evolve

Rejected - Global Change FON. 3 Excellents for intellectual merit. 1 Excellent and 2 Very Goods for broader implications. Not a single negative comment from any of the 3 reviewers - yet rejection! In retrospect I should have focused more on broader implications. Oh well, I got the NSF GRFP - so I can't complain. Good luck to the rest of you!

E1 - nothing.

Same here. I accepted NSF as you can only get it early in your grad career. You can apply for the EPA STAR again later - so I figure, if I need more funding, I'll apply to EPA then - they shouldn't have taken so long. By the way, congrats on NSF!

I couldn't either, but when I logged in, I am now called a "Fellow" and not an "Applicant" - guess this means I got it?!?! There is also a side bar that says Award Date: 2011. I don't want to get too excited, but I thiiiiiink I got an award!

Sorry! Never got around to it...I'll call them tomorrow. I'll post whatever I hear.

I guess when they say the schedule may "change without notification" they really mean it. How disappointing...

I absolutely love Berkeley and the bay area. The IB dept is also quite amazing - from the people to the resources available, it's just all around exactly what I was looking for in a grad program. I won't even start on the all the amazing FOOD around Berkeley.....

Well, at least I can be productive in the lab today. Good luck everyone.

Very true - maybe they'll notify on Monday, then. Has anyone attempted calling to inquire? I haven't done this, but I may on Monday around say 4:30 PM EST if I haven't heard anything. Good luck to all, and don't stress too much over the weekend.

Agreed.

Anyone heard?! I can't take this...

So do they generally call instead of email? Keeping my phone on me at all times now...

My department covers tuition, fees, etc. and "guarantees 5 years of funding" - so long as you are willing to teach. My stipend for teaching this year was ca. $22k for the fall and spring semesters combined, and a little more if I were to teach in the summer. Because I am an out-of-state student, the department covers my out-of-state tuition and fees the first year, and I am required to take all necessary measures to establish residency by the second year, else I am responsible for covering the extra amount for out-of-state. We also get a decent health/dental plan (Anthem Blue Cross, I believe). I'm in the life sciences at Berkeley.

Hello, What is the breakdown (V vs Q) of your GRE score? I think your GPA is fine (of course this depends on where you want to apply). Have you published any work since you've been working for the biotech company? Do you have solid letters of rec? Do you have any teaching experience from undergrad? If your passion is ecology, then I say go for it. Of course, there are ways to integrate ecology and molecular stuff (if you think you'll miss the bench). For example, I am an environmental physiologist and my work is directly applicable to conservation. Actually, I get to use a lot of really cool tech like next gen seq, etc. Basically, it is difficult to offer any insight until you give a little more info about your qualifications/achievements. Cheers

Thank you for all of the advice/info! I am here now (Corte Madera) and have already begun to learn a lot about getting around the area. I think I will just live in Berkeley this year and drive to Tiburon when I have to (won't be as much this first year as it will be in later ones). Regarding cyclists, you are absolutely right! I can't believe how many there are around Marin...especially Paradise Dr! Now I just have to find the best open-late, outlets & wifi-equipped, coffee shop near campus. I was really surprised to see that the main library isn't open 24 hours.