2014 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results

[Eatin' Biscuits]

I just got an interview invite from UNC BBSP, but they only offered me one weekend which of course conflicts with my only other interview. Did other people who heard back from UNC get a choice of weekends?

 

I was only offered one weekend as well.. mop said there are 6 weekends total this year so maybe if you contact them they will be willing to schedule you for a different one.

 

 

While the waiting game is terrible, I at least take solace in the fact that no one has heard from the programs I applied to yet

 

Me too! A lot of results coming in but none from the other schools I applied to.. it is simultaneously a source of anxiety and relief.

[elanorci]

Ditto, only one of my programs seems to have released any, and none since the application deadline... But I'm definitely getting antsy. Today was such a big day for decisions! Aahh. 

 

Is anyone else applying to Harvard Biophysics? I just realized that they don't interview. It'd be nice to have one more person to report when they get decisions! 

 

(For lurkers/others who don't know what I'm referring to when I say it was a big day for decisions: http://www.thegradcafe.com/survey/) 

Edited December 12, 2013 by elanorci

[acetylcholine]

Anyone know the admissions statistics for Harvard BBS?

[pstar465]

I think it would help if everyone who is obsessively refreshing (including myself) realized a few things:

 

1. A very, VERY small subset of people who apply to bioscience programs post their stats and results on this thing, and they tend to be people confident enough with their numbers to post. Therefore your sample is skewed and there is no way to know if you'll get in anywhere based on the stats listed. Perspective: Many programs receive 500-1000 apps, and there are a great number of programs out there. So there are at least 10,000 people applying to US grad programs. We're not seeing that many posters within the bioscience results, more like a couple hundred at most every year.

 

2. It's not all about numbers anyway, they take people they like based on research experiences and fit and that magical x factor. Basically, they accept people who they think they can work with and who will be good at research.

 

3. Schools do whatever they want when it comes to notifying, and it varies year to year. They email people when they feel like it. I know people who have been admitted months after others heard back from interviews

 

4. If you submitted an app and haven't heard back in five days, it DOESN'T mean they hate you. People on admissions committees have other jobs and many apps to go through. Don't you want them to take their time reading apps carefully anyway?

 

In summary: Chill. Stop refreshing. Read a book. Watch some tv.

 

Sources: The many Ph.Ds I work with, faculty I have spoken to, grad students, and students who have applied and gotten into grad school.

[acetylcholine]

A very, VERY small subset of people who apply to bioscience programs post their stats and results on this thing, and they tend to be people confident enough with their numbers to post. Therefore your sample is skewed and there is no way to know if you'll get in anywhere based on the stats listed. Perspective: Many programs receive 500-1000 apps, and there are a great number of programs out there. So there are at least 10,000 people applying to US grad programs. We're not seeing that many posters within the bioscience results, more like a couple hundred at most every year.

 

The obvious follow-up question to this is "how skewed is it?"

[pstar465]

I guess we can never know! We're also operating under the assumption that everyone on here is being truthful...

[sunpenguin]

pstar, I think I love you. I'm tempted to print this out and hang it near my computer.

 

I think it would help if everyone who is obsessively refreshing (including myself) realized a few things:

 

1. A very, VERY small subset of people who apply to bioscience programs post their stats and results on this thing, and they tend to be people confident enough with their numbers to post. Therefore your sample is skewed and there is no way to know if you'll get in anywhere based on the stats listed. Perspective: Many programs receive 500-1000 apps, and there are a great number of programs out there. So there are at least 10,000 people applying to US grad programs. We're not seeing that many posters within the bioscience results, more like a couple hundred at most every year.

 

2. It's not all about numbers anyway, they take people they like based on research experiences and fit and that magical x factor. Basically, they accept people who they think they can work with and who will be good at research.

 

3. Schools do whatever they want when it comes to notifying, and it varies year to year. They email people when they feel like it. I know people who have been admitted months after others heard back from interviews

 

4. If you submitted an app and haven't heard back in five days, it DOESN'T mean they hate you. People on admissions committees have other jobs and many apps to go through. Don't you want them to take their time reading apps carefully anyway?

 

In summary: Chill. Stop refreshing. Read a book. Watch some tv.

 

Sources: The many Ph.Ds I work with, faculty I have spoken to, grad students, and students who have applied and gotten into grad school.

[ss2player]

I've been lurking this thread for a while, but thank you pstar for a great anxiety-reducing post. I finished my last couple of apps yesterday and have been suffering the subsequent "Did I remember my GRE/transcript/correct SOP/remind a recommender?" It's a great reminder to calm down and let the bureaucracy sort itself out, as we literally have no control. *channels his inner Chris Traeger*

 

Hope to hear good news from everyone soon!

[zinde]

I've been lurking this thread for a while, but thank you pstar for a great anxiety-reducing post. I finished my last couple of apps yesterday and have been suffering the subsequent "Did I remember my GRE/transcript/correct SOP/remind a recommender?" It's a great reminder to calm down and let the bureaucracy sort itself out, as we literally have no control. *channels his inner Chris Traeger*

 

Hope to hear good news from everyone soon!

 

Hopefully you're channeling your inner Chris Traeger post-Dr. Richard Nygard, otherwise I imagine that'd be pretty stressful.

[rat.girl]

I think it would help if everyone who is obsessively refreshing (including myself) realized a few things:

 

1. A very, VERY small subset of people who apply to bioscience programs post their stats and results on this thing, and they tend to be people confident enough with their numbers to post. Therefore your sample is skewed and there is no way to know if you'll get in anywhere based on the stats listed. Perspective: Many programs receive 500-1000 apps, and there are a great number of programs out there. So there are at least 10,000 people applying to US grad programs. We're not seeing that many posters within the bioscience results, more like a couple hundred at most every year.

