<p>Hello all,</p>
<p>Undergrad stats:
University of Maryland, B.S. in bioengineering
3.3 GPA
800/580/5.0 M/V/W
Some research exp, 2 good LORs, 1 crappy one</p>
<p>Applied to 8 PhD programs by picking from the US news list - got rejected from all</p>
<p>Enrolled in M.Eng program at my undergrad school, just finished my first semester:
4.0 GPA
First author of a paper submitted (not accepted yet) to a 1.43 impact factor journal in BME
First author of a pending paper not yet submitted
First author of a conference paper submitted (not accepted yet) to '11 ASME BME conf.
One poster</p>
<p>Because I did so poorly in undergrad, I went the terminal masters route to boost my GPA. I know this is non-trad - what can I do from now until Dec '11 to get ready for the 11-12 app cycle? I want to show the T10 schools I’m serious AND capable of Ph.D level research</p>
<p>Or is my goal unrealistic? I’m aiming for BME @ BU or Columbia</p>
<p><em>EDIT</em> I mean a T10 BME program, not a T10 school</p>
<p>Maybe you should aim your sights slightly lower? If you really desire to have a PhD, why not have a few safety schools in mind?</p>
<p>Does UMd have a PhD program?</p>
<p>Are you implying that no matter what I do from now until Dec. that there is nothing I can possibly do to get into a T10? </p>
<p>Of course I have a few safety schools in mind, but I want advice as to what I can do to boost myself up to T10 standing. If the answer really is “nothing”, then that’s something that I will be forced to accept.</p>
<p>I think you are doing just about all you CAN do, but agree with Ominous that you should consider some “lesser” schools. You are boosting your GPA and getting some research credentials and publications (although I have no idea of the relative weight of them - you should be aiming for quality, not quantity). You may want to consider retaking your GRE’s if they were subpar.</p>
<p>The only important thing you have not mentioned is “fit.” You splashed 8 programs based on the USNews list? When you apply you need to know exactly which professors you want to work with, and why - because they are not just looking for good students and researchers, they are looking for good students and researchers who are prepared and passionate for what they are actually researching!! If you don’t fit that criteria, they are unlikely to select you - someone else will have your quals (or better) AND be focused on their specialty.</p>
<p>By the way - don’t screw around on this. You really don’t want to get accepted to a program that you hate, just because it is “top-10.” For that matter, a lot of “lesser” schools are doing great research in important areas… you may find that your best match is not that highly ranked.</p>
<p>Yes, I agree - I really don’t want to mess this up this time. </p>
<p>The first time around, I did exactly as you said - just splashed 8 programs from the list based on rank. I was arrogant, rude, and pompous on my applications, so it’s no wonder I got rejected. </p>
<p>There is no do-or-die reason for me to get into a top ten school - I’m just sick and tired of the party-campus I currently attend - perhaps inwardly I even blame it for my own failures… </p>
<p>But I know in my gut that research is what I want to be doing, and if I can get into any Ph.D program anywhere, I will be grateful until the end of my life. That is why I’m working so hard now to make amends.</p>
<p>Don’t misinterpret my post. You’re obviously improving your chances by doing what you are doing now. You should just have some safety schools lined up this time around. It appears that’s a lesson you have learned from your last round of applications.</p>
<p>USNews rankings don’t mean everything. If a PhD is your ultimate goal, find a school that fits you best, regardless of ranking.</p>
<p>There really is no such thing as a “safety school” for Ph.D admissions.</p>
<p>You need to research which faculty are doing research you’re interested in, and apply to their programs.</p>
<p>If it helps at all, my daughter went into a PhD track right from undergrad. To pick schools, she discussed it with her profs for suggestions and she did research on profs doing the type of research she was doing and types she was interested in. She researched profs that guest lectured, where she was interested in the work. That strategy was pretty good, she was accepted at top 10 or 20 programs. Yes, she threw a few application against the wall at the very top to see what would stick. But the places she was accepted to were very good fits–they were looking for her specific skills and interests and it was not the department choosing–the professors in the sub-departments were-- it is clear after visits. She only ever personally contacted one professor and that is where she is going. She was surprised not to get into a much, much lower ranked (for CS PhD, not overall) safety school where she knew some specialist doing great work and she would have loved to have an admit there. I think she blew it by not expressing personal interest because the prof she wanted to work with knew her and collaborates with her prof. Although her prof said not to bother or contact profs, I think in this case it is odd that she wouldn’t personally express interest, when it was clear she could get into higher ranked programs.</p>
<p>She went to Madison, and maybe that is a party school for some undergraduates, but it is certainly a good school. She is a grad student living off campus and not involved in that scene. She says is is 10x better town than her undergrad school. UM-College Park was another option she was accepted to and considered.</p>
<p>Advice for you: research all the way is the key. Grades are nice but optional, they don’t trump proven research experience and great LOR, I suspect.</p>
<p>Thank you very much for sharing your daughter’s experience - sounds like I have a lot of work to do before I can confidently apply - I wish I had this kind of information (and motivation) four years ago, but I’m glad I have it now</p>