Sigaba

I agree with Eigen and Runonsentence: the work should be mentioned only if was relevant to the applicant's field of study.


It might, if the tone of the disclosure suggests that the applicant has a chip on his or her shoulder. For example:

I agree with Eigen and Runonsentence: the work should be mentioned only if was relevant to the applicant's field of study.


It might, if the tone of the disclosure suggests that the applicant has a chip on his or her shoulder. For example:

I agree with Eigen and Runonsentence: the work should be mentioned only if was relevant to the applicant's field of study.


It might, if the tone of the disclosure suggests that the applicant has a chip on his or her shoulder. For example:

Goldielocks--

Thanks for the clarification. I have two solutions in mind. Before you begin either, I recommend that you work from copies of your original source files. Also, as far as I know, both solutions require Adobe Acrobat Professional, which you may be able to purchase at a deeply discounted price but may be worth the money even if you cannot.)

Easier

Step 1.
You can convert the JPGs to PDFs and then use the OCR function of Adobe Acrobat to scan each document for words. (This function will be under the "document" button.)
Once the scan is completed, you'll want to save the PDF (maybe with a different file name).
Please note that the JPG will need to be above a certain dpi for this function to work and if the JPGs are very large, the scanning process can take time.
If the citation is not already part of the image or if the OCR doesn't recognize the citation, you can put that information into the PDF's metadata.
File --->Document Properties--->Description Tab.
Alternately, you could click the "additional metadata" button on the Description Tab.



Step 2.Once you've scanned your PDFs, you can put them into folders in a way that makes sense to you. (It is about to not make a difference.)
Download and install a search engine of your choice on your computer. (Ideally, Google Desktop Search, if you can find a copy, else Copernic Desktop Search, available here.)
Enable the search engine to scan and to index the files on your computer.
Make sure to point the engine specifically at the directory containing your files.
Make sure the engine is enabled to index content.
From this point forward, you should be able to find almost every file on your computer provided you use the right search string.

As an example, on my HDD, I have a directory titled <<RESEARCH>>. It is 24.2 GB in size, contains 36,323ish files in about 700 folders. With the right five words, I can find what I'm looking for most of the time.



Slightly more difficult alternative for Step One
[*]If you own a copy of Adobe CreativeSuite, use Adobe Bridge to batch process copies of all of the JPEGs into PDFs and then perform the OCR scans of the PDFs.
[*]This method can save you a lot of time if you have robust JPEGs and you want to create them as a batch of uniform PDFs with the same DPI.
[*]Keep in mind that this type of batch processing might place a heavy burden on your hardware.


A REMINDER
[*]Even if these techniques quickly become routine/old hat to you, please please please do not neglect the importance of "version control."
[*]At the very least, please consider the utility of having three folders.

[*]One for source files
[*]A second for source files converted to PDFs
[*]A third for PDFs that have been scanned.

[*]Also, consider the utility of archiving what ever search engine software you download.

[*]As an example, while writing this post, I found out that Google Desktop Search is no longer available from Google because of the shift towards "cloud" computing.
[*]As I've got GDS archived in a folder, I have a solution that works for me and I won't have to worry about a new learning curve when something with more bells and whistles becomes available.

[*]And, of course, have back ups galore!


If these two proposed solutions are not to your liking, let me know and I'll try to think of something else that will.

Goldielocks--

Thanks for the clarification. I have two solutions in mind. Before you begin either, I recommend that you work from copies of your original source files. Also, as far as I know, both solutions require Adobe Acrobat Professional, which you may be able to purchase at a deeply discounted price but may be worth the money even if you cannot.)

Easier

Step 1.
You can convert the JPGs to PDFs and then use the OCR function of Adobe Acrobat to scan each document for words. (This function will be under the "document" button.)
Once the scan is completed, you'll want to save the PDF (maybe with a different file name).
Please note that the JPG will need to be above a certain dpi for this function to work and if the JPGs are very large, the scanning process can take time.
If the citation is not already part of the image or if the OCR doesn't recognize the citation, you can put that information into the PDF's metadata.
File --->Document Properties--->Description Tab.
Alternately, you could click the "additional metadata" button on the Description Tab.



