floridabio

If you can't navigate the website, you have no business applying for a fellowship. 

If you can't navigate the website, you have no business applying for a fellowship. 

Something to consider also: don't go where the faculty are successful at the expense of strung out, stressed out graduate students. UCSF is prestigious primarily based on successful faculty.  While the graduate student may still be successful in a program like that, such an environment is not necessary for success.   Try to find a place where everyone is happy and the graduate students are still successful.  There is a balance, and it sounds to me like UCSD might be the place, much like UTSW for mrmolecularbiology, and UGA for me (only I didn't have the opportunity to turn down UCSF!) (I said success too many times just now)

Another great tumblr: http://allmyfriendsareacademics.tumblr.com/

Something to consider also: don't go where the faculty are successful at the expense of strung out, stressed out graduate students. UCSF is prestigious primarily based on successful faculty.  While the graduate student may still be successful in a program like that, such an environment is not necessary for success.   Try to find a place where everyone is happy and the graduate students are still successful.  There is a balance, and it sounds to me like UCSD might be the place, much like UTSW for mrmolecularbiology, and UGA for me (only I didn't have the opportunity to turn down UCSF!) (I said success too many times just now)

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Something to consider also: don't go where the faculty are successful at the expense of strung out, stressed out graduate students. UCSF is prestigious primarily based on successful faculty.  While the graduate student may still be successful in a program like that, such an environment is not necessary for success.   Try to find a place where everyone is happy and the graduate students are still successful.  There is a balance, and it sounds to me like UCSD might be the place, much like UTSW for mrmolecularbiology, and UGA for me (only I didn't have the opportunity to turn down UCSF!) (I said success too many times just now)

Something to consider also: don't go where the faculty are successful at the expense of strung out, stressed out graduate students. UCSF is prestigious primarily based on successful faculty.  While the graduate student may still be successful in a program like that, such an environment is not necessary for success.   Try to find a place where everyone is happy and the graduate students are still successful.  There is a balance, and it sounds to me like UCSD might be the place, much like UTSW for mrmolecularbiology, and UGA for me (only I didn't have the opportunity to turn down UCSF!) (I said success too many times just now)

I had to make a decision between similar choices for similar reasons
 
I turned down UCSF to go to UTSW, for  one additional reason ( knew I wouldn't be very "mentored" by PI's at UCSF at least in my subfield).
The fact that students (as well as faculty) seemed super happy and enthusiastic at UTSW was a super plus for me. The faculty and students were super welcoming, and faculty had projects that they wanted me to come work on. At UCSF it was like, you could rotate/join my lab but I don't personally care if you do kind of vibe.I guess it really depends on what you think you want/need. I did not get the "competitive" vibe from students while I was at UCSF but that was my experience. I just didn't think the large labs were a place I would flourish. 
 
Do you think you would do just as well in both places? For me I knew I could survive UCSF, but I would be less productive overall because they seem to demand more independence that I'm just not up for yet.

There are many ways to combine your background in cell/molecular bio with EEB if that's something that would be interesting to you. Molecular ecology is a good example... I know that, at least in my taxon of interest (insects), there's a lot of cool work being done on pheromones and chemical communication. If you're into evolution and speciation, molecular systematics might be another good choice. Or, if you like behavioral ecology, the physiology underlying animal behavior (hormones, neurobiology, etc.) is an area where a good amount of cool work is being done. I'm expanding my interests into that last category... my background is largely in EEB (especially behavior), but I am joining a lab now that focuses on the neurobiology underlying some of those behaviors. In a way, I'm going in the opposite direction as you... I'm getting more cellular and molecular.
 
Of course, all of that stuff could be completely uninteresting to you. You don't have to blend cell/molec and EEB at all if you don't want to... you can probably transition to "pure" EEB or conservation biology if you want, as long as you have a solid foundation in general biology and research experience of some kind (not necessarily in EEB, but in some kind of biological science).

I have decided to turn down Stanford. Well, not many people have the chance to turn down Stanford. Haha. 

1. You'll make new friends. It's life. It's not like your old friends disappear just because you're farther part.
2. Always choose funding. Seriously, especially for a masters, it's not worth spending $100k when you could get it for free. 

It's a masters, so I'm assuming it's only ~2 years?  I'd say for that short of a time, weather and location should not be significant variables.  I would choose the program that will be the best for you professionally.  Weather and location should really only come into play when we're talking 5-6 years for a PhD and all else between programs is relatively equal.  However, this is only an opinion. 

It's a masters, so I'm assuming it's only ~2 years?  I'd say for that short of a time, weather and location should not be significant variables.  I would choose the program that will be the best for you professionally.  Weather and location should really only come into play when we're talking 5-6 years for a PhD and all else between programs is relatively equal.  However, this is only an opinion. 

It's a masters, so I'm assuming it's only ~2 years?  I'd say for that short of a time, weather and location should not be significant variables.  I would choose the program that will be the best for you professionally.  Weather and location should really only come into play when we're talking 5-6 years for a PhD and all else between programs is relatively equal.  However, this is only an opinion. 

It's a masters, so I'm assuming it's only ~2 years?  I'd say for that short of a time, weather and location should not be significant variables.  I would choose the program that will be the best for you professionally.  Weather and location should really only come into play when we're talking 5-6 years for a PhD and all else between programs is relatively equal.  However, this is only an opinion. 

