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Everything posted by Crucial BBQ
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To use this prof's/PIs weight in the program to pull the OP through the application process when the OP knows that s/he is not interested in her research is dishonest. Now, it would be a different story if the OP told this PI that s/he is not interested in her research and the PI still brought him/her in regardless.
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I know that NIH brings in people from all over the world for short periods of time; 3 months, 6 months, etc. They are usually brought in by an individual at NIH who sponsors their visa. Those coming in typically have a speciality in a particular area that is of interest to the PIs research. I can think of two right now doing this, one from Europe and one from Thailand. They both also found temporary residences through Air B&B, if that helps. Well, now you have a year to save up to apply to even more schools. Typically, public universities in the U.S. are more difficult for International students to gain admittance into because these schools are largely subsidized by resident tax dollars. But don't give up on publics: the top public universities would still be worth a shot and definitely do not be afraid of applying to private universities, in particular the HYPSM's. Some applicants are just over achievers and you never know what any specific program/lab/PI is looking for with new students, and what is looked for can change year-to-year. I believe there is such a thing as being too perfect, especially if you are expected to answer questions that no one yet knows the answers to. Grad school is the wrong place to experience failure for the first time. Here are some other things to consider: 1. Some people can afford to spend $Thousands on GRE prep and most GRE prep teaches you how to take the GRE and not necessarily how to do the math (in case of QR, for example). The GRE is a standardized test, which means it is predictable, ...which means it is coachable (standardized tests in the U.S. meaning that everyone has an equal shot at acing it regardless of school, major, age, etc. Hence the term "standardized". Keep in mind that the art student from 3rd Tier University You Never Heard Of and the engineering student from MIT take the exact same test). And yes, some people test well on the GRE without dropping $$$$$ on test prep. 2. The publications could have been published in 3rd rate journals (some journals will literally publish anything if the author is willing to pay the fee), the university's/department's own on-campus publication, on a friend's website, and so on. I spent four years writing for my undergraduate student newspaper; was published in every issue sans three. If I listed "published" on my profile I would be misleading for sure but not lying. 3. Conferences. The conferences could have been some small time event at a local university. Or they could be significant for a particular area, and still small time. I presented at a GIS conference in one of the New England states. It was actually a pretty big deal, for the State, but since it was by the State for the State it was a rather small gathering by comparison to even a mediocre National GIS conference. My name is in their archives (and on the website). This event is also listed on my CV but I don't go around bragging I attended a GIS conference because even though that is what it was I know that at the grad school/academia level it most-likely would be assumed to have been a more prestigious event. There are those who truly do attend big-name conferences, publish in legit journals, and so on but when I think of my experiences through undergrad I know that I can honestly say that I have presented at conferences (six total), had articles published that went through a submission, editing, and selected-for-publication process, to name a few, but there is nothing really "wow" about any of that and I know I cannot be the only one. No. Your number one priority should be to gain more research/industry experience. You will get so many opinions on the validity of GRE scores it will make your head spin. Some profs/adcomms believe them to be vitally important, others may not even look at them. At best you can surmise the use of GRE scores in admissions as more of a formality. Since the opinions will vary amongst the "experts", I suggest you get into contact with prospective programs and ask them. Program directors are extremely helpful and generally forthcoming with info not found on the website. So your number two priority should be securing outside funding. Great research/lab/industry experience combined with low GRE scores looks better on an application than does little research experience and high GRE scores (if even perfect). The GRE says nothing of your potential as a researcher. I think you should retake the GRE but perhaps a better thing to do might be to take a subject test. If you have good grades in undergrad and/or grad school math/quant/analytical courses your GRE QR score could easily be overlooked. No, you do not need teaching experience, though mentoring neighborhood kids or tutoring (college students in math) would look really good in your applications.
