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bamafan

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  1. Upvote
    bamafan got a reaction from timkartar in How competitive are bioinformatics grad programs?   
    Just wanted to also throw out Michigan, BU, USC, and UCSD. Some of the oldest and longest-running programs there, and they are home to some serious superstars in the field like Waterman.
     
     
  2. Upvote
    bamafan got a reaction from Psychomama in Online PhDs--worth anything at all?   
    I'm not familiar with this school, but Wiki suggests that it's a not-for-profit and may be legit. 
  3. Upvote
    bamafan got a reaction from RCtheSS in Online PhDs--worth anything at all?   
    I don't mean to be derisive to people who attend for-profit institutions like Phoenix, as going to grad school at all shows initiative and drive, but I mean, they're borderline illegal. While I'm sure the education itself is adequate to good, the way the system operates is really appalling; it's basically a giant scam to funnel financial aid from the government into their pockets. That's the part of the unfortunate reason they're not so highly regarded in reputation. I think it's a great thing they offer accessible education to people who would not otherwise be able to pursue it by circumstance or means, but I find the operation of these universities to be sketchy.
  4. Upvote
    bamafan got a reaction from mop in Online PhDs--worth anything at all?   
    I don't mean to be derisive to people who attend for-profit institutions like Phoenix, as going to grad school at all shows initiative and drive, but I mean, they're borderline illegal. While I'm sure the education itself is adequate to good, the way the system operates is really appalling; it's basically a giant scam to funnel financial aid from the government into their pockets. That's the part of the unfortunate reason they're not so highly regarded in reputation. I think it's a great thing they offer accessible education to people who would not otherwise be able to pursue it by circumstance or means, but I find the operation of these universities to be sketchy.
  5. Upvote
    bamafan got a reaction from thatoneguyoverthere in Does anyone actually get accepted after being waitlisted?   
    I would err on caution contrary to what's being posted and say you should assume you won't get off the waitlist. It's definitely possible, but the odds are against you and it's better to play the probabilities and assume you're not getting then (so if you do, you're delighted, and if you don't, you're not disappointed). 
     
    While many applicants are cross-admitted and necessarily must decline schools, schools also try to account for this by overadmitting by as many was 4-5x their expected matriculating class. So often, a few people slip through the waitlist, but it's definitely not as frequent as you might hope and you shouldn't count on it. 
     
    Play it safe and go with what's certain. If you're on a waitlist, plan for not getting in. You still might, but don't hold your breath.
  6. Upvote
    bamafan got a reaction from livewire420 in Ghostwriting SOP   
    That sounds like a horrible, horrible idea. If one is unwilling or able to write their own SOP, then they are neither ready nor deserving to be in graduate school. 
     
    Also, practically speaking, it will probably not be a very good or successful SOP, since it will lack the personal touch and likely sound more like a recommendation based on a CV than a statement of purpose. 
  7. Upvote
    bamafan got a reaction from music in HELLLP! MSW: a lot of debt, a lot of lot of debt, or a some more debt   
    It also seems like you're pretty set on following your heart regardless of the financial hardship, so I'm a bit confused as to what you even want from the rest of us if not our opinions. Some people gave you their thoughts, and you reacted somewhat aggressively. If you're not open to other people's opinions and judgments, why did you ask for them? Thoughts and judgments are necessarily inclusive when it comes to opinions on your situation.
     
    As for your situation, if and only if you're sure you will qualify for debt forgiveness, why not go the route of your dreams and go to USC? But if you're not sure that you'll be able to do this, save the money. As you mentioned, it's not like your salary will be any different regardless of where you went. 
     
    Are you sure there aren't any grants you could get to finance your education, rather than just loans? Also, as long as you're in school, debt does not accrue interest. If you're really worried about the debt also, why don't you defer a year and work -- even if you only pull in 30-40k, that puts a huge dent in your debt, and more importantly, the eventual interest.
  8. Upvote
    bamafan got a reaction from Biohacker in Phd in biology with a bachelor's degree in engineering   
    This is a poor reason to apply to a purely biology PhD in my opinion. It's a common misconception that bioengineering is the same as bioMEDICAL engineering, which it really is not. In practice, there is little difference in the research you'll be able to do in any of these majors. It just depends on your interests and what projects/labs you decide to go into. The main difference will probably just be in your classes and how easy it will be get in to the program.
     
    You can go into an engineering major like BioE and it doesn't have to have anything to do with devices. I have a bioE background, but my work is all in synthetic and systems biology, as in engineering life (bacteria as factories). That's as "pure bio" as it gets. Some of my co-grads in my UG major were likewise DNA engineers or protein engineers, some even molecular and chemical engineering in practice. We never touched any sort of device nor computational work (I switched actually and am now doing a computational track). On the other hand, being in an interdisciplinary or broader based program gives you flexibility and options if you do want to do something more along your original background (just as I was more or less pure bio in practice, some other students built microscopes and microfluidic devices or did tissue engineering, which is more mechE). 
     
