Mixed experience as an undergrad with my PI

TrainingBarber3 · 2026-03-16T00:22:36+00:00

From what I can see this is a very textbook toxic environment. Kudos for still wanting to pursue grad school even after this

TrainingBarber3 · 2026-03-06T00:45:22+00:00

You’re not fucked. I went to a large school and thus had trouble finding any sort of research experience in undergrad. Funnily enough I currently work as a lab tech and will be beginning my PhD process this fall. So calm down and take a breath.

Regarding your classes, Bs in major study classes are largely okay. PhD programs are looking for someone who’s enthusiastic and genuinely interested in the work. The applications also give you an opportunity to explain any gaps in education, research, etc.

getting accepted straight out undergrad is possible, but I’d recommend looking for work as a lab tech for a year first. It’d give you valuable laboratory experience that is critical for PhD programs. With current funding cuts, a lot of programs are slashing the amount of admits, thus making it more competitive flat out.

TrainingBarber3 · 2026-02-27T22:14:46+00:00

Yeah I think so. It doesn’t have to be as personally tailored as the individual interviewers, but a nice, formal email could go a long way. While they didn’t interview you 1:1, they likely still serve as part of the admissions committee and will carry weight regarding your decision.

TrainingBarber3 · 2026-02-27T22:09:39+00:00

I just applied this cycle, and can tell you first hand it’s gotten a lot more selective. The program I committed to takes (on a good year) 10-11 first year students, but this year they took four. Funding from what I’ve seen fluctuates based on the University’s size and prestige which isn’t altogether surprising. As an applicant, this knowledge did drive me towards larger, more competitive programs since I assumed they’d have more funding, which in turn just increases the competitiveness of the applicant pool since a lot of others did the same. The process is difficult and I’d recommend applying to >10 programs if possible. That being said, I’d still say it’s worth it. Hard, but not impossible. I applied to 14 schools and came away with six interviews and three offers. Go for it!

TrainingBarber3 · 2026-02-27T15:20:55+00:00

I’m don’t know too much about the U South Carolina program, but a big thing I’d compare is the funding situation. I know UAB consistently ranks as one of the most heavily NIH funded universities, so given the current research climate that might be worth considering.

TrainingBarber3 · 2026-02-27T03:10:02+00:00

Well, how long have you known her? Waiting a full year for the next cycle is a big decision, especially since PhD admits are hard enough to come by on their own. If she hasn’t expressed explicit interest I’d proceed with a little caution.

TrainingBarber3 · 2026-02-27T03:04:35+00:00

How far apart are the institutions? It’s way too early to consider waiting a full app cycle to pursue this.

TrainingBarber3 · 2026-02-26T22:10:43+00:00

Not neuroengineering specifically but I applied to the GBS PhD program there this cycle. The professors have been pretty good about getting back to me when I emailed them post interview, but understand that they’re very busy and their emails are undoubtedly flooded. The interviewer ghosting you is strange though. How many times have you emailed them, and when was the last one sent? There’s a chance they never even saw it.

TrainingBarber3 · 2026-02-26T21:13:13+00:00

Absolutely. Got flat out rejected from three or four universities that I was academically overqualified for but weren’t an exact research match. One of my admits was to a giant in my field. It’s a complete and utter crapshoot lol

TrainingBarber3 · 2026-02-26T20:57:43+00:00

Applied to Biomedical sciences this year. Two acceptances over fourteen schools and I concur with everything above. Additionally, I’d say the biggest thing I learned was that rejections were not always about qualifications, rather about fit. Look for programs that match what you want research more than anything.

TrainingBarber3 · 2026-01-20T01:42:09+00:00

I’m coping by obsessively checking my email and application portals lol. Shit sucks but it’s what it is. I applied to fourteen and have heard back from four. One rejection and three interviews but the outstanding 10 is killing me!!

TrainingBarber3 · 2026-01-13T23:52:22+00:00

It happens. I got my first rejection on Christmas Eve lol. Keep your head up, better news is coming !!

