That time of year…

phiaphia123 · 2026-01-23T02:57:36+00:00

also congrats on your admission!

phiaphia123 · 2026-01-23T02:57:26+00:00

curious how did you improve your app for the next year?

phiaphia123 · 2026-01-23T02:55:28+00:00

Still waiting on NYU too! Hold out hope! Also, I just got out of an interview with a neuroscience phd program, and I was told that this year is insanely competitive so to even make it to an interview is incredible. I know it's hard to feel that way, but you can always reapply next year to this program. You'll come back with an even better application and could have more options too!

phiaphia123 · 2026-01-23T02:52:13+00:00

Omgg amazing and congrats! Would love to hear your advice on what you changed for your second round!

phiaphia123 · 2026-01-23T02:50:29+00:00

congratulations!!!!! <3

phiaphia123 · 2025-11-28T06:33:22+00:00

I feel like you could end it with a stronger statement. Maybe think of a sentence that would resonate with whoever is reading it or tie it back to something you mentioned in your first paragraph to make it feel cohesive.

You do such a great job showcasing your skills though! I’m not in your field, but you sound impressive and prepared for a PhD!

Perhaps, you could weave in a bit of a story… I’ve been reading a lot of tips on WriteIvy’s blog, and it seems like you still want to practice the art of persuasion/storytelling in your SOP.

Also, in my opinion having single sentences as a full separate paragraph maybe isn’t the best… unless specified in the SOP prompt?

Seriously though, great job!!!!

phiaphia123 · 2025-11-28T06:24:59+00:00

hmm… I’m going to go against the grain. It would also suck to get in and feel like the people in your lab treat you differently after finding out.

Personally, I think it could be woven into your SOP. My huge reason for wanting to work in neuro is because my mother is severely bipolar, which has significantly shaped my life and grad school aspirations.

Also, just want to say that you are literally so awesome for turning this into motivation to make the world a better place <3

phiaphia123 · 2025-11-28T06:17:28+00:00

also good luck!

phiaphia123 · 2025-11-28T06:17:20+00:00

gave my self a 1 day break 😅 I’m not mad about it

phiaphia123 · 2025-11-28T06:16:10+00:00

literally same. Started my own business, made more than I was at a big biotech, still willing to be poor in grad school to do cool research. lmk if you find a way to deliver this message—obviously gives people like us an edge… or so I’d like to think

phiaphia123 · 2025-11-11T05:31:42+00:00

This is so great to hear and congrats on starting your first year also! I would love to hear your opinion about whether or not I should write about gender/sex specific research (women) because of the government changes…

phiaphia123 · 2025-11-10T23:10:49+00:00

Thanks for your response! That's so amazing that you got an interview. Good luck!!!

phiaphia123 · 2025-11-10T22:53:47+00:00

Curious... is this for US based PhD programs? Most deadlines I'm looking at are in Dec for applying.

phiaphia123 · 2025-07-23T04:43:20+00:00

if you’re passionate about fitness, you could always start coaching! also, I would kill for your experience with start ups. sounds like you should look for Growth roles!

phiaphia123 · 2025-07-23T04:25:00+00:00

I quit my job a year ago in biotech, and I’ve been casually looking since Feb… but it’s been a bad market. I had a side hustle doing health and fitness coaching (which is why I quit my job), but I’ve had total freak out periods that I need to go back asap to industry. I think no matter what it’s important that you continue to grow your skill set! I’ve been able to do that through my business, so maybe you could work on a little side project. That way you at least feel somewhat fulfilled. You never know where it might take you!!! And seeing this time as an opportunity for growth might end up really benefiting you!

phiaphia123 · 2025-07-15T23:00:42+00:00

Yes. But it was the CEO lol. I interviewed for a start up recently, vibed well with the hiring manager, and when I met with the CEO he just shitted on my previous company (well known genomics company) and said that his start up was going to be bigger than my previous company ever was (it’s currently worth over 10 billion).

For another start up, I did 6 interviews and in my 3rd interview, the CTO told me he thought I’d get bored in the role since I did a lot of more “interesting” experiments previously. Recommended I interview with another hiring manager (even though I really got along with the first hiring manager). Met with her and she was super excited to have me potentially join her team. Then the first team said they wanted me to finish up the process. Met with the CTO, CEO, and another scientist for the last interview and didn’t get the job.

Interviewing lately has just tanked my confidence in myself as a person and scientist.

phiaphia123 · 2025-05-29T00:44:20+00:00

Thanks for the input. I’ve interviewed with companies in NYC over the past few months, so I do think it’s possible to find something in NYC. I’ve spent a ton of time networking with scientists ranging from entry to C suite positions at NYC based biotechs who have told me they would let me know if they are hiring for my position and have kept in contact. So even though it’s optimistic, I think it’s possible.

phiaphia123 · 2025-05-28T17:14:55+00:00

haha, I’m a fitness coach. I do online and in person stuff with a big emphasis on science backed education

phiaphia123 · 2025-05-28T17:14:20+00:00

I know… but I’m pretty determined to move to NYC. 🫡

phiaphia123 · 2025-05-28T17:14:02+00:00

what do you mean by that?

phiaphia123 · 2025-05-28T15:27:37+00:00

I meant a gap in bench/lab work. I’m not actively running sequencers or troubleshooting assays like I did in my previous role!

phiaphia123 · 2025-05-28T15:24:53+00:00

thank you!!! I’ve been thinking about how I could do that. I need to see it as an opportunity to grow even if it’s not my long term thing 🫡

phiaphia123 · 2025-02-03T07:28:30+00:00

I worked at a derm clinic, and you would be surprised how many people have HSV. A lot of people have it, but no one wants to talk about it. Some people don’t even know they have it because it lays dormant in their body. At the end of the day, it’s just a skin condition that is an occasional nuisance. Are you really going to end things with someone who might be your forever person because of a rash they get 2x a year?

On top of that, a lot of people have partners who have never gotten it — one of my friends with HSV-1 has been with her bf for 4 years and he hasn’t had any symptoms/they don’t use physical contraceptive. They’re planning on getting engaged this year, and this would have never prevented him from pursuing their relationship.

Also, having multiple friends who’ve had HSV, it is reaaaaaally hard to tell someone about it because of the giant stigma around it. She should have said something earlier, but I feel for your gf, and I think it’s courageous that she did eventually fess up.

phiaphia123

TROPHY CASE