Awkward application, what do you think?

[Johndg2]

So here's my story. I am applying to doctorate programs in Biomedical Sciences and Cell and Molecular Biology.  I was actually in a doctorate program for 2 years but had to quit because my advisor ran out of money and the department couldn't offer a TA.  My research was actually going fairly well and I got a publication out of it.  Also, I passed my prelims.  My doctorate g.p.a is 3.1.  I have a master's degree in Biology, got a publication out of that, and my master's g.p.a is 3.2.  I have lots of teaching experience from both my master's and doctorate.  However, my undergrad g.p.a is abysmal, a 2.3. My GRE's are V-510, Q-700 W-4.0.  I also have 11 years of research experience and 3 total publications.  I'm wondering if I will even get an interview from any of the 9 programs I have applied to given that I was in a doc program and had to drop.  What do you think? Do I even have a shot at an interview.  Also, I've made contact with the grad coordinators and POI for each program.  Thanks for your thoughts!

[Loric]

If your a app is actually read and it spells out what you said here concisely, you seem like a more compelling applicant than most of the pool.

I'm weird though. I'd interview to make sure you're an old dog who can learn new tricks - but I'd be interested if there was a fit. I'm sure others might be entirely put off by the situation or suspect of your reason for quitting. The problem is that adcomms run the gamut as much as opinions do in the real world.

We can say a score over this or a GPA over that is the norm.. We can't say who pissed in who's Cheerios on the adcomms to account for any particular bias on any given day.

[Loric]

Note: if apps are still pending, you need to convey "eager to learn NEW things."

Any prior equivalent training is often seen as bad habits to be broken, not useful knowledge or diversity.

[meaningless]

i think your profile is stellar, that seems not a reason to refute your ability in research. if you are worrying about your UG GPA, your post graduate GPAs have definitely make that up for you, since UG GPA is merely the criteria to judge whether you can survive the post graduate courses. but to be honest, some of the programs got strict UG GPA cut off and therefore your chance is limited. I got the same UG GPA as yours, and I got no luck in the last round, not even an interview (in US). However I got like 4 or 5 interviews in the last 2 years in other places. never give up.

[Quantum Buckyball]

So here's my story. I am applying to doctorate programs in Biomedical Sciences and Cell and Molecular Biology.  I was actually in a doctorate program for 2 years but had to quit because my advisor ran out of money and the department couldn't offer a TA.  My research was actually going fairly well and I got a publication out of it.  Also, I passed my prelims.  My doctorate g.p.a is 3.1.  I have a master's degree in Biology, got a publication out of that, and my master's g.p.a is 3.2.  I have lots of teaching experience from both my master's and doctorate.  However, my undergrad g.p.a is abysmal, a 2.3. My GRE's are V-510, Q-700 W-4.0.  I also have 11 years of research experience and 3 total publications.  I'm wondering if I will even get an interview from any of the 9 programs I have applied to given that I was in a doc program and had to drop.  What do you think? Do I even have a shot at an interview.  Also, I've made contact with the grad coordinators and POI for each program.  Thanks for your thoughts!

 

I believe at this point it all depends on the letter of recommendation from your advisor from your former doctoral program. The adcom will more focus on why you had to leave the program and pay more attention to your LORs than your GRE, GPA and other accomplishments. You may have an advantage if your publications were first, or second authored.