geographyrocks

If I would've known then what I know now:
I would've applied to more scholarships during my UG.
I would've applied to more research opportunities
I would've looked into being an undergraduate teaching assistant my junior year of UG
I would've went to at least 1 major conference to network
I wouldn't have applied to schools where fit was a stretch

Thanks for the feedback.  I don't know why I set such ridiculous goals for myself.  There aren't even many reasons for me to go on to a PhD except that I enjoy doing my own research and it's a huge accomplishment.  However, I have no interest in teaching which is a big reason why people go the PhD route.  I think I need to learn that I'm not super human.  And one thing I'm trying to focus on more is being happy while getting through all of this rather than thinking that as soon as I finish all of this, I'll be happy. 
Apogee: I'm all too familiar with imposter syndrome.  I thought that I had it under control, but it was obviously just hiding.  Our brains are funny things. 

I think any program that doesn't offer funding is a money-making program.  A lot of people would advise you to not pay for a graduate degree.  I don't really like telling someone what they should or shouldn't pay for, but there are a ton of programs out there that won't put you in debt. 

I went through this. It was pretty rough. I was positive that they would realize it was a mistake over the summer. Then I was certain that after I started talking research with the professors they would realize they'd made a mistake. I read some really helpful articles including one that basically said this is something you just deal with and not necessarily get over which helped the most oddly enough.
And now here I am at the end of my first year. Everyone loves my research, I've been nominated for department awards, and I won a NSF GRFP. My point is: imposter syndrome is like having a whiny kid whispering in your ear. It's annoying, but it definitely isn't who you are. Grad school is hard work, but I think you will all find that you're definitely supposed to (and deserve to) be there!

Well, there you go.  Someone has FINALLY stepped up and CURED the obesity problem in the US.  You can just STOP EATING!
 
Seriously though, the misinformation from people on this thread is appalling.  Yes, there is a large percentage of the population who would lose quite a bit of weight if they walked more or ate less.  Unfortunately, there are also those who have absolutely no control due to thyroid issues, stress, genetics, etc.  Obesity is a hot topic so there is A LOT of research out there.  It turns out that weight loss and gain isn't just a matter of eat or don't eat.  So if you wanna yell at the 350 lb guy who's driving down the road with no hands on the wheel because they're both stuffed into a KFC bucket of chicken (true story), feel free.  I have!  But making a blanket statement like that shows your ignorance. 

I'm sorry, but that just isn't possible with the variability of each program.  The most often stated minimum is 300, but that is only what most grad programs require and does not reflect what the departments themselves prefer. 

Hi @ETRXRock,
Hopefully your Python journey is going well! A side project for my Atmospheric Thermodynamics class is to read through this phenomenal (free) online text and do the exercises. I remembered this thread and figured it might be of help!
A Hands-On Introduction to Using Python in the Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences

Here's a pretty solid resource : 
MIT Open Courseware -- A Gentle Into to Programming Using Python 
Both an intro to Python and a course made to make you think like a programmer. 
A professor I know out at UC Davis also put this course together : 
Python for Environmental Scientists

If you weren't qualified, they would not admit you.  They don't want to look bad.  Seriously.  And no, that thought doesn't seem weird.  It's called imposter syndrome.  Even though you've done the work and others confirm that you are worthy of grad school, you still question it.  There are varying degrees, of course.  I spent my entire first semester in grad school convinced that they made a mistake or that I tricked them into admitting me somehow.
Congratulations on being admitted!

I thought I had no chance of succeeding.  Then I won it.  Self-doubt tends to creep in, but don't let it rule what you do!

@gelologist
Not that I'm saying it's encouraged, but a friend just passed their Masters defense in hydrogeology and she originally started her MS in meteoritics.  So it's definitely possible to switch after being admitted.  Although, in her case, she had to switch because her adviser was pretty terrible. 

