[VENIVIDIVICI]

(Original post by gavinmetcalf)
yeah man, first class all the way! Good man! It's up to you, Imperial and Kings are both very good universities. But it depends on the course differences, plus i do feel from talking to friends and colleagues that a MRes from Imperial will set you in good position for a PhD either at the institution or another one.

Let me know what you decide to do mate!

..this makes me wonder if any of us applicants to the MRes courses at Imperial were (are being) admitted with anything less than a 1st class degree. Although they state a 2.1 as a minimum, it must be so competitive to gain a place, that applicants with 1sts, stand a better chance of admission?

Yes, it does seem that doing studies here as opposed to King's may be better.

[mrbeekle]

(Original post by shizzler)
Any other people doing MSc Physics? Just got an offer yesterday

Hey there. Not doing the MSc Physics, but I am going to do the MSc Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces in the theoretical physics group! You looking forward to it?

[gavinmetcalf]

(Original post by VENIVIDIVICI)
..this makes me wonder if any of us applicants to the MRes courses at Imperial were (are being) admitted with anything less than a 1st class degree. Although they state a 2.1 as a minimum, it must be so competitive to gain a place, that applicants with 1sts, stand a better chance of admission?

Yes, it does seem that doing studies here as opposed to King's may be better.

Yeah, i'm not sure!? I suppose like you say, Imperial have the ability to be picky and only accept the very smartest of people I cannot wait to begin! I have been talking to my undergrad dissertation supervisor and it looks as if he is wanting to get me a slot to talk at the Biochemical society mitochondria bioenergetics conference at Imperial in Sept!! How amazing would that be? to present my undergrad work to all those brilliant minds, and also hopefully make a name for myself before i actually begin my course at the institution!

[VENIVIDIVICI]

Awesome..that would be brilliant and a great way to start your studies at Imperial (overall the 4th best uni & 3rd best for Biological Sciences in the UK according to the CUG 2013 league table). Not bad, not bad at all!

http://www.thecompleteuniversityguid...bles/rankings?

http://www.thecompleteuniversityguid...gical+Sciences

Not that we should look at league tables, as they are all so different and flawed in some ways. But it gives us an indication and a starting point when assessing our options. By the way, the Guardian league table is the worst of the lot...not credible at all.

[VENIVIDIVICI]

(Original post by gavinmetcalf)
yeah man, first class all the way! Good man! It's up to you, Imperial and Kings are both very good universities. But it depends on the course differences, plus i do feel from talking to friends and colleagues that a MRes from Imperial will set you in good position for a PhD either at the institution or another one.

Let me know what you decide to do mate!

Just paid my deposit .

Now, have to decline Birkbeck's offer and I'll have to email King's and tell them not to bother with the interview next month. They took too long with their admissions process. They should have interviewed me weeks ago.

[skyliner]

(Original post by VENIVIDIVICI)
Just paid my deposit .

Now, have to decline Birkbeck's offer and I'll have to email King's and tell them not to bother with the interview next month. They took too long with their admissions process. They should have interviewed me weeks ago.

So it's Imperial then hey? Awesome, well done
I, on the other hand might go for King's. I managed to speak to someone who did the same Mres at Imperial and dropped after a few months because apparently it was too demanding and was expected too much. Like myself, he had an excellent academic background (top student on his course) and also a paper published while he was still an undergraduate student. However, he didn't have much experience in the lab, except of the one gained at university, and according to him that was not enough for this Mres. He didn't say anything bad about the course or the uni itself, only thing he was left in the lab by himself from the very beginning.
Don't take me wrong though, I still believe this Mres is probably one of the best in the UK for whoever wishes to pursue a career in research, but it might not just be for me as I am not sure my lab skills are quite there yet.
And I am still waiting to hear from them with an interview date, it's taking for ever...

[VENIVIDIVICI]

(Original post by skyliner)
So it's Imperial then hey? Awesome, well done
I, on the other hand might go for King's. I managed to speak to someone who did the same Mres at Imperial and dropped after a few months because apparently it was too demanding and was expected too much. Like myself, he had an excellent academic background (top student on his course) and also a paper published while he was still an undergraduate student. However, he didn't have much experience in the lab, except of the one gained at university, and according to him that was not enough for this Mres. He didn't say anything bad about the course or the uni itself, only thing he was left in the lab by himself from the very beginning.
Don't take me wrong though, I still believe this Mres is probably one of the best in the UK for whoever wishes to pursue a career in research, but it might not just be for me as I am not sure my lab skills are quite there yet.
And I am still waiting to hear from them with an interview date, it's taking for ever...

