Dream, Prepare, Success: Dr. James Coker, KSAS

Tips for students applying to our (Center for Biotechnology Education) masters’ programs

• Meeting the minimum qualifications (all mentioned on the programs’ websites) is important, but so are things like working/internships/research.  We always take a wholistic look at every application – not just grades and test scores.
• We have a limited number of TA positions available – these go to more senior students typically.  AAP does not have money to support students so please plan accordingly
• The Center for Biotechnology Education has two programs – MS Bioinformatics and MS Biotechnology, that will support F1 visa students
• We have rolling applications, so there are no deadlines for applications.  However, international students can only start in Fall/Spring semesters
• There are resources for international students on the AAP Website
• The Office of International Services is the only place that can answer visa/immigration questions (https://ois.jhu.edu/)

Setting up for success

• If interested in working in a lab at Hopkins – it is never too early to start reaching out to a Principal Investigator (i.e., the person that runs the lab).  You can even do this before you leave home to come to Hopkins
• The Center does not have mechanisms for automatic placements into a research lab so you will have to do this on your own.  The following are great places to look to find a lab doing research that interests you:
  • Biology Department – https://bio.jhu.edu/people/
  • Chemistry Department – https://chemistry.jhu.edu/people/
  • Biophysics Department – https://biophysics.jhu.edu/people/
  • School of Medicine – https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/som/education-programs/academic-departments
  • Public Health – https://publichealth.jhu.edu/departments
• It will take emails to several PIs before you find someone that will (1) respond, (2) be willing to take you in the lab – don’t get discouraged.  First email contact with a PI should always be crafted toward what is being researched in the lab, not a general ‘spam’ type of email.
  • Example – “Hello, my name is …..  I am a new graduate student at Hopkins and am interested in x, y, z.  I have been reading the papers published by your lab and see a great deal of overlap in my research interests.  I am very interested in talking with you about your lab’s research….”
• With your electives, focus on classes that will (1) teach you marketable skills or (2) allow you to work on real projects in a lab or with a company.  Graduate School is a once in a lifetime opportunity – make sure you use it to help fill in the gaps in your arsenal.
• Network with your classmates.  Many/most of them are already working in the field.  Talk with them about their job or their internships – get the ‘inside’ information on what they are doing and how they got there.
• Degrees are good – experience is better.  It is rare to get hired because you have a degree (even a Hopkins degree).  No company is going to give you an internship or hire you because you are a Hopkins student.  Experience is what employers are really looking for.