The headings request was added to the solicitation this year. The separate statements request has been the same since the 2013-2014 cycle.
From the 2014 - 2015 solicitation:
"Therefore, applicants must include separate statements on Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts in their written statements in order to provide reviewers with the information necessary to evaluate the application with respect to both Criteria as detailed below."
From the 2015-2016 solicitation:
"Therefore, applicants must include separate statements on Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts in their written statements in order to provide reviewers with the information necessary to evaluate the application with respect to both Criteria as detailed below. Applicants should include headings for Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts in their statements."
 
A lack of headings this year should not disqualify anyone or preclude them from receiving a fellowship, but it may put them at a disadvantage during reviews. The recent request for separate statements was surely added because reviewers were having trouble identifying people's IM/BIs in the past. The new request for headings this year indicates that this is still a problem. So from now on it would benefit applicants to remember to include the separate statements and headings in order to make their IM/BIs as clear and obvious as possible. 

Just a heads up in case anyone applied, University of New Mexico EPS department is hoping to have offers out by February 15.

For anyone who has read my adventures with applications over the last couple of years: I got in! I sent a late application to OSU and was accepted! So relieved and excited to take the next step in my career .

PhD comics is, as always, apropos
 

A school has no right to badmouth you for not accepting an unfunded offer. They're upset because they won't get money from you (which it sounds like they desperately want). Thank school A for their offer and politely decline. Keep all emails.
I doubt they would bother contacting school B, but if they do, you will have the emails to back you up.
If it was funded, it may be a little rude to decline, but it still wouldn't make you a bad person or worthy of being badmouthed.

Pleased to say I was offered a full tuition waiver and TA at Texas Tech for a MS in Geosciences w/ a concentration in geophysics!

She clearly says that she wants to continue waitressing in the fall for extra pocket money.
Your first step should be what telkanuru said. Some programs don't allow outside jobs. If there is no problem, I don't see any issue with continuing the job in the fall. It might be awkward to wait on your students, but no one should think less of you for supplementing your income.

She clearly says that she wants to continue waitressing in the fall for extra pocket money.
Your first step should be what telkanuru said. Some programs don't allow outside jobs. If there is no problem, I don't see any issue with continuing the job in the fall. It might be awkward to wait on your students, but no one should think less of you for supplementing your income.

She clearly says that she wants to continue waitressing in the fall for extra pocket money.
Your first step should be what telkanuru said. Some programs don't allow outside jobs. If there is no problem, I don't see any issue with continuing the job in the fall. It might be awkward to wait on your students, but no one should think less of you for supplementing your income.

She clearly says that she wants to continue waitressing in the fall for extra pocket money.
Your first step should be what telkanuru said. Some programs don't allow outside jobs. If there is no problem, I don't see any issue with continuing the job in the fall. It might be awkward to wait on your students, but no one should think less of you for supplementing your income.

A school has no right to badmouth you for not accepting an unfunded offer. They're upset because they won't get money from you (which it sounds like they desperately want). Thank school A for their offer and politely decline. Keep all emails.
I doubt they would bother contacting school B, but if they do, you will have the emails to back you up.
If it was funded, it may be a little rude to decline, but it still wouldn't make you a bad person or worthy of being badmouthed.

Here's the deal, everyone on this forum has given you the same advice, but you are still reluctant to take it. I think that there are some other issues here than you just worrying about A badmouthing you to B (e.g. you've said something to A that you really regret and are afraid that it will come back to or you really want to stay close to family and S.O. and are worried about how that looks, etc.) I don't mean that you have to disclose the entire of your personal life to internet strangers, but for some reason, you are not able to digest the advice you sought. I completely agree with the advice to speak with one of your letter writers. Go to someone who knows more about your personal life, personality, and the situation and then really consider what they said AND what you WANTED to hear. Good luck. 

A school has no right to badmouth you for not accepting an unfunded offer. They're upset because they won't get money from you (which it sounds like they desperately want). Thank school A for their offer and politely decline. Keep all emails.
I doubt they would bother contacting school B, but if they do, you will have the emails to back you up.
If it was funded, it may be a little rude to decline, but it still wouldn't make you a bad person or worthy of being badmouthed.

Friendly reminder via @rundavidrun on Twitter.