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While not the worst in Baltimore it is not a good neighborhood. Lexington Market may be "world famous" but it is also an open air drug market, too. You will most likely be fine during the day but I would avoid the place at night. But you should be okay at 39 Lex for the most part. There is another apartment high rise right on the Inner Harbor, but its name escapes me at the moment. Rent is cheaper and they all but guarantee a place for JHBSPH students without need of credit check (I know, my ex GF went to Bloomberg. It's how I ended up in Maryland). The apartment might be nice but like lots of areas of Baltimore (most) the grime and ghetto are always literally a block away in any direction no matter where you are (and no, Baltimore is not that bad--actually a lot of it is pretty cool--but it is still bad--but not...-- but I do also guarantee you will get more than one "Bloomberg School of Public Health professor/student was robbed at gunpoint two blocks from campus".). If you got the money, as I mentioned in my other post, look into Mt. Vernon, Charles Village, Canton, or Fells Point. Perhaps Little Italy and Pigtown, too.
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That is too close to Lexington Market, which you probably want to avoid. I'd look a little more north past HWY 40 up in the Mt. Vernon neighborhood. A lot of BSPH students live in Mt. Vernon. I would also look at Charles Village, Canton, and Fells Point.
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Public transport does not stop, keep in mind that this winter in Boston is an anomaly. 45 minutes to 1 hour out really depends on what route you will take. The D line of the Green train can take an hour just to go from Boston College to Boston University because it stops every two feet. To give you perspective, you can walk that distance within one hour. Also with the T, and unlike in other cities, they will cram as many people in as possible. For what ever reason Bostonians cannot be bothered to wait for the next T, even if it right around the corner. Often times so many people board it overwhelms the train and the train breaks down. The Red, Orange, and Blue lines are a heckofalot more efficient than the Green and honestly I would avoid the Green train unless necessary. There is an Android and iPhone app for the Boston T that shows where the busses are in real time. However, it will not show where the Green Line trains are, perhaps because the entire Green Line is a POS and should be torn out and replaced with a proper subway. Some busses run 24/7, some don't. You can pretty much get to any point B from any point A via public transportation but some busses are really effin slow. You will very quickly learn that the busses (much like all of the Green trains) come when they come no matter what the schedule says. A bus can be twenty minutes late and then three of them will arrive at your stop, one right after the other. Or you might not see a bus for an hour even though it is scheduled to run by your stop once every 20 minutes. As I mentioned, there is an app for that. Owning a vehicle in Boston is a bad idea. For one, the roads are, well, a bit discombobulated. Five-way intersections? Seven-way intersections? You bet! Plus parking is really expensive, if you can find parking. My apartment wanted to charge $170/month for a spot out back, and parking garages, forget it. Plus, when it snows, residents shovel out their own spot. Parking in someone's spot is a very bad idea unless you want a flat tire.
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I lived in Brighton three years ago with a yearly salary of less than half that amount. Still managed to purchase micro/craft beer every night and hang out at a local bar. It really helped that I got rid of my car when I moved to Boston, lived in an apartment that had heat included in the rent, and did not have cable TV. I did live with a roommate, though, too. Just a heads up: if you know you will be attending school in September, you need to find and secure a place by May/June. Also don't be surprised if your landlord requires a co-signer no matter how old you are or how much money you make.
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I too also met Kareem Abdul Jamal. An ex was good friends with the Def Tones. I also knew them from around town. Cake, too. I knew Nick and Rayzen from !!!, but I don't think they are too popular of a band to count. The same ex was also friends with Green Day. Mr. Bungle used to play around Sacramento quite often. I've met Mike Patton numerous times but it was not until years later when I realized he was the same Mike Patton from Faith No More. I met Del and most of the Hieroglyphics crew long before he was famous. I also knew Sean (Slug) of Atmosphere. Speaking of Minneapolis, I also know all of the Doom Tree guys (and gal). I have also met El P. I've met David Saderis and George Carlin when I worked at a theater in Boston. Name a professional skateboarder from Nor Cal and I most likely either skateboarded with them or partied with them.
