Biosciences: Application information (old results thread) - Page 3

Univ_Student · 08-26-2009, 12:51 PM

Interest: Molecular/Cell Biology and Genetics
GPA: 3.3 cumulative, 3.7 in the last semester (does that help?)
Major: Recently graduated with a B.A. in Biology, Chemistry minor
GRE: 480 (55%) Verbal, 660 (63%) Quantitative, 4.0 (37%) Analytical Writing
Research: 2 years at a Plant Developmental Genetics Lab, no publications, but wrote a 35-page senior year thesis
Teaching: 2.5 years teaching General Chemistry
LORs: 1 from PI and 2 from faculty who are familiar with my teaching experience
Future goal: Tenure-track position as a research/teaching professor

My mind is really fried from test-taking and senior year research, so I don't think I can handle studying for and retaking the GRE.

Given this economy and very competitive applicant pool, I'm thinking of applying to Master's programs in Biology at NYU and Hunter College (they're the only ones that offer Bio for the Spring 2010 semester).

I'm also going to take a chance and apply to the Molecular Bio PhD programs at CUNY, Columbia, and SUNY Stony Brook for the Fall 2010 semester. I don't want to leave the NYC area for personal reasons.

I've been applying to lab tech jobs since May...and nothing yet. The job market is VERY bad in NYC (that's my experience). I'm applying for the Master's for Spring 2010 in case I can't get a job. If I get in a PhD program, I'll leave the Master's (one semester of tuition would be lost, but I have to take a chance). Any advice?

MasterMoe · 08-26-2009, 02:26 PM

Bentham, you are DEFINITELY going to want to take your GRE again.

aldo003b · 08-26-2009, 06:27 PM

Univ_student - If I were you, I'd retake the GRE before applying to those PhD programs - Sadly, a tired mind is what you'll have to work with in a PhD program, so you might as well get used to it now. Also, you might consider the several other PhD programs in NYC - Einstein, MSSM and Cornell come to mind (also, New York Medical College in Valhalla has PhD programs in bio, and is fairly close to the city - I don't think it's any further out than Stony Brook)

MolSysBio · 08-26-2009, 06:53 PM

don't go to stony brook. don't even apply. worst place on the face of the planet. aldo's suggestions are better, though.

aldo003b · 08-27-2009, 08:43 AM

Yeah, notably Stony Brook never replied to my application. No rejection/acceptance/wait list. Just no response. I took that as a pretty bad sign.

choijae · 08-27-2009, 03:10 PM

How about cold spring harbor?

Heard they have excellent programs in the field of genetics.

Matter of fact anybody care to share info on Cold spring?

safetypin00 · 08-27-2009, 04:09 PM

It is great I guess if location in terms of any kind of life outside of the lab isn't part of your concern *at all*. Or so it seems based on its location and what I know of a PI whose postdoc'd there.

aldo003b · 08-27-2009, 04:17 PM

CSHL is a VERY intense place, and exceptionally competitive. They only take 5-6 students per year. You have 10-12 interviews in 2 days in their interview process, and if I recall correctly, 4-5 drinking-related events (I almost think alcohol tolerance is part of their admissions decisions). It is QUITE isolated from anywhere else, but that means that there's fewer distractions, and likely contributes to their average graduation time of 4 years. What I did like about it was the sense that after labwork and dinner, students, post docs and faculty all meet up at the on-campus bar, and the science continues, sketching out ideas on cocktail napkins. It's not as stratified as some places, where there's a clear hierarchy in labs, but more that everyone, regardless of level, is encouraged to suggest ideas and such. In the end, I think it's a very good program for HIGHLY motivated people who don't much care about being having a social life outside of school. I didn't suggest it to Univ_student because (no offense) those are just not competitive stats for that program. Choijae, yours might be more apt to get an interview, but I don't know what their stance on internationals is.

That all said, students at Stony Brook can do their research with profs @ CSHL, which is a point in favor of SB.

MolSysBio · 08-27-2009, 04:21 PM

i've just heard from dozens of people that stony brook is one of the worst places on earth. there's even a website called stonybrooksucks.com or something. i might be wrong and definitely don't take my word on it, but in all honesty long island might not be the best place to spend 7 years of your life.

phDhopeful · 08-28-2009, 10:59 AM

Do you guys have any advice for statement of purpose writing? I definitely have a writer's block with that. I just don't want mine sounding cheesy and don't want to have to justify my love of science with some story from my childhood that inspired me!

EvoViro · 08-28-2009, 12:43 PM

My best advice for SOP writing is to have lots of conversations with your friends/family before you start writing. Tell them you want to talk to them about why you want to go into your chosen field to help flush out your ideas. You'll likely find something far more compelling than a story about your childhood, such as why research and science bring a spark into your life, and your qualifications for acceptance (what you've learned from research, etc). When you go to actually start writing, you've already said everything, so the words will come more far more easily and naturally. Mostly, you want to show programs that you're a solid investment as a future researcher, so keep a strong focus on your preparation and enthusiasm for a life of science.

TwylaBloo · 08-28-2009, 01:50 PM

This might be a stupid question...but will schools still accept Subject GRE scores if you took it in November of the year you are applying? Would you be able to find out your score before you decide if you even want to send it to schools?

Univ_Student · 08-28-2009, 02:38 PM

phDhopeful - You should definitely ask your research PI or a biology professor to read it over to help put things into perspective. Biology PhD programs are not looking to read a story or an essay that begins with, "Ever since I was in elementary school, I knew I wanted to do experiments on mice for the rest of my life." They want a clear and concise essay that describes your academic and/or research experience(s), how they shaped your goals and interests with respect to the biological sciences, what are your short-term and long-term interests and goals with respect to grad school, and how/why their program will help you acheive those goals.

phDhopeful · 08-28-2009, 03:53 PM

Thanks a lot univ_student! And hey...if I get into grad school my research tech job at Sloan-Kettering will open up! :-)
Just in case you're still looking then :-)

molliebatmit · 08-28-2009, 10:07 PM

Quote:

This might be a stupid question...but will schools still accept Subject GRE scores if you took it in November of the year you are applying? Would you be able to find out your score before you decide if you even want to send it to schools?

Yes, you'll be able to get your score by phone in early December, then you can decide if you want to send it to schools.