Yep, its Imperial for me mate . I decided to take the leap and not to wait around for King's or UCL to get back to me. I want to put a line under this, so accepted my offer a few days ago and decided to pay the deposit.

About the course...remember what I posted a few days ago...this is exactly what I was talking about. An MRes by nature is like a PhD...its all just research-based and lab-oriented. Not all labs or supervisors will be as supportive as others. I have been in labs, where students are pretty much left on their own to get on with their research. Support from others in the lab or the supervisor can vary greatly, and from this persons experience, it would seem he was pretty much left to get on with it. If you don't have some experience or are more comfortable with having close supervision and support, then maybe an MRes at Imperial will be too full-on.

Its not a failure, but just what suits you best at that point in time. On the other hand, he may have just been unlucky. For every great supervisor out there, there are those who are more out of the lab and busy with lecturing, grant proposals and other academic commitments...and in such cases, the student suffers. It just depends on where you end up and we never know if we'll get a hands-on "in the lab" supie or not.

skyliner, how did you make contact with this ex-student? What else did he say? There's nothing wrong with going to King's for that MSc you have an offer for. Like I said, it a great course and a solid starting point and many students still go onto research career after completing MSc..so an MRes is not the only route to a PhD. . It's what suits your needs.

Why is Imperial taking so long with organising the interviews? If they offer you an interview, will you go or have you decided you'll rather go to King's?

[skyliner]

(Original post by VENIVIDIVICI)
Yep, its Imperial for me mate . I decided to take the leap and not to wait around for King's or UCL to get back to me. I want to put a line under this, so accepted my offer a few days ago and decided to pay the deposit.

About the course...remember what I posted a few days ago...this is exactly what I was talking about. An MRes by nature is like a PhD...its all just research-based and lab-oriented. Not all labs or supervisors will be as supportive as others. I have been in labs, where students are pretty much left on their own to get on with their research. Support from others in the lab or the supervisor can vary greatly, and from this persons experience, it would seem he was pretty much left to get on with it. If you don't have some experience or are more comfortable with having close supervision and support, then maybe an MRes at Imperial will be too full-on.

Its not a failure, but just what suits you best at that point in time. On the other hand, he may have just been unlucky. For every great supervisor out there, there are those who are more out of the lab and busy with lecturing, grant proposals and other academic commitments...and in such cases, the student suffers. It just depends on where you end up and we never know if we'll get a hands-on "in the lab" supie or not.

skyliner, how did you make contact with this ex-student? What else did he say? There's nothing wrong with going to King's for that MSc you have an offer for. Like I said, it a great course and a solid starting point and many students still go onto research career after completing MSc..so an MRes is not the only route to a PhD. . It's what suits your needs.

Why is Imperial taking so long with organising the interviews? If they offer you an interview, will you go or have you decided you'll rather go to King's?

Hey thanks! Yeah I remember what you said the other day and that was my main concern about the Mres at Imperial
This ex-student was a friend of a colleague of mine and as soon as I heard he had been at Imperial I asked about his experience there and stuff.
I think he might have had a few issues with his supervisor actually, apparently was too busy to "supervise" him and left him in the lab to work on his project and use techniques he had never used before without getting any help. So in the end it all became too much and he quit. He also described the place as a little unfriendly but you know what, that was his personal experience and like you said he might just have been unlucky. He managed to do his Phd somewhere else eventually and now works in research.
According to the admission administrator I have been selected for an interview, they just need to set up a date. Will I go? Maybe I should and make my own opinion about the place. But right now i cannot help thinking the Msc at King's might be better for me and being very busy these days working on a review article that should be published by September, I don't want to waste any time and energies for an interview for a place that I might just end up turning down in the end.
We shall see!

[VENIVIDIVICI]

Thanks for that info mate, I appreciate it.

Maybe you must ask him who that supervisor was, so we can avoid any projects in his lab...

