Jump to content

Cheminal

Members
  • Posts

    24
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Profile Information

  • Gender
    Not Telling
  • Location
    Intl
  • Application Season
    2013 Fall
  • Program
    Chemistry

Cheminal's Achievements

Decaf

Decaf (2/10)

1

Reputation

  1. In DS160, it asks the following question: Do you have any specialized skills or training, such as firearms, explosives, nuclear, biological, or chemical experience? (The answer requires you to select from a radio button Yes or No, and if you select Yes, a field appears asking for explanation.) Now, I've accepted offer from a good chemistry PhD program and I am from Pakistan. After consultation with US Educational Foundation Pakistan (USEFP) I selected No, but my instructor/supervisor who got his PhD as a Fulbright scholar told me to select Yes with an Explanation. Now I am concerned if I did the right thing. I didn't want any administrative processing delays yet I wanted to be honest. But of course I don't have any chemical explosives experience, or at least experience of the sort implied in the question. Should I be worried? Should I have written Yes? I am really scared!
  2. They will. Chemistry coordinator mailed me that I will get more details on it next week.
  3. I'd normally go for the best advisor, and since you are inclined less towards chemistry based on your general idea of chemistry PhDs' job prospects, I'd normally consider not doing what your heart doesn't feel like doing. But remember, the more effort you put in, you will be better off, so low retention rate should actually be a bigger challenge, which should excite you in UCLA. The fact that you've lived in the southern California though seems to call for a change. So I'd say go for the change. But you say the professors in UCLA seem to be a perfectly fine, and you would not have much problem about earning and so on ... I dunno what's the catch, having a chemistry degree doesn't limit you as far as I'd think. On the other hand, if your heart says no to chemistry, then go for Northwestern. Evanston should be an awesome place. But if you don't think you'll be really excited in working on something, well ... think again. In all honesty though, I'd suggest UCLA, since you found professors to be good and awesome fit, and also a potentially good advisor.
  4. Urgh! I hate that we have to arrive for the CSE thing in early August. I'd have been very much okay if I were to arrive even a week late. Bad time to start it all ...! Plus my English skills are okay, what'd they want the TOEFL scores from us for? I dunno what they're playing at! I wish there was some online way of doing it, as much as I'm looking forward to attending the U, I'm also interested in staying back for the first week of August for important stuff at home!
  5. Whoa ... University of Minnesota - Twin Cities for me.
  6. If that's the case, I guess I can consider looking for housing around that place, if it allows for easy commutation. Can you tell us exactly where is is this rail located?
  7. I accepted my offer for admission to Minnesota two days back. Super-excited! The place seems awesome. Looking forward to seeing you. Best of luck!
  8. I guess so. They've not been replying to my emails. The fact that they're only taking 25 to 26 students hints at the fact that they've already sent out decisions. This would mean they sent offers to about 50-ish students only, and would of course expect the over-qualified ones to turn them down. Seems difficult to say. The gradcafe results search do not reveal a lot, with only two decision of acceptances (and of course it can't be taken as a representative number), except that if you're rejected, you'll probably have to wait until April to find out they rejected you!
  9. Cheminal

    Minneapolis, MN

    Anyone who has decided to go to UMN for PhD in Chemistry? Please reply here. I am interested in looking for housing. As an international student it would be difficult to find housing for me, and I'd really appreciate it if someone else is looking for housing too, because I'd prefer a wet lab scientist as a roommate. Thanks. I'd also prefer if someone can reply about getting housing near campus for people who are wetlab scientists. Thanks.
  10. I got in too. I think it will be my number one choice too! I am just concerned about housing for international students. Scared!
  11. OK ... I called Cornell. They didn't pick up! They said they'd finalize by the end of the last week which ended March 8, and they've not yet replied. Sucks! I'm waiting for them desperately. Anyone got through to them as to when they will send decisions?
  12. Finally was able to reach them by call. They're finalizing by the end of this week. Thought I'd let everyone here waiting for Cornell to know!
  13. Anyone rejected by Cornell? I am waiting. Grad Cafe Chemistry Cornell results lead only to acceptances for fall 2013, making me worry if I should wait any longer. I have got into a program whose professor's awesome and it's ranked among the top twenty five. But Cornell is a good program too. Has anyone heard from them? I keep calling them, but no one replies except with answering machine, from Patricia Hine to everyone else. I even email them almost everyday. I was told on February 12 that decisions were being finalized in a week or two. It's way past two weeks now and I haven't heard from them. I don't think they're past their schedule. I know my decision is made but I can't wait. If anyone hears from them please let me know!|
  14. Well, I've been admitted to the MSU and UMN in PhD Chemistry too, and I'm just confused about not only two since MSU has a professor whose work is related to my senior year project. I have so far been more inclined towards the UMN but I am still waiting. I belong to a relatively tropical climate, and so far I am thinking of UMN. I think UMN is a pretty good option but I guess both UT - Austin and UMN are pretty good. I'd rate the climatic preferences as one of the factors, but not so much. Rankings are good, but your career prospects are more dependent on your own hard work and the supervisor you choose far more than the rankings. I'd rate them both great places, but the climate would make me yearn for one more than the other. On the other hand, I think you should decide about it by considering your professors and the career fields too. PhD in Chemistry would involve lots of hours in the labs, meaning for the most part you won't have to worry about the weather per se. Happy decision making to the both of us. And looking forward to probably seeing you if you and I both attend UMN!
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use