mp429

From the way you explain the two, it does appear you are leaning towards UCI. While I am an advocate of taking on new opportunities, it feels as though you would be more comfortable in CA & it would not be at the expense of your education since UCI is a good match. Would you be able to pursue similar research ideas you would in Chicago at UCI or are they very different avenues?

^ Agree with wtncffts. Just because the students at UCSD seem more relaxed, does not mean the program is easier. I think you need to choose where you will succeed based on your personal needs. On one hand, if UCSF stresses you out, maybe not a great place for you. On the other, the department obviously thinks you have what it takes to succeed there or else you would not be admitted. Just as an aside, UCSD does not necessarily have a party atmosphere to be concerned about (just speaking from experience as I went there as an undergrad).

I haven't read the whole thread so sorry if this was covered ... But does everyone get notified at the same time, whether or not you are awarded? Or is it only those who are awarded who hear first? On a similar note - I'm freaking out! haha.

Ok just sent you a MASSIVE message, haha. Sorry for the length, I got carried away (& apparently I have too much time on my hands). Hope it helps!

Hey! No problem. Ill send you a PM too. I had so much help from others along the way that I'd love to pay it forward

Yeah good point - I don't think many of the classes will be in each department. I guess I'm thinking in terms of my lab/office space as I am not the kind of person who can easily get work done at home! So proximity to where I will be doing most of my work would be a pro. However, I don't mind commuting. I think people also get used to living in places where commutes aren't *too* bad & so would consider 30 min - 1 hour commute long, whereas others think that's short (like you if you're currently commuting 2 hours!). So much to consider - brain explosion!

Yay I'm glad you started this thread! I am a bit nervous about the housing situation though I'm trying not to be TOO pre-emptive and stress too soon, haha. NYU does offer a first-year housing program with reduced-rentals for exactly the reason of moving to a new city & not knowing where to begin. I think it seems like a good deal for living in Manhattan (especially since it is furnished & at least within walking distance from my department) but I'm still not 100% convinced it's the best place to live or even the most affordable option. I have a few contacts of students there who are currently in the housing, so I am going to try to get their input on if they like it. Does CUNY (or Columbia if anyone on here is going there) offer a similar program for housing?? I also have a friend who is planning to move to NYC at the same time as I plan to, and she is keen to live together, however she currently lives in London (& I live in South Africa), so I have no idea how we're going to find a place from outside of the city (or even country). My last option is one of my close friends is already living in NYC (currently in Brooklyn) and I am hoping she may be interested in moving out of her current living situation and in with me! That way, she can scope out in person places for us. It just seems next to impossible to find a decent/non-sketchy place without visiting. Ok, that all being said - I'm very excited for next year! & can't wait to meet our cohort. I hope there are more of us on here who will come out of the woodworks

^ Same question as above poster. When is the right time to realistically begin looking for a place if I want to move-in mid-August? Also, is it realistic to be able to find somewhere to live if I can't visit? I'm trying to have a friend who is already living in NYC either find us a place together or (if she decides not to move out of her current place) help by visiting places for me for quality control? With such a huge city and so many scams, it just does not seem possible to find something from out of town! Any help is appreciated

I'd recommend Ocean Beach for good dive bars. Pacific Beach is not really clubby compared to Downtown buuuut it's definitely college-centered / party vibes. Not divey (though it *looks* divey). You can get great live music at 710 from time to time though. I'm not too familiar with the other neighborhoods but have heard great things! Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, and La Jolla was where I spent most of my time due to living in La Jolla as an undergrad at UCSD.

snowflakes - I'd say go for an MA. I think from my experience that having a Masters definitely put me over and into admissions. & not for just having one, rather, I really grew as a scientist during my Masters & was really able to figure out what I wanted out of research/a PhD. I think I was a pretty strong candidate prior to my MA, but based on my interviews and what not, it was the research and skills gained in my MA that I was questioned about most. Also, it's a lot about WHO you know, which is always the case (unfortunately/fortunately depending on who you know!). For example, my PhD POI got his PhD where I got my Masters and so he personally knew the people who wrote my reference letters. Lastly, were you in contact with your POIs? I think that really helped me as we e-mailed a lot back & forth from October until February when admissions were made. These are just my experiences - I applied to 3, rejected from 2 and accepted to 1 (which was my top choice so it worked out!). But I think it was all the small things (communication, network) + being the strongest candidate I could be by already having my Masters + the fit of the research interests of me & my POI that made me more competitive than I would have been strictly on paper. Good luck!