Step 2.Once you've scanned your PDFs, you can put them into folders in a way that makes sense to you. (It is about to not make a difference.)
Download and install a search engine of your choice on your computer. (Ideally, Google Desktop Search, if you can find a copy, else Copernic Desktop Search, available here.)
Enable the search engine to scan and to index the files on your computer.
Make sure to point the engine specifically at the directory containing your files.
Make sure the engine is enabled to index content.
From this point forward, you should be able to find almost every file on your computer provided you use the right search string.

As an example, on my HDD, I have a directory titled <<RESEARCH>>. It is 24.2 GB in size, contains 36,323ish files in about 700 folders. With the right five words, I can find what I'm looking for most of the time.



Slightly more difficult alternative for Step One
[*]If you own a copy of Adobe CreativeSuite, use Adobe Bridge to batch process copies of all of the JPEGs into PDFs and then perform the OCR scans of the PDFs.
[*]This method can save you a lot of time if you have robust JPEGs and you want to create them as a batch of uniform PDFs with the same DPI.
[*]Keep in mind that this type of batch processing might place a heavy burden on your hardware.


A REMINDER
[*]Even if these techniques quickly become routine/old hat to you, please please please do not neglect the importance of "version control."
[*]At the very least, please consider the utility of having three folders.

[*]One for source files
[*]A second for source files converted to PDFs
[*]A third for PDFs that have been scanned.

[*]Also, consider the utility of archiving what ever search engine software you download.

[*]As an example, while writing this post, I found out that Google Desktop Search is no longer available from Google because of the shift towards "cloud" computing.
[*]As I've got GDS archived in a folder, I have a solution that works for me and I won't have to worry about a new learning curve when something with more bells and whistles becomes available.

[*]And, of course, have back ups galore!


If these two proposed solutions are not to your liking, let me know and I'll try to think of something else that will.

Well, normally you first get very passionate about something and then decide to go to graduate school to study it and not the other way around. Going to grad school without a clear vision of what you want to do will almost certainly lead to difficulty and disillusionment. It's hard enough to keep motivated even when you _do_ start out very driven.

it means your professor writes you a letter, puts it inside an envelope and signs (or stamps the school/department's logo) across the flap. basically, the school you are applying to wants to make sure that you haven't accessed/tampered with the letter, and that it remains confidential till it reaches the school.

S--

FYI, a B is frequently considered a failing grade for a graduate level assignment. While you may not need to hit the panic button, I think you should forgo the comparing of your work to your office mate's and concentrate on figuring out the message your professors are sending you.

On those occasions when I did not like the grade I received, I took it upon myself to figure out how I got the grade I deserved. In my experience, the answers to such questions were always in the mirror.

Also, please consider the possibility that relationships and reputation also matter, especially for a graduate student who is at the start of a very difficult journey.

You don't have to go back and visit, just e-mail your writers and ask them to send recommendations to your schools.

This is a necessary part of most applications- either sealed envelopes from the school, or online submissions from the faculty. Just like the requirement for sealed transcripts from schools.

The norm is that they are sealed with a signature across the seal. That's what we mean by sealed.

It is not uncommon to switch your field between undergrad and grad school - plenty of people do it and succeed. I know English majors who completed PhD programs in History and Art History, a Linguistics major who now has a PhD in Literature etc. Classics and Medieval Studies are somewhat connected so you're not going to be coming at them out of nowhere. You mentioned taking various assorted medieval classes and that is probably the best thing that you should do. The more medieval classes the better because it will show that you are preparing for the field seriously.

I have two questions which I think might help get you better advice: What specifically do you want to study in grad school? (Medieval studies comprises such a broad range of time, area and even disciplines) And, why you want to do an interdisciplinary Medieval Studies program as opposed to a specific medieval field (ie, Medieval Literature, or Medieval History?)

Not to knock the interdisciplinary programs (I majored in medieval studies as an undergrad) I've been handed a lot of advice from professors which says that an interdisciplinary PhD is often not as desirable (or hire-able) as someone with a PhD in one field with a medieval focus.

I bring this up mainly because the question of how qualified you are is going to depend highly on what you specifically you want to work on in graduate school.

One great thing is that no matter what the programs are going to consider your language preparations to be very useful. Serious research in any Medieval subject requires a really strong background in languages, especially in Latin, and that will really help you.

But some of your languages will be less useful than others depending on what you want to work on. If you wanted to research medieval Byzantine history - Greek will be essential and Old English and Old Norse probably will not be very helpful. If you want to research Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian literature, the opposite will be true. (German and Latin are going to be very useful for the study of virtually anything medieval).

