2014 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results

[aba1984]

After some excruciating thinking, I decided to decline my March 6 interview. I can only do one more interview because of my schoolwork. Apparently, I am still in the running at WuSTL, Vanderbilt and UT Houston. Hopefully I can get some answers from them next week and get it over with finally so I can focus on my thesis.

[Etern]

If I were you I would go for the one where I loved the faculty!

 

Does anyone know how common it is for programs to ask for a decision within a few days, the way Etern's acceptances have, instead of giving you until April 15? I have a funny feeling one of the programs where I'm interviewing might want a decision very quickly. I wouldn't mind that at all; just curious how common it is.

 

Yeah, that's what I was thinking, so I will probably choose Sanger. I will think about it for a few more days though.

 

I believe that the short reply date is only for British PhDs, the penn state offer I have is valid until march.... 

[ERR_Alpha]

Only one of the three places I'm interviewing does rotations at all, as far as I can tell. I wouldn't mind knowing which lab I'm going into and jumping right into the research that will lead to my dissertation. But I think either way could be good. Good luck with the phone interview! When will it be?

Next week sometime! So I have that phone interview and Dartmouth next week! I'm so excited.

[badrepeat]

Is Hopkins CMDB still issuing invites?

[toxicgirl]

New information: Baylor has two interview weekends. This weekend and next weekend. They invite 7 candidates per weekend and will accept twice as many people as they hope to yield, however they did not say how many people they have spots for.

[elanorci]

Hey all,

I posted this in another thread but would love as much feedback as possible so I'm posting here as well - hopefully I'm not being too annoying

I was recently lucky enough to get an acceptance for a school very high on my list - so high that some of the schools that I am scheduled to interview at, while great, are no longer places I would consider going. I don't want to waste anyone's time interviewing somewhere I know I won't go and potentially taking up acceptances from people who want them more, so I'm inclined to cancel these interviews. However, all of these places have already paid for my airline tickets via a travel agent and presumably booked me a hotel room (though this is likely easier to cancel). Also, all of these visits are scheduled for within the next few weeks: the first one is THURSDAY!!! What do I do?

I would feel bad either way and would honestly prefer to cancel (I have 7 interviews scheduled and am already exhausted) but I'm concerned that canceling will produce ill will at these institutions, which I certainly don't want.

I feel bad about the situation, but honestly I don't think it could have been avoided: I only got this acceptance less than a week ago, and I wasn't even sure I would hear before the end of January, which wouldn't have left enough time to book many of these flights.

Is it acceptable to politely and very apologetically cancel? Is there a minimum number of days of warning that I should give? What would you do?

Thanks for any advice, and congrats to all of you getting acceptances !!!

[BG20]

Hey all,

I posted this in another thread but would love as much feedback as possible so I'm posting here as well - hopefully I'm not being too annoying

I was recently lucky enough to get an acceptance for a school very high on my list - so high that some of the schools that I am scheduled to interview at, while great, are no longer places I would consider going. I don't want to waste anyone's time interviewing somewhere I know I won't go and potentially taking up acceptances from people who want them more, so I'm inclined to cancel these interviews. However, all of these places have already paid for my airline tickets via a travel agent and presumably booked me a hotel room (though this is likely easier to cancel). Also, all of these visits are scheduled for within the next few weeks: the first one is THURSDAY!!! What do I do?

I would feel bad either way and would honestly prefer to cancel (I have 7 interviews scheduled and am already exhausted) but I'm concerned that canceling will produce ill will at these institutions, which I certainly don't want.

I feel bad about the situation, but honestly I don't think it could have been avoided: I only got this acceptance less than a week ago, and I wasn't even sure I would hear before the end of January, which wouldn't have left enough time to book many of these flights.

Is it acceptable to politely and very apologetically cancel? Is there a minimum number of days of warning that I should give? What would you do?

Thanks for any advice, and congrats to all of you getting acceptances !!!

 

 

Do the right thing and cancel - it will allow schools to consider other students.  when touch base with the schools just be honest that you decided already on to do PHD in school X...

[ERR_Alpha]

Hey all,

I posted this in another thread but would love as much feedback as possible so I'm posting here as well - hopefully I'm not being too annoying

I was recently lucky enough to get an acceptance for a school very high on my list - so high that some of the schools that I am scheduled to interview at, while great, are no longer places I would consider going. I don't want to waste anyone's time interviewing somewhere I know I won't go and potentially taking up acceptances from people who want them more, so I'm inclined to cancel these interviews. However, all of these places have already paid for my airline tickets via a travel agent and presumably booked me a hotel room (though this is likely easier to cancel). Also, all of these visits are scheduled for within the next few weeks: the first one is THURSDAY!!! What do I do?

I would feel bad either way and would honestly prefer to cancel (I have 7 interviews scheduled and am already exhausted) but I'm concerned that canceling will produce ill will at these institutions, which I certainly don't want.