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Ipad or Surface Pro 3 for grad school?
Crucial BBQ replied to FeministCorgi's topic in Officially Grads
I have been using Apple products for a really long time. I have had an iPad beginning with the iPad 1. My personal opinion is that if you were to use one particular app for a long period of time (time as in hours), than an iPad would be okay. Other than that, I think they, and iOS in general, are the worst for productivity. I also agree that the iPad (and iPhone for that matter) don't live up to their full potential unless paired with a Mac. Apple is not known for being philanthropic, but they do offer a student discount. It is either a straight $100 or $50 off the product, depending on which the product. If you are just looking for something to carry to class and around campus, I would lean towards the Surface Pro, but depending on what you usage is likely to be you may also like the iPad. However, I cannot honestly see working on a thesis or dissertation through a tablet, no matter who much of a hybrid it is. If you are looking for something to replace your "home computer" I would suggest another laptop. -
How to negotiate grad school funding offers?
Crucial BBQ replied to David-Gal's topic in Decisions, Decisions
While I am yet to be a grad student I do know that with some of the programs I am looking at MS students can request additional fundings (through the advisor and/or department) that generally seem to come in the form of odd jobs around campus (working in the program director's office, for the DGS, in the library, etc.). Not sure if that is what you are looking for. It will not hurt to ask your advisor. -
What surprised you the most going through this whole process?
Crucial BBQ replied to budgie's topic in 2010-2015 Archive
Ha! Yeah, one of my potential programs still used a paper application that had to be mailed via snail mail (no option for online application and emailing the form was a big fat no). This also meant that the LOR form was paper-based, and also required a submittal through the mail. I ultimately did not apply because of the LOR forms. I also applied to a program at a school that rejected me, twice; once for a freshman admit then again as a transfer. Another program I applied to I also applied to as a transfer student during undergrad and was not only accepted into the school but also into the major (same department). I ended up going elsewhere. Considering that they accepted me as a transfer student at a time when I had far less credentials than I do now, I was so tempted to write in my SOP, "Well, you guys accepted me as an undergraduate transfer student..." -
To add to what has already been written, being overqualified has two meanings. 1. It means that your years of experience and/or credentials allow you to take on more responsibility at work, and as such, more pay to go along with those responsibilities. So being overqualified means that you have the potential to earn more than what the potential (or current) employer is willing to pay you (sometimes because that rate of pay is simply not in their budget). The general assumption is that you know what you are worth and that by taking the lower-paying position (assuming it is really lower, not just be a few dollars) you are temporarily settling for "some money is better than no money" and will keep one foot out the door ready to leave for that better opportunity. It costs money to hire and train employees, even when they do come with experience (because they are going to train you how to do the job their way, few give a hoot how you did it at your previous job). Few employers will waste their money on someone who is a flight risk. 2. It is also a legal way to practice agism by assuming that you are stuck in your ways. Employers love young hires not only because they can pay them peanuts but because they can pay them peanuts to do stuff that an older, more experienced, employee would not do no matter how big the bag of peanuts may be. Perhaps it is pride. Or stubbornness. Or having the maturity that only comes with age to know when someone treats you like a sucker. Either way, this goes back to #1: employers want employees who can be taught to do the job the way they want the job to be done. I participate in a few other forums relating to higher education in the U.S. This sentiment of yours is the current belief of many, but as I have wrote many times here on Grad Cafe and elsewhere, higher education in the U.S. IS NOT vo-tech or career training. There are a handful of universities that are adopting a "career-forward" approach to their educational model but in general undergrad in the U.S. is meant to be as preparation for grad school and grad school is meant to be training and conditioning for a career in academia. It has been that way in the U.S. for well over 200 years and is not likely to change much anytime soon. The term "overqualified" was used way before the dot com boom (and burst). The recession in the 1980s saw a higher unemployment rate than of the "Great Recession" (seriously, what's with the name?). Employers always had the upper hand. The only difference is that through the 1980s they knew they had you by the ballz. The fact that many Boomers and older are refusing to retire, plus an effin' boat load of Millennials who believe that college is a birthright, has something to do with it.