Was he on the BMR stream as well?

In terms of the King's offer...I feel the same way about going for an interview there, when I know I've decided to go to Imperial. You can go to the Imperial interview if you still interested and want to exercise choices but your gut feeling will inform you whether you'll go to King's or Imperial.

At least this guy's experience shows that getting in at Imperial isn't easy nor is studying there. Now we know...it won't be easy!

[skyliner]

(Original post by VENIVIDIVICI)
Thanks for that info mate, I appreciate it.

Maybe you must ask him who that supervisor was, so we can avoid any projects in his lab...

Was he on the BMR stream as well?

In terms of the King's offer...I feel the same way about going for an interview there, when I know I've decided to go to Imperial. You can go to the Imperial interview if you still interested and want to exercise choices but your gut feeling will inform you whether you'll go to King's or Imperial.

At least this guy's experience shows that getting in at Imperial isn't easy nor is studying there. Now we know...it won't be easy!

Ah ah I will ask and let you know!
I didn't ask him about the stream but it was the Mres in Biomedical Research.
Yes it's definitely hard to study there mate, but that is why they are so picky. And because it's an Mres it's not just about being smart and having a good academic profile but also you must have very good lab skills which is what I need to improve on as I don't have experience outside uni (reason why I believe they want to interview me as I do meet the rest of their selection criteria)

[VENIVIDIVICI]

(Original post by skyliner)
Ah ah I will ask and let you know!
I didn't ask him about the stream but it was the Mres in Biomedical Research.
Yes it's definitely hard to study there mate, but that is why they are so picky. And because it's an Mres it's not just about being smart and having a good academic profile but also you must have very good lab skills which is what I need to improve on as I don't have experience outside uni (reason why I believe they want to interview me as I do meet the rest of their selection criteria)

Oh, ok, I see. Keep me posted on what's happening with your situation.

Best of luck mate

[skyliner]

(Original post by VENIVIDIVICI)
Oh, ok, I see. Keep me posted on what's happening with your situation.

Best of luck mate

Thank you man, I will keep you posted.
Good luck to you too with the interview for the scholarship at Imperial.

[VENIVIDIVICI]

(Original post by skyliner)
Thank you man, I will keep you posted.
Good luck to you too with the interview for the scholarship at Imperial.

, I'll keep my fingers crossed .

I've not been feeling well , and have got this research article they emailed me to discuss with them as part of the interview process...I still need to prepare for it. Its so complicated....typical Imperial...sending me a very recent Nature published paper of the highest grade .

Thx dude.

[skyliner]

(Original post by VENIVIDIVICI)
, I'll keep my fingers crossed .

I've not been feeling well , and have got this research article they emailed me to discuss with them as part of the interview process...I still need to prepare for it. Its so complicated....typical Imperial...sending me a very recent Nature published paper of the highest grade .

Thx dude.

Oh man, sorry to hear you are not well.
When is your interview? Do you have to do a presentation kind of thing for the article? If yes then you should probably think of it as a viva, like the one you had for your undergraduate project.
You have to know the subject inside out as they could ask you anything from general questions to more detailed ones like analysing and interpreting any statistical data present.
Good luck, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and let me know how it goes.

[VENIVIDIVICI]

(Original post by skyliner)
Oh man, sorry to hear you are not well.
When is your interview? Do you have to do a presentation kind of thing for the article? If yes then you should probably think of it as a viva, like the one you had for your undergraduate project.
You have to know the subject inside out as they could ask you anything from general questions to more detailed ones like analysing and interpreting any statistical data present.
Good luck, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and let me know how it goes.

Yes, I hope I'm feeling much better tomorrow

The interview is at 2pm, but I'm going to head into London early.

Well they didn't say I must present the research paper...the email only said:"there'll be a 10 minute discussion on the paper" and then afterwards they interview me, i.e. go through my experiences, CV, etc.

I wish they'd ask me to review/present my own u/g project or something that I chose...instead, its an article they selected...so my understanding of the paper is limited to what I can understand of it...and its an area of research that I have not had hands-on experience in..only what I've read or done in theory. So, it will be difficult to know everything in the paper. Like you said, they could ask anything....and there's lots of stats & data, techniques used and results....lots. The supplementary info that goes with the paper (8 pages) is over 10 pages .

