Chai_latte

You can't single-handedly change the student culture. Fool's errand. But, it might be important to note that if we look at sheer numbers, the prime beneficiaries of affirmative action have actually been...white women. One must take it back to the 1960s. Prior to that period, there were limits to the number of Jewish-Americans admitted to the Ivy League, the Ivies (for undergrad) were all-male, Hispanics, Native Americans and Asians...who were they?, most college educated African-Americans exclusively attended HBCUs, low-income whites...forget it. Unless you are white, anglo-saxon, protestant, male AND a blue-blood, YOU (or you parents) have benefitted. So, you can at least give the "muppet" food for thought...even if for a moment. As to why no one talks about legacy or other groups that have been on the receiving end of AA? Well, despite the proclamation of some, we don't live in a post-racial society. Race, more than gender (and even class) ever could, still ruffles feathers.

Really? I didn't know that (about the rank or the funding). What economic probs? Are they affecting funding for their PhD students? Do tell.

Maybe I should revise my rating. I love my research advisor, professors and city. My classmates seem nice. However, I came in mid-year. I didn't have an orientation/ real cohort (only 1 other person entered w/ me) and I wasn't on campus over the summer. So, while there are many friendly faces, I can't say that I have friends yet. But, I'll work on that next semester by getting more active. I think that'll be easier once coursework, TA-ing etc. are behind me. Maybe then I can give a Buckeyball/Logician 4.5-5 rating.

I feel like a number of posts relate to people being unhappy in/with their respective programs. I just wanted to get a sense of how "gradcafe-ers" feel, in general. I wish I knew how to make a poll, but what's your field and are you pleased with your program/overall grad experience (scale: 1-5, 5= extremely pleased)? Me: Chemistry 3.5-4

Oh my goodness. That's what I did...right in the 3rd-4th sentence of my SOP. I was missing one of those 2 or 3 letter words. I almost died. It was my first application and my first choice school. I'm attending that school now. I didn't think to contact them, but I'm also in a different field. Whatever you decide, good luck!

Nope. You're not the only person w/ this prob. When my mom was a grad student, she had a prof. who had come from President Johnson's administration and he was intimidating (not intentionally though). Apparently, he was handsome, super-smart and direct. She'd get dry mouth when she would speak with him during office hours. She saw the on-campus psychologist and the problem went away. She met success in his class, and all was well. I've never had that problem. I see all my profs. as teachers- plain and simple. I don't freak myself out about them being super-accomplished, or anything. They're there (in my mind's eye) to help me learn. The more accomplished they are, the more I can learn from them. Period. So, keep seeing that counselor and relaxxxx. They don't bite.

Quick question: Quite a few of you are applying to a lot of schools. Is bio a super-competitive field (with respect to admissions) like med school or psych programs? In chem, for instance, we don't usually apply to 15+ schools b/c most places (harvard et al. included) accept btwn 20-30%.

Calc 3 is usually multivariable. Your school probably lumps calc 1 and parts of calc 2 together. And throws a little bit of calc 2 into your multivar course.

Agreed

Really? I didn't know they did that. Is that just for the revised GRE, or was that the case w/ the old one as well?

That is a very weak response. You are not the only future grad student who has taken time off. I have, and so have tons of other people. I don't understand why he won't do this. When you sign up to be a prof., LOR writing is one of your responsibilities. As far as I'm concerned, he has already burned the bridge. At this junction, I'm on the fence. For whatever reason, he doesn't want to write a letter. It's not good to get letters from folks who aren't 100% on board. However, not having a thesis advisor's rec is very bothersome. I'd try to get his AND your reader's rec. I think you'd benefit from having 4 recs.

EXCELLENT!

I'd go with the professor/rotation. The fact that he/she is willing to let you rotate is probably a good sign. It seems like profs at your school are pretty serious/honest about not taking students if funding is a problem. I hope I'm not coming off as too judgmental, but an MLS is a waste of time compared to what you have. It's like owning a Benz in need of a brake job and trading it in for a junkmobile w/ functioning brakes. Maybe I exaggerate, but since you went straight from undergrad (and you haven't been exposed to a number of subfields), try out this new/interesting research. You may like it more than cancer. Give it a go, but please SERIOUSLY reconsider the MLS. I think it's a rather limiting degree compared to your current program.

Did she finally submit it?