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Why hide them? I just remove these "types" from my friends list all together. Life without Facebook is so much more enjoyable.
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It is a Ron Burgundy quote from Anchorman, in case you didn't know. My favorite is: "milk was a bad idea", although few under the age of garbleglug#4gaa understand the reference. By all means, use it!
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Finding the endowments for the entire school is pretty easy to come by, not sure if you can find info on individual departments. Ecologists tend to be bucket scientists. That is, they trudge through the mud and grime and wet to their research sites carrying their equipment in a bucket. I doubt the typical budget for an ecology program to be that large. The cool thing about the UC system (as well as CSU and CC) is that the Regents collect a lot of info and create a ton of documentation. This might be a good starting point: http://regents.universityofcalifornia.edu/regmeet/sept11/e2.pdf or, http://www.ucop.edu/student-affairs/_files/gradsurvey_2010.pdf
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Wait, the POI at a premier research institution took you to his/her restaurant of choice, which was an on-campus cafeteria for lunch? Talk about wowing the prospects! *sarcasm* But seriously, it's La Jolla, hope they at least had pescados.
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is SUNY stony brook a good uni?
Crucial BBQ replied to greaterbein's topic in IHOG: International House of Grads
I am not sure about how difficult it is get into, but in general MS programs are easier to gain admittance into vs. Ph.D. programs in the U.S. As for the school, Stony Brook is generally regarded as a great university. -
How protectionistic are public schools?
Crucial BBQ replied to Catria's topic in IHOG: International House of Grads
Fuzzylogician is close... State schools are heavily subsidized by local (that is, in-State) taxes. So in many ways the resident students (or most likely their parents) have been paying into that through their taxes for years, if not for the entirety of their working lives thus far (assuming they are not from another State). Typically, those who attend a state school within their same State are most likely to remain in that same State, thus continuing to pay into the system through their own taxes. So, in one hand it is not fair for non-residents to receive the same resident tuition, and in the other, graduates are more likely to continue to pay into the system long after they graduate. I am not really sure how International students cost more in grad school, but for undergrad there really should be no difference between, say, a student from Guam attending the same North Carolina university as a student from Montana except that the International student is more likely to go back home after graduation and, thus, not contributing to the system with future tax dollars. The cost of non-resident tuition at public universities is close to the actual price tag to attend (the difference between resident and non-resident tuition should give you an indication of how much the public is picking up with tax dollars). Because non-residents pay more, public universities are upping their non-resident quotas to help bring more money into the university. Grad school is a bit different. Historically, graduate school was training ground and conditioning for a career in academia. Much of that is still true. In some ways it makes little sense for a U.S. university to train academics who are likely to not get jobs in U.S. academia. And if that is the goal it is a Catch-22 as there are already too many Americans who are trying to get those same jobs. Also, there is the question of why? Surely there are top universities in most countries around the world, so why study/train in the U.S.? Why learn the American way of doing things when your Ph.D. in your home country might only take three years and with a heck of a lot less hoops to jump through? -
At the UC I applied to, MS students can and do move into Ph.D. either within the same program or into a different program. My understanding is that all it takes is for the student to fill out a one-page form and for the PI to say yes. The only thing that would stop this from happening is that the PI does not have the funding.
