2014 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results

[sqxz]

I never thought I could be as blown away with UIUC (or any school, for that matter) as I was with UCSF...but I was! I can't wait to accept their offer! I was so worried it would feel like I was settling for a program that I wasn't truly in love with, but now I know that just won't be the case. It's so strange to think that today I saw the places I'm going to call "home" and met the people I'm going to call my colleagues for the next five years! Good luck to everyone who still has to make a decision! I wish it were as easy for you as it has been made for me.

[sqxz]

Sending a ton of emails. Heard this back from Hopkins biophysics "The first round of interview invitations have been extended" and then apologizing that she had no further information. I guess this is maybe implying that there will be more rounds?

 

I thought you (and anyone else who never heard from Hopkins Biophysics) might be interested to know that I met two people today who interviewed there this season, and they both said that they were grilled on their research in each of their six interviews. They said that they talked for the whole half hour, and the professors who interviewed them didn't really share anything about their own research. It's probably not very fair to judge a program (and especially a highly competitive one) based on their interview process, and the experience may well have been completely different for the other candidates. However, at the very least, that sounds like a terrible first impression to give your potential new students, and it makes me feel better about never hearing back from them.

[molecularneuro]

I had that same feeling, elanorci.

Hi sys88, why did you choose OHSU over UC Denver ? 

[sys88]

Hi sys88, why did you choose OHSU over UC Denver ? 

I actually liked the program and students better at UC Denver, but the connection I formed to the faculty and research at OHSU during the interviews was magical. I also felt that OHSU had better resources. A smaller, but still important piece is that my husband and I like Portland more, and he would not be able to remote from his current job in Colorado, whereas he can in Oregon. It was a super-difficult decision (especially with CU's fellowship offer) but i nthe end I went with my instinct and I'm pretty happy so far with my decision haha

Edited March 22, 2014 by sys88

[Long year]

Is anyone still waiting to hear back after interviews? Which schools/programs? Also, has anyone gotten in off of a wait list? Again, which schools and programs? There must be others in the same position?!

[microarray]

Is anyone still waiting to hear back after interviews? Which schools/programs? Also, has anyone gotten in off of a wait list? Again, which schools and programs? There must be others in the same position?!

 

I am still waiting for a decision (currently on the wait list) from Michigan State's BioMolecular Science Program. While I've already accepted University of Michigan's offer, I am simply curious if I will get accepted into MSU or not. Ironically, looks like I may be rejected from all schools except for my top choice.

 

 

What schools are you waiting to hear from?

Edited March 22, 2014 by microarray

[hayo]

PhD in biomedical engineering vs. biomedical sciences programs???

 

I was accepted to two programs: one in BME and one in BMS. I will be working in the computational and systems biology area no matter which program I attend and both programs are very strong in my area. I like both schools but I do not know whether getting a BMS degree would affect my career if I want to work in the industry in the future. Is it true that most people with BMS PhD degrees go to academia? Which degree should I get?

 

P.S. My undergrad degree is in bioengineering. 

 

Very confused....... 

[ERR_Alpha]

I thought you (and anyone else who never heard from Hopkins Biophysics) might be interested to know that I met two people today who interviewed there this season, and they both said that they were grilled on their research in each of their six interviews. They said that they talked for the whole half hour, and the professors who interviewed them didn't really share anything about their own research. It's probably not very fair to judge a program (and especially a highly competitive one) based on their interview process, and the experience may well have been completely different for the other candidates. However, at the very least, that sounds like a terrible first impression to give your potential new students, and it makes me feel better about never hearing back from them.

That is interesting, thanks for sharing. I was never too excited about living in Baltimlre anyway but I had heard great things about the program. I probably would've been rejected post interview even if they gave me one.

[kimmibeans]

Is anyone still waiting to hear back after interviews? Which schools/programs? Also, has anyone gotten in off of a wait list? Again, which schools and programs? There must be others in the same position?!

I'm still waiting to hear back from 2 schools post-interview (Einstein and Stony Brook). Idk what the deal is with Stony Brook, but I know that their rejections go out the beginning of April .

[biotechie]

PhD in biomedical engineering vs. biomedical sciences programs???

 

I was accepted to two programs: one in BME and one in BMS. I will be working in the computational and systems biology area no matter which program I attend and both programs are very strong in my area. I like both schools but I do not know whether getting a BMS degree would affect my career if I want to work in the industry in the future. Is it true that most people with BMS PhD degrees go to academia? Which degree should I get?

