TA'd undergraduate intro Biochem lab

Applying to Where: Haven't finalized anything yet, looking at Bioengineering/Tissue Engineering/Regenerative Medicine programs.

-MIT

-Harvard

-UCSD

-Johns Hopkins

-Wake Forest

-WashU in St. Louis

-Yale

-Stanford

-UW-Madison

-UMinn

 

[user165]

Personal statement question:

 

Since different schools require different lengths for their personal statements, I assume people are writing more and less detailed versions of their statements? When a school ask for two pages or less, is it ok for that to be single spaced, or should it be two pages double spaced?

 

 

Thanks!

[tcmazer]

Perfectly acceptable for the paper to be single spaced.  So far my schools have asked for 1-3 and no more than 2 pages, so I've stuck with a 2 page essay.

 

The schools that require 3 essays are the bane of my existence.

Edited November 4, 2013 by tcmazer

[biotechie]

Personal statement question:

 

Since different schools require different lengths for their personal statements, I assume people are writing more and less detailed versions of their statements? When a school ask for two pages or less, is it ok for that to be single spaced, or should it be two pages double spaced?

 

 

Thanks!

 

It is generally acceptable to have your writing single spaced. Do not change font sizes and stick with standard Times New Roman at 12 font. For your benefit, don't try to cram a million things into your essay. You don't want the admissions committees to get bored and not finish and/or not remember your essay. You want to be as concise as humanly possible while still making them remember your essay and what sets you apart from the other hundred applications they're reading.

 

Make sure that you're actually following your prompts for those essays as well. If a school asks you for a personal statement and a research statement, your personal statement shouldn't focus on your research. Your goal is to show them who you honestly are and why you're amazing enough and talented enough to pursue graduate studies at their institution. It isn't to say, "Here are the 50 things I did during undergrad. Tada!" They want students who are passionate about science, but they also want to know we're human. 

 

I found it very helpful to write three, 1.5 page essays before I looked at the prompts for my school: A personal statement about my evolution as a person and scientist, a research statement, and a statement of diversity detailing challenges I dealt with as a student that I feel have made me into a strong scientist (not an essay about race or gender, FYI). Then I could take from these three essays to generate whatever type of essay that each program wanted. It worked incredibly well.

 

I've had this talk with a few of you, now. This is especially important these days when just getting a PhD isn't enough to get into your job of choice. I'm very good at critiquing and judging essays, so I am happy to answer questions. I will probably be most helpful to biomedical applicants, but maybe I can help others, too. Just please don't ask me to proof any essays until AFTER December 2, which is when my term exams complete for my graduate program.

 

I hope your applications are shaping up well, everyone!

Edited November 4, 2013 by biotechie