I feel bad about the situation, but honestly I don't think it could have been avoided: I only got this acceptance less than a week ago, and I wasn't even sure I would hear before the end of January, which wouldn't have left enough time to book many of these flights.

Is it acceptable to politely and very apologetically cancel? Is there a minimum number of days of warning that I should give? What would you do?

Thanks for any advice, and congrats to all of you getting acceptances !!!

I'd like to think they would appreciate you canceling now before they spend more money on you to eat, stay, etc. Just explain the situation and how you were honored with the invitation, but you are pursuing other options.

[geethika]

Hello,

I have been lurking around for quite some time and something came up that I need advice on. I applied to Ohio State's MCDB program and got an e-mail on 18th Jan inviting me to their 'information session'. They basically gave three separate dates in Jan, Feb and March. They also mentioned that if I could not attend in person, to mail the graduate co-ordinator and set up an interview date. As I am an international student, I mailed back stating that I would prefer to interview via Skype or phone. Now it is 1st Feb and I am starting to worry that I have not heard back from them yet. I tried calling the grad coordinator but it goes voice-mail. So I just wanted to ask if it is normal that there is so much gap between replies. What has your experience been like regarding speed of response from other schools?

Replies will be much appreciated. Thank you.

[jean21]

Which one are you contemplating?]

 

I am not sure about the answer but I am wondering myself as well. I am wondering if I will have any options at the end of interview weekends. I am attending 5 but had to cancel on 3. I almost wish I could attend more so that I would have as many options as I could.

 

I'm contemplating Drexel.  I think I'm going to decline the interview.... 4 should be enough

[CancerBio123]

Hey guys, I'd appreciate some advice on a situation I've found myself in!

 

I recently attended the interview weekend for one of my top schools, and received my acceptance only a couple of days later. I love the program (like I said, going into this whole process, they were one of my top choices, and the interview weekend just reinforced that), but I still have four interviews left (this program was my first interview). I'm keeping an open mind during the interview process, and would still like to attend those interviews (especially since I've already made travel arrangements). My acceptance email asked me to give the program a general idea of where I am in the decision-making process, so (after thanking them, of course!) I was planning on mentioning that my last interview will be in early March, and that I would prefer to postpone my decision until then.

 

However, given how much I like this program, it seems like it might be a good idea to give some sort of indication that they're high up on my list. Would that be at all appropriate? And if so, what would be the best way to do it? Subtly, or in a more straightforward manner?

 

Thanks! =)

ccarcharias, who emailed you about the UCSF admission? Was it the program director or a professor? Thanks!

[musicalscientist]

Just accepted to Columbia Biological Sciences!

[ashcanpete]

Hey all,

I posted this in another thread but would love as much feedback as possible so I'm posting here as well - hopefully I'm not being too annoying

I was recently lucky enough to get an acceptance for a school very high on my list - so high that some of the schools that I am scheduled to interview at, while great, are no longer places I would consider going. I don't want to waste anyone's time interviewing somewhere I know I won't go and potentially taking up acceptances from people who want them more, so I'm inclined to cancel these interviews. However, all of these places have already paid for my airline tickets via a travel agent and presumably booked me a hotel room (though this is likely easier to cancel). Also, all of these visits are scheduled for within the next few weeks: the first one is THURSDAY!!! What do I do?

I would feel bad either way and would honestly prefer to cancel (I have 7 interviews scheduled and am already exhausted) but I'm concerned that canceling will produce ill will at these institutions, which I certainly don't want.

I feel bad about the situation, but honestly I don't think it could have been avoided: I only got this acceptance less than a week ago, and I wasn't even sure I would hear before the end of January, which wouldn't have left enough time to book many of these flights.

Is it acceptable to politely and very apologetically cancel? Is there a minimum number of days of warning that I should give? What would you do?

Thanks for any advice, and congrats to all of you getting acceptances !!!

 

 

 

 

Do the right thing and cancel - it will allow schools to consider other students.  when touch base with the schools just be honest that you decided already on to do PHD in school X...

 

 

If you've totally made up your mind, then yes I'd say cancel. However, if there's even a small chance you may attend these other schools, don't feel bad at all about interviewing there. Yes, you will likely take up some PIs' time and there is some possibility that you'll prevent someone else from being interviewed (not likely though, this is what post-interview wait-lists are for). But consider the substantial time and effort you've committed to each school you applied to (not to mention the years of effort required to become an acceptable applicant even before you apply).You have fully earned the right to interview at every school that invites you, and you shouldn't feel guilty, even if its just to check out the campus and meet potential future collaborators.

 

Also, that plane ticket is already booked, so that is a sunk cost at this point.

Edited January 31, 2014 by ashcanpete

[ccarcharias]

ccarcharias, who emailed you about the UCSF admission? Was it the program director or a professor? Thanks!