I've done as much as I can, and can only do my best. If that's good enough, great, if not...at least I tried and I feel happy to have been selected. I'll still have a place on the course...

Thx dude. I'll keep you posted. Thx for the interest shown.

[skyliner]

(Original post by VENIVIDIVICI)
Yes, I hope I'm feeling much better tomorrow

The interview is at 2pm, but I'm going to head into London early.

Well they didn't say I must present the research paper...the email only said:"there'll be a 10 minute discussion on the paper" and then afterwards they interview me, i.e. go through my experiences, CV, etc.

I wish they'd ask me to review/present my own u/g project or something that I chose...instead, its an article they selected...so my understanding of the paper is limited to what I can understand of it...and its an area of research that I have not had hands-on experience in..only what I've read or done in theory. So, it will be difficult to know everything in the paper. Like you said, they could ask anything....and there's lots of stats & data, techniques used and results....lots. The supplementary info that goes with the paper (8 pages) is over 10 pages .

I've done as much as I can, and can only do my best. If that's good enough, great, if not...at least I tried and I feel happy to have been selected. I'll still have a place on the course...

Thx dude. I'll keep you posted. Thx for the interest shown.

Tomorrow, ouch!
Well, this is something extra, you already have a place so just try to go and enjoy yourself and don't put too much pressure on yourself.
A piece of advice, they will probably ask you an open question about the article at the very beginning so try to talk as much as you can as if it was a presentation, try to fill in at least 5 minutes of it and show enthusiasm as if it was your own paper. Obviously be critical as well and if you can talk about what you could have done differently...
Again good luck mate, you seem very genuine and passionate about you do and regardless of tomorrow's interview I have no doubts you'll be very succesful at Imperial...

[VENIVIDIVICI]

(Original post by skyliner)
Tomorrow, ouch!
Well, this is something extra, you already have a place so just try to go and enjoy yourself and don't put too much pressure on yourself.
A piece of advice, they will probably ask you an open question about the article at the very beginning so try to talk as much as you can as if it was a presentation, try to fill in at least 5 minutes of it and show enthusiasm as if it was your own paper. Obviously be critical as well and if you can talk about what you could have done differently...
Again good luck mate, you seem very genuine and passionate about you do and regardless of tomorrow's interview I have no doubts you'll be very succesful at Imperial...

Hi,

Just got home...glad not to be on that freakin tube and train....no aircon and always full...

Anyway, I met a girl who's going to be doing the MRes BMR. She's currently finishing her BSc in biochemistry at King's...she says its a great place to study...but decided she needed a change in scenery and will do her masters at Imperial. I think she also has an offer from King's.

The interview was ok, but I felt afterwards that I should've sold myself a little better and the research article business, just got in the way...I missed a few points I wanted to make, but also added s few other bits which showed some of my other strengths.

They are interviewing quite a lot of people. 12 today and I more next week...and there's not many scholarships (I think only 2 or 3) ...nobody said it was going to be easy hey

There's a few more points to raise, but I'll wait before I post.

I am passionate about what I want to do...I hope that they also see it that way. The ball is in their court now...2 weeks before feedback! I'm not going to worry, just happy its over.

[skyliner]

(Original post by VENIVIDIVICI)
Hi,

Just got home...glad not to be on that freakin tube and train....no aircon and always full...

Anyway, I met a girl who's going to be doing the MRes BMR. She's currently finishing her BSc in biochemistry at King's...she says its a great place to study...but decided she needed a change in scenery and will do her masters at Imperial. I think she also has an offer from King's.

The interview was ok, but I felt afterwards that I should've sold myself a little better and the research article business, just got in the way...I missed a few points I wanted to make, but also added s few other bits which showed some of my other strengths.

They are interviewing quite a lot of people. 12 today and I more next week...and there's not many scholarships (I think only 2 or 3) ...nobody said it was going to be easy hey

There's a few more points to raise, but I'll wait before I post.

I am passionate about what I want to do...I hope that they also see it that way. The ball is in their court now...2 weeks before feedback! I'm not going to worry, just happy its over.