It's a masters, so I'm assuming it's only ~2 years?  I'd say for that short of a time, weather and location should not be significant variables.  I would choose the program that will be the best for you professionally.  Weather and location should really only come into play when we're talking 5-6 years for a PhD and all else between programs is relatively equal.  However, this is only an opinion. 

It's a masters, so I'm assuming it's only ~2 years?  I'd say for that short of a time, weather and location should not be significant variables.  I would choose the program that will be the best for you professionally.  Weather and location should really only come into play when we're talking 5-6 years for a PhD and all else between programs is relatively equal.  However, this is only an opinion. 

Just to add more fuel to the conversation - I currently own a base model 2011 11" MacBook Air and love it. Mainly because of the size of the thing - it's so damn easy to take around with you. It's also extremely durable. I carry mine at all times without even noticing it's in my backpack (it weighs a little over a kilogram). A few months after I got it, I was hit by a car while cycling and managed to roll over the car with my MBA in my backpack. Not a single scratch or dent!
 
I've had a look to see if I could find a similar ultrabook to replace it with since I want something with more RAM for when I start my Master's course (normally I use it in addition to my desktop at home) and none of the Windows ultrabooks seem comparable. They're all deficient in one aspect or another - either they cost more, the battery life is worse or they are heavier.
 
I'll most likely replace it with another 11" MacBook Air - this time going for the top end model. The portability is a massive positive for me - I cycle a lot, carrying a heavier laptop is just not going to cut it. I was considering the 13" retina MacBook Pro too but there have been many reports of significant display lag when using it - the built in Intel graphics aren't strong enough to push all those pixels. Do not want.
 
Also, note that it's likely the line is going to be refreshed in mid June again - this site gives an estimate of when you can expect a refresh.
 
(Oh yeah-  also a lot of people think the refreshed version will offer a Retina display too, e.g. here.)
 
People looking for monitors, check out some of these Korean monitors on eBay - they're QA rejected Apple Cinema screens (but still perfectly usable) and don't cost a whole lot more than much smaller screens.  I'm going to pick up one for myself. 

Thank you for your valuable and unsolicited opinion on what I should and shouldn't care about.

So not to detract from the experience you're going through, but please tell me you caught your students plagerizing in some kind of religion course

If UCLA gives you money, it seems like they are an obvious choice with the combo of prestige and convenience.

Now that I've officially heard from all schools, my wrap-up.   Undergrad: Small state school in MD Major: Biology Minor: Chemistry Overall GPA: 3.5 Major GPA: 3.5 GRE: Middle of the road GREs, nothing too competitive, passed some initial screens, failed others.   Research Exp: One year of structural biology exprience at undergrad institution, followed by 2+ years and counting at protein biochemistry & structural lab at NIH.   Misc: Undergrad research fellowship. Undergrad merit scholarships. Multiple honor societies. Strong LORs from NIH faculty. Graduate courses in physical chemistry.   Applied: 7 programs Rejected, no interview (4) : Sloan Kettering, JHU & GWU NIH GPP, JHU Program in Molecular Biophysics Interview (3): University of Pennsylvania Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Georgetown University/NIH GPP, University of Maryland College Park Biological Sciences, concentration in molecular and cellular biology Accepted (3): Everywhere interviewed Attending: Georgetown University/NIH Graduate Partnership Program   Advice for future applicants reading this forum in preparation for applications Applications: Research early and often for your perfect school. I am extremely happy with my choice of program, but there are other schools that I found out about too late on this forum that would have been good fits for me to apply. I ended up strongly disliking my first choice, however I was not invited to interview, so that's good. Be honest with yourself about the programs that you like. Listen to your professors/mentors' opinions, but make the final decision. I had no business applying to Sloan Kettering, but did so on the advice of someone else. When applying, research fit is arguably the most important component. Good research experience and fit can help other areas of deficiency in your application.   Interviews: These interviews are suppposed to be fun, whether the interviews are competitive or not. When I say competitive, I mean that I went on some interviews where it was assumed that the majority of attendees would be accepted, and others where they were only going to take less than 40% of us. Relax and know your research going into the interviews. The graduate students are there to help, ask them all of your questions, because they are there to answer the questions that the faculty can't. Refrain from talking about your interviews or acceptances to other programs with faculty or students, to avoid coming across as not as interested in that program. Don't get too drunk and say anything obnoxious either.   Future applicants, i would be happy to answer any questions that you have regarding the process. I'll still be on the site, just moving up to the enrolled grad school topics.   2013 applicants, it has been a great season, and it was nice to chat with everyone while going crazy over schools. Best of luck to everyone!  

I compared observations with fellow recruits from each weekend which really helped my decision. Also took a weekend off and finally came to a decision: Johns Hopkins University, BCMB My interactions with everyone thereafter have definitely confirmed for me that I made the right choice.
 
I hope everyone is making progress in their decisions -- I'm always willing to have a conversation if you need a different sounding board/perspective.

Houston's price of living is cheaper than LA's, and Baylor's offer is $3k/yr more and guaranteed.  If all else is equal, this would be a big factor for me.  Although, I would rather have a true university environment, like UCLA where there are sports teams, others studying other disciplines besides medicine, etc., but professionally speaking, Baylor looks like a better choice.