And in either case you are unlikely to be considered a strong applicant without at least some courses relating to the type of work you want to do. Take some general courses on medieval subjects (a basic history of Medieval Europe, or a survey of Medieval art, etc) and try to also take courses relating to the subjects you think you'll want to work on. If you want to write about history - take history classes, if you want to write about medieval religion, take religion courses, etc.

can anyone suggest me which area is more stronger in field of microbiology....i am interested in following :
1.isolation & characterisation of insecticidal compound from some selected fungi..
2. production & characterisation of proteolytic enzymes from fungi..
3. pollution control by algea..
i hv to choose any one.....if any modification is necessary in above topic then i'll read more about that..plz reply

HELLO TO ALL... PLZ SUGGEST ME A STRONG TOPIC RELATED TO MICROBIOLOGY FOR Ph.D. AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.I HAVE TO PREPARE OUTLINE FOR PROPOSED RESEARCH WORK FOR INTERVIEW. I AM INTERESTED IN MICROBIAL GENETICS AND INDUSTRIAL MICROBIOLOGY....

In life, one is given much work to do and sometimes (if not most times) it is work that may seem pointless at the time. Even if you don't find it relevant to what you think you need, coursework develops concentration, theoretical thinking, writing skills, and reading skills. There are so many people on this forum bemoaning their lot as grad students. First, it is your fault that you did not research your program before making a commitment. Secondly, just DO IT. Every day I do things I don't want to do- it's part of being a mature, responsible adult. You sound like an overconfident spoiled brat who never learned to work hard and stick to your commitments. I'm not saying that you match the description above, but that is what it sounds like after a cursory reading of your post.

P.S.- You think you've got bad career prospects? I'm getting my PhD in the humanities, and I still find graduate school meaningful and ultimately worth it. Count your blessings.

I'm interested in exchanging SOP's. Serious question, though: What makes opinions from fellow applicants regarding format, content, etc. valuable? I don't mean that to be snarky at all. How, though, are we supposed to coach one another on what to include (assuming no one in the exchange sits on an ad com)?

PM me!

GRE 1130 V-360 Q-770 AWA-3.5 2 yr work exp wiith MNC... looking for MS in CS

any chance of me finding a good univ in US for MS in CS
Please name universities......

also if u can suggest me things at Singapore
my gpa is 7.17 and 77.70% equi

Please reply ASAP

Everyone's advice here is really great. I'll add:

1. Give. Yourself. Time.

With that time:
2. Really research programs and faculty fit. Read their work! Three sentences of a website bio are not enough for you to know if this is a good fit or to write a thoroughly personalized SOP.

3. Draft an SOP early enough to have your LORs look at it. Revise. Have it reviewed again. Etc.

4. Triple check that envelope before you send it off. It's embarassing when School A calls you because they have School B's application. (Theoretically speaking, of course.)

I think you are looking for a PhD program like Science, Technology, and Society.

Harvard allows their doctoral students to have a secondary field in STS, including science students. Here's a link: http://www.gsas.harvard.edu/programs_of_study/science_technology_and_society.php

Penn State offers this as a graduate minor that can be added to any PhD field of study: http://www.sts.psu.edu/graduates/minor

MIT has a PhD program in History and Anthropology of Science, Technology, and Society (HASTS). They have applicants from science and engineering backgrounds as well as social science backgrounds: http://web.mit.edu/hasts/admissions/index.html

Rensselaer Polytechic Institute offers an MS/PhD program in Science and Technology Studies: http://www.sts.rpi.edu/pl/graduate-programs-sts

Georgia Tech has a PhD in the History and Sociology of Technology and Science: http://www.hts.gatech.edu/graduate/

And Penn has a PhD program in the History and Sociology of Science: http://hss.sas.upenn.edu/hssc

Most of these programs look as if they accept students from both science and social science backgrounds, as you will eventually need to foster familiarity with both fields in order to master the program.

Hey Eigen, thanks for the response. I just wanted to make sure 253805 we felt for their situation. It doesn't sound like a lot of fun at all, nor does it look like it's their fault.