    Given this last point, I encourage you to apply to bioE programs since it'll honestly be easier for you to get in with your qualifications and background. Don't be scared off by the names of the programs, they aren't really restrictive defined boundaries -- regardless of what program you get into, it will not limit what you are want to do (if anything, being bio only could limit you as the faculty will not be interdisciplinary and may not have access or collaborations with other groups, which is very useful and important). 
  9. Upvote
    bamafan got a reaction from serious_cheese in Why do you even want to go to grad school anyway?   
    So I can hit on undergrads obviously.
  10. Upvote
    bamafan got a reaction from DropTheBase in Problem with a prof.   
    First off, you made a huge mistake by not being professional. It doesn't matter if you're both adults. School is school. There is an explicit teacher-student relationship and it is unethical to behave otherwise. Being that you are in a powerless position and there is zero accountability for a professor, you pretty much walked right into a dumb situation. There's not much you can do to salvage this, just learn and don't make the same mistake ever again. 
     
    Second, what's the extent of the trash talk by this professor? If it's not that extensive, you're best thing to do is move on, forget about it, and to NOT contact this professor ever again. I think it was also a mistake to keep trying to contact him after it was clear that the bridge was burned. Don't take this the wrong way, but this reminds me a lot of bad breakups, where one ex keeps trying to contact the other innocuously while the other acts coldly. 
     
    I know this sounds negative, but the unfortunate reality in academia is that there is little accountability, especially when it comes down to "he said, she said". He'll always win. He is definitely just as (if not much more, given his position and supposedly maturity) culpable, but he's off limits as far as discipline goes. Keep your head up, move on, and far away. I don't think there's much you can do besides that, and any attempts to "fix" the situation will probably just make it worse. 
  11. Upvote
    bamafan got a reaction from Chai_latte in Phd in biology with a bachelor's degree in engineering   
    This is a poor reason to apply to a purely biology PhD in my opinion. It's a common misconception that bioengineering is the same as bioMEDICAL engineering, which it really is not. In practice, there is little difference in the research you'll be able to do in any of these majors. It just depends on your interests and what projects/labs you decide to go into. The main difference will probably just be in your classes and how easy it will be get in to the program.
     
    You can go into an engineering major like BioE and it doesn't have to have anything to do with devices. I have a bioE background, but my work is all in synthetic and systems biology, as in engineering life (bacteria as factories). That's as "pure bio" as it gets. Some of my co-grads in my UG major were likewise DNA engineers or protein engineers, some even molecular and chemical engineering in practice. We never touched any sort of device nor computational work (I switched actually and am now doing a computational track). On the other hand, being in an interdisciplinary or broader based program gives you flexibility and options if you do want to do something more along your original background (just as I was more or less pure bio in practice, some other students built microscopes and microfluidic devices or did tissue engineering, which is more mechE). 
     
    Given this last point, I encourage you to apply to bioE programs since it'll honestly be easier for you to get in with your qualifications and background. Don't be scared off by the names of the programs, they aren't really restrictive defined boundaries -- regardless of what program you get into, it will not limit what you are want to do (if anything, being bio only could limit you as the faculty will not be interdisciplinary and may not have access or collaborations with other groups, which is very useful and important). 
  12. Upvote
    bamafan got a reaction from stillalivetui in Why do you even want to go to grad school anyway?   
    So I can hit on undergrads obviously.
  13. Downvote
    bamafan reacted to fuzzylogician in Register at two institutions?   
    I think it's a legitimate question that stems from either misunderstanding what some professors were advising (e.g., an arrangement that does not involve secrecy) or receiving bad advice. People can think up crazy solutions to serious problems, including ones like those the posters here have warned against. Either way, your language here is uncalled for.
  14. Upvote
    bamafan got a reaction from sdt13 in Register at two institutions?   
    I strongly disagree. I don't think this is a legitimate question at all, unless it comes from someone who has a seriously lacking understanding of right and wrong and an equally lacking ability to analyze potential risks and consequences that stem from bad behavior. Perhaps my language was strong, but the OP's stance is just so far beyond the limits of reasonable adult behavior that it is unbelievable to me. The assertion that an advisor, let alone a professor, would suggest this is equally outrageous. Under no circumstances could I even imagine an academic, regardless of nationality or origin, giving such advice. 
  15. Upvote
    bamafan got a reaction from dazedandbemused in Register at two institutions?   
    I strongly disagree. I don't think this is a legitimate question at all, unless it comes from someone who has a seriously lacking understanding of right and wrong and an equally lacking ability to analyze potential risks and consequences that stem from bad behavior. Perhaps my language was strong, but the OP's stance is just so far beyond the limits of reasonable adult behavior that it is unbelievable to me. The assertion that an advisor, let alone a professor, would suggest this is equally outrageous. Under no circumstances could I even imagine an academic, regardless of nationality or origin, giving such advice. 
  16. Upvote
    bamafan got a reaction from kaputzing in Register at two institutions?   
    I strongly disagree. I don't think this is a legitimate question at all, unless it comes from someone who has a seriously lacking understanding of right and wrong and an equally lacking ability to analyze potential risks and consequences that stem from bad behavior. Perhaps my language was strong, but the OP's stance is just so far beyond the limits of reasonable adult behavior that it is unbelievable to me. The assertion that an advisor, let alone a professor, would suggest this is equally outrageous. Under no circumstances could I even imagine an academic, regardless of nationality or origin, giving such advice. 
  17. Upvote
    bamafan got a reaction from kaputzing in Register at two institutions?   
    The OP is obviously trolling, because no one with half a lobotomized brain would even conceive of doing this let alone actually do it. Everything about this idea reeks of sheer stupidity and immorality, and I'm willing to bet real money the OP is just here to jerk everyone's chains.
     
