Just got rejected... from grad school

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Anonemous

Diamond Member
May 19, 2003
7,361
1
71
Oh well,

Thought the interview went well. But the committee members said I didn't have enough curiosity and background... Coming from an engineering (BME) background into biological sciences. I asked many questions, read up on research that the interviewers were conducting, and had a lot of lab tech skills (run own lab). Only stumbling block was one guy who I've met before grill me on technical details (promoter used on a transgenic mouse model) in a project that I wasn't even responsible for.

Very very depressing. :( Really liked that school. oh well 2 down, waiting on 1 more school to go won't know until 2 weeks from now.

update: depression -> disbelief;

Update: found out I was rejected because I couldn't answer 3 questions. Three questions which even my immediate supervisor (PHD) could not answer. One concerned the paper I was collecting data for that had not been published and more data was needed. They wanted to know the results for it which I could not provide so I told them results were pending. For that I am judged with a lack of curiosity, rationale, and lack of questioning, and I should've read the background papers. There were no background papers to read because nothing had been published yet. Was I unfairly judged?
 
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aidanjm

Lifer
Aug 9, 2004
12,411
2
0
Originally posted by: Anonemous
Oh well,

Thought the interview went well. But the committee members said I didn't have enough curiosity and background... Coming from an engineering (BME) background into biological sciences. I asked many questions, read up on research that the interviewers were conducting, and had a lot of lab tech skills (run own lab). Only stumbling block was one guy who I've met before grill me on technical details (promoter used on a transgenic mouse model) in a project that I wasn't even responsible for.

Very very depressing. :( Really liked that school. oh well 2 down, waiting on 1 more school to go won't know until 2 weeks from now.
Click to expand...

:( sorry to hear that.

out of interest, why did you decide to apply for grad school?
 
A

Anonemous

Diamond Member
May 19, 2003
7,361
1
71
Originally posted by: aidanjm
Originally posted by: Anonemous
Oh well,

Thought the interview went well. But the committee members said I didn't have enough curiosity and background... Coming from an engineering (BME) background into biological sciences. I asked many questions, read up on research that the interviewers were conducting, and had a lot of lab tech skills (run own lab). Only stumbling block was one guy who I've met before grill me on technical details (promoter used on a transgenic mouse model) in a project that I wasn't even responsible for.

Very very depressing. :( Really liked that school. oh well 2 down, waiting on 1 more school to go won't know until 2 weeks from now.
Click to expand...

:( sorry to hear that.

out of interest, why did you decide to apply for grad school?
Click to expand...

I guess to see if I could contribute to the field and proceed to the next step in research in a particular field. To also gain a bit more freedom and creativity on projects as well and a deeper understanding.
 
A

aidanjm

Lifer
Aug 9, 2004
12,411
2
0
Originally posted by: Anonemous
Originally posted by: aidanjm
Originally posted by: Anonemous
Oh well,

Thought the interview went well. But the committee members said I didn't have enough curiosity and background... Coming from an engineering (BME) background into biological sciences. I asked many questions, read up on research that the interviewers were conducting, and had a lot of lab tech skills (run own lab). Only stumbling block was one guy who I've met before grill me on technical details (promoter used on a transgenic mouse model) in a project that I wasn't even responsible for.

Very very depressing. :( Really liked that school. oh well 2 down, waiting on 1 more school to go won't know until 2 weeks from now.
Click to expand...

:( sorry to hear that.

out of interest, why did you decide to apply for grad school?
Click to expand...

I guess to see if I could contribute to the field and proceed to the next step in research in a particular field. To also gain a bit more freedom and creativity on projects as well and a deeper understanding.
Click to expand...

any way you can get some detailed feedback on why they didn't take your application, so maybe you could improve your chances on a future application?
 
A

Anonemous

Diamond Member
May 19, 2003
7,361
1
71
Originally posted by: jagec
You only applied to three? Yikes.
Click to expand...

beats paying too much in app. fees when you can only go into one. plus I only had my heart set on this one.
 
