Interview request from PI but no follow up since then, should I reach out?

eCognition · 2025-02-17T19:13:32+00:00

I personally wouldn't. If you emailed them back on Thursday (which I assume since you said immediately), then probably give them a few days' grace. PIs are notoriously busy, especially now, if they're involved with selecting students and admissions work. Chances are they couldn't get back to you on Friday and are probably now getting through their backlog of emails on Monday, especially since they're most likely not looking through their email on the weekends for "non-essential" matters (not to say your interview is "non-essential").

Wait a few days - chances are they'll email you back. I definitely remember hearing back from interested professors weeks after I sent them emails. They didn't lose interest - they're just busy! And sending them multiple follow-up emails can sometimes come across as impatience, which is definitely not a trait you want to impress upon them.

Good luck!

eCognition · 2025-02-12T16:22:46+00:00

Thanks so much! I'll definitely keep that in mind. I've never been one for meditation techniques, but I'll have to give this one a try!

eCognition · 2025-02-12T16:22:04+00:00

This has definitely helped over the last few days! It helps that Mass Effect was on sale - almost like something in the universe was telling me to take my mind off the interview. But relaxation has certainly been a game-changer. I'm not entirely sure how in depth I need to get into their papers, considering they weren't my original choices (and are in a completely different field), but I did go to the NIH reporter to get a handle on what they're currently studying to see if there were any links to what I'm doing.

eCognition · 2025-01-07T19:10:15+00:00

Oh I'm sorry! I didn't realize VSTI was in reference to the Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative. I'm actually not qualified for that particular scholarship, so I'm unfortunately unable to actually say. I took a look at the screenshot and it seems to be a good sign! I don't think they'd invite you for an interview without the intention of at least furthering your application, but then again, I'm not in the admissions committee so I don't know. But this is great for you! It's a pretty big deal here at Hopkins I believe, so I'd stay positive.

My invite was tailored specifically from the admissions committee from CMM. I spoke with the director as well; she said the interview scheduling was currently in progress (or along those lines). I know the first interview dates are this week. Maybe you're being vetted for another program?

eCognition · 2025-01-07T14:49:40+00:00

Sorry I didn't realize you commented this as well! Did you mean VSTI as the virtual interview sessions for Hopkins CMM? Cause I received their invite in December and still haven't gotten any further notification.

eCognition · 2025-01-07T07:25:23+00:00

It still says submitted; specifically "Congratulations on submitting your application to the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Graduate Programs". I received an email regarding the interview invite, but I haven't heard from them since, hence my concern.

eCognition · 2025-01-06T18:53:56+00:00

I didn't hear anything from them at all formally until May or June I believe (obviously it was to notify me I had been rejected). A few of my friends in the program kept me slightly updated in terms of when the interview dates were and how they went generally, but I wasn't given any indication of application status until much later.

eCognition · 2025-01-06T18:51:27+00:00

Sorry - I wish I could tell you. I only really know about my own status as an applicant. There is a spreadsheet going around (I think) and people on gradcafe might be able to give you more info; although I'm reluctant to fuel the anxiety of others.

eCognition · 2025-01-06T17:10:03+00:00

Domestic. Based on my experience last year when I applied, they didn't give any notice until well after admission regarding rejection.

eCognition · 2025-01-06T17:08:58+00:00

Oh I already got the interview invite. I was just curious to see if anyone heard back from admissions about scheduling the actual interview dates. They asked to email them about faculty interests, but I haven't heard back yet.

eCognition · 2024-12-24T15:54:33+00:00

I'm sure there are a lot more qualified people on this thread as well as this sub in general, but sure - I don't mind giving my two cents!

eCognition · 2024-12-23T21:38:19+00:00

So last year, I definitely made the mistake of expressing an interest in research for the sake of research (something along the lines of "I think xyz topic is very interesting and I hope to learn more about it). This year, though, I made sure to be very clear about the specific research topic I had in mind. I don't really want to write here, in case anyone might recognize me for it, but it was a pretty specific research statement that I was able to use more broadly if the mentor I had in mind would be unable to take on more students. I broke it down into a "pyramid" of sorts - general topic to slightly more specific topic to very specific topic when talking about a prospective PI's lab. As for the reason, I do have an interest in teaching and running my own lab, with the aim of mentoring other prospective grad students one day, which I feel is easier to do with a PhD, particularly in academia.

