2016 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results

[StemCellBio]

I have a couple off topic questions I've been wondering. Is anyone here married and/or have kids? Is anyone over 30?

[Arabella505]

Hello everyone! Has anyone heard about UWisconsin-Madison Cellular and Molecular Pathology program? I saw some interview invites in the survey in the mid-December. Application status is still "pending". I e-mailed the grad coordinator asking about the status quo of the admission process, but didn't receive any answer. 

I have a feeling that they just forgot to update my status... I just want to receive my rejection letter and enjoy the end of the winter break gooooooosh 

P.S. I'm international student 

[Gram Neutral]

10 hours ago, ultravioletblack said:

How did it go?

Not knocking the roommate situation: it makes sense that this is the most cost-efficient way for schools to manage all their interviewees. But as someone who has had horrible experiences with roommates, I'm a little wary. After all, you're rooming with a complete stranger and technically a...competitor. I know I'm definitely being paranoid, but I guess I'm a little curious as well.

We were both friendly. Chatted a little, and went to sleep. It wasn't a big deal but we were both chill people. We never really looked at each other as competitors. I mean you're so busy you're basically just going there to sleep at the end of the day. 

[123hardasABC]

I just discovered a new first world problem... I got a phone call this morning with a caller ID that read St. Louis, MO. I had a mild panic attack thinking it was WashU. But then I remembered I live in St. Louis and it was just Walgreens calling to let me know my prescription is ready. I need a sedative now. 

Good thing I'm going to the pharmacy. 

[parafilm]

44 minutes ago, StemCellBio said:

I have a couple off topic questions I've been wondering. Is anyone here married and/or have kids? Is anyone over 30?

I'm not over 30 nor do I have kids, but I'll be 28 this spring so I'm not too far off. But, when I was getting my MS (school with a pretty solid PhD program), one of the first year PhD students had a 2 year old. He seemed to manage pretty well, but I was really impressed-- it can't be easy. Several other first years were in their late 20s.

Also, I've interviewed at a school before (rejected, hence being back in this boat!) and I promise, there's no reason to have any anxiety about what to bring, what bags to carry, exactly what to wear etc. Totally normal things to think about, but don't let those things drive you nuts. Dress somewhat nicely. Bring what you normally bring while out and about. People are friendly, PIs and adcoms are happy to have you there and are pretty welcoming. Be prepared to talk about your research, your future interests, and current topics in science that interest you, and beyond that try not to stress too much.

[Torbjornen]

46 minutes ago, StemCellBio said:

I have a couple off topic questions I've been wondering. Is anyone here married and/or have kids? Is anyone over 30?

I am married, but I am under 30 and without kids. I don't want to hijack this thread too much, if this isn't directly related to admissions, interviews, or the like... would it be better to have these questions discussed elsewhere? (honest questions, I am not sure what the precedent is for this.)

[Ferroportin]

Has anyone here heard from Stanford Biology yet? (other than that one mysterious post on the survey page yesterday)

[brainsandeggs]

11 hours ago, biotechie said:

This might not be the post you meant, but maybe it will help: 

 

Feel free to comment questions on the post or pose them to me, here. It might take me a day or so to get back to you as I'm in the middle of trying to finish a paper for publication.

I have a question! In your interviews, how detailed did they get in their questions re: your research and your planned projects? I had an informal meeting with a POI before apps season started, and she REALLY grilled me about technical stuff - she wanted me to draw out diagrams and describe how I arrived at equations for stuff. It turned out okay in the end, but I was just totally unprepared for how in detail she would go, and it wasn't the smoothest meeting. I've been working in the same lab for almost 5 years now, so I expect they will want me to have every little thing down pat, but I get really nervous in person and I"m worried I will flub something and blow an interview! So I've been trying to memorize everything, but I"m not sure if I"m overdoing it. 

Do you remember what kinds of things most faculty members wanted to know about your research? Was it big picture stuff, or did they want the nitty gritties? Also - same question for their own research  - I know people have said that they don't expect you to know stuff about their work, but I worked hard to make sure each faculty member I identified in my SOP was PERFECTLY aligned with my current research, so I"m worried they will be asking me technical questions about their stuff too since it's so similar to mine. 

Thanks in advance! I know things must be crazy busy if you are writing a publication! I am just trying to figure out how to best use my time to prepare for interviews. 

 

 

[pot8o]

MIT Biology seems to be trickling in. *breathes heavily*

[miky]

I got an MIT invite! 

[levodopa]

Just now, miky said:

I got an MIT invite! 

congrats!

[Bioenchilada]

1 minute ago, miky said:

I got an MIT invite! 

Congrats!!

