<p>Since the application only asks for information such as GPA and math and science courses and nothing about your extra-curricular or leadership activities, does JAX SSP only make their admission decision from the students’ academics? How do you all approach this? Is is a good or bad idea to include your non-STEM EC’s in your essays?</p>
<p>hi, im applying to JAX and have a question about the “use of laboratory animals” question on the application, which asks whether you would prefer to work on a project with or without lab animals. For those of you who have done JAX in the past, do a majority of students work on animal related projects that require invasive techniques and euthanasia? Were there any students who worked on projects that did not involve lab animals? thanks!</p>
<p>Where do you think it would be best to write about past research experience, the first essay topic (since it’s talking about research) or the second (since it’s about career goals)?</p>
<p>Oh and I’m not a past JAX member but @LK5D67 it does say on their website that they work with mice a lot for testing, and @4beardolls you could probably say something about leadership but the internship does seem very STEM-based</p>
<p>@4beardolls, they make their admission decision even less based on academics now that the app has changed. Keep in mind that you don’t have to send in a transcript or provide any standardized testing scores. They just want to see that you’re taking care of your business academically. Stick to the prompt provided. If you started a non-profit organization to aid in giving shelter to the homeless, that’s great, but if that doesn’t fit within what the essay wants you to discuss, you’ll only come off as off-topic and maybe even a little showy. However, if mentioning that non-profit organization ties in to how you like to help others and experiencing this organization is an event that prompted you to want to be a doctor when you grow up, then that would be more appropriate. If you’re really eager to mention something about yourself, try to tie it into the topic at hand. And you’re always welcome to send out an email asking if you can mail in a concise resume.</p>
<p>@LK5D67 Comp kids and some wet lab kids didn’t work with animals. Just be honest if you really don’t to work with animals. The only animals you’d be working with are mice. Make sure you’re reading up on your lab of interest’s current research, so that you can get a feel for how likely it is your project might involve working with mice. And I don’t think any PI or mentor will force someone into working with animals, and if they demanded it, they’re going to pick someone who states on their app that they don’t mind.
I’m not sure what you mean by “invasive techniques.” One girl worked more with behavior and I think only handled the mice to complete her project. Some injected, some (including myself) euthanized, some were open to animal use and ended up not working with animals at all. I can’t say a majority of people worked with animals, and probably out of those who did, maybe 75% at most injected. Even fewer euthanized, as animals are expensive. :)</p>
<p>@stylishsmartie It depends. If you want to mention past research experience just to give your app some credibility, it doesn’t really fit anywhere at all. However, if you have past experience researching, let’s say, kidney diseases, and working in a lab that deals with the kidney is your first choice, I’d put it in the first essay topic. It explains why you chose that lab as your first (or whatever) choice. Mentioning past research experience wouldn’t really fit into the second essay at all (unless anyone else can show an example of how it would?). </p>
<p>And another note- I feel really bad that you guys have less of an opportunity to show well-roundedness. That’s really lame. They could at least provide a round two interview if they don’t give the option to provide a lot of EC information. But just craft a great essay and provide strong rec letters that may mention your school activities!</p>
<p>Is this the only application we need to complete? Should i include a cover letter of some sort? It is very broad… It’s probably going to be hard on reseachers to choose?</p>
<p>@tawarren95: I mentioned my past research in the second essay where you explain your career goals. I talked about how I was influenced into doing the research (personal reasons), and how that experience led me to wanting to help others etc etc. Why wouldn’t this fit?</p>
<p>And also, should I just quickly mention my research in the 1800 character (1st essay), and then explain more in depth about it in my second essay (like above)? It seems that they’re only basing admission on essays since that’s the only non-academic sort of piece in our apps.</p>
<p>Thanks !</p>
<p>@ariroldan I agree, it is very broad. But I’d stick to what they ask you to submit, and email if you have questions on any extra materials you really feel the urge to submit.</p>
<p>@upsilon If it works for you, that’s awesome and I won’t tell you how to write your essay. My opinion on the matter is that the second essay is about your career interests and goals and how this program fits into those. “I’ve done kidney disease research in the past and that’s why kidney research is my top choice for this program.” just seems to fit better in the first one. “I want to be a doctor/researcher because when I was little my grandma died of cancer” seems to fit better in the second one. But I’m not going to nitpick and I trust that you can craft an essay well enough to where mentioning your past research fits in well. I know you guys are probably very capable writers, and please don’t think you have to take my advice as law! Last year’s essay was so dissimilar to this year’s!</p>
<p>Here’s the thing- your app has to make it through screening before it ever gets in a PI’s hands. The people who will do the initial screening may have certain criteria they’re looking for. They might not care that you have past experience or might feel it weakens the essay. I think if you’re gonna mention past research, do it lightly and in a way that shows how it influenced your career path. </p>
<p>Don’t try to show how challenging, worthwhile, or advanced/real your research was; they’ll trust it was meaningful to you and the scientific community if they find it a plus to your app. I’m not saying any of you are doing that. It’s the same way you wouldn’t go in depth about the science or mechanics of your research in a college app essay or college interview; the person listening to you or reading your app may have no clue what immunohistochemistry is or may not be impressed the same way a meaningful life experience will impress and connect. Contact the program directors if you want to submit a past abstract or something.
tl;dr don’t be pretentious!</p>
<p>If anyone wants me to proof their finished (I can’t help you write it, I’m sorry) essays, I’d be happy to. </p>
<p>Also, I don’t have my past essay anymore, so I’m sorry I can’t give that to any of you. Please, no more PMs asking for it. Also, any “insider tips” given will be here on this thread and in response to a question, not privately through a message, unless I’m giving you advice specific to your essay.</p>
<p>@tawarren95 thanks so much for the info! </p>
<p>Is anyone sending in their school transcript? I couldn’t find any mention of transcripts on the app. </p>
<p>Also, in the research interests essay should we mention certain lab names that we are interested in, or stick to more the general research subject (ie cancer, immunology)?</p>
<p>@tawarren95 - just out of curiosity, who was your PI?</p>
<p>PS thank you sooo much reading this thread has really helped me with completing my application.</p>
<p>Has anyone submitted his/her application?</p>
<p>^ Nope. I will be completing and submitting my application almost entirely on Saturday. Maybe I’ll get around to one of the essays before then.</p>
<p>just sent mine tonight !!! 
good luck to everyone :)</p>
<p>Probably going to send mine in tonight. Good luck guys!!</p>
<p>@aildad24 I can’t say on her for purposes of anonymity but if you PM me I can let you know! Thanks!</p>
<p>Goodluck everyone!</p>
<p>thank you!!</p>
<p>Just submitted my application!</p>
<p>Do we have any confirmation that applications are due by the end of Saturday?</p>
<p>Hi, so how do we format our GPA? like, if we are providing our weighted GPA, would that be 4.25 out of maximum possible 4.0? because saying 4.25 out of max possible 5.0 would make it seem as though we had a couple of Bs and Cs.</p>
<p>Well, it depends on what the actual maximum is. If the maximum is a 4.0 and you got a 4.25 weighted, don’t change it to a 5.0, because, well, that’s not the maximum and you’d end up selling yourself short. Just provide your maximum and then your GPA, weighted or unweighted.</p>