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Hello guys. Here's my brief stats ------------------------- B.S in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology from UCLA GPA: 3.87, Magna Cum Laude GRE: 720 in Verbal, 770 in Math, 4 in Writing Leadership, Work, & Teaching Experience: Worked as a Physics & math tutor for two years in the school tutoring program. Worked as a supervisor in the physics department for 1 year. Worked as a TA for a math course during summer Volunteer Experience: 1 year of hospital volunteer experience Research Experience: 1 year of Ecology research experience, one publication, 2nd author 1 year of Bioengineering research experience --------------------------- Applied to: PhD programs in Bioinformatics at UCLA, UCSD, UCSF, UCBerkeley, Harvard, Princeton, MIT, Columbia, and Stanford Rejected: all except for Harvard and UCSD (still waiting. But I gave up my hope) -------------------------- My Story: I think the biggest reason I got rejected by all these schools was that I did not have extensive experience related to bioinformatics. Throughout my college, I was confused as to what to do with my life. For a while, I was a pre-med, but during my last year, I realized my love for teaching that I wanted to become a professor. Meanwhile, I took a computer scinece course during my junior year just for the heck of it, and it was extremely fun. I wanted to switch my major to CS, but I felt it was too late. So I decided that I should go to grad school and study bioinformatics. This way I could still use what I learend (molecular biology) and combine it with my newfound passion(computer science). So I applied, only to find that I am not qualified yet. It was kind of stupid on my part to apply to PhD programs without extensive experience. But what's done is done. I paid for my lack of focus and learned my lesson. And I am ready to move on. Advice Needed! I need an advice. As I mentioned above, the biggest reason I think for my rejection is due to the lack of experience in computer science. But I am kind of lost and not sure what to go about gaining such experience. 1) Should I apply for master programs in computer science? is that possible without BS in CS? 2) Should I volunteer in bioinformatics lab? 3) Should I work in a company where I could gain this experience (what kind of companies or jobs? Most of computer related jobs require an applicant to be a C.S Major) 4) Take some courses in community college? 5) Forget about my graduate school plan,study MCAT, and apply to medical schools? (which I am seriously considering) I am seriously lost and need help. What would you do if you were in my shoes?

Hello Friends, I did my schooling in India. I want to apply for a masters in Bioinformatics in the US or Canada. Please evaluate my profile and let me know whether i am eligible for a good/above average course. Please suggest some universities as well if possible. 10th----92% 12-------84% B.Tech(Biotechnology)----7.41/10 (70%) GRE----320 TOEFL(iBt)----113 Work Experience----2 years in an IT firm Recommendation Letter-----1 Is my GRE score good enough to get me a scholarship? Thanks in advance.

Hello ! It's really hard to find people who are familiar with admission trends in Bioinformatics programs...Hope someone responds to this post as early as possible ! Here's my profile 1. CGPA : 8.5 / 10 2. GRE : Q- 159, V-156 AWA : awaiting results. 3. TOEFL : Haven't taken yet. 4. PROJECTS : 3 major, 2 mini 5. INTERNSHIPS : 2 (though in an unrelated field) 6. PAPERS : 1- published in IEEE Xplore, 3- presented in a several colleges, but haven't published. I have a few universities in mind. However I'd like opinions on whether they match my profile. 1. Johns Hopkins University - Bioinformatics- through Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts &Science. 2. Arizona State University - Biomedical Informatics 3. Boston University 4. University of Washington, Seattle 5. Indiana University - Bloomington 6. Indiana Univerisity/Purdue University at Indianapolis 7. University of Delaware 8. Ohio State University 9. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor - Health Informatics Are these choices too ambitious ? I need all the advice I can get, guys ! Thank you..

Please evaluate my profile and univ. for MS in Bioinformatics/Biosciences for Fall 2011 My profile in brief: > currently in final year pursuing B.Tech in Bioinformatics from National Institute of Technology - Bhopal (NIT Bhopal), India, CGPA is 8.04 / 10 (class rank 9th) > My GRE score - 1200 (520-v, 680-q, AWA- awaiting) and TOEFL 98 (R-27, L-23, S-23 and W-25) > 10th - 89.3%*, 12th - 88%* (*school topper) > 2 Internships - i) University of Nottingham, United Kingdom (2 months) ii) IISER Pune, India (1 month) > 3 publications in International journals (research projects) > won 3rd prize in National conference > presented a poster in APBC - International conference on Bioinformatics. > Lots of Extra-curricular activities and participation in Bioinformatics workshops. Universities: > University of California, Davis = MS in Biomedical Engineering (conc on Bioinformatics) > UIUC = MS in Bioinformatics > Northeastern University = PSM in Bioinformatics > Pennstate = MS - Biotechnology (conc on Bioinformatics) > University of Arizona = PSM in Applied Biosciences > Arizona State Univ. = MS in Biomedical Informatics > Texas A&M Univ. = MS in Genetics > North Carolina State University = MS in Functional Genomics > University of Illinois, Chicago = MS in Biological Sciences Preference: > I am looking for funding (TA/RA/Scholarships) & Univ. which have post MS better - Job / Research prospects. Thank You, I look forward for your response...