psychdm

Hi all, In the midst of grad school decisions flying in and out, I am getting deeper into some problems that I need some advise with... I am currently working as a RA at a lab (but not as a grad student) and I am very discouraged by my future aspect of grad school. I originally took a job posting as a RA for a stepping stone to grad school but I guess it kind of backfired when I saw how ill-fitting my boss is overall with my personality/research interest. That being said, I know that there are personality, research interests, and myriad other things to worry about to find a "good" advisor. But I am just really disheartened because my boss said some terrible things to me (such as the fact that I am not suited to go to grad school) and his attitude just really discourages me academically and intellectually. I know professors/advisors are humans too and they just have some bad days and good days but I would just like to hear some instances where grad students were able to find a good advisor who truly cared about them and cared about their research interests. I guess some time off from my research interest and learning a new field + dealing with an uncooperative boss makes this situation more stressful. But I just need some examples of how people found a good advisor so I can apply this to myself as well. Now that I know what to look for in a professor to discern "ill-fitting" from the "good" I now need to know what signs I need to look for to know what kind of professor would truly support my research topic. Sorry if I was mumbling and complaining. I was accustomed to supportive professors in undergrad years and now I am really taken aback by how horrible and depressing the situation can be when you get a horribly unsupportive and discouraging professor. I can vent for days and days on how horrible my boss is overall but that won't do anything to me. I just need some little support so I can start getting my grad school plans moving on...because my plans just don't seem to move with all this negativity around me.

Hey guys! I know this has been a popular topic here with some time passed after application deadlines...but after listening to suggestions that others have made in other forums...I still have lingering (and panicky!!) questions... 1. What if the profs won't read my email?? It's winter break and it's Christmas!! I sent them a few before but no responses!!! What shall I do?? 2. Should I call the schools to see if they are ok with it? I am kinda getting freaked out because some schools say letters MUST be met by the deadline... Happy Christmas!