Nancy

Hey Jen, We already know each other, one amusing evening at a party in Vermont! :-) x

I hadn't even noticed that I typed it wrong, thanks!

They have this big first year graduate housing complex, it houses like 100 people split up into apartments of 4 I think. I was considering it because I'm from the UK so can't visit to look for somewhere to live, I'd hate to sign up for an apartment and realise it's actually a lot further away from school and food than I thought (I can't drive yet either), and I think I like the idea of moving into a place and instantly having 100 neighbours in the same boat as you, especially cos of moving away. However, it's just a thought, so I dunno yet! They have a page on the website about it, it's called North Park. What are other people thinking about doing?

I used to be Geo, but switched to the Bio dark side...

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone had some extra info about applying for visas to the US. I have heard from some other students here who've applied for shorter term visas that they had to provide evidence of finances to support themselves for a given amount of time, in the form of bank statements that show that amount of money for at least a few months. Does anyone now if this is the case for PhD offers? Do you have to show a certain amount of financial solvency? Also, what can it cost to apply for one? Any help or experience would be really appreciated!

Hey, that's great about other people accepting offers, I'm really excited about moving there from the UK and getting to meet you all in person. What are everyone elses summer plans? I think I'm going to stay in the UK, both to say goodbye to my home but also getting a visa sorted is going to take a lot of time. Nice to meet you all, and congrats on accepting

I really feel for your situation, and massively respect you've made your relationship go this far (the application process killed mine). I think these kinds of decisions are always awful, how do you choose between your career and another person, or ask them to do the same? Saying that, I think he has to face up to what he's actually asking. Long distance only works in my opinion if there's a light at the end of the tunnel, which I'm guessing being together in grad school was for you. The fact you applied to the same schools (and my word, got into Berkeley no less, so massive congrats for that ) shows you both want this to work. If he can't give you what you need him to, then he should take responsibility for that. Don't feel like you're being unreasonable when he's considering going back on his word for the last five years. I suggest you sit him down and have the serious talk; Both think about the choices to be made here and all the outcomes. I wish you all the best with making this really rubbish decision

I'm just finishing up my undergrad in Bristol, and I've loved every second of living here. It's a beautiful and really exciting city, full of great clubs, pubs, food places and independent shops. The uni itself does have a really good reputation, and is a good stepping stone for both UK and international postgrad study. As for the fees, I'm not sure about the one year thing, do check that (I have a friend who's been resident for longer and doesn't qualify for PhD funding, so just be sure that's true before you relocate!). All in all, Bristol is fab, and definitely worth considering. If there's any more specific info you think you would like (I still have internal web access so could possibly find out more about courses/costs/living etc), let me know! Good luck choosing

Cos I live in the UK, I'm at least spared obsessive mail checking, but my email refreshing has been out of control! I got a rejection email and an acceptance a few days apart. The rejection had "Admissions Decision" in the subject, and was a very generic copy and paste list of reasons why I wasn't picked. The acceptance had the name of the school in the title, and said "Please find enclosed your offer for admission 2010" with a pdf of the letter attached. Massive freaking out followed, as well as re-reading the letter a zillion times to make sure it was an acceptance! Also, try waiting on decisions with a massive time difference, checking your emails from 8a.m until the early hours of the morning (just in case someones up far away!) is a killer. Congrats to all those who made it, and good luck to those still waiting

Were the labs really far apart? I ask cos I can't drive!

Hey, nice to see another person too

Hey, I did my integrated masters at Bristol University, in Palaeontology. I work on the molecular aspects of Palaeobiology, molecular clock dates of animal lineage divergence, and at the moment I'm researching whole genome duplication events and gene paralogy group splits in the evolutionary history of the vertebrates. I'm really interested in working with Kevin Peterson, but I really want that year to work with a variety of people and make sure I'm doing the right thing for my doctorate! As for North Park, there's forms on the website where you can apply as soon as you've decided. It's nice to get to know more about another MCB person!

Hey, I got an email notification a couple of weeks back saying they had entered all details into their system and were now reviewing applications (This was for Evolutionary Bio). That's all I've heard so far.

As hard as it is, do try and hang in there with the waiting. I'm from the UK, and found the whole process baffling, and was giving up hope all through Feb, and had started applying to UK masters so I could pad out my CV some more. But then I got an acceptance to the place I wanted the most, so it can still happen (I still haven't heard a word back from the others, with the exception of one rejection). I guess what I'm saying is try and stick it out, there is still time for everything to work out, and if not, take that year and go have a great time! Best of luck