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<p>I meant on this forum…to make everyone else feel like s**t. :)</p>
<p>I agree that most applicants do not have publications in their application. However, there are still some people that have publications after years of scientific work in the USA, and I am just lucky enough to be one of them. In fact, it is not rare among admitted applicants to have publications, as shown in the acceptance result:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/graduate-school/1056778-us-phd-bio-biomedical-lifesciences-international-interviews-acceptances-fall-2011-a.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/graduate-school/1056778-us-phd-bio-biomedical-lifesciences-international-interviews-acceptances-fall-2011-a.html</a></p>
<p>Just because I have multiple publications doesn’t mean that I fabricate my research record in order to show off and despise anyone else.</p>
<p>You are saying I overestimate the weight of my publication. I don’t understand. I do have a 1st-author paper in Stem Cells, and this paper is just cited in July in NRMCB. I am just describing my case, and I don’t know if there is anything wrong. Or do you want me to show you the real linkage of my publication and citation to demonstrate I am telling the truth?</p>
<p>The only way it could hurt is if the admissions committee somehow suspected that an applicant had not really done high quality research and that it was a department’s policy to put undergraduate names on articles to boost graduate results. Otherwise, publications are a nice credential that offer proof of real involvement in research. They are not, as many people on CC state, a requirement for admission to a top program.</p>
<p>esinstra,
denizen is applying to grad school too. He is not an expert on the grad school applications process, yet, so relax. Congrats on the publication. DS was also published[ lead author] of a paper in a respected Geology journal [ after it passed muster at USGS] before getting his UG Degree, and will be starting his PhD at CalTech this month.</p>
<p>
I think it could be really fun and interesting for you to try and meet up with professors, or to tell them your poster number and presentation time (if you’re presenting a poster) and ask if they would consider swinging by. It’s only really useful in terms of admissions if you are genuinely interested in their research and can carry on a conversation about it – it won’t be useful if you ask them to coffee and have nothing to say. </p>
<p>But it’s very common for PIs to meet with prospective postdocs at SfN – I will probably be meeting with a few PIs this year myself. I’m sure some would be willing to meet with a prospective PhD student.</p>
<p>@maverickjay
I am also an international and was lucky enough to have an opportunity to work in the USA. It is true that international students do not get admitted as easily as US citizens. However, having experiences in the USA will increase the success rate since the committee will think you can adapt yourself to the USA environment. Your academic record is excellent, and I think you will get admitted by one of the top schools. Having publications usually lead to a significant increase in admission, but this is not a requirement. For example, one of my classmate got admitted to Harvard without publications. You mentioned you are going to join a conference and plan to contact several professors. I think this is a good chance. I’ve heard many applicants get admitted due to a meaningful communication with professors prior to application. Good luck with your application.</p>
<p>@Momwaitingfornew
I agree on your viewpoint. It is rare for an undergraduate to generate quality research, and the admissions committee might be suspicious of a college student’s record if he produces excellent results. But for those who graduate for more than 5 years, similar suspicion is supposed to be reduced due to increased experiences of the applicant. Anyway, having publication is at least a plus, although this does not garanttee admissions.</p>