spectastic

probably useless data, considering the high variance between different fields, intended degrees and applicant background.

when I realized I wasn't in Iowa anymore:

"You might be surprised about how many things you can do with an aquarium." Indeed. I believe I saw on Jackass Jonny Knoxville or whoever putting a sock puppet over his dick and playing gloryhole with a venomous snake in an aquarium. btw orange, what was yours?

I submitted mine even though I hadn't even started grad school yet. I just explained my undergrad research. btw, did you know that babies shouldn't eat poop? And that fishes that look different are in fact different species?? woah!

object oriented programming is indeed more in depth, and would be a good thing to learn. however, in the long run, matlab is really all you need when it comes to programming in chemical engineering. Whether you're doing data analysis, or running a molecular simulation, it can all be done through matlab.

1. professional cyclist (not in this lifetime) 2. research professor (not at the moment) 3. senior R&D researcher (not at the moment) 4. special forces medic (lol)

I trust my instincts when it comes to judging people. And I usually reserve my judgment until I've had the chance to observe them for a while. Other than that, I don't think about it too much

Uwashington, UCLA, and UT-Austin Mostly expressed interest in working with organic semiconductor devices

Well derp, I buy the cheapest laundry detergent. Do you have a problem wit dat? Anyway, I don't see how any of these are big issues. There's a saying commonly used amongst cyclists, and I mean this in the nicest way possible. HTFU

I didn't try to fit in everything. I just picked one and elaborated on it. The "tell me your weaknesses" question was pretty challenging though. I had trouble keeping it from turning into a sob story, which might very well have happened. oh well, out of my hands now.

I'm not going to lie. It's easy money. But what I do doesn't challenge me intellectually, and from my experience, I'm usually worse at things that don't challenge or interest me. It boils down to what motivates you.

I'd be surprised if admin people have the time to come on here and scout for their applicants. ...BUT if anyone's got a good related story I'm all ears.

you adapt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B0CyOAO8y0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Diu2N8TGKA repeat about 5 times a day, and you're good to go.

also that GA tech essay section is pretty strange right? they weren't really essays, more like short answers.

don't be so sure. I'm at one of those jobs right now. It's not very interesting imo. I feel like my brain is slowly rotting away doing rudimentary tasks that doesn't really require any college degree. teerav, you're in Houston?? which company?

would I pay tens of thousands of dollars each year to be somebody else's bitch? But then again, it's one thing to go 5 years without funding. But entirely different if your intent is to pay for the first year in the hopes of walking on in case your professor gets more funding, or walking out with a masters.

I was looking at Kramer, Fredrickson and Leal at UCSB. But then decided the department was too small... idk, which professors were you wanting to work with?

attach this to the end of each email.

fellow comrades, anyone applying to these schools? GA tech, Amherst-Polymers, CU-Boulder, NC St, U of Houston

I got rejected by UT Austin last year. My stats aren't very solid. I'm applying there again to the materials program. I realized they are a much better match in terms or research interest, even though it appears to be a new program.

it's sure not a good thing, sicko

It think it'd be a good idea to get linkedin and keep it updated. I get contacts every now and then from random recruiters. It's a great opportunity to put yourself out there professionally.

can we please go back to talking about the fking baby?

I don't really care, not anymore. I was in a bad state in high school. I felt I definitely could've attended a better institution, and so did people around me. But I was limited by resources and opportunities. No green card, no money to pay outstate/private tuition, pretty much impossible to get scholarships, no many options... I was really pissed off about it for a while. But now I realize it doesn't matter. What matters is what you do from this point forward.