 

The first email came from a professor I had interviewed with, and I received a subsequent email from the program director and program coordinator. =) I also was notified by the application website.

[rat.girl]

Poll: will one bad interview out of four really count against me?  so sad because I was really liking this school *sigh*

[somanyphage]

spoke to tufts today (molecular microbiology) and had a very nice phone call - said first round interviews are soon (congratulations to whom ever is going on that interview!) and after this they will decide and send more interviews

[ss2player]

First Acceptance!! Wheeee!!!

Congrats to you and wolbachia! I was at the same weekend as you but haven't heard a peep. Does that mean rejection or waitlist? I remember them saying they would let us know either way, but again, nothing. :-\

[astaroth27]

The Hopkins interview was great! There were about 30 applicants there and almost the same number of grad students who spent time with us. The first day was interviews, then a happy hour and dinner at the top of the world trade center with students and professors (which was a ton of fun)! Next day was a talk then poster session, then a tour and dinner. The students were all super nice and the faculty were pretty informal at all the events.

 

They gave me a check for the plane tickets (which I bought in December) when I got there, and gave me an envelope to send my other expenses back to them (taxi ride, shuttle from hotel to airport)

 

Thanks BostonBio!

[ERR_Alpha]

On 1/31/2014 at 5:16 PM, somanyphage said:

spoke to tufts today (molecular microbiology) and had a very nice phone call - said first round interviews are soon (congratulations to whom ever is going on that interview!) and after this they will decide and send more interviews

Who did you call? I'm applying to ISP but I emailed the general Sackler email and got the most vague response ever.

[0908]

Congrats to you and wolbachia! I was at the same weekend as you but haven't heard a peep. Does that mean rejection or waitlist? I remember them saying they would let us know either way, but again, nothing. :-\

   I remember the director telling us that they would be making decisions that day and it would be rolling admissions. So I assume you will know soon enough. Honestly I assume Franz got busy and may call people on Monday or something like that. I got a phone call immediately after reading Ratgirl's post here. My roommate heard back on Wednesday as well.

[somanyphage]

Who did you call? I'm applying to ISP but I emailed the general Sackler email and got the most vague response ever.

It was difficult to find a number to call, I was worried about calling a professor directly - this was from the site for the Molecular Microbiology Program - the first number under the program director ended up being the I guess assistant or office administrator. See if your program has something like that! I applied for Micro & the MERGE-ID

 

Also - anyone know what is going on with UPENN CAMB?

[aba1984]

Today I got waitlisted at UAB - Genetic and Genomic Sciences program after my interview One of my interviewers asked me point blank if I wasn't too old to start a PhD since I'd want to have kids some day. And from my point of view, the beer bottles circling around after interviews were a bit too excessive for my liking. One of our graduate student guides had a bit too much to drink and was blurting out curse words while we played games. The next morning, she did not show up for our tour and I ended up having to drive in my own car because we were not all able to fit into one car. Should've seen it coming that I wasn't their ideal candidate, nor were they the school for someone like me. This is why you go on interviews, to make sure you fit into the school. One day, we are going to laugh at all this and smile how we all eventually got into our perfect schools

Edited February 1, 2014 by aba1984

[somanyphage]

Today I got waitlisted at UAB - Genetic and Genomic Sciences program after my interview One of my interviewers asked me point blank if I wasn't too old to start a PhD since I'd want to have kids some day. And from my point of view, the beer bottles circling around after interviews were a bit too excessive for my liking. One of our graduate student guides had a bit too much to drink and was blurting out curse words while we played games. The next morning, she did not show up for our tour and I ended up having to drive in my own car because we were not all able to fit into one car. Should've seen it coming that I wasn't their ideal candidate, nor were they the school for someone like me. This is why you go on interviews, to make sure you fit into the school. One day, we are going to laugh at all this and smile how we all eventually got into our perfect schools

 

Regarding drinking over interview weekends - people told me not to if it is offered...is that actually a thing to do or does it not matter? I mean I wouldn't get sloshed and start doing shots, just a casual drink.

[aba1984]

I was drinking water the whole time, but that's by choice. My group was a nice group of students - they had maybe one or two and were perfectly fine. I doubt it counts against you as long as you know what you're doing. Even the program director was drinking a little, but he was calm and approachable the whole time.

Edited February 1, 2014 by aba1984

[ERR_Alpha]

Regarding drinking over interview weekends - people told me not to if it is offered...is that actually a thing to do or does it not matter? I mean I wouldn't get sloshed and start doing shots, just a casual drink.

I think if you keep it to one or two you'll be fine, or not at all if you're uncomfortable. Just don't get trashed. When I was at my first interview people were ordering huge beers at the grad student dinner... One of the grad students was egging us on to drink, but I could tell the rest were uncomfortable. At least for me, the last thing I want to do when I'm with strangers in a new place is let my guard down.