A

Anonemous

Diamond Member
May 19, 2003
7,361
1
71
Originally posted by: aidanjm
Originally posted by: Anonemous
Originally posted by: aidanjm
Originally posted by: Anonemous
Oh well,

Thought the interview went well. But the committee members said I didn't have enough curiosity and background... Coming from an engineering (BME) background into biological sciences. I asked many questions, read up on research that the interviewers were conducting, and had a lot of lab tech skills (run own lab). Only stumbling block was one guy who I've met before grill me on technical details (promoter used on a transgenic mouse model) in a project that I wasn't even responsible for.

Very very depressing. :( Really liked that school. oh well 2 down, waiting on 1 more school to go won't know until 2 weeks from now.
Click to expand...

:( sorry to hear that.

out of interest, why did you decide to apply for grad school?
Click to expand...

I guess to see if I could contribute to the field and proceed to the next step in research in a particular field. To also gain a bit more freedom and creativity on projects as well and a deeper understanding.
Click to expand...

any way you can get some detailed feedback on why they didn't take your application, so maybe you could improve your chances on a future application?
Click to expand...

I'll see how it goes. Dunno about the politics situation, I knew some of the committee members and they knew me by first name. Thought it was a sure thing but I guess someone didn't like me. Even my PI who is on the committee gave me a rec.
 
D

da loser

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
2,037
0
0
did you apply to the same college as your undergrad? how do you already know these people? i always thought colleges frown on that.
 
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Anonemous

Diamond Member
May 19, 2003
7,361
1
71
Originally posted by: da loser
did you apply to the same college as your undergrad? how do you already know these people? i always thought colleges frown on that.
Click to expand...

nope I actually worked with some of these ppl.
 
her209

her209

No Lifer
Oct 11, 2000
56,336
11
0
Its times like those that when you're makin' bank, make a point to donate a large amount to the rival school.
 
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arcas

Platinum Member
Apr 10, 2001
2,155
2
0
Getting rejected sucks at first but it really isn't too bad. I was rejected from my two top choices. I knew my GRE scores were borderline for those schools but I tried anyway. They basically burned my applications and sent me the ashes. Ah well. Life goes on. Looking back, it was for the best.

As Seinfeld said on one episode, things tend to even out in the end.

 
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novon

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
3,711
0
0
I got rejected from Grad school too, but I only applied to one (don't really want to move). Oh well, I think I'll just invest my tuition.
 
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akodi

Golden Member
Jan 29, 2003
1,073
0
0
grad school is a competitive field, make sure during interviews you have a firm grasp on your own research and express your insights into future projects that shows your ability to formulate worthwhile research. nothing in life is a sure bet, prepare for the worst and hope for the best. good luck with grad school. i'm off to grad school this coming fall.
 
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zimu

Diamond Member
Jun 15, 2001
6,209
0
0
sorry to hear about that. you're not alone, i applied to 8, been rejected from UMICH and Berkeley so far.... berkeley was top choice, although i knew i didn't have a chance in the world.

very very depressing start to the 'hearing back' process. i feel your pain.
 
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Anonemous

Diamond Member
May 19, 2003
7,361
1
71
yes it is, but it's a real low blow that's gut wrenching when you've worked and dedicated yourself to the research and be told they were accepting 85% of the people they interviewed (I made it to round 3). Was literally right on the doorstep and bang they shut it right in your face.

 
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Anonemous

Diamond Member
May 19, 2003
7,361
1
71
Originally posted by: her209
Its times like those that when you're makin' bank, make a point to donate a large amount to the rival school.
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yep /awaits rival school's decision
 
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Anonemous

Diamond Member
May 19, 2003
7,361
1
71
i'll let you know once I've calmed down, and after everything is set.

/right now is angry/frustrated/depressed/dunno how I'll be able to face some of the people on the committee that I work with come Monday
 
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