Dr. Tsu-Shen Tsao, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, and Isabel Loftin, doctoral student in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology (BMCB) made many excellent points and suggestions at the panel presentation "Unraveling the Mysteries of Graduate School" held June 15, 2006.

Ms. Loftin advised us that there are a variety of programs offered not only at the University of Arizona but also in other universities across the nation. She stressed the importance of speaking to the graduate students working in research labs at the university you plan to attend. It is important to know what the professors and learning environment are like before you select a graduate program. Both Dr. Tsao and Ms. Loftin mentioned keeping options open and not selecting a school where there is only one professor in whose work you are interested.

Ms. Loftin mentioned that obtained a minor in philosophy while doing her BMCB studies. Being in one program does not limit other passions in life, and it is good to get the most out of graduate school. She also noted that money should not be a barrier to attending graduate school. Good programs provide support for their doctoral students through training grants, research grants of the student's major professor, or teaching assistantships. Students can also apply directly for fellowships to support their doctoral work. Such fellowships include the National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship and the Ford Foundation Minority Fellowship. Students who secure these funds can study anywhere because they have their own funding.

Dr.Tsu-Shen Tsao serves on the BMCB graduate admission committee and spoke about the application process. To be a competitive applicant, it is extremely important to do research as an undergraduate (not a problem for UBRP students!). It is also important to be able to explain your research to a panel of interviewers. They want to be reassured that you understand what goes on in the lab. Letters of recommendation are also a key component of the application, especially the letter from the principal investigator of your lab. Dr. Tsao said the recommendations should come from a person who truly knows you, so that they are genuine and not generic. A stellar GPA is not as essential as it is in a medical school application. A GPA of 3.2 or so should not discourage you from applying to graduate school. The most important advice I received from this presentation was that a perfect GPA is not required and that other aspects of your undergraduate career will be important in determining your success in being admitted to graduate school and being successful once you get there.

Christina Ceccato, UBRPer in Dr. Parker Antin's lab, Cell Biology & Anatomy