xzjohn

Thanks for you guys. Actually, I'm in the middle of my PhD program and tried to transfer to the one I applied for both research and family reasons. What got on my nerves was not the fact I got rejected but I lost the game to fresh undergrads (no offense). I have to admit my undergrad GPA stinks, but after joining my graduate program nearly 3 years ago, I've been working really hard, and have published several peer-reviewed journal articles and presented my research in many international conferences. Well, I may not be good at coursework, but I really don't think the purpose of PhD training is to get a 4.0 graduate GPA. I was quite confident I'll get admitted because of the perfect match between my background and the professor's new project and my publication record. The professor replied my e-mail in an hour, saying he was sorry and the department decreased positions available because of economical crisis out there. But I kinda feel that he had got his funding but took another applicant rather than me. Usually the decision should come out around late Jan., and I believe he put my appl. on hold till a few days ago 'coz he was waiting for other applicants' decision. I think he, and the adcom, has a good reason to choose that applicant over me. Maybe they believe that guy has greater potential in research than me. Now, I totally have no idea about the evaluation criteria in academia. This is the exact point that discourages me to pursue an academic career. I don't think I can beat a guy who possesses huge "potential". How can I challenge an ungrounded point? I used to supervise REU undergrad in my lab, lost of them are pre-meds, and some from Ivy League. Some of them are very smart and I believe they will be promising in academia, even though they don't have any publications or other hard evidence at the moment. But, who can guarantee that? If I were the PI, I would be sorta conservative when selecting grad or other employees, relying on the evidence that has already been manifested, because I'm totally aware of the consequence and damage to your career if your boys can't produce good publications and help you get funding. In the past few year, I've seen many tenured professors went out of business in their forties because their research aren't good enough to make into the top 10% of all NIH scored grant applications. It's harsh to say they're miserable but I'm afraid that's the truth. Over 20 years of career endeavor collapsed overnight. With all these tragedies flying over the academia, if the department still prefers newbies, I can't figure out how I should survive in academia.

Thank you, guys, for your points. I gave up. I just sent an e-mail to the professor, saying I appreciate his previous support and interest and wish him good luck w/ his funding application. I'm not gonna apply for any PhD programs in the future, and like someone said in this forum, probably this is a good chance for me to seriously think about if academia is the right place for me, or rather, I'm the right guy for academia. Wish you best of luck! Hope you'll make a difference.

Just checked out the application website and found the rejection posted there a couple of hours ago. Can't believe the guys worked around 1AM. I know this would be the final decision. But, still, I'm wondering if you guys can give me some suggestions about "flipping" it. I applied last year, to the same program, and got rejected. I thought that was because I didn't network w/ the professor and so I tried my best this year. Talked w/ a professor and even discussed possible project after joining his lab. Now, I got a rejection. Can I turn to him for any help? I really want to join his lab. It sucks, really. Thanks guys, and hope you'll make into your dream program.

If I don't see anyone reports his/her status (e.g., rejected, accepted, or interview) in the "results search" for my target program, can I safely say that no one has got any responses from the program yet? Or, it's quite likely someone has got a decision but not yet posted it here?

I just found a guy posted his acceptance to Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern. Congratulations! Would you mind letting me know your sub-track? e.g. MRI, tissue engineering, etc. Thanks man~

well, I was quite surprised 'coz he discussed w/ me about his funding in details, even telling me the content and scope of his pending application. So, I became somewhat optimistic after talking w/ him but I'm afraid I'm too optimistic and read too much b/t lines. That's why I wanna get some "neutral" comments about my network. Indeed, I think I'll get rejected if his chance of getting that grant grows dim in a couple of months. I have no idea how much weight of a professor's endorsement can contribute to the application decision at this program. Anyway, thanks for your suggestions.

I networked with a professor and had a talk w/ him over the phone before application. At the beginning, he asked me what he could do for my application. I said I'd like to introduce myself and get some info. about his research details. Then, we exchanged information about both my and his previous and current research. He even described the content and scope of his pending grant project, which perfectly matches my background. Finally, we talked about money, research assistantship from him. He said the following points: 1) His current grants have been saturated and a new grant application is still pending. The final decision comes out around next April. Well, based on my knowledge of grant applications in my field (biomedical), he's quite likely to know his score in Jan. or Feb., which means he'll unofficially know the final decision then. Since all admitted student will be supported by the department for the 1st year, he only starts to pay me from his grant from the 2nd year, if I join his group. But, the department requires all student find an advisor before Christmas and so I'm gonna have to "secure" a future RA position in order to get admitted in the very beginning. 2) When I asked him if it was appropriate to indicate him in the SoP, he said "you're more than welcome to do that." 3) I explicitly asked him if I can join his group, working on his new grant project as my PhD dissertation, if it'll get approved next April. He said "absolutely." But, meanwhile, he mentioned several other faculty members within the department, whose research may be related to my background as well, but sorta remotely. He didn't make any explicit, or literal, commitment to "carry me over" the departmental admission process. But my friend said I'd have a big chance of getting admitted based on the professor's words about his grant application, which implies he's quite confident in getting this grant. I checked out his grant application history since 2000 and it looks really neat. So, guys, what do you think about my odds? And, what do you think I should do from now till the admission decision comes out? The department has notified me my application had been sent to faculty for review and the decision should come out by early Feb. Thanks a lot. Have the best of luck for your applications!