One thing the girl I met said was that the two rooms are actually VERY different in size (though the floorplan makes them seem relatively similar). She said you get placed in one of the rooms at random, so you are either quite lucky or feel a bit jipped (since the pay is the same). Luck of the draw, I suppose ...

warbrain - I'm considering it but it seems difficult to find any non-formal information ... I want pictures! I met a current student who is currently living there when I was at interviews, so I think I may try to ask her to take some pictures of her place.. I can also ask her about the smoking thing for you.

I'll be heading to NYU for Bio Anth / NYCEP

re: summer/research funding, not just how easy but I suppose how much internal support there is in the department (and therefore how much you could potentially compete with your classmates) as well as how successful are people at acquiring external support. Also, how willing is your supervisor to help you in the funding process - sending you potential grants you are eligible for, proofing applications - or is it a very independent process? For me when I visited a few schools, just the general vibe of how I fit in with the current grad students was important. I visited two schools and felt awkward with current student at one and immediate good-friend-vibes with another. That was important to me since we'll be sharing labspace and everything. Not sure what type of field you are in, but finding out how much lab or office space is allocated to you. Again, between my two schools one had none (other than a general grad center) and the other I get my own desk and shelves and space in a shared lab. Also think about questions you want to ask your POI and other faculty vs questions for students. Both opinions are good and you need both to get a feel for what life is like there, academically and socially. RE: money / stipend vs cost of living. I asked people how much their monthly expenses were, what they felt their quality of life was like (scraping by / just making it, or comfortable or whatever). I think people will automatically say "yea, it's fine!" but they could live in a tiny cheap crappy place - so ask around and ask specifics.

Hi EJM - I'll be starting in Fall Biological Anthropology

My opinion is leaning towards Yale due to the extended network BUT you mention the program fit is only 'good' not excellent. Does this relate to your POI or the program as a whole? Will the POI you work with still be a good fit for you or is the UCLA one much much better?

sweetpearl - I don't think they can ask you to do that? That's why there's the over-arching April 15th deadline for acceptances. They can push you for sooner decisions, but you aren't required surely.

Socanth - said very well! I also have a masters from the UK and I think it was the tipping point for me getting into US PhDs this year. Despite the monetary investment, I gained a lot of valuable experience and did really well (much better than undergrad) AND it was only a one year program. That said, personally I don't think I'd want a UK PhD, due to various reasons but mostly lack of funding and length to degree....though depending on your career path and research interests, I don't think it would hurt you.

Really well said, Platysaurus. I'm with you 100%.

Haha! Thanks anxiousanthro I always forget about the signature because I come on here on my phone and they don't show up!

I got an acceptance from NYU so I'm feeling pretty good about that one, but I did still informally meet with my CUNY POI yesterday to discuss things since I can only be in NY this week. She mentioned to me that interviews won't happen til early mid march and they won't make their decisions til mid march or later, which is running a bit late! She also said she is still deciding if she even wants a student. So all that considered, I may just accept NYU before CUNY makes decisions, but until I decide that I am still considering CUNY too (well as long as they are also considering me I suppose!). Either way they are both in NYCEP so I don't feel like it is a very different decision, just logistical on field site locations!

I just found out Thurs night I got into NYU for biological. So so happy! For those asking about NYU visits, they happened Tues, they decided to make 5 offers for biological and letters were sent out Friday. Not sure about the other subfields! Congrats and good luck to those hearing / still waiting !

Congrats, Alouette!!

As far as biological goes at NYU, decisions will be made very soon - possibly this week, but I assume definitely by the end of next week. Eek!

Platysaurus - I had a skype interview & an in-person interview day with NYU. The in-person was not really like an interview but more like them telling me about the program, answering questions, and generally just asking me to explain my background and how I got to the point of applying for a PhD with them (this was from the other faculty, not my POI). With my POI it was more discussing very informal things, however, my skype interview with him was just the general - why a phd? why this program? research interests and how it related to my past experiences. pretty basic questions, I haven't felt very drilled or put on the spot with anything. I don't know if other universities will be the same, but I'm sure you will be fine! Usually if you're going for in-person interviews it can come down to a personality-test to see if you mesh well with your POI and the department. So just relax and be yourself