Very nice, it's all over now, what a relief eh? Well done mate. Finger's crossed you'll get it!
What scholarship did you apply to? I think the Rector's has about 20 available.

Thank you for the info about King's, I appreciate it.
I spoke to the admission at Imperial again and they confirmed I am selected for the interview but were not able to give me a date. My offer at King's has been extended till 23rd June but I think I'll pay my deposit next week, I am tired of waiting

Also I spoke to my undergraduate project supervisor who has had dealings with both Imperial and King's and he thinks I should go for the Msc at King's as it's more likely the Mres at Imperial will require greater independence and will have less supervision, and as I said I am not sure I am quite there yet (on the contrary my colleagues seem to think I am ready, in fact they have encouraged me to apply for Phds! )
He seems to think I should have no problems at all in getting a Phd scholarship next year as I will have a very high first class for my Bsc, and by then a master's in biomedical research from a good university and at least one paper published.

So it's King's for me mate
But I am gonna wait till next week before making it official and celebrate

[VENIVIDIVICI]

(Original post by skyliner)
Very nice, it's all over now, what a relief eh? Well done mate. Finger's crossed you'll get it!
What scholarship did you apply to? I think the Rector's has about 20 available.

Thank you for the info about King's, I appreciate it.
I spoke to the admission at Imperial again and they confirmed I am selected for the interview but were not able to give me a date. My offer at King's has been extended till 23rd June but I think I'll pay my deposit next week, I am tired of waiting

Also I spoke to my undergraduate project supervisor who has had dealings with both Imperial and King's and he thinks I should go for the Msc at King's as it's more likely the Mres at Imperial will require greater independence and will have less supervision, and as I said I am not sure I am quite there yet (on the contrary my colleagues seem to think I am ready, in fact they have encouraged me to apply for Phds! )
He seems to think I should have no problems at all in getting a Phd scholarship next year as I will have a very high first class for my Bsc, and by then a master's in biomedical research from a good university and at least one paper published.

So it's King's for me mate
But I am gonna wait till next week before making it official and celebrate

Yep, its over . It's not any scholarships, such as the Rector's Award. The funding is for 3 studentships (from the MRC) linked to the best candidates who have offers for the MRes (Their words not mine)...they selected the applicants and invited them for the interviews. 3 funded studentships available - over 16 interviewed applicants. Not good odds.

Anyway, it sounds like you have made up your mind...I'm sure you've made the best decision for your circumstances...only you will know. We all have our views, but follow your heart. Damn Imperial for taking so long in sorting out your interview...and I thought King's was slow (in my case).

Let me know when u pay your deposit, so we can celebrate . I have paid mine, handed in my documents yesterday and now I have an accepted unconditional offer...it feels good to be moving forward.

About PhD's, you'll be in great position with your first, a masters and a published paper. It doesn't matter if you do your masters at King's or Imperial...if you do well, you'll get your reward. I believe that. , I have applied for PhD's before and I have found it difficult...hoping that this MRes will help.

Thanks for all your support, I know we both will be fine.

[skyliner]

(Original post by VENIVIDIVICI)
Yep, its over . It's not any scholarships, such as the Rector's Award. The funding is for 3 studentships (from the MRC) linked to the best candidates who have offers for the MRes (Their words not mine)...they selected the applicants and invited them for the interviews. 3 funded studentships available - over 16 interviewed applicants. Not good odds.

Anyway, it sounds like you have made up your mind...I'm sure you've made the best decision for your circumstances...only you will know. We all have our views, but follow your heart. Damn Imperial for taking so long in sorting out your interview...and I thought King's was slow (in my case).

Let me know when u pay your deposit, so we can celebrate . I have paid mine, handed in my documents yesterday and now I have an accepted unconditional offer...it feels good to be moving forward.

About PhD's, you'll be in great position with your first, a masters and a published paper. It doesn't matter if you do your masters at King's or Imperial...if you do well, you'll get your reward. I believe that. , I have applied for PhD's before and I have found it difficult...hoping that this MRes will help.

Thanks for all your support, I know we both will be fine.

Wow, well done for being selected for the interview mate. I wasn't aware of this Mres funding, I'd say you stand a good chance of getting it then.
Thank you too for your support, it's been good to share my experience here with a like minded person.
I will let you know as soon as I seal the deal