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pxa

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  • Gender
    Female
  • Application Season
    2014 Fall
  • Program
    Neuroscience

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  1. I've accepted the offer yesterday! I'll join the Neuroscience program =)
  2. Thank you, thank you!!! I've finally made the decision: Northwestern. I'm a little bit sad that it's not going to be sunny every day during the next 5 years of my life, BUT the academic fit is more important to me. Also, my optimistic side is telling me that, if I do a great PhD in the area I love, I could go to UCSF for my post-doc. UCSF was actually my first choice during the application process, but I was rejected there. Alternatively, if my life is going to be cold place after cold place, I might as well learn now how to deal with snow stuff the best way possible. Again, thank you all!!
  3. Thank you all for the input!! I guess I'm still learning to deal with "what ifs". But life is quite surprising, isn't it? Northwestern was at the bottom of my list when I was applying, but it made its way to the top! It's interesting (perhaps sad?) to hear that I was not the only one who felt this "not so friendly" vibe from UCSD. My current advisor did her post-doc at UCSD and she warned me that UCSD is highly hierarchical and competitive. She also said that you have to look out for yourself, because it is not unusual to do a 7 years PhD without publications. I consider myself very independent too, but a cooperative work environment is always better than a highly competitive one. A lot of people are telling me that! But I have the genuine fear that this might be my last shot in a rather long time to live in California. Why? I feel that from now on (after the PhD), research fit is going to be my priority and there are way more opportunities for post-docs in cold places than in warm places - Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Canada, north of US... Also, after the PhD, I'll be almost 30. That's also scary.
  4. Yes, there are way more professors doing what I like at Northwestern than at UCSD. There are 2 professors at Northwestern that I would like to do rotations already, and one of them is simply amazing - I had a 2h meeting with him and I really liked him. I don't feel as enthusiastic about the professors I talked to from UCSD (3) and my top choice won't take students next year...
  5. Hey guys! I'm struggling to decide between the PhD program at Northwestern (Neuroscience) and at UCSD (Biology). As a person, I'd be happier at UCSD. I always wanted to live in California - great weather all year + proximity to amazing national parks. Plus, UCSD is better ranked than Northwestern and I'm already feeling weird with the looks I get from my friends and family when I tell them I'm strongly considering Northwestern over UCSD. I know that this is completely stupid, but I feel pressured to stick with the higher ranked program. As a researcher, I'd be happier at Northwestern. They are way more welcoming than the people at UCSD and they are doing all they can to bring me to their program. Plus, I've found a great fit with a professor - he is doing exactly what I want to do AND he is a great mentor. The problem is, if I go to Northwestern and things don't work out academically (what if I find out that the POI I loved isn't that great to work with in the end?), I'm stuck in Chicago, a city I don't really wanted to live in. If I go to UCSD, I'll probably live a healthier life, but I might get frustrated about not doing the kind of research I wanted to do, and working with people that aren't as friendly. Soooooooooooooooo, I'm stuck. Please help!
  6. Thank you for the feedback! Yes, I completely agree that my off-campus experience would be better in San Diego. However, I'll spend most of my time actually working, so the work environment has to be good. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I had the feeling that professors are more friendly and more caring in Northwestern. Also, some professors from Northwestern have pointed out that Northwestern has a stronger neuroscience community than UCSD. I really don't know if that's true, so any thoughts on this is also appreciated!
  7. Hi everyone! I am an international student and I am struggling to choose between two PhD programs: UCSD Biological Sciences and Northwestern Interdepartmental Neuroscience (NUIN). I am mostly interested in developmental neuroscience, so I would follow the neurobiology track at UCSD (I was rejected at their neuroscience program). At first, I was sure I was going to UCSD, because of great possible PIs and, hey, it's San Diego. But now, I'm more inclined towards Northwestern, because they really seem to care more about their students training and they are making every effort to bring me to their program. Some info about me: - Getting an excellent training that will prepare me for an academic career is my priority, but since we're talking about the next 5-6 years of my life, I would also like to live in a nice place. - I did 1 year of research at Case Western, so I had a taste of the Midwest. I never lived in the west coast. - I don't hate winter, but I'm happier when the weather is nice. - I'm an outdoors person, so visiting national parks will be my #1 free time activity in the US. - The Chicago campus of Northwestern does not please me, although the Evanston campus is nice. Unfortunately, the PIs I liked work in Chicago. So, weather-wise and location-wise, I would prefer UCSD. But it seems that academic-wise, Northwestern would be a better fit. What do you guys think? All advice is highly appreciated!
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