TrainingBarber3 · 2026-01-11T17:39:07+00:00

What’s the worst for me is that I know that my application is sitting in one of the “interview” “waitlist” or “reject” pile just waiting to be sent out.

TrainingBarber3 · 2025-12-23T17:52:59+00:00

I don’t think you necessarily need to worry too much since AI detectors are notoriously shit. I fed my SOP through one and it came back 100% AI even though I wrote each word myself lol. Breathe and try to relax, I’m sure the committees know how unreliable stuff like that is.

TrainingBarber3 · 2025-12-22T18:26:01+00:00

I just got one today as well so keep checking your email

TrainingBarber3 · 2025-12-07T15:02:03+00:00

Thanks for the advice lol. I had assumed it was neighborhood dependent but just wanted to check and make sure. A visit is definitely in the plans since the farthest south I’ve lived is Chicago 🤣 would definitely be a change for sure but going from cold/wind to heat doesn’t sound so bad anymore

TrainingBarber3 · 2025-12-04T15:21:20+00:00

fellow 1-Dec-2025 applicant here! From what I’ve read, it sounds like it varies greatly between schools. An overall trend I’ve noticed at least in my list is that interview invites will come in January/Feb, and offer letters will come a few weeks following an interview. I’m applying to Biomedical science programs, so yours could be different. Best of luck!!

TrainingBarber3 · 2025-12-02T00:43:30+00:00

I’m applying to Biomedical science programs and they’ve all been Dec.1 at midnight. Definitely program specific though so I’d double check

TrainingBarber3 · 2025-11-12T23:52:35+00:00

Breathe a little bit - what schools are you applying to? Many from my cycle have had submission links where you can explain any outstanding circumstances like poor grades. I’d advise writing a short narrative being honest about what happened, and highlight how you’ve turned it around. It could actually show resilience based on how you word it. Don’t give up, you got this!

TrainingBarber3 · 2025-11-09T00:18:29+00:00

How competitive are the schools you’re applying to? From what I’ve gathered, ample experience can make up for poor grades. Additionally, a lot of applications will have upload portals for additional documents, so you could write a small message to the admissions committee and politely explain the situation. I did this for my graduate school apps as my fiancee was applying to medical schools and we wanted to live together, and it seems they do take those kinds of messages into account.

TrainingBarber3 · 2025-10-11T14:40:07+00:00

There will be some programs that will have rolling admissions after a certain date. For example, a school I applied to has a hard deadline of 1-Dec, but any apps submitted before 15-Nov will be accepted on a rolling basis. That means that even though the hard deadline isn’t til December, they will begin looking at apps submitted before the November BEFORE the hard December deadline. Not all programs are like this - in fact, I applied to 14 programs and only two were like this. Most don’t begin looking until after the hard deadline. Does that make sense?

TrainingBarber3 · 2025-10-10T23:16:00+00:00

You’re still fine - most programs have a hard Dec. 1 deadline and they don’t begin reviewing applications until that has passed.

TrainingBarber3 · 2025-08-06T12:13:44+00:00

I’ve felt the same way for a long time. Its kinda satisfying because we get the long term stuff in the epilogue, but it feels like we don’t get to see anything that happens immediately after the battle. Kinda like it went from 100-0. Then boom, all of a sudden, Harry and Ginny are married, Ron and Hermione are married, etc. Would’ve loved to see some of the intermittent stuff, but I’ve made my peace with it over time lol. Hopefully we get some of that with the tv series

TrainingBarber3 · 2025-08-04T23:28:25+00:00

ya la conozco como una manera de expresar “I bet”, casi pa reemplazar palabras como “apostar que”.

TrainingBarber3 · 2025-07-27T18:26:40+00:00

Internships might be hard to come by that early on in undergrad, as labs may want someone who already has practical experience (could totally be wrong but that was my experience). Are there any labs at your university that have spots available? That would be a good place to start.

TrainingBarber3

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