    Move along, folks. If this idiot actually is considering doing this, then he/she deserves to get be screwed later on, blacklisted professionally, and kicked out of both PhDs. So simboxon, if you want to do it, by all means go ahead. 
  18. Downvote
    bamafan got a reaction from fuzzylogician in Register at two institutions?   
    The OP is obviously trolling, because no one with half a lobotomized brain would even conceive of doing this let alone actually do it. Everything about this idea reeks of sheer stupidity and immorality, and I'm willing to bet real money the OP is just here to jerk everyone's chains.
     
    Move along, folks. If this idiot actually is considering doing this, then he/she deserves to get be screwed later on, blacklisted professionally, and kicked out of both PhDs. So simboxon, if you want to do it, by all means go ahead. 
  19. Downvote
    bamafan reacted to simboxon in Register at two institutions?   
    Hi folks,
     
    I am in the spring cycle admissions, and I am applying to European PhD programmes. I have been accepted to a UK top 10 university with an excellent funding package, and to my first choice university on the continent. I prefer my first choice, but they have not given me funding. My supervisor at the UK university however has said that he would have no problem with me living on the continent (in the city where my first choice Uni is) and 'commuting in' for supervisions and relevant seminars - probably once or twice a month. I have no teaching obligations.
     
    My question then is this: what do people think of the possibility of accepting BOTH offers? Taking the money from the UK, and the extra supervision, plus being registered and supervised by my first choice Uni. I know that I cannot submit two PhDs at the end - that would be plagiarism - but maybe I could just withdraw from the UK Uni and submit at my first choice. I realise that my supervisor at UK Uni is unlikely to be very impressed with my withdrawing, and the faculty there unlikely to be happy either, but perhaps I could just be a bit discreet about the set-up until the end. In any case, the supervisor in the UK uni is not really a specialist in my field (one of the reasons I'm not enthused about that offer), so I doubt that he could 'damage' my reputation when I do eventually withdraw.
     
    What do people think? Am I crazy for considering this? Is it immoral? Imprudent? Illegal? A brilliant coup?
     
    All the best,
     
    Political Scientist
  20. Upvote
    bamafan got a reaction from mrmolecularbiology in 2013 Applicant Profiles and Admission Results   
    I picked UCSD over some "better" schools for many of the reasons you mentioned. The reputation in life sciences is very well regarded, and you have some real superstar PIs there, not to mention great affiliated institutes (Salk, Scripps, the soon-to-be new freaking JCVI!!!)
  21. Upvote
    bamafan got a reaction from floridabio in Are distance and weather legitimate game-changers?   
    1. You'll make new friends. It's life. It's not like your old friends disappear just because you're farther part.
    2. Always choose funding. Seriously, especially for a masters, it's not worth spending $100k when you could get it for free. 
  22. Upvote
    bamafan got a reaction from brequie in Ghostwriting SOP   
    Again, I think it's not so much an issue of getting away with it, as it is with why would you want to? I can't imagine a ghost written SOP being very good, and writing an SOP is really NOT that bad. Try not to think of it as something you have to do but rather something you get to do, an opportunity so that you can express yourself, your interests, and qualifications in a personal and convincing manner. 
  23. Upvote
    bamafan got a reaction from Pharmacobore in More than Prestige   
    I'm going to say something very unpopular but it is kind of the elephant in the room right now. I don't know how serious or long-term your relationship is, but I chose to spend the last year near my girlfriend instead of grad school, a girlfriend with whom I'd been living with for three years (spending 16+ hours/day together over this span...) and we broke up this earlier this year. This is pretty much a worst case scenario -- being somewhere you didn't want to be for someone with whom you are no longer together.
     
    Obviously, I don't know your relationship nor would I ever prognosticate anything bad happening between you two, but you should consider this possibility as only you can. 
  24. Upvote
    bamafan got a reaction from DStory247 in Subliminal Impact of Visit Order   
    Wow, the vote #s are still small, but it's interesting to see the results. I have wondered if I picked how I did because it was freshest on my mind... interesting findings so far.
  25. Upvote
    bamafan got a reaction from ValarDohaeris in Online PhDs--worth anything at all?   
    I don't mean to be derisive to people who attend for-profit institutions like Phoenix, as going to grad school at all shows initiative and drive, but I mean, they're borderline illegal. While I'm sure the education itself is adequate to good, the way the system operates is really appalling; it's basically a giant scam to funnel financial aid from the government into their pockets. That's the part of the unfortunate reason they're not so highly regarded in reputation. I think it's a great thing they offer accessible education to people who would not otherwise be able to pursue it by circumstance or means, but I find the operation of these universities to be sketchy.
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