2017 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results

[Browncoat5871]

2 minutes ago, CanadianNomad said:

That's awesome, congrats  I applied to GPN, so I was hoping it might be them you'd already heard back from! Best of luck with the rest of your programs!

Thanks, you too!  I don't know if they have a rolling admission or what.  I was told that sometimes the departments themselves can vary widely on when they send out interview invites.  

[Nomad1111]

1 minute ago, Browncoat5871 said:

Thanks, you too!  I don't know if they have a rolling admission or what.  I was told that sometimes the departments themselves can vary widely on when they send out interview invites.  

They certainly keep us guessing, haha! Thanks for the information

[plantguy]

Undergrad Institution: Top 10 Institution in Turkey, Fairly recognized throughout Europe, few recognition in US

MSc Degree:  Top German University, Thesis research at a Max-Planck-Institute
Major(s): Molecular Biology and Genetics (Undergrad), Plant Sciences (MSc)
Minor(s):
GPA in Major: 3.0 (undergrad), 3.75 (MSc)
Overall GPA:  -
Position in Class: top 10%
Type of Student: International, LGBT, male (Just a question: I did not mention that I am LGBT in my SOP, should I have mentioned?)

GRE Scores (revised): took the exam literally without studying, and sucked at writing and verbal. 
Q: 161
V: 153
W: 3.0 (I sucked at this)
B: I did not take the subject test.

TOEFL Total: 107

Research Experience: Research experience during Undergrad (3 semesters), 1 poster presentation during Undergrad,

2 years of continuous research during MSc, thesis at a respected international institution. One publication from my master's thesis in a good journal (Impact factor: 11.7, 4th out of 10ppl, I performed the experiments in the paper), possibly one more paper in the next year.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Honor's roll for 4 semesters 

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Paid positions during MSc as lab assistant.

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: N/A

Special Bonus Points: LOR from professors who are possibly thought of in high regard in their respective fields. At least they are in Europe. 

Extensive research experience, compared to recently graduated undergrads. *?*

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

Applying to Where: I would accept last minute school recommendations. I would want to apply one more school, but can't decide. Probably one with a mid-jan deadline.

UMass Amherst - Plant Biology

Rutgers - Plant Biology (3 out of 4 faculty members I had emailed replied and said they won't take new students in Fall '17, so I'm concerned about applying, I haven't send my application yet).

Colorado State - Biology (Molecular Plant Biology specialization)

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - Plant Biology 

University of Maryland, College Park - Plant Sciences ( I want this school very much, I liked the faculty, I would be happy if current students would reach out, or at least people who got admitted)

[kevinrhinoceros]

Undergrad Institution: Boston University
Major(s): BA: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology // MA: Biotechnology (combined program in four years)
Minor(s): n/a
GPA in Major: 3.88
Overall GPA: 3.80
Position in Class: Top. I'm right on the border between magna and summa cum laude
Type of Student: Domestic, Male

GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q: 164
V: 165
W: 5.0
B: n/a


Research Experience: Two summers in high school at an institution back home, three years at my current institution in a Biochemistry lab. Highlights:

• Multiple independent projects
• Three seminars
• Two posters
• ~$3k in supplies funding over three years.
• ~$10k in personal grants
• Mentored multiple other undergrads

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: 

• Full-tuition need-based/merit-based scholarship
• Dean's List (all semesters)

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Resident Assistant for three years, Tutor for one year, Special Tutoring Program Coordinator for two years, Teaching Fellow for one term, Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for one term

Applying to Where:
 

• MIT
• Harvard Medical School
• Boston University School of Medicine
• Rockefeller
• Columbia
• Johns Hopkins
• Scripps
• UCSF
• University of Washington

[SysEvo]

got email said MIT Microbiology will start to review applications this week... 

[Bioenchilada]

From UPenn public google calendar,

"Long PhD Admissions Committee Meeting" is on the 13th. (The same day as the Holiday party lol)

Anyone could have found this, but just putting it out there... lol

[Neuro15]

1 hour ago, Bioenchilada said:

From UPenn public google calendar,

"Long PhD Admissions Committee Meeting" is on the 13th. (The same day as the Holiday party lol)

Anyone could have found this, but just putting it out there... lol

Well my compulsive email checking (from Penn at least..) can cool off for a week!

[Nomad1111]

Email from MIT Brain and Cognitive Sciences saying they'll be reviewing applications December/January. Interview offers will go out in January, and will take place early March. 

[LoveMysterious]

I think Vanderbilt had its first adcomm meeting yesterday (apparently they meet every Monday). Hang in there guys! Can't believe its only been....6 days. I feel like I have aged a couple of years 

[SysEvo]

Is there any add-ons limiting your email checking frequency? I really need one...

[blc073]

Harvard BBS will send out interview invitations on December 16th. 

[Nomad1111]

2 minutes ago, blc073 said:

Harvard BBS will send out interview invitations on December 16th. 

