<p>@ Neurohopes. I posted stats here, I think in the beginning of the other thread (labelled “Old Thread” or something now). But short recap:
International (Canada), cGPA: 3.91, Neuroscience BSc (2010)
Subject GRE: 96%ile, GRE V/M/AW 670/800/5.5
one poster at SfN (not-first), 1 (middle-author) submitted to good journal, 1 (middle-author) in prep, and first-author ndergrad review (neuroscience but unrelated to what I want to study). 2.5 years research (to-date), and several research awards. </p>
<p>My research fit with Princeton’s Neuro program is really really good.</p>
<p>So, I’ve applied for ChemBio at three places - Scripps (for the Scripps-Oxford joint programme), Harvard and a Tri-institutional programme at the Rockefeller/Sloan Kettering/Weill Cornell and I haven’t heard anything yet. Guess it’s still early days (heck, the deadline for the last one hasn’t even passed yet), but I’m not expecting much. I’m applying as an international student (Cambridge) and only decided pretty late that I might as well apply to some american unis. </p>
<p>GRE marks are: 700 (verbal), 780 (quant), 6.0 (analysis) and 99% (biochem subject test). Don’t do GPA here in the UK, but I’d guess my grade is equivalent to about 3.7ish (although I put N/A or 0 in my applications, which might have been a mistake). However, I only have about 1 year of research experience in total (max time in a single lab would be 3 months, of course no publications from that), which I thought was decent until I came here and saw that everyone has at least 2 years of experience and most people have publications on top of that! So I was wondering how on earth you’ve managed to fit that in whilst doing an undergrad degree? Are you just all a lot older than me (I’m 21), or are you doing full time labwork AND going to lectures/doing coursework etc?</p>
<p>I am not quite sure how your classes are structured but in the US, there is no set schedule for class, so depending on your course load and their times, there is plenty of time between classes to go to lab.</p>
<p>As for publications, it can often depend on the lab members with whom you work. There are some who do not wish to collaborate with undergraduates and will only designate certain positions for you, whereas others want students who show more interest.</p>
<p>@Lfrt: I’m also 21, just turned actually. My university is very research-intensive, so there are a lot of opportunities to do research, including 2nd year research projects, 3rd year research projects, plenty of summer research awards from 12-16 weeks, funded by the University, local hospitals (I think my University is partnered with around 10 hospitals, 5 or 6 of which are within like 1km of it!) and by Gov agencies and other groups. The class workload is high, so it is good to take ‘research courses’ as a class, because being in the lab on top of the regular 5-class workload is a bit intense, especially if you are taking all science courses, as I usually do. </p>
<p>My pubs are more luck than anything else. Coming into the right project at the right time. I also spent over 2 years in my first lab (which is where the pubs are from). But I’m in the middle, so it is not like a first or second, or even third author paper.</p>
<p>Safetypin, your stats are stellar. I am impressed! You will likely get interviews/accepted everywhere. I am bummed I haven’t heard from them but I knew it was like the biggest long shot on earth applying to a program like that for me. I am crossing my fingers for you. Let us know how it goes!</p>
<p>Lifesciencesgeek, from what everyone is saying, it shouldn’t be time to worry! I applied to over 18 programs and have heard from 2 (I have average GREs). I think you will be more than fine!!</p>
<p>Hmm, well thanks for the replies. At my uni in the UK, the first two years are crammed full of bookwork. The practical elements of the course consisted of a couple of hours a week in a huge teaching lab going through an example experiment (like more expensive and complicated high school science experiments). In third year, everyone does an 8 week research project and then in fourth year (which is a year longer than normal courses and leads to a masters) you do a 16 week project in a different lab. At Oxford, you don’t even get the 8 week project in third year. I don’t know of anyone who worked full time in a lab on top of the course - it probably wouldn’t be allowed since it’d likely lead to failing exams. So it was quite a shock for me to see how much experience you guys all had. It looks like you pretty much need a british PhD’s worth of work in order to get into a PhD programme in the states! Strange how the systems differ so much.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice guys! I didn’t know invites went out in waves.</p>
<p>Nutmeg, what do you mean UCSD already gave out invites? To the best of my knowledge they haven’t even looked at apps yet. I believe they aren’t going to start reading until first week of january. Anway, that’s what they said on the phone.</p>
<p>It might depend on what program you are applying to. I’m applying to biological sciences NOT biomed sciences so…yeah. Hope that helps.</p>
<p>PS. LftrPllr, I guess I can’t speak for everybody else. But myself and everybody I know, when we talk about working in a lab for 2 yrs, we probably all worked full time and then some in the summer, but during the school year most of us worked probably like 10-25 hrs/week. Some more, some less, but at least at my university (and its very research heavy) thats how this goes.</p>
<p>I applied to UVA, UNC, NYU Sackler, Michigan Biophysics, UW-Madison Biophysics, UW-Seattle BMSD, Minnesota, UIUC Biophysics.