As far as terminal MA is concerned, that might be the best option. I don't know if employers would know the difference, but I also don't know how marketable a History MA is in the first place. (Or a PhD for that matter). But if the professors end up not being that helpful in helping you transfer, it might be the best option. The question you might want to ask yourself is how likely you are to get a job if you were somehow able to continue with your current program? Would these professors be that helpful in the job search if you were somehow able to figure out how to stay on? Especially if you are paying for your program, it might be better to cut your losses and run.

Good luck with those two professors; I hope for your sake things work out in a way that's best for you.

I think this is a good reminder for all of us when choosing school to keep in mind how supportive our potential advisor is. Is this someone who can help you if things get rough? I had some very weird things go down with my current program, and it was invaluable to have some allies by my side.

Anyway, best of luck.

I get where you're coming from with this, but I'm going to have to disagree with most of it.

Off the bat, I think we were all quite collegial- we all agreed the situation sucked, but we didn't honestly think there was much he could do about it. Collegial doesn't always just mean telling someone what they want to hear.

As for the rest- I think pushing and being persistent can in some instances be a good thing- but in the situation the OP has described, I think it will do more to hurt his future than help. If the department really wants him gone, then I think pushing to stay around will lead to years of discomfort- not to mention no guarantee that they'd actually accept his dissertation once he was done.

Talking to a trusted professor in the field is a good idea.

As to finding out your legal options- I think you'll spend more time chasing this around without getting any real answers than is worthwhile. And since actually pursuing any legal action would probably severely limit your chances of admission to any other schools, I'm not sure that it would be a great idea.

As for the terminal MA: They're usually not a great sign on your transcript. I think you'd in many ways be better off leaving, and re-applying- explain that there were personality conflicts at your old school, but have examples of your work ready to show, to indicate that you were well capable of the work, you just had interaction issues with some of the faculty. In addition, you already have an MA, so it's not a degree you really "need". As to whether your old advisor would sign off on it- if the Dean suggested it, he probably would. I'm not sure he'd make it a particularly pleasant experience, though.

I think you just got stuck in a bad situation- there's a chance the faculty viewed you as a "provisional" student from the start, and never really got over it. I'm not sure if there's anything you can do about that, other than try for a fresh start elsewhere.

Wait, you are paying for your own degree yourself? You didn't get any funding? To put it bluntly: why did you think it was a good idea to spend your own money on a Ph.D in history? Even if you are, though, a degree isn't like a television or some other object you buy: you don't "deserve" anything just because you paid for the experience of being trained as an academic. Just because the experience may not be what you want doesn't mean they don't deserve to be paid for the effort and time to train you. Imagine not paying a doctor because you have bad health - that doesn't work, right?

I think you are right to suspect the department is shutting you out collectively. It probably doesn't have anything to do with your work; such unified action on their part speaks to a situation where something about you yourself makes them all not want to work with you. Especially after that not-so-subtle hint from the dean that you should probably leave. It can't be a professional thing (i.e. plagiarism, unprofessional behavior) or an aspect of your ability (i.e. grades, research) because they would have openly stated if that were the case.

I am not hopeful after reading your account. The bridges may be already burnt. Maybe you should sit down with some close friends or fellow grad students and have them tell you if you have any shortcomings which make it difficult to work with you. It may be as simple as you are the political black sheep in the department and they don't want to hear your opinion, but it may also be intolerable personal traits which make it difficult to advise you: you don't listen to critiques, for example, or you are arrogant, etc. We can't know here on the internet, but your friends probably know, and probably have substantive suggestions for altering your behavior.

I feel for your situation, but no one is doing anything legally wrong, or probably not even against university guidelines.

Professors have the right to choose who they want to work with, and it's not uncommon for graduate students to have to leave a program due to not being able to find an advisor. It sucks when it happens, but it does happen.

You might be able to transfer to another program- or leave your current program and apply elsewhere.

I would say that it's not uncommon enough to have worked/paid your way through graduate school to mention.

If the work experience was not relevant, and you don't have any bad grades that you need to explain, I can't see there being any benefit to mentioning it in your application.

The reason I want to bring it up is because I think it shows character when someone can work full time and complete a graduate degree. My work was unrelated to my academic interests and did not adversely affect my grades, but I think it says something when someone works to go to school rather than have their parents foot the bill.

If these books were badly written, you would presumably not want to re-read them. We re-read books (out of choice) only because we think they're well written, and therefore enjoy them.