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During my time at University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences and partook in research as a McNair Scholar. After graduating from UAB, I knew that I wanted a PhD, but I wasn’t quite sure what steps to take in order to make this goal achievable. It was then that I learned about the Fisk-Vanderbilt Masters-to-PhD Program. I couldn’t believe that a program where someone can earn a master’s degree at Fisk University while making connections at Vanderbilt existed. After applying to the program in April 2019, I waited and in early May, I received a call from Mr. Coca, the program’s coordinator, asking to schedule a phone interview. I was so excited but so nervous. Mr. Coca wished me luck and encouraged me to show my passion for research and science during my interview.
On the day of the phone interview I thought over the research I did during my undergrad and I knew that talking about it was one thing I could do. My interview was conducted over the phone, but I didn’t realize how many people would be part of the interview. When I phoned in, heard each professor hop on the phone line one by one, I think there were a total of 7 or 8 people that dialed in. Dr. Nelms, the Director of Graduate Studies in Biology began the conversation by asking me about my previous research experience and the project that I worked on at UAB and they allowed me the time I needed to answer. They then asked me how I got to applying to the Bridge program as well as what I expected to gain from the program. Each question allowed the professors to get to know me more and show what kind of student I could be. The last question they asked me was, “What is your biggest fear regarding entering a graduate program?”, I thought on it for a bit and I answered honestly, “I don’t have any, I think I’m ready.” With that, my interview ended and a few weeks later, I got an e-mail from Mr. Coca with summaries of each available lab in the program and was asked to rate each one from 1-10, with 1 indicating that I have little interest in the lab and 10 with great interest. I rated the Nelms lab and the Ramanathan lab highly. Afterwards, Dr. Nelms and Dr. Ramanathan called me separately to discuss the research their labs focus on. Later, Dr. Nelms called to inform me that I had been admitted to the program and to choose which lab I would like to be a part of, his or Dr. Ramanathan’s. I chose Dr. Ramanathan’s as I was most interested in the research done in her lab. If I could go back and redo anything, it would be to not be so nervous or afraid to ask questions. I was so nervous for my interview and to meet Dr. Ramanathan for the first time. But after getting to know the faculty and program directors, I realize that I didn’t need to be afraid. All the faculty in the program want to help the students succeed at their goals, whatever they may be. This program is run by people who genuinely care about every student’s desired goal and will aid in the process to achieve this goal. This is not an easy program by any means but from where I stand, the hard work is so worth it. I can’t wait to see where this program will lead me.
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4/28/2020 44 Comments Jodiene JohnsonI am a nontraditional student, and I think that has helped me tremendously in my graduate school career. Before joining Dr. Ramanathan’s lab as a master’s student, I worked in both healthcare and education. Working at a university and being exposed to different types of research pushed me to earn an advanced degree and to pursue a career in research. When I joined Dr. R.’s lab, I had a lot to learn, but with her guidance, I believe I have grown tremendously both as a student and aspiring scientist. My master’s thesis research and coursework helped me to realize my excitement for the field of cancer biology. In the fall of 2019, I applied to Ph.D. programs across the U.S. I interviewed Emory, Stanford, University of Washington, and Vanderbilt and decided to commit to the Molecular and Cellular Biology Ph.D. program at the University of Washington (UW). Here is an overview of my graduate school application process and how I eventually decided on UW.
First, I made a list of graduate programs I was interested in applying to based on my research interests. I finalized my list with help from Dr. R. and the bridge program faculty/administrators. Since I knew I wanted to continue my research focus in cancer biology, I focused on schools that had strong cancer biology programs. I used an excel spreadsheet to organize the application requirements and other relevant information for the schools I planned on applying to. This spreadsheet helped me to stay organized; therefore, I highly recommend using one or something similar. Next, I focused on writing my statements. Overall, I had to write four different statements: a personal statement, statement of intent, research statement, and diversity statement. Each program will specify the type of statement they require; however, it will be all or some combination of the four I listed above. My personal statement and statement of intent were very similar. I focused on my work and research experience because I believed those experiences best highlighted by capabilities and strengths. I recommend focusing on experiences that highlight who you are and show that you will be successful in a Ph.D. program. It is also fine to include personal information if it is relevant. For example, I wrote about my family’s experience with cancer because it was my primary motivation for pursuing a career in cancer biology. The advice I would give is to start early. Writing about yourself sounds easy, but it was hard for me even when I knew what I wanted to write. I made a lot of revisions to my statement, and the iterations helped me to tell a cohesive and well-written story about myself. For most programs, the completed application and all supporting materials (letters of recommendation; CV) are due early December. I had of all my letters submitted in early November, and all my applications finalized by the end of November. I heard back from all the programs I applied to by mid-January. My final interview was in early March. I had another spreadsheet that I used to record information about each program, such as resources, quality of faculty, financial support, and my overall impression about the program after the interview was complete. Ultimately, I decided to attend UW because of the quality of research, quality of faculty, their emphasis on supporting students, and the fact that it was the program I was most excited about after all the interviews were over. My advice is to pick a program in a location that you know you will thrive. I wanted a program where I would be trained well, and a city that would allow me to enjoy my interests in art, music, and travel, and UW in Seattle provided that for me. 12/4/2019 4 Comments Clarke BagsbyBefore I came to college, I wasn’t really sure of what I wanted my career to be in the science/ health field. I always thought that I wanted to be a doctor because that’s who I had shadowed all throughout high school and learned about in high school. My parents trusted the profession because it was guaranteed I would be able to have a well-off life; what they approved of mattered to me heavily which was why the profession stuck. The fall semester was an eye-opening experience because I was away from parents and other mentors which allowed me to see the science community from an unbiased viewpoint. I became aware of different types of science careers other than doctors.
When I found out about biomedical research, the passion for science within me cried tears of joy. It was the perfect balance of working with my hands, critically thinking, and solving problems all of what I enjoyed doing. After talking with Dr. Limbird, she recommended me to Dr. Ramanathan’s research in cancer biology. At first, I was hesitant about going to the meetings because I knew I was going to be lost in the literature. I thought research was going to be long, boring meetings in which I wouldn’t understand what they were talking about. Just hearing the words “Biomedical Research” sounds prestigious and exclusive of those not able to comprehend large terms and concepts. But, after explanation of the literature from Dr. R and the other students in the lab, it all is very basic to the Biology that I was currently learning. Biomedical research is taking those concepts and amplifying them to real world medical issues that is solved through critical thinking, application of those thoughts in experiments, and replication for solutions to be made. Of course, in the first couple of months I had joined the lab, I had no idea what I had really gotten myself into. Now that I am almost 9 months in, I understand protocols that I had never heard of, literature that has become easier to read and comprehend, and how to read data that would usually be difficult to understand. I have been able to put into practice everything that I had learned from my classes to everything we are doing the lab. The best part of biomedical research is that you continue to learn everyday about the science you enjoy doing and I love it! Dr. Ramanathan took a chance with me by allowing me to learn and shadow students during the semester to eventually doing my own experiments in the summer. Having the experiences in the lab this summer further expanded my tenacity for a career in the sciences. Looking ahead toward my career, I want to pursue a PhD. I’m not sure of what I want to get my PhD in, but hopefully during the rest of my undergraduate time at Fisk I will be able to pick out my interests. I really enjoy cancer biology because of my time in Dr. Ramanathan’s lab, but I want to explore more. Next summer, I want to do research at another institution to see what else biomedical research has to offer. All in all, I am excited for my journey toward getting a PhD and can’t wait to see where it takes me. |