 

P.S. My undergrad degree is in bioengineering. 

 

Very confused....... 

 

For that, you're going to need to look into what the course requirements are going to be for those programs. Some undergrad bioengineering programs put very little emphasis on molecular biology and you may have only taken one or two classes in it. If that's the case, you might want to avoid a biomedical sciences program as nearly all of the coursework may be molecular biology based. On the other hand, if your undergrad was more like a molecular biology degree and the PhD program you're considering has nearly all engineering-only coursework, you also might change your mind.

I think what you are going to want to do is go through and review what you've already learned and then look at the requirements for coursework within these programs.

[hayo]

For that, you're going to need to look into what the course requirements are going to be for those programs. Some undergrad bioengineering programs put very little emphasis on molecular biology and you may have only taken one or two classes in it. If that's the case, you might want to avoid a biomedical sciences program as nearly all of the coursework may be molecular biology based. On the other hand, if your undergrad was more like a molecular biology degree and the PhD program you're considering has nearly all engineering-only coursework, you also might change your mind.

I think what you are going to want to do is go through and review what you've already learned and then look at the requirements for coursework within these programs.

Thanks, biotechie! Only one course in molecular and cell biology was required in my undergrad program and I think the entire program is more engineering based. I am never comfortable with learning too much biology... 

What about the marketability of the two degrees? 

[diamondflowers]

When does the  Ph.D. Program in the Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology (BBSB) Track start? Sept?

What about Tetrad at UCSF?

[Science_Nerd]

I think that's a question you should ask each program since many have two starting times: early summer start and fall start.

Edited March 23, 2014 by Science_Nerd

[diamondflowers]

Interview at Yale on March 12th, initial interview postponed due to weather feb 14th.  

J hopkins interview on March 7th.  Just waiting for these 2.  

Was accepted at TETRAD UCSF, and AT UCCSD as well as The University of Chicago. 

[diamondflowers]

Thanks to Science Nerd for the response :-)

[AxonAxoff]

When does the  Ph.D. Program in the Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology (BBSB) Track start? Sept?

What about Tetrad at UCSF

 

There's an orientation for all new Yale grad students August 18th-26th, and the 27th is the first day of classes for the Fall term.

Edited March 23, 2014 by AxonAxoff

[diamondflowers]

Thanks much Decaf!!!  

[Orims]

Officially done with interviews! Time to make the biggest decision of my life so far. 

[sn2]

I just committed to MIT. Great program, can't wait!

 

 

Officially done with interviews! Time to make the biggest decision of my life so far. 

 

I hope you hear back from MIT soon and stronglyconsider them. Good luck! 

[AFriendlyBonobo]

Applied to UC Davis, UCSD, UPenn, Brown and Brandeis (yes the latter is weird but I wanted to work for a specific professor) for a PhD in genetics.

 

Recommended at UC Davis (waiting the response from GS) and admitted at UPenn. No responses from the others. I did not accept an offer yet.

 

My profil:

 

International student

-Got my degree in a unknown school (at least for Americans) and my GPA doesn't say anything as you cannot (and are not expected to) get the max grades in my country.

-2 first author publications and 3 co-authorships.

-A couple of posters at conferences

-GRE Q170, V156, W2.5

-TOEFL sum 101

 

I wish you good luck guys (for those waiting for responses) !

 

By the way, any recommendations for the battle UPenn vs UC Davis?

Edited March 24, 2014 by AFriendlyBonobo

[antibody89]

If a school tells you that they will give you "X amount" as a stipend will you actually get that amount or will it be less due to taxes? thanks

[Monochrome Spring]

If a school tells you that they will give you "X amount" as a stipend will you actually get that amount or will it be less due to taxes? thanks

 

It is most likely less due to taxes. Ask the financial aid coordinator.

[Orims]

Accepted to UT Southwestern! Now if only MIT would make up their minds...

[Vene]

Thanks, biotechie! Only one course in molecular and cell biology was required in my undergrad program and I think the entire program is more engineering based. I am never comfortable with learning too much biology... 

What about the marketability of the two degrees?

From what I've seen, as a general rule engineering degrees command a higher wage and companies work harder to recruit them.

[Vene]

If a school tells you that they will give you "X amount" as a stipend will you actually get that amount or will it be less due to taxes? thanks

I can't imagine it being anything but pre-tax considering that the amount of tax deducted depends on factors such as marital status and number of dependents.