I haven’t heard anything yet… Has anyone heard from any of them?</p>
<p>Do they review international applications separately?</p>
<p>Before the break I called Berkeley MCB and inquired when I would hear back because I turned in late. The lady told me that there are two meetings. One in December and one in January. And so there will be a second wave of invitation following their Jan meeting. So don’t lose hope just yet!</p>
<p>@lifesciencesgeek
I applied to the UCSD biomedical sciences program, application submitted at the end of November. I saw that people on this forum and gradcafe had started to hear back from the program. Although, I haven’t contacted them to see how many waves of interview invites are going to be sent out (fingers crossed for more). According to a UCSF BMS student I know, all interview invitations were to be sent out by Dec 18th</p>
<p>Undergrad WashU Biochem cum GPA 3.86
GRE: V650 (93%) Q750 (83%) AW5.5(92%); No subject tests
2.5 years research experience towards honors thesis; no publications yet, one submitted</p>
<p>Applied (all application completed, i.e. all recs in by Thanksgiving):
JHU- Molecular Medicine
Stanford- Biosciences
MIT- Biology
Weill Cornell- BCMC (Cell&Dev)
Tufts- Sackler
Columbia- Pathobiology
Harvard- HILS
UCSF- BMS
UCSD- BMS
Penn- CAMB (Cancer Biology)
Rockefeller
Mt. Sinai</p>
<p>Interviews:
JHU (Call 12/14)
Columbia (Email 12/15)
UCSF (Email 12/18)
UCSD (Call 12/11)
Penn (Email 12/23)
Weill Cornell (Email 12/18)</p>
<p>It was my impression that Harvard for the BMS/Integrated Life Sciences Programs does not officially interview & only invites you to visit on your dime if you like. Secondly, does anyone know the timeline for Rockefeller app review & interview extension?</p>
<p>In trying to work out interview dates, I have a pretty good idea about the various dates from the schools from which I got invitations. Feel free to ask, if you are interested.</p>
<p>@lifesciencesgeek. Agreed. During the year I’m in the lab 8-20 hours/week. Sometimes 0 hours if its exams, or there’s nothing to do (if you have no animals, for one). Thesis ~20 hours/week on average, but it is a bit much, you are only expected to put in like 8-10 hours. But second year project, was like 8-10 hours for sure. So not even close to full-time.</p>
<p>the BBS program of harvard accepts you without an interview. However, they will pay for you to come and look at the school— the weekend is structured the same way that most other schools interviews are-- one on one meetings with some faculty, dinners, activities, etc, but you are already guaranteed an acceptance. </p>
<p>Rockefeller also accepts pre-interview, and like harvard has visit weekends.</p>
<p>My interview invite from UMich’s PIBS program says that interview apparel can be business casual… what is everyone planning on wearing to their interviews? I got a suit for interviews but am now not sure if I will be using it.</p>