Alright, I just finished the phone interview. Technically, not an interview, just a chance to know each other better. It was about 20 min, and, I first talked about my research background and interest (65% of the conversation), then he introduced about the projects in his lab (30%), like the aim and staff engaged in each project. I think we had a very good match 'coz all his questions about my research hit the nails and the ultimate goals of both his and my research are actually the same. Finally, he talked a little about his funding situation, LIMITED now. He said he has no openings at this moment, and waiting for a grant approval in next spring. If he can get it, he'll recruit a couple of students on that grant in next fall so he said :"it's still quite possible we have a chance to work together, and you're welcome to indicate my name in your application materials. We can keep in touch." At the very end, he also mentioned some other professors doing similar research. As far as I know, the first year financial aid is a department fellowship for all incoming students and each student should choose a advisor in the first year and from the 2nd year, the advisor will hire the student as a RA in his lab. Well, technically, I don't think funding should be a problem at the application process. So, fellas, what do you think? I sorta feel not bad, but not good, either. It seems like I'll have to carry myself over as well for this program :cry:

Thanks for all your suggestions. I've been reading the professor's papers these days and plan to gear the conversation toward the research direction, rather than my relationship. I'd expect him to ask me some questions about research, application and maybe career development after a PhD. Well, those are easy questions. I'll come back and share my experience with you guys and hope it'll be helpful to everyone. BTW, I contacted the professor in the other program, requesting for a phone talk 'coz I wanna know more about his research. Below is his reply. At this stage, it might be a bit early to discuss specifics about possible research, since you're just in the process of applying now. Let's hold off until you've been accepted, then I'd gladly speak with you. In the meantime, if you'd like to see more of our research, you might check out the following recent articles. He attached several research papers to this email. So, now, what should I do? I previously expected him to "carry me over" the admission process but now it looks to me he would like to go "hands-off", letting me get through all by myself. It's only Oct now and the on campus interview will be sent out in late Jan. What should I do during the 3 months? Thanks.

Hi, buddies I've been trying to get in touch with a professor in my target program. After millions of e-mails without any replies, he finally would like to have a talk with me over the phone. We have arranged for a phone interview next week. Now, I need your suggestions and I've got several specific questions. 1) Should I tell him the reason I wanna apply is that my girlfriend is a current student in that university and I'd like to live w/ her? Well, I'm truly interested in his research, too, but to be frank, that's not the top reason for my application to this program. 2) Should I tell him I'll also apply to another university, which is way better than this one, 'coz I also have good connections with a professor over there. For example, if he asks "why you're sure you will take my offer rather than XXX university?" Can I come up with an answer like "'coz my girlfriend is in your school."? 3) Should I make an explicit commitment in the interview, or I should take advantage of this opportunity only to get more information about his research, without making any commitment? The truth is, if he makes me an offer, I'll definitely take it 'coz of my girlfriend. But, if he doesn't and I get an offer from another university, I'll take that one. Any suggestions are welcome.

I have to say you were lucky and UMich was really nice. For my target program, the administrative secretary now doesn't respond to my e-mails :oops: I have no idea why she is like this now. So, you're re-applying, too? Good luck, man~~~~~

Thanks man~~ Well, I don't think there'll be lab rotation in that program. You just shop around and choose one. I didn't ask for the rejection reason 'coz I don't think they'll ever give that to the applicant, except some non-sense like "you'are highly qualified but slots are extremely limited" blablabla. I'd assume that 1) maybe another student networked and got it; 2) he didn't have funding to recruit a student; 3) other reasons. BTW, how come you know I'm in BME?

Well, it looks I screwed my chance somewhat. Thanks for your suggestions, and I did send him an e-mail just now, requesting for a phone appointment. I hope I can talk with him in a couple of weeks. Actually I took the chance of a conference break to have a talk with another professor in the same program. We exchanged information about each one's background and research interests. I have to admit there is a big gap between him and me, and he didn't seem interested in me. So, I switched to the current one after that. The previous professor asked me about my research background, my advisor's name (I'm already a graduate student) and where I got my B.S. I tentatively plan to hit the current professor with my research. He's doing pretty much the same stuff that I'm doing now, and I believe we have a lot to talk about that, and probably talk a little about future career development. Do you think this is a good strategy? In another post on this board, some one suggested avoiding questions like "do you have fundings?", "do you plan to admit students next year?" and something like that. As far as I know, this program admits students without assigning into a specific professor and all students are supported by departmental fellowship. Each student should find an advisor in the 1st semester and get supported as a research assistant from the 2nd year. I'd assume, if I wanna get admitted, I must have a faculty's endorsement, even if not directly recruited by him, during the admission process so that I won't become an orphan in the 2nd year. Do you think my assumption is sound? I think my failure last year was 'coz I didn't network at all. Thanks again, guys.

