Monochrome Spring

Who else is attending (or is thinking of attending) MSU in 2014? What do you think of the area, housing, etc?

My first research experiences were more exploratory than anything else. I worked in a plant ecology lab, essentially watering and weighing the samples. And then I worked in a plant cell wall lab, where I ran PCR and gels. Those were very low-level positions and were for me to discover what research I was interested in pursuing later at a higher level. After that, beginning of my 2nd year, I started my first 'real' research experience. I started working on a publishable project in that lab toward the end of my 2nd year, and I'll finish the manuscript for publication at the end of my 3rd year/graduation. As for the writing on this project, I have a document with paragraphs of ideas, but my PI will integrate those as she sees fit and do the majority of the writing/formatting. My actual undergraduate thesis is not publishable, though it is higher level field work. The research is simply not novel enough to be worth publishing. I don't think anyone expects you to be great at writing papers, when you're just leaving undergrad. And I agree with TakeruK that you should focus on the research, because it will help drive writing the paper. To prepare for grad school, my biggest piece of advice would be to read as many papers as possible, in different major journals in your field. Get an idea of how things are worded and formatted, and try to implement that in your own writing when you get to that point in your research.

Think of it instead as "I wasn't the right fit". And it's better to figure that out now instead of joining a lab group that isn't perfect for you. : ) There's a program/lab out there for you. Don't give up yet.

When things aren't going well but you gotta persevere. http://whatshouldwecallgradschool.tumblr.com/post/76343406995/when-things-arent-going-well-but-you-gotta-persevere

I read a lot of fantasy, science fiction, and popular science. I also like to watch those same genres on tv. When I have a lot of time, I play video games. The rest of the time, I like hiking and environmental outreach.

I know that some schools will let you come early in the summer if you win a fellowship with summer funding, so ask around about those too.

I don't know. It probably depends on the program and professor.

I've had professors google me and find my personal website. I think they do this in part to see what your presence on the internet is. For example, you may be on the website for a lab group or for a large volunteer service. This can give them an impression of how other groups perceive you, in addition to getting to read on projects that you may not have been able to elaborate on in your application materials.

I currently go to UC Davis and would be more than happy to answer any questions you have (if I have an answer). Personally, I think you don't get the full experience of Davis if you don't live in Davis. As for avoiding the causeway, there is also the option of living in Winters or Woodland, which would be about the same commute time.

Guanacaste and La Selva. I'm looking at doing plant community ecology across dry and wet forest types, so these make for an ideal location.

I'll add to what wolbachia said. Sometimes, professors only have a certain number of students that they can meet on a given interview weekend. You just may have just not have made it into their slots.

Sometimes, people get admitted before their interviews, if they get a competitive fellowship offer.

Definitely. What about something like: University y Program biology subfield x Degree masters/phd Are you okay with being contacted via PM about housing/meetups? yes/no Why did you choose this program? explanation

Since we have a decision made (congratulations!), I think I'll start the get to know you/decisions thread. Is there anything you guys want included in the first post that people should indicate when they introduce themselves?

Another good tip is to email the departments and ask what was weak about your application, so that you can address those issues the next time you apply, if you end up needing to reapply next season.

Worst: Stanford was difficult to navigate and I had to fill out all of the forms before I could request LoRs. University of Maryland College Park required me to pay before I could request LoRs. Best: University of California Berkeley was very straightforward and clean. University of Pittsburgh was very similar.

I use a database that pulls from many journals. So if I'm looking for papers on X hypothesis, I just search for it and get all relevant papers across journals. When I'm reading just to get more knowledge in my field, I am more broad and put "tropic* plant". I read through the abstracts of every paper available for the month (I do this lit pull monthly), and pull the ones that are most relevant. I have a folder on my computer of papers to read, and I color code it: green = read, purple = key paper in field, no color = need to read.

I read 50+/month between my two literature reviews and reading another article each day in my desired graduate subfield. I expect that I'll be at 25-50/mo after the literature reviews are done.

Very nice stats BostonBio. Maybe you'd consider sticking around to help out applicants next cycle?

I'm doing pretty good, but I feel like my situation was really odd. I got a fellowship offer from MSU's college before I even have my departmental interview next week. And it's my top choice, so it takes so much stress off. I know it's going to be a lot easier to focus on getting to know the department and the campus next week, instead of worrying about acceptances. I hope you get into UM, and we can be Michigan buddies.

My CV was 1.5-2 pages, depending on spacing, when I submitted it. I don't have any papers under review, however. If you're asking if it's okay to include a "Papers under review" section, my answer is yes. I think it's fine to include sections like "Papers under review" and "Papers under revision", especially for a graduate school application.

Congratulations to all of you who got positive results today!