omoplata

So I posted in here a while back about transitioning from biology to earth sciences, and by some stroke of happenstance, I was able to get an offer from UCI. There are a number of faculty I would be really interested in working under there, it is in a location I would be willing to live at for a few years, and the grad students seem happy. So, I am on the verge of turning down the other bio programs I've gotten into for the sake of evolving research interests, even if they are from traditionally CV-beautifying names. Anyway, before I pulled the trigger, I just wanted to get some indication about the reputation of the program with those who have been involved with the earth sciences for longer? I've given up on specific rankings due to endlessly questionable and debatable methodologies and weights at this point and all I care is that it is regarded as a department with solid track record for putting out good research and students, which it definitely seemed to do when I visited. Your help is appreciated, thanks!

Credit card bills are looming and I have to say, I failed to consider the turnaround time for grad school recruitment visit reimbursements before budgeting.

@Usmivka -- about this student, did she do any previous geology research? Also, I was wondering if someone could speak on the quality of UC Irvine's ESS program? The research being done there looks really awesome and the curriculum looks good for me as well (modeling heavy). They appear to be the first "earth system science" program founded in name.

Hmm, maybe I posted to wrong section?

Hey Guys, Applied for bio programs this year, but am considering delaying a year to reapply in my specific area of interest, geobiology/earth systems. I heard about Stanford's EESS program a while ago, but was told by someone currently doing grad work in Stanford's Earth Sciences department not to apply to any of their programs without prior earth sciences/geophysics coursework. I have some population/conservation biology coursework and have done some self-study, but do not have any official earth sciences background. I emailed the EESS coordinator, but did not receive a reply, which makes sense given that it is app season right now. Just wondering whether someone in the know could corroborate or refute what my acquaintance said? I've already gotten into one program that would let me do geobiological research, even if the program does not have earth sciences in its name, but I've been told by my previous academic bosses and advisors not to take prestige too lightly and to not be so idealistic to jump into a program just because research interests match out of consideration for networking/future postdocs/job prospects. I have a tendency to not care so much about reputation or bragging rights, but have been told this mentality could cost me in the future.

I applied this year and got some interviews for some biomed programs. In truth though, I have wanted to get into earth systems science/geobiology/biological oceanography for some time. I've taken some evolution/conservation biology courses, but my undergrad coursework does not fulfill the supposed chemistry and geophysical requirements of many earth sciences programs. Additionally, my research background is mostly biomed as well because of the opportunities available to me. This interest developed as I took those evo/conservation bio courses, and my undergrad institution did not have much in the way of geobiological research. Here's the thing -- by a stroke of luck, I've gotten some interviews for programs I like (already accepted into one) which, while biomed in name, would allow me to work with PI's doing geobiological work. After talking to my current boss though (tech'ing at a lab currently), he is advising me that those programs I've gotten interviewed from do not carry enough prestige to help me get good post-docs afterward, that I should ditch the acceptances I have or will get, stay an extra year in his lab, and reapply next year. He says that the publications I'll presumably finish this year (I have three in the works), will allow me to get into better programs with a specific geobiological/earth systems focus. Thing is, these publications will still have nothing to do with the earth sciences. He says that that will not matter, and that the number of publications will impress any sort of program. I am very uncertain about his advice. Would these publications help a future application in a different field? I can't help but feel that an extra year in his lab would not help me make up my missing earth sci coursework, give me any better shot at a geobiological program. Also not sure about delaying an extra year when I already have some programs that I like. What is y'all's take on this?

Rivers, do you have an earth sciences background? Wanted to apply for EESS this year, but a student I knew in the program said not to bother applying without having done earth science coursework.

Stanford is also apparently done with Neuroscience invites "for the most part," I was told.

Heads up -- I just called UCSD and they told me that they were done sending out neuroscience invites.

Arrrghh, Stanford and UCSD have both started today!

Okay, this segues to another next question -- would I be better off going into one of the weaker bio programs I got into (given that there are PIs I want to work with in these "weaker programs"), or would I be better off reapplying to more umbrella bio programs next year, given that I may be risking some time of unemployment as my current tech position may lose its funding?

Hey Guys, I'll probably catch fire for asking a question as ignorant as this, but here goes. I am heavily wavering between neuroscience and genetics to go deeper into for grad school. I applied primarily to neuroscience programs this time around with a dabbling of umbrella biology programs because my undergrad background was more neuroscience. It happens that I've been rejected from most of the neuroscience programs I've applied to while all the umbrella places I applied to have reached out with interview requests -- maybe adcoms detected that I was conflicted. Anyway, if I choose to go to a school that accepted me for neuroscience, would it be possible for me to later switch into the bio program? Or would I be expected to reapply all over again? Thanks.

Yup, just got my rejection in from UCSF. As stated above, lesson here is to be skeptical and never take anything for granted until you get something official.

An acquaintance of mine who also applied to UCSF called them and mentioned to me that they while their decisions would be finalized at the end of this work week, they had already started rejecting. Looking at the results page, I can see that this is the case.

Definitely the moral of the story in this case. Though having worked in the corporate world for a little while, I can't say I am too surprised.