I tried to network with a Professor in my target program. First e-mail sent in April with CV and 2nd e-mail in June, no responses at all. I sent the 3rd a couple of days ago, briefly introducing my previous and current research projects and that I'll attend a conference next week and request for a talk in person. He replied in an hour but said he won't attend. But, he said he'd like to talk to me over the phone after I get back from the conference. I e-mailed back that I'll attend another conference in Oct. and would like to talk to him in person, if he's gonna be there. No reply by now :oops: So, fellows, what do you think about my networking? Do you think I have a great/good/fair/little chance? Actually I applied to the program last year and got rejected after being waitinglisted for a while. This professor happens to be the chair of admission comittee and I guess he must have read my application last year, and then rejected me. Any comments and suggestions are welcome!

OK, guys, let's talk about a worse case. What if the professor simply doesn't reply to your e-mails? A professor replies to my e-mail only ONE month after I sent it and the other ignores me. What should I do next?

Thanks you guys. Basically, I think the professors at NU are not so interested in me for the story below. I need to change this. I applied to Northwestern for admission this fall and got rejected after being on the waiting list for a while. Not quite sure what exact reason(s) kicked me out but suspect it was due to the lack of an endorsement from a "future adviser". The structure of the program at NU is that the department recruits students thru fellowships and the student selects an adviser in the first two quarters (NU uses a quarter system) and will not be supported by the advisor's funding till the end of the 1st year. So, if I were in the professor's shoes, I'd wonder "why have I to make a commitment to a future student who won't consume my funding money within 2 years? " And, from my experience, the professor is unable to have an idea about his funding situation beyond 1.5 year or more unless he's a big guy who enjoys unlimited funding. I networked with a professor from NU by having a talk with him in person. He said he read my e-mails before and then asked about my research background. I have to admit his research is sorta distanced from my current projects and so he didn't show much interest, if any. He explicitly said the funding is quite flat these years and unlikely to better in the next few year, either. On the contrary, a professor from another univ. encouraged me to keep him posted and do reply to my e-mails every time. To be honest, this professor is much more established and famous than the professors at NU I tried to network. I think he should be more busy to take care of networking e-mails from guys like me, hypothetically. But, he does show an interest in me.

Hey, there: I do need some "novel" approach as to networking with future advisor. I've tried to have a talk with professors in person during a national conference or communicate thru e-mails. But, it doesn't look to me very effective. Many professors do not reply to e-mails even though I'm sure they've read it. Even a talk in person doesn't secure a position for me. So, any better ideas? Thanks.

Thanks, man. Your suggestion is very helpful, and I've thought about that before. The fact is that my professors' personal connections seem to be "regional". For example, I know the professors who wrote ROL have strong connections with Duke, Rice, Gatech and those in the south or southeast but not in the midwest or other regions. And, my specialty is cardiovascular tissue engineering (biomaterial/tissue regeneration) but, unfortunately, my advisor is also a newbie in this field since he's a professor in Physics. As for your question about attending conference, yes, I got full reimbursement from my advisor because I presented my research at the conference. The registration fee is around $110 for students. Abstract submission is free for this conference (MRS spring conference) but BMES national conference charges about $50. The other expenses, like air ticket, hotel, poster printing, etc, depend on your situation. As far as I know, not all professors are so supportive. Many professors ask the student to cover all the cost, even if he's gonna give a presentation on behalf of his lab.

Thanks for your advice. You're always so supportive. I've researched the entire pool of faculty at NU, ranging from BME to nanoscience, etc. To be honest, only about 2 or 3 faculty members' research (somewhat) fits my background. But my girlfriend is a current NU student and absolutely I have to figure out a way to live with her, even though it may be troublesome for me to find a perfect advisor. Here the trick is that I need to get in first, and after that, I can choose an advisor from any departments, which is a common practice for BME students. I do find some good match in NU's medical school but I'm afraid those professors/PI won't have any influence over the admission decision. The faculty who fits best didn't attend this conference and I plan to send him my resume in a few months and if he attends one of the conferences in the fall, absolutely I'll network with him as well, especially 'coz he's the graduate program director. Also, I'm in contact with another faculty at MIT and he showed interest in my background but didn't have any positions this year. So, he encouraged me to keep him posted, if I wanna join his lab next year. So, if NU still rejects next year, probably I'll try to find a position at MIT. But, i love my girlfriend much more than MIT :oops:

