One thing that always works for the admission is to try to get in contact with a faculty way, way ahead of time. Express interest in their work and come up with some teeny-tiny (it can be silly) research idea in the same/related field. Try to talk (skype) to this professor before you start your application process. When a Professor makes a personal recommendation to the admission committee it is rarely rejected. Make sure your references give you shining recommendation. These are the two most important things. One personal advise for the interview, do not underplay yourself. Don't be humble, be moderate.

@Treeoflife: Great words of wisdom. Also, I chose the username 'talented' in an attempt to save the last shred of my self-respect. Trying to stay positive.


@AOE26: Thanks for being a cheerleader. Will continue on my path of Karma.
Thanks a lot guys!

Thanks HazyJane and Bewildered. Feel nice to hear from you guys. When I applied for the position at the crisis center, I thought these guys know me since I am volunteering there 5-10hrs/wk. In addition, I have started a weekly manicure program for the victims, which they love. I have also discussed a few of my ideas for the institute. I was so optimistic! I think that is why it was such a big blow when the rejection came.
As per the HazyJane's advise, I am waiting for the dust to settle and certainly going to go to my interviewer to get the feedback. My adjunct school (and I love the people here), I had been working for them for about 1.5yr when a positioned opened. Certainly, I applied and certainly, I got rejected. Rejection is hard to swallow when you felt that people might vote in your favor since they know you for sometime. But I think, at least in the field of academia, job is all about money. Who can bring most grant money to the school. Since I am still at the same school (you can tell I love teaching), I know the new hires are having difficult time with teaching, because research is their passion and not the teaching.
Thanks Bewildered for sharing the other link for forums. I am going to check it out.
I can't express how much your words mean right now when I find myself alone and being sick of the struggle.
Thanks again and thanks a lot.

There are some researcher from western countries who conduct research in places far away from their homelands. You might get in touch with someone like that who is doing research in Sudan related to your field. I am surprised that even after having 19 papers you are not picked up. You might be just having a really really bad year mate. Life sucks!

I have a PhD in molecular biology and working as an adjunct for past three years post graduation. Sent more than 100 applications. Had a few interviews, academic and non academic. I started working for a domestic violence crisis center about five months ago and have been devoting a lot of hours (since adjunct position covers only 10hrs/wk). I like what I do at the crisis center and passionate and committed to it. Recently, a position opened up and I applied. But got rejected. That was a low point and a severe blow. I am scared to go into depression and fear that I might do something not so right. Don't know how to cope the sadness that ensues. My self-esteem has been dying bit-by-bit since last three years. I cannot share this pain with anyone. I have posted it yesterday on a different thread but that is dead for about 2 years. Would like to hear from someone going through the same situation.

Sorry to hear about that. Agree with both the responses. It is always beneficial to ask for a feedback. I have served on the admission committee as a graduate student and was shocked to see how the process works. Which PhD program and university you have applied to?

During my exposure to the academia, I have found out a bitter truth about becoming a professor. I may sound frustrated here but it is my opinion about your question. You need to have one of the following: a lot of grant money OR a lot of hands-on experience. If you are planning on going down the PhD path, you need to make sure that you land up in a good school and a great advisor who can help you publish a lot or give you exposure to funding resources and grant writing. Schools only invite the candidate who can bring money with them. If you have grant money any school will pick you up. Certainly this option has 1000% uncertainty rates.
The other way, and I agree with Tudor_Queen, if you have a lot of hands-on experience people do not care about what degree you hold. I know two cases where people with Masters degree were chosen over the PhDs, just because they had more work experience.

Why there are no new posts since two years ago? The problem has not changed much. I have a PhD in biology and working as an adjunct for past three years post graduation. Sent more than 100 applications. Had a few interviews, academic and non academic. I started working for a domestic violence crisis center about five months ago and have been devoting a lot of hours (since adjunct position covers only 10hrs/wk). I like what I do at the crisis center and passionate and committed to it. Recently, a position opened up and I applied. But got rejected. That was a low point and a severe blow. I am scared to go into depression and fear that I might do something not so right. Don't know how to cope the sadness that ensues. Would like to hear from someone going through the same situation.