 

2. It's not all about numbers anyway, they take people they like based on research experiences and fit and that magical x factor. Basically, they accept people who they think they can work with and who will be good at research.

 

3. Schools do whatever they want when it comes to notifying, and it varies year to year. They email people when they feel like it. I know people who have been admitted months after others heard back from interviews

 

4. If you submitted an app and haven't heard back in five days, it DOESN'T mean they hate you. People on admissions committees have other jobs and many apps to go through. Don't you want them to take their time reading apps carefully anyway?

 

In summary: Chill. Stop refreshing. Read a book. Watch some tv.

 

Sources: The many Ph.Ds I work with, faculty I have spoken to, grad students, and students who have applied and gotten into grad school.

 

This.  Thank you.  

[T.J]

Anybody here applied to Penn State University (Hershey campus). I got an interview there for Jan 9-11.

 

My profile is here (scroll to bottom for update list): 

[mike0982]

First interview invite from Duke Developmental and Stem Cell Biology!!!!

[pstar465]

hehe glad I could help

[username1824]

Some UPenn interviews were sent out today if anyone is interested

[antibody89]

Hey can anyone give me some advice..if I didn't specify how long I've been working in research on my application..should I mention it during my interview? 

[biotechie]

Hey can anyone give me some advice..if I didn't specify how long I've been working in research on my application..should I mention it during my interview? 

 

Every interview is going to be different. It may come up, it may not. Don't worry yourself too much! Obviously if they ask you specifically, you will tell them. However, if they are having a non-scientific conversation with you, such as asking you what your favorite color is, you shouldn't suddenly blurt, "I've been in a lab for 3 years, 2 months, and one day!"

I'm kidding. I know you're nervous and I'm trying to lighten the mood. Just don't fight for a place to say it. Odds are, they'll ask, and it won't be a problem.

[antibody89]

Every interview is going to be different. It may come up, it may not. Don't worry yourself too much! Obviously if they ask you specifically, you will tell them. However, if they are having a non-scientific conversation with you, such as asking you what your favorite color is, you shouldn't suddenly blurt, "I've been in a lab for 3 years, 2 months, and one day!"

I'm kidding. I know you're nervous and I'm trying to lighten the mood. Just don't fight for a place to say it. Odds are, they'll ask, and it won't be a problem.

 

lol thanks for the response...I am super nervous about my interview and its the only program I want..I'm kinda new to applying to phd programs so I'm not sure what to expect or if I am even considered a competitive applicant.. .

[perfectionist]

Some UPenn interviews were sent out today if anyone is interested

Ahh don't say that. I think all but one of the schools I've applied to have already started sending out invites, and I'm scared to check my email.

[user165]

Hey All,

 

How much evidence is there that those applications that are completed earlier are reviewed earlier? I'm sure it's school specific, but there seems to be a good amount discussion on this thread about when apps were completed as an indicator for when they'll be reviewed.

 

Thanks!

[persimmony]

First interview invite from Duke via email! Developmental and Stem cell bio program.  

 

See you there mike0982! 

[MassAppeal]

interview for University of Washington's integrative Genome Sciences PhD program

 

GRE: 160Q/164V

UG GPA: biochemistry and molecular biology at a large public school, 3.46

Research experience: 3 years undergrad + summer pharm internship + 3 years employment at a large well-known research non-profit 

Research publications, patents, conferences: just one poster presentation!

PHD intended specialization: chemistry, analytical

University list: (see sig!)

other: 2 years abroad traveling post-bacc, not science related

[NeuroGirl042]

Emory Neuroscience just invited me for an interview via phone!!!

[Leuco]

Emory Neuroscience just invited me for an interview via phone!!!

Oooh congrats!

Emory's who I'm especially waiiting to hear from.  Is Neuro within the GDBBS program?

[SysEvo]

Undergrad Institution: Big ten, good in bio, especially in EEB
Major(s): Biochem; Genetics

GPA in Major: 3.76
Overall GPA: 3.75
Position in Class: no idea
Type of Student: international Asian female

GRE Scores
Q: 166
V: 156
W: 3.5 >_<




Research Experience: 

At the U same lab same project for 2.5 years. Project developed by my own.  No paper yet.

(At your school or elsewhere? What field? How much time? Any publications (Mth author out of N?) or conference talks etc...)

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: 

Honors program,

Dean's List

College scholarship in research two years

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Undergraduate research assistant

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:

Translate Yale Open Courses

One translation publication....

 

Special Bonus Points: (Such as connections, grad classes, famous recommenders, female or minority status etc...)

graduate 3.5 years,

double-majored,

140+ credits,

3 grad classes

Disabled (wheelchair)

Asian female

Recommenders famous in their field but I am kind of changing field

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

 

Emailed all POI's and got all positive feedback. Some show strong interests in my current project

Applying to Where:

 

Edinburgh (UK) Molecular & Structure Bio (unofficial interviewed by the professor)

Harvard Systems Bio

Yale Genetics

Caltech Systems Biol

Rockefeller Systems Biol

 

 

Dream school Rockefeller or Harvard

[NeuroGirl042]

Oooh congrats!

Emory's who I'm especially waiiting to hear from.  Is Neuro within the GDBBS program?

 

Yes, it is. I'm not sure if they have different committees for each sub-section, though. The person that called me said they were the director of admissions for Neuroscience =)