[Neuro15]

6 minutes ago, SysEvo said:

Is there any add-ons limiting your email checking frequency? I really need one...

I know right? Kind of regretting making my application correspondence email my work email because I'm obligated to check it frequently. 

[SysEvo]

7 minutes ago, blc073 said:

Harvard BBS will send out interview invitations on December 16th. 

Thanks! Systems Biology probably will be different?

[GradSchool13579]

Undergrad Institution: Top 25 Public Schools, has great biology reputation
Major(s): Molecular Biology
GPA in Major: 3.80
Overall GPA: 3.86
Position in Class: N/A
Type of Student: Domestic

GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q: 85%
V: 80%
W: 82%
B: N/A

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

2.5 years as an undergraduate in microbiology lab. Two full time summer research in same lab. Published 5 phage genomes to GenBank. Also doing an IRTA Post-Bac Fellowship at the NIH for one year.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: 

Dean's List every semester

Outstanding Freshman Biology Award

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 

Physics TA for semester

Special Bonus Points: 

I got a rec letter from my PI at the NIH? idk if this counts... also collegiate athlete for all 4 years. I'm not sure if this help at all though.

Applying to Where:

Harvard - BBS

Stanford - Cancer Biology

Johns Hopkins - Cellular and Molecular Medicine

Penn - BMS

UCSF - Biomedical Sciences

 

I am aware these are all dream schools, but I would rather apply again next year than taking a step down. Do I stand a chance?

 

 2

Edited December 6, 2016 by GradSchool13579

[blc073]

3 minutes ago, SysEvo said:

Thanks! Systems Biology probably will be different?

I'm not completely sure, but it looks like Systems Biology will send out invitations late next week as well. 

[SysEvo]

1 minute ago, blc073 said:

I'm not completely sure, but it looks like Systems Biology will send out invitations late next week as well. 

Thanks a lot! Was interviewed there 2 years ago, and a prof said probably i will be invited again if I reapply... really nervous now 

[Bioenchilada]

2 minutes ago, GradSchool13579 said:

Undergrad Institution: Top 50 Public Schools, has great biology reputation
Major(s): Molecular Biology
GPA in Major: 3.80
Overall GPA: 3.86
Position in Class: N/A
Type of Student: Domestic

GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q: 85%
V: 80%
W: 82%
B: N/A

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

2.5 years as an undergraduate in microbiology lab. Two full time summer research in same lab. Published 5 phage genomes to GenBank. Also doing an IRTA Post-Bac Fellowship at the NIH for one year.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: 

Dean's List every semester

Outstanding Freshman Biology Award

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 

Physics TA for semester

Special Bonus Points: 

I got a rec letter from my PI at the NIH? idk if this counts...

Applying to Where:

Harvard - BBS

Stanford - Cancer Biology

Johns Hopkins - Cellular and Molecular Medicine

Penn - BMS

UCSF - Biomedical Sciences

 

I am aware these are all dream schools, but I would rather apply again next year than taking a step down. Do I stand a chance?

 

 2

I think you have a pretty good shot! (Assuming that your rec letters and SOP are great) 

[Bioenchilada]

2 minutes ago, SysEvo said:

Thanks a lot! Was interviewed there 2 years ago, and a prof said probably i will be invited again if I reapply... really nervous now 

Did you get rejected post-interview?  

[SysEvo]

Just now, Bioenchilada said:

Did you get rejected post-interview?  

yes... well now I think it's actually a good thing that i got a chance to get myself really prepared for my research interests

[Ferroportin]

Congrats on submitting your apps everyone! If it helps at all, I put the dates and mode of communication for my interview invites last year in my signature as a general reference. 

[LoveMysterious]

20 minutes ago, Ferroportin said:

Congrats on submitting your apps everyone! If it helps at all, I put the dates and mode of communication for my interview invites last year in my signature as a general reference. 

Thank you! So should I also be on the lookout for any incoming calls from institutions? 

[cmykrgb]

I did not realize they will contact people via phone call and I will be out of the country duing the peak of interview notices (12/17-12/28). What should I do if I miss such phone calls and could not respond right away?

Edited December 6, 2016 by cmykrgb

[Ferroportin]

14 minutes ago, LoveMysterious said:

Thank you! So should I also be on the lookout for any incoming calls from institutions? 

 

14 minutes ago, cmykrgb said:

I did not realize they will contact people via phone call and I will be out of the country duing the peak of interview notices (12/17-12/28). What should I do if I miss such phone calls and could not respond right away?

All of my phone calls were followed up by official email invites. The calls were just a nice touch and it was pretty much always from someone on the admissions committee calling to let me know early before the emails were sent out. If you miss it, it's not a big deal at all. 

[cmykrgb]

14 minutes ago, Ferroportin said:

 

All of my phone calls were followed up by official email invites. The calls were just a nice touch and it was pretty much always from someone on the admissions committee calling to let me know early before the emails were sent out. If you miss it, it's not a big deal at all. 

Thank you for answering my question!!