Yeah, it is frequently discouraged for the reasons Cactus stated. BUT, apply...you know what's right for you. Clearly, the precedent has been set (w/ some of your instructors) at Temple. TU's English program isn't against admitting its own graduates. Go for it!

I'm always wary of getting too specialized at the udergrad level. Wouldn't PE limit you to a very narrow sector? Given that you'll work (hopefully) for the next 35 yrs in a period of great uncertainty, it might be wise to have a little more breadth. PEs definitely make a good salary while they're employed, but is there stability?

I fear that a 970 will detract from your application...greatly. You have a lot going for you, and you're a non-trad w/ a lot of work experience. If I were you, I'd focus on prepping for that GRE one last time. I've heard good things about the Manhattan Prep series. Try to bring your scores up 200-230 points (~1200). You might consider a tutor as well. The rest of your app seems flawless (provided that you write a strong SoP and have good LORs). So, aim for scores that won't hurt your app. They don't have to be stellar.

I like your criteria: fit and location. If those schools are the absolute, absolute only ones meeting your needs, then I think you already know the answer. However, you need to be honest w/ yourself. Are you OK w/ not attending at all if NOT ONE of those schools comes through? Or would you rather go to a school w/ good fit/bad location or vice versa? As an applicant, I'd err on the side of caution. Look into some lower ranked schools that might meet both needs and/or add schools that meet 1 criterion and might not be as good with the other. Hopefully, you'll get to decide between your top picks...but, it's always good to have back-ups. * Also, with location- not only do you want it to be tolerable for 5+ yrs, you also want it to sustain you in the nascent stages of your career. Like, if you choose not to do a post-doc, ask yourself if you're in a locale w/ numerous job opportunities in your field. And if you can really work your alumni network there.

Either an SMP or a post-bacc (there are a few specifically for people who already have a sci background). Allopathic admission is extremely competitive (acceptance rates under 10%), so the DO option or a Caribbean MD might be more realistic. Also, there are a lot of new med schools cropping up state-side. You might want to look into those. I don't know if their admit rates are higher/if they're more forgiving of low GPAs.

All the people at SUNY Buffalo seem to call it UB. I was up there for a summer. Prior to that, as someone from NYC, I knew it as SUNY Buffalo. But, refer to it by its full name initially and then call it UB.

Really? Wow...b/c on paper, Yale doesn't have a terminal MS. I didn't know they did that. Very interesting.

For the schools you're going for (and really any school), you need to take the exam again IMO. I really do think you current scores will hurt your app.

Oh, no...there's nothing worse than not having support. I'm a relatively new grad student. But, I'll try to offer some advice. 1) I needed a tutor last semester. No one within my program really had time to help me. So, I got a tutor from a nearby university. She made all the difference. I don't know where your school is, but if you're in a university hub, don't forget to make use of ALL resources. Does your prof. have office hours? Is he helpful? Live in his office, if necessary. Get your questions answered. Oh, don't forget there might be a postdoc willing to tutor. Don't just limit yourself to older grad students. 2) I'm sorry your peers are so unfriendly. That must be awful. If I were you, I'd be cordial, but wouldn't keep trying to be friends (at least not right now). I'm sure ppl in other depts. are nice. After you get past the hurdles of this semester, try to meet others by choosing an extracurricular activity. Maybe there's a club you'd like to join? 3) I hate to tell you to bail, but if you're truly miserable maybe a diff grad program would be better? Or, maybe stick it out a little longer to see if things improve? Ugh, I really don't know what to say. I'm sorry you're so unhappy and that the program is so unsupportive. Good luck

What's 152 quant equivalent to on the old scale? How does it compare it to the avg. scores at Vandy etc.? My gut says 152 is rather low. However, the rest of your app looks good to me. If you don't want to re-test, I'd apply to a wider range of schools. Surely, those four aren't the only ones that would provide a solid research fit.

Wow, you're planning on getting the MS and doing a postdoc? You'll be prepared to do almost anything! I have some MD/MPH, JD/MBA friends, and I HONESTLY don't know how you dual grad degree people do it. I can only tolerate but so much lecture/formal schooling before I pass out. I'm in my last semester of coursework now and I literally have to FORCE myself to do my problem sets (while mumbling, "I'm too old for this... "). My hat goes off to you guys. @katerific- please provide updates when/if you become an absinthe-drinking, greeting card writing shepherd. Grad school sure does open a lot of doors!!