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To take a shot in the dark, I would guess your Prof means that the days of writing a term paper the evening before it is due are over; it is time you learn the process of revision, critique, and more revision. One reason why I did not began college until the age of 23 is that I had originally intended on making a career in Hollywood...as a screenwriter. I went to seminars, workshops, and "community classes" taught by those in the industry. A few of the more important aspects of the process are: 1. Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. You can always write something better. Always. At some point you will have to stop, though, else you want to remain in constant revision. Even if you think your piece could not possibly be improved upon a fresh pair of eyes will see where it can. 2. You really can condense four pages of writing into one paragraph or less and say the same thing if not more. 3. Books, training, and advice will only take you so far. The only way to really become a good writer, let alone a decent one at that, is to write, a lot. There is an axiom out there which states that great writers only publish 10% of their writings. Even Stephen King gets scrutinized by editors and rejected from publishers. The above was reinforced through four years of writing for the student newspaper. Regarding journal papers; in the biological sciences, each journal has its own unique writing style, tone, formatting, and so on. While reading journal papers may give one an idea of content I am not sure if they make good guides for style. A better place to look may be the university's own repository of past thesis/dissertation papers.
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Postbaccs are typically for medical school; too give students who want to pursue medical school but do not have the necessary background in science. There might be some postbaccs for other programs, but the only ones I have heard about were for post BA/BS pre-meds. The NIH thing seems for those wanting Ph.D.s but do not have the necessary research experience. I think the PREP program is for underrepresented minorities. As far as postbaccs are concerned, my understanding is that they are looked at very favorably; at least for med schools.
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What Has Been Your Biggest Challenge In Applying To Grad School?
Crucial BBQ replied to DrKT's question in Questions and Answers
The biggest challenge for me was financial. Grad programs are so idiosyncratic that even if I were in the top 90th percentile of applicants the odds would not be in my favor. Or they might be. Or not. Or....If I were to apply to all programs on my finalized list it would cost me roughly $1700 out of my own pocket. Now, if I were accepted into MIT/WHOI or UCSD Scripps or the Brown MBL (also at WHOI), I'd consider the financial loss as positive. Otherwise it just seems like a waste to cast such a wide net when in the end you will only attend one. -
2015 Ecology/Evolution/Organismal/Marine Biology Applicants
Crucial BBQ replied to Enhydra's topic in Biology
Well, considering that this thread began because the handful of EEB applicants were getting lost in the fury of biomed/neuroscience/comp bio/neuroscience/immunology/neuroscience/neuroscience/neuroscience of the main "2015 Profiles" thread, should be your answer. We are the outliers, the ones that even biology students look at and think, "geek". And that EEB programs tend to do things a little bit later in the cycle, too. -
Perhaps it is just a marine science thing, but many programs I have looked at do not accept students with a prior Ph.D. As to why the multiple degrees? This is something that is most likely to make more sense as you get older. I understand that the majority of Grad Cafe members are wanting a career in academia, but the reality with the way things are right now most members are going to end up in industry. Or stuck in the cycle of part-time teaching gigs year after year. Unless you become an in-demand rockstar researcher working on the bleeding edge, you will most likely hit a ceiling in terms of raises (outside of the yearly COL) and promotions. For some this won't be an issue but for others the prospects of an MBA, JD, MS in something-or-another, or grad school certs will look appealing as they will be the only way to continue moving up ladder. Others are looking towards retirement, or early retirement. Let's say you got a Ph.D. in what-ever by the age of 30. Then at 40 you begin Law School, part time. Maybe you take it nice and slow and earn your JD at 50. Or 60. When you retire, you could pick up small (or large) jobs here and there to supplement your fixed retirement income. I know a few people who have done this. My grandfather being one (hit ceiling) and a former employer (where I pulled the Law-Degree-at-50 from). A former roommate of mine has an advanced degree in Pharm from the E.U. and was in the States doing a Ph.D. in Botany; perhaps not quite what the OP is getting at. A guy I worked with in my first lab tech job had both a BS and Ph.D. in Biology, and was about to enter into...the science equivalent of an MBA (it's escaping me...SBM (Science Business Management?). My current GF is another who hit the ceiling. There is no way she can advance in either pay or position, at her current employment or with another, without earning another degree or certs. And in terms of age-in-career, she is still on the younger side of things. You may be surprised to learn just how many employments are dependent on the type or types of credentials you have and not the "prestige" of the degree.