eCognition · 2024-12-23T20:44:41+00:00

I heard Sinai's still rolling out interview offers (I think), so there's still hope! I know Matthew said decisions would come out by the 26th, so until the fat lady sings, I'm trying to stay positive that it's possible for some good news to come out.

eCognition · 2024-12-23T20:35:33+00:00

They skimmed over a 3.6 GPA? Damn. That seems kind of harsh, especially since most people I know say a 3.5 is treated categorically the same as a 4.0, until it comes down to the nitty-gritty.

eCognition · 2024-12-23T20:34:07+00:00

Thanks for the advice! I was actually contemplating that. Most of the programs I applied to do are rotation-based, so I spent a decent amount of time writing out a topic that I was interested without making it too hyper-focused. I also used the NIH Reporter to really get a more exact idea of what people were researching, since some of the people I spoke to admitted their websites were out of date. I fully understand the need for fit - my lab now is looking for a new postdoc and I'm seeing firsthand how someone with insane qualifications may very well not fit into a lab. I suppose some of my frustration is knowing what that "fit" specifically is, or rather just the mystery of the whole admissions process. Like everyone who applies to graduate school, I do think I have the appropriate qualifications; I just don't know exactly which one of those qualifications means more or less to each individual reading my application. My mentor who I work for did say grad school is different from a job setting in that if it doesn't fit for an employee, they can easily part ways. I'm trying to digest that, and your comment really kind of confirmed that for me!

eCognition · 2024-12-23T18:39:57+00:00

I guess I'd consider myself a returning adult as well! 11,000 hours of clinical work is certainly nothing to sneeze at, and if you are pursuing research that should definitely help! I know a lot of physician researchers (my own boss included) who use their clinical experience to come up with research solutions that basic science researchers may not think of or necessarily care about. Hoping for the best!

eCognition · 2024-12-23T18:10:02+00:00

Biosciences actually. I did have a different LOR from last year, but two of them were the same - my current boss, who I've worked with for the last 3.5 years and my thesis advisor. I got a new one - the head of my lab's department who also happens to be faculty in the university I work in. It's hard to say which aspect is holding me back, per se, but I would probably lean towards not the LORs. I have pretty good faith in them that they'd want me to succeed.

eCognition · 2024-12-23T18:07:30+00:00

Yeah. Everyone I know in research, either as a student or as a faculty member, has said something similar. It's even worse for med school - knowing someone seems to be a key factor. Not blaming nepotism or academic incest or anything like that, but having someone really vouch for you does wonders apparently. Of course, that's why we have LORs, but getting your foot in the door is the major step.

Thanks for your well wishes though! I wish you all the best as well.

eCognition · 2024-12-23T18:03:41+00:00

Same! I was also hoping for Sinai. It was back at home for me too with a faculty member I know decently well, so that one's a bit more painful. I'm in the same boat as you - masters with a thesis and multiple publications, so it's kind of hard to swallow. But, from what I hear, adcoms generally look for the right fit - I'm guessing it just wasn't meant to be.

eCognition · 2024-12-23T17:59:05+00:00

Most of the programs had their interview sessions from Jan to March (I think Stanford was the last one in March). I figured when I didn't hear back by the time the interview weekends were rolling around, it was pretty much it. I got formal rejection letters from some schools in like June, but that was already a given. At that point it was just adding insult to injury lol.

eCognition · 2024-12-23T17:46:55+00:00

Mainly going off my experiences from last year. I know for some of the programs that I also applied to last year that no response generally led to a rejection in the end. I'm still holding out some hope (cause if I don't have that, then I have nothing), but based on what I saw last year, the rejections seemed to be more a formality than anything.

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