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<p>Don’t assume anything. A month ago I sent out 2 GRE scores at one time. One school got it, the other school still cant find it.</p>
<p>you can check your status on stanford’s application here, <a href=“https://med.stanford.edu/bioscienceStatus/status/[/url]”>https://med.stanford.edu/bioscienceStatus/status/</a> , provide your email, and they will send you your status.</p>
<p>True about GRE scores. One school received mine, and update the application page in less than 48 hours. Another took 3 weeks to figure it out.</p>
<p>Even though Weill’s deadline is today (Dec 1), they have until Dec 15 to update all of your supporting documents. This might be similar to other schools too.</p>
<p>Submitted apps to UW MCB, Berkeley MCB, Harvard BBS, and Yale BBS…it’s unsettling for some reason.</p>
<p>Yale clarified to me their deadline is 11:59:59 pm at the end of 12/2. It’s listed online as midnight of 12/2/11. In general, if a deadline date is given without a specific time, or if the listed time is midnight, I think its at the END of that day and not the beginning.</p>
<p>Anyone got any interviews yet? GUM-ON…</p>
<p>I wish. I’ve been done for a month. Based on the the results from last year’s cycle, I’ll be lucky to hear anything in December. All my programs gave responses in January. One more “deadline” to hit next week with UCSF, then more waiting. Glad I finished early this year!</p>
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<p>Yeah so what’s up with the December notices anyway? Is it like they only contact you in December if you’re a top applicant or if you submitted your application early? In that case, does that mean adcoms review applications in the order they were received (as in, you and I would have an advantage then)??</p>
<p>I was wondering the same thing. I feel like programs might do it by top applicants like you suggested- that way they can invite their top applicants to the first interview weekends (often in January). It would be really nice if they did it by who submitted first (because we have been waiting the lonngggesssttt) but that seems sort of unrealistic because then they don’t know the relative stats of the application pool. Maybe I look great compared to the other X people who applied by Nov. 10 or whenever, but by the time the application pool is complete and now I’m competing with X+Y people, I’m not looking so hot, ya know? :)</p>
<p>Regarding “relative stats of the application pool” - they probably go off numbers from past years. I doubt it changes dramatically from year to year. They can’t possibly wait for every single application to come in, because I know that some programs say that review starts Dec. 1 but final deadline is Jan 1. …</p>
<p>So then, maybe it’s a combination of all those things (hopefully). For example, say the incoming class for last year was 3.5GPA and 1300 GRE. If you submitted early and you’re roughly around those stats, maybe they’d contact you in December. Wouldn’t that be nice? Haha, who knows!</p>
<p>BTW - do schools purposely try to increase their average stats over the years. For example again, if last year’s class was 3.5 and 1300, will having those same numbers not be enough to impress them? Are they looking for students with 3.6, 3.7 or 1320, 1340, etc etc ??</p>
<p>I think it must be in some type of order. For the earliest application I turned in (early October) I did hear back from the school about an interview, but the others I submitted early November I haven’t heard anything yet.</p>
<p>^Socratic, that school you already heard back from…did their website indicate when they’d start contacting applicants? I submitted some apps in early October as well, but their websites say they don’t start review until December. Expectedly, I haven’t heard anything.</p>
<p>If applications that were submitted early had any advantage in getting an interview, would we even be questioning the importance of the timing of submission? I’m sure this secret would have gotten out by now.</p>
<p>The website says that they review applications as soon as possible after all materials are received. I think if you are a strong applicant and you submit early, the schools that begin reviewing early would have no reason not to inform you. There are several PhD interview offers in the biological sciences already listed on thegradcafe, suggesting that there are several schools that do this. I don’t think it gives you an advantage, however.</p>
<p>Hi everyone,
Undergraduate University: University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Undergraduate Major: Biology (Cell and Molecular Concentration)
Undergraduate GPA: 3.05
Research Experience: 3 months of summer research and possibility of publication.
GRE Scores: Quantitative and verbal (36%) and essay (29%)
Im applying to the molecular biology program at NYU’s Sackler Institute. </p>
<p>Although my GRE scores are low and my GPA is not as competitive, I have been working as a research assistant in a microbiology lab for nearly 2 years. Also, I have three strong letters of recommendation from two professors who I work for and 1 from a full time researcher who also works in our lab.</p>
<p>Good luck to everyone applying!</p>
<p>@guialera</p>
<p>NYU Sackler doesn’t even look at your GRE scores–they’re one of the smart institutions that has realized GRE scores (and GPA) does not indicate success in a graduate program. Your letters and personal statement have the most weight for that program.</p>
<p>I guess I should post my stats and stop lurking.</p>
<p>I hope to be a prime example of how not everyone has a perfect GPA or perfect GRE scores. Ideally, I will debunk the myth that these qualities are necessary to get into some of the most competitive programs.</p>
<p>[Undergrad. + Grad University]: Two different CSU’s.
[Undergrad. + Grad Major(s)]: B.S. Chemistry, B.S. Biochemistry, and M.S. Chemistry
[Undergrad + Grad GPA]: 2.67 + 3.9
[Years of Research Experience]: 4, including 1.5 years at a well known non-profit research company</p>
<p>[Prospective Graduate Schools]:</p>
<p>UCSF CCB
Harvard MCO
Michigan PIBS
Stanford Biosciences
Chicago Biophysics
UPenn BMB
Wisconsin Biophysics
NYU Sackler Institute
UW BPSD
UCSD Chemistry + Biochemistry</p>
<p>I’m sure everyone here will get into several excellent programs–I hope you find the right fit for you!</p>
<p>^ good luck…</p>
<p>also, is this true?: “I was wondering the same thing. I feel like programs might do it by top applicants like you suggested- that way they can invite their top applicants to the first interview weekends (often in January).”</p>
<p>does anyone have info about MIT biology…how many people get interviews, how many get accepted, etc.?</p>
<p>Like he said, “good luck”</p>
<p>Anyone applying to Neuroscience programs? I’m not seeing too many on here…</p>
<p>I applied to UCSD, UCSF, and UC Berkeley.
GPA: 3.3 (UCSD undergrad)
Majors: Human biology and psychology
GRE: V 570 Q670 W4.5
Psychology Subject: 700
Biology Subject: 720
7+ years research experience (3 part time while undergrad) in immunology and cancer labs
Area of interest for grad school: neuroimmunology of neurodegeneration</p>