Post-Interview Rejections: Why? And How to Improve

Graduate School
1

Hey everyone,

Congratulations to everyone who was accepted to their chosen programs, and sincere condolences to those who weren’t. I’m looking for some anecdotal advice or relatable experiences.

I applied to PhD programs in neuroscience last fall and wound up with some disappointing results. I interviewed at Duke and Vanderbilt, where I had GREAT experiences, but was rejected by NYU, Princeton Yale and Berkeley. Duke was looking very promising, as several of my interviewers told me they were supporting my application. Nonetheless, I didn’t end up with an offer. I was also waitlisted at Vanderbilt.

I’m now wondering what could’ve been improved upon. It’s a confusing experience to be invited for an interview, told that you’re an excellent fit by multiple interviewers, and then not receive an offer. I assume the other applicants were just especially stellar, and it’s my understanding that they typically only admit around 50% of their interviewees, perhaps more.

Anyway, I’m now trying to look forward with positivity and improve upon my credentials for next year’s application cycle. I politely asked one of my interviewers for feedback–He said he was shocked by the result because he had a very positive impression from our interview, but that I’d be competitive anywhere I apply.

In retrospect, here were some weak points of my applications:

  1. I submitted my applications hastily and didn't start them until a few days before the deadline. This resulted in fairly generic personal statements that weren't specifically tailored to each program.
  2. I didn't speak with any faculty before applying, except at Vanderbilt, but actually didn't get to interview with any of my preferred faculty there.

For reference, here’s a bit of my profile:

Undergrad Institution: Top 5 LAC
Major(s): Neuroscience
Minor(s): A foreign language (double major with neuroscience)
GPA in Major: ~3.6
Overall GPA: ~3.6 (Honors)
Type of Student: Domestic, non-URM

GRE Scores :
Q: 162
V: 165
W: 4.0 (was a little surprised by this)

Research Experience: 1. Yearlong Fulbright Scholarship in psychiatry in foreign country (after graduation), 2. Yearlong neuroimaging internship during junior year abroad, 3. Yearlong bachelor’s thesis in neuroscience

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Fulbright Scholar, Honors distinction at graduation; multiple awards totalling ~$15,000

Miscellaneous: Varsity Athlete; Language tutor for all levels

I’m still trying to figure out how to improve upon my applications for next year, so any advice is really appreciated!

2

Research, pubs? To me, those are what is missing from the list above. PhD programs are ALL about research. A Fullbright is nice, but I’d bet that a couple of pubs in top journals would be more valued. Of course a Fulbright+a couple of pubs == outstanding. (Thesis is nice, but that is rather common from top schools so not much of a differentiator unless you got some pubs out of it.)

The fact that you interviewed at top schools meant that your app was sufficient. Then it comes down to the ‘competition’ and what is on their resume.

Not all Unis want you to speak with faculty pre-app. Some say ‘no way’, while others say its a near requirement. You’ll need to suss those out from the school’s websites, or your advisor. One key of course is that your preferred PI’s might not even be taking new students next year, so that is one reason for contacting them early.

Look for a job as a Lab Manager at a top Uni. Work there for a year or two and get some pubs.

btw: Berkeley (and the UC’s) tend toward those who have overcome personal challenges.

3

@Saturnalia: Does the University of Washington offer a PhD program in neuroscience ?

4

@bluebayou That’s good advice; a lack of pubs is one thing I was worried about, though one of my letter-writers mentioned that we’re preparing to submit a study for peer review. I realize, though, that an “almost publication” isn’t nearly as meaningful as top journal pubs.

However, if the problem was something they can clearly see in the application, like pubs, GPA etc., I’m assuming they wouldn’t have invited me for an interview in the first place?

@Publisher Yes they do and it’s excellent. Why do you ask?

5

P.S. I’m considering retaking the GRE. The Q and V are quite high but the writing score concerns me. Any advice on this?

6

My thoughts are you didn’t apply to enough programs, and you should have applied to a wider range as well. The schools you listed are all top programs, which have more qualified applicants than spaces available. You are a highly qualified applicant, but those schools are a reach for anyone. Some years they may be looking for something very specific, and you might just not have it. For PhDs, taking the “shotgun approach” is often a decent strategy.

7

Thanks guys!

Any other opinions on this are appreciated; I’m still trying to get into ‘app-improvement mode’ for this November.

Thoughts on retaking the GRE to improve the writing section?