dendy

I've seen most people list them in order of appearance so they could cite them in text with a superscript number and save space.

Are you guys using the required sections (Introduction, Problem Statement, Hypothesis, Methods to Test Hypothosis, Anticipated Results or Findings, Expected Significance, Broader Impacts and Literature Citations) as headers for each section or paragraph? Do you think it's ok to combine some of these things--My conclusion combines expected significance and broader impacts. Instead of writing "Methods to Test Hypothesis" I have two "Aims" that test my hypothesis and I my justification for that experiment and discuss the anticipated results or findings for each Aim within each aim section. Does anyone know where I can find the format guidelines for previous years? All the papers I've read included "aims" but I will change mine if "aims" were specifically included in the guidelines each year, and replaced by "methods to test hypothesis"

Do you know why they didn't like it? I don't really discuss where I am doing this research other than referring to "our lab" and listing the department on the app. There isn't really another lab I could do this, and it's a real project I came up and am starting preliminary work on now. I think my PI said that I basically operate as a grad student now in my letter but I can't be sure. I am referencing unpublished data from my lab--would they prefer I say I'm applying to Harvard and taking my current lab's data, animals, and imaging setup with me?? Do the reviewers just think it's nepotism?

I have heard something somewhat similar for the NSF grad fellowship. Priority is given to people born in low populations states, so you would be more likely to get it if you are from Wyoming as opposed to California.

Why don't you ask your friend why her GRE was waived??

Are you guys using "we" or "I" for your proposed experimental plan? I was leaning towards "I", but I talk about unpublished data from "our lab" and I want to have a consistent "voice" I guess... Speaking of which, how should I cite unpublished raw data? I've just been writing (unpublished data) after each statement but should I put something in the citations list--if so, what? I can only find formats for citing unpublished papers. Also, I am currently working as a research assistant (applying to grad school right now) and I am proposing this project as if I was staying in this current lab/university for grad school which is unlikely but not outside the realm of possibility. This project IS specific to the lab/its interests and while I could perform it at a few other schools, where I am at now is best suited for it so I listed my current department as my proposed graduate program. Do you think reviewers could view this as weird for some reason?? Should I emphasize why this school really is the best place for this project (one technique was developed here and is still not widely disseminated and I am also using preliminary data from this lab)?

If you're really poor you can apply for a GRE fee waiver or reduction: http://www.ets.org/s/gre/pdf/gre_fee_reduction_certificate.pdf If you really can't afford the GRE how are you going to afford all the school application fees?

I've read some successful applications and the Personal Statements didn't seem very professional. Particularly the one that used the term "nerdery." No need to be stuffy.

The blurb from the ETS says it will only tell about accomodations if you can't do an entire section because of your disability, like if you had dyscalculia and were completely unable to do math so the report would explain that you don't have a Quantitative score. More importantly, I don't think the universities would look down on you for taking extra time. That's completely ridiculous and probably a violation of the ADA. I think you should request the accomodations, because you definitely deserve them, and plan on taking the test once or twice.

Well my main worry is that the recs are due at the end of the month/beginning of Dec and I feel like 2 weeks is way too close in case I have to find another writer. Maybe this is why you're supposed to contact recommenders 6 weeks ahead of time...

So yesterday morning I sent two former PIs email requests for letters of rec (I live too far to visit and they both hate phone calls). I know 36 hours isn't very long but they are both constantly glued to their iPhones and in the past I've always received an almost instantaneous response. I'm starting to get anxious and think they both missed my message and now it is long buried in their inboxes, never to see the light of day. Or maybe my email is broken. Or maybe they both hate me. How long would you wait before sending a follow up and how would you word it in order to not sound like a presumptuous anxiety ridden baby??

I'm currently delaying emailing two profs for letters---who have both written me excellent letters in the past!! Why do I do this to myself...

Would I get extra "points" for talking about being underrepresented in my personal statement, like from a rural area or a very low income background, or would they care more about outreach I have done for these groups?

It's not completely clear what you're asking... If you are just referring to the issue of him checking out the grad school websites, maybe drop it. It was nice of him to offer but he's clearly busy and you should be capable of doing your own research on schools. If you mean to drop communication entirely and find new recommender--I wouldn't. He clearly likes you and wants to help to succeed and could therefore write you a great letter, though he might need a little prodding to get the letters submitted in time.

Is it kosher to list papers that haven't been published yet? I have one accepted for review and one under revision. Would it also be ok to cite these in my essays? Can I just include all the standard citation info + (under review) or ?? And would you bother to list an unpublished honors thesis?