u/Ok-Wishbone-3471

hi guys! i was just wondering to anyone who has applied or is applying for programs, when is the best time to reach out to pis for the upcoming phd application cycle? i've heard that it's best to wait until the first or second week of september because professors are on vacation, starting classes, etc. rn i am making lists of pis i would like to work with from each of the universities i want to apply to, but i don't want to contact pis too late and lose my spot, if it makes sense.

hi guys! i want to apply for phd school in the upcoming application cycle but im not sure how to gauge my candidacy; especially research wise. i have been in a lab for the past two years studying a chemokine pathway in flat worm regeneration, but last year my research was put on hold temporarily because of funding cuts. this year, however, i will be resuming my research. i wrote and proposed an honor's thesis for this project, and per that thesis "program" i am taking graduate-level classes in biotechnology applications (wet lab course) and biometry. additionally, i studied abroad in india over the winter where i assisted in clinical lab work (taking patient vitals, processing blood samples, etc.). also, i am currently working on characterizing potential mold growth on mold-resistant drywall for a private company (involves developing protocols for sample testing and analysis). i am also working on publishing a review article on herbal remedies in cancer treatment and targeting vegf in tumor development. i have a 3.71 gpa with a biology major and chemistry minor from a small state school in pa. i tutor biochemistry and have been the supplemental instructor for general chemistry 1 and 2 for the past years. next year, i will do si for gen chem 1 in the fall and in the spring i will si for biochem. i have taken courses in immunology and virology and received full marks, so my knowledge of immunology topics is strong. however, being that my research background is primarily in stem cell research, i worry about how immunology faculty will see my background. obviously, chemokines are a topic prevalent in both stem cell and immunology projects, but my research focuses on chemokine interactions with stem cells post-injury (very stem cell-specific). ultimately, my goal is to go into the vaccine industry to make vaccines that are more affordable and globally accessible, so im hoping to join a lab with a similar focus. however, i dont have any wet lab experience in the vaccine field of immunology. i tried to get an internship this summer but received a full round of rejections, so applying to grad school this year seems very scary bc i dont want to receive another full round of rejections. im also going to apply to some masters programs and post-bacc/internship programs, but a phd is my top choice.

hi guys! i want to apply for phd school in the upcoming application cycle but im not sure how to gauge my candidacy; especially research wise. i have been in a lab for the past two years studying a chemokine pathway in flat worm regeneration, but last year my research was put on hold temporarily because of funding cuts. this year, however, i will be resuming my research. i wrote and proposed an honor's thesis for this project, and per that thesis "program" i am taking graduate-level classes in biotechnology applications (wet lab course) and biometry. additionally, i studied abroad in india over the winter where i assisted in clinical lab work (taking patient vitals, processing blood samples, etc.). also, i am currently working on characterizing potential mold growth on mold-resistant drywall for a private company (involves developing protocols for sample testing and analysis). i am also working on publishing a review article on herbal remedies in cancer treatment and targeting vegf in tumor development. i have a 3.71 gpa with a biology major and chemistry minor from a small state school in pa. i tutor biochemistry and have been the supplemental instructor for general chemistry 1 and 2 for the past years. next year, i will do si for gen chem 1 in the fall and in the spring i will si for biochem. i have taken courses in immunology and virology and received full marks, so my knowledge of immunology topics is strong. however, being that my research background is primarily in stem cell research, i worry about how immunology faculty will see my background. obviously, chemokines are a topic prevalent in both stem cell and immunology projects, but my research focuses on chemokine interactions with stem cells post-injury (very stem cell-specific). ultimately, my goal is to go into the vaccine industry to make vaccines that are more affordable and globally accessible, so im hoping to join a lab with a similar focus. however, i dont have any wet lab experience in the vaccine field of immunology. i tried to get an internship this summer but received a full round of rejections, so applying to grad school this year seems very scary bc i dont want to receive another full round of rejections. im also going to apply to some masters programs and post-bacc/internship programs, but a phd is my top choice.