What is your experience like in the program and any advice for applicants?

[Deandraw]

Hello everyone,

I can not express to you how drawn I am to this program. I just found
out about it a few weeks ago from my advisor upon beginning my
application for the Goldwater Scholarship.

I understand any graduate school is competitive, more so those that
are prestigious, and especially such an amazing program that offers
options in another country!!

I am so excited and nervous to apply of course and I wanted to ask
anyone and everyone who is willing about their experience in the
program, what drew them to it, what does it have to offer vs other
domestic schools in the USA, how was the application process,
credential, and any other advice you can give.

I appreciate it,

Deandra

[Cynthia]

Hi Deandra,

I would suggest starting with some of the older posts on this forum to
get answers to your questions. For example, the ones with these
subjects:
what it's like to have 2 labs
Admissions process, courses, life afterwards
Any Suggestions for Colleges at Oxford??
General Admissions Criteria?

I think most of my comments are still valid a year later.

For some of your other questions:
1)what drew them to it: I think it was the uniqueness of this program
that got my attention. It is also this uniqueness that makes it more
challenging than some other programs. The challenge relates to some
non-science areas, such as navigating bureaucracy, juggling 2+
advisors, dealing with the minimum time/residency restrictions, and
dealing with the cultural differences between US/NIH/UK/universities.
The solutions to these challenges are often non-trivial, but you will
also have to deal with these issues later on in your career, so you
will gain some valuable skills. The question to consider is, whether
you are ready to deal with them now in addition to the huge challenge
of your thesis. There is no right or wrong answer - it is different
for each person.

2)what does it have to offer vs other
domestic schools in the USA,: UK PhDs are much faster. There are no
required courses and no required teaching. The amount of data required
for the thesis is also generally less than in the US. This can be
beneficial and a detrimental, depending on your goals. Being in the UK
also exposes you to slightly different ways of thinking about and
approaching science compared to the US/NIH. You will also learn about
different funding models and career progression tracks in the UK/EU
compared to the US.

Also, Oxford and Cambridge are fun places :) - no US school has 600
year old buildings (they do get a bit cold sometimes though). There
are bizarre traditions here that date from the Middle Ages. They also
have centuries-old prestige - but, as my boss once said, 'You can't
eat prestige'. Think carefully about the scientific and logistic
reasons for coming here first.

I hope that helps. Let me know if you have more questions. Newer
students may have more advice on admissions/interview tips.

Cynthia

[Deandraw]

Cynthia,

Thank you. I see that someone reccomended visiting current students'
biographies on the site to see GPA, GRE etc criteria more detailed, do
you know where these are located?

Thank you,

Deandra

[Deandraw]

Is there an edit button? I miss typed "recommended"

[Tom Johnson]

Hi Deandra--

Student biographies can be found here: http://oxcam.gpp.nih.gov/mentorsAdvisors/currentCohort.asp