[TX2016]

You would think that at least one person would be able to spell the full name of MIT correctly...

[parafilm]

1 minute ago, TX2016 said:

You would think that at least one person would be able to spell the full name of MIT correctly...

I lived in boston for 5 years and I can't spell it either. Of course, I'm also not nearly smart enough to get into MIT, so.

[vestigialtraits]

5 minutes ago, TX2016 said:

You would think that at least one person would be able to spell the full name of MIT correctly...

They're too excited to take the time to spell it right. I'd probably do the same haha.

[charles14]

Are all the MIT Biology invites out?

[HopefulPHD14]

Does anyone know the interview dates for USC PIBBS or UCLA Bioscience (Gene regulation if it matters)?  I want to make sure I keep weekends open (if at all possible)! 

[Microburritology]

Seeing the MIT invites roll in from the survey has left me hyperventilating. My heart seems to be racing, eyes are watering, and I'm feeling all feverish inside. I know I probably won't make it, but at this point of time I just hope they send me a rejection email.

Also, I can't even explain what happens to me every time the phone vibrates. I'm pretty much cursing at every person who's sending me an email right now other than MIT. No I don't want your credit card, no I don't want your discounts, no I'm not getting groceries on the way back fuck off everyone 

Edited January 8, 2016 by Microburritology

[brainsandeggs]

Just now, Microburritology said:

Seeing the MIT invites roll in from the survey has left me hyperventilating. My heart seems to be racing, eyes are watering, and I'm feeling all feverish inside. I know I probably won't make it, but at this point of time I just hope they send me a rejection invite atleast.

Also, I can't even explain what happens to me everytime the phone vibrates. I'm pretty much cursing at every person who's sending me an email right now other than MIT. No I don't want your credit card, no I don't want your discounts, no I'm not getting groceries on the way back fuck off everyone 

YUUUP. If hotwire sends me one more promotion for a 600 dollar vacation to puerto vallarta I'm going to lose it. 

[Microburritology]

5 minutes ago, brainsandeggs said:

YUUUP. If hotwire sends me one more promotion for a 600 dollar vacation to puerto vallarta I'm going to lose it. 

LOLOL and Southwest and Qdoba. They never fucking send a coupon for free burritos but always send emails introducing their new quesos  Pour the queso on yourself b**** I'm waiting for MIT's email.

Edited January 8, 2016 by Microburritology

[Arabella505]

5 minutes ago, Microburritology said:

Seeing the MIT invites roll in from the survey has left me hyperventilating. My heart seems to be racing, eyes are watering, and I'm feeling all feverish inside. I know I probably won't make it, but at this point of time I just hope they send me a rejection email.

Also, I can't even explain what happens to me every time the phone vibrates. I'm pretty much cursing at every person who's sending me an email right now other than MIT. No I don't want your credit card, no I don't want your discounts, no I'm not getting groceries on the way back fuck off everyone 

I keep checking the e-mail and application status every 10 min. Sometimes I think the mobile is becoming the part of my body....the whole winter break was spent on thinking about the applications..

[dev_123]

21 minutes ago, HopefulPHD14 said:

Does anyone know the interview dates for USC PIBBS or UCLA Bioscience (Gene regulation if it matters)?  I want to make sure I keep weekends open (if at all possible)! 

For UCLA Gene Regulation I was offered a choice between Jan. 21-23 and February 25-27, if that helps! 

[adiJ]

1 hour ago, parafilm said:

I've interviewed at a school before (rejected, hence being back in this boat!)

I'm just wondering (I know that post-interview acceptances are very high and they basically want you if you get invited) how badly did you mess up if at all? You don't have to answer this but how much did you improve in terms of presenting yourself?

[HopefulPHD14]

1 minute ago, dev_123 said:

For UCLA Gene Regulation I was offered a choice between Jan. 21-23 and February 25-27, if that helps! 

Awesome! That's a huge help.  I already have plans on the 26th.... but its also my top choice :/.  I guess I just have to wait and see if the interview comes in the first place.

[ultravioletblack]

5 minutes ago, adiJ said:

I'm just wondering (I know that post-interview acceptances are very high and they basically want you if you get invited) how badly did you mess up if at all? You don't have to answer this but how much did you improve in terms of presenting yourself?

Not speaking for parafilm, of course, but sometimes the reason doesn't have to do with flaws in the applicant's personality, but rather lack of funding. Schools with less money (or public universities) probably prefer students with their own fellowships/external $$$ than those without. UC Berkeley in particularly makes a point on their website to emphasize how attractive applicants with funding support are to their program. So if you do nothing glaringly wrong during the interview and still get rejected, that might well be the reason?