hey, buddy I just returned from the S.F conference and talked with a professor at Northwestern. Below is the minute of our talk. I sent him an e-mail with my resume before and he confirmed he had read that. After introducing myself, he asked the following questions. He: Tell me about your project. Me: blablabla. (describing what I've done, am doing, will do in the next few months.) He: Who's your advisor? Me: Dr. A (looked like he doesn't know) He: Where did you get your B.S and what major? Me: blabla He: Well, the dept. has already finished the admission process for fall 2008 and you may only apply for next year. The deadline would be Dec. 31st. It's quite competitive. Me: I read the paper you published last year. Will you continue this project? (and some technical questions about the research) He: Yes. I'll have to renew the funding for that project but haven't done that yet. I'll do that soon. As for the research side, blablabla Me: I found on your website a new category of research but didn't find more details. Would you mind introducing that to me? He: blablabla. (to be honest, I'm not quite interested in this new project, nor does it fit my background) Me: Do you admit students regularly every year? He: The department admits students by fellowship. They'll select an advisor after the 1st year. I don't directly admit student (during the admission process). Me: I mean, after getting admitted by the department, do you admit 2nd-year students regularly to your lab? He: (smile) Well, that really depends on the funding, maybe 1 or more. Me: Then, what about the funding for next year? He: quite tough. The funding in recent years is not good, quite flat. Me: The congress just appropriated over 20 Billion to NIH. Does that help? He: The congress gave over 50 billion to NIH about 5 years ago and (things are so bad now even so). It's a hard time these years. Me: There're two other international conferences in Sep. and Oct. Are you gonna go there? He: I don't think so. R u gonna go? Me: I've submitted abstract to the one in Sep. and hopefully will attend. After saying thanks, we said goodbye. So, bro. what do you think? Is it successful or not? I sorta feel that he was not quite impressed or satisfied by my qualification, like research background. Of course, I have to admit that my background is distantly related to his current/future project. Since he's not going to attend the other two conferences this fall, do you think it's ok if I network with some other faculty members at Northwestern during those conferences? Thanks a lot~~~

I think your info. is quite correct. I did a basic statistics. The biomedical science PhD program at my univ. displays a picture of entering classes of each year on the hallway and I counted the # of intl. guys. The # peaked around 2004 (6~8 out of nearly 30) and decreases afterward. In 2007, it only admitted 1 or 2 intl. students. When I was placing the order of a conference poster in the department office, the guy was answering a phone call regarding app. evaluation. He mentioned funding was the top reason for diminishing intl. population in admitted students in recent years. BTW, I'm gonna go to S.F in CA next week for a national conference and plan to network with some professors to maximize my chance for re-application. I've e-mailed for appointment with a professor but haven't got any reply. Probably won't get one ever. Do you think it's appropriate for me to go straight to him after his presentation and introduce myself? Any comments or suggestions are welcome, bro. Thanks.

thanks a lot for you suggestions. My research has a pretty interdisciplinary nature and MSE/ME/ChemE may also be a good fit. But, NU grad school only allows applicant to submit one application per year. So, I can't apply to more than one at the same time. If the professor in BME doesn't work for me, probably I'll try to find a slot in other departments.

Got rejected by Northwestern BME PhD program about a month ago and plan to re-apply for fall 2009. I went through all the faculties profile in the department and found only one professor matches my background (perfectly), with another somewhat distantly related to my current research project. I'll get my M.S in BME in a couple of months. GPA is 3.83. Several peer-reviewed journal articles, some as 1st author while some as co-author. Have already and will present original research at national conferences. I suspect I was wait listed at first but finally got rejected, probably 'cuz that professor found a current NU student to join his lab.I know an endorsement from a faculty is critical during admission process because he/she would be my research advisor after the first couple of terms and support me financially from the 2nd year. So, anybody knows how to build a network with him? Like, make an arrangement for a campus visit and have a individual talk with him? BMES national fall meeting is in Oct. How can I take advantage of this chance? Any comment or suggestions are of great help. I reeeeeeeeally need your input. Thanks a lot.

Thanks for your info. Maybe I should call the dept. tomorrow. Just got rejection e-mail from Stanford and Caltech. I expected this even though. Wish others good luck.

Thanks a lot. And, congratulations! You've got several offers already. I think you're quite right about the factors' weighing in the application. Research accomplishments and GPA (undergrad school) are much more important than GRE. Is my opinion wrong? Of course, personal connections, either through your advisor or yourself, to the target programs seem to play a decisive role. You said they'll have an interview in the 1st weekend in March. So, you got to know from someone who got the invitation, right? Would you mind telling me when that guy got the invitation? Thanks.