Pacifico

Regardless of the misconceptions, finger pointing, and drunkenness on this thread, I'd like to point out that when I applied to UC Berkeley this term I was able to self report my GRE scores....

As we are all anxiously waiting for news, does anyone think departments will be open and delivering news? Or is everyone home relaxing (do you remember what relaxing was like...?) for the day?

Hmm, Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies are on sale at Target...... And there are so many new types of Oreo's out now! .... can you guess my weakness during times of stress?

Yes, you wouldn't want anything but a "strong" letter for an REU application- this implies nothing negative.

All this atmospheric / climate talk is great.... but where are my sed/ strat/ paleo people?? I know you are out there somewhere...!

I had an interview at one of my top choices two weeks ago and am still waiting... and turning myself crazy!! I heard from another student that they are making final decisions this week- but naturally there is still a lull after that. And to make matters worse I emailed my POI after we met to thank him, etc, and he said that they will let me know "in a few months"...!! I'm hoping that this is a typo :/

I applied to the CUNY Grad Center for the Earth and Environmental Science PhD program, which had a Dec 1st deadline. The website claimed to have a decision back in 4-8 weeks, so once Feb came around, I gave a call to the department. They told me then that the committee hasn't even met yet, so I can only imagine that (for my program, at least) I won't hear back for a while. I am, however, currently enrolled in CUNY (finishing undergrad) and have a few friends at the Grad Center. Most of them told me that once CUNY accepted you, they had a fast approaching deadline to make an enrollment decision, sometimes before other schools have sent out their decisions. Just FYI. Good luck!

I imagine they will probably ask- At my last interview I was asked about other programs by 3 different faculty members. I don't think it will have too much of an influence on their decision, but if you aren't honest it could look bad.

I also would advise seeing if there is anyone at your current school or anyone that you may have done research with that has connections at REU institutions. LOR's from known colleagues have a greater weight (as long as they are positive!). I would also try to explain as briefly as you can why the low GPA, and then highlight anything else that can set you apart. And get them in EARLY if possible. As others have said, you can play the numbers game for the best odds- but make sure you address the unique research of each program- cut and paste essays are more transparent than you would think! But good luck- My GPA was 3.0 when I was accepted to Smithsonian REU, so you stand a chance!

I wouldn't worry yet: My POI let me know I was invited a few days ago, but I still haven't received anything official yet from UT. It seems as though the invites aren't being sent all at once. Even still, you never know what can happen... good luck!

Congrats! See you there!

I was emailed an invite to UT Austin interview weekend after all! Very excited! Anyone else? (This is all coming from my POI- nothing official yet)

Someone just was accepted to UT Austin on the results page- any of you guys? I know the interview weekend is coming up (Feb 22-25) and I'm wondering who is hearing anything...?

Anyone else feel like this was the longest weekend yet? Judging from the pool of POIs at the schools I applied to, it seems as though this coming week is going to be enlightening...

Keep your head up- It looks like myself and iheartplants are the only two who have heard anything yet. I wouldn't stress until next week!

I posted in Results about the POI email, but I ended up getting the official email just a few hours ago. I wouldn't worry too much yet- the invitation definitely wasn't a mass email. Good luck!

Congrats! I just got mine too!

There was a short discussion, but ultimately I decided to just go for it. Firstly, all of the scientists I've collaborated with over the years feel strongly that I am capable of the work a PhD entails, and as a returning student I am diligent and very capable of time management, etc. Also, a lot of my research I've already conducted as an undergraduate has been quite focused in a specific subdiscipline of paleobiology (mass extinctions/ recovery communities), and I'm confident that it is the field I want to jump into. Besides having a focused interest, most of the programs I want to enter are PhD only (Berkeley, CUNY, USC, Richard Gilder). I realized I could apply to some other less competitive schools as a Masters for a backup plan, but ultimately if I am ready to make such a commitment then why settle at a school that isn't one of my top choices. If I end up not getting in to any of these, then I have an invitation to continue my current research at the school I am attending now as a Masters. This way, if I end up doing a masters prior to PhD, then it is in the subfield of my choosing. (Also, I absolutely adore my department and the people I collaborate with, so my worst case scenario is still pretty great.)

Hi all, So I am applying for a PhD straight out of my BS, and I'm hoping to head down the paleo-ecology/ biostrat path despite having little biology education in the classroom. Most of my research, however, has required me to build a general understanding of biological/ evolutionary patterns relevant to my work. Since my interests cross both geo and bio I am posting in both forums. I'm a bit nervous due to my bio inexperience, but I am hoping that my application (esp LoRs) will speak highly of my ability to learn quickly. I'd love any feedback on where you guys think I stand.... Undergrad Institution: medium sized public urban college Major(s): Earth and Environmental Science B.S. Minor(s): GPA in Major: 3.9 Overall GPA:3.1 (well explained in my SoP- my first few years were wayward until I discovered earth science) Position in Class: top Type of Student: female/ returning student GRE Scores (revised/old version): Q: 156 V: 153 W: 4.0 B: Research Experience: 1.5 years with well renowned paleontologist; Smithsonian REU; ridiculous amount of field work spanning 1.5 years (for my research as well as others- domestic and international); 3 poster sessions, 1 talk, 1 paper in prep (all first author) Awards/Honors/Recognitions: 1 from my school; 1 from Institute of Prof. Geologist; Dean's List Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Part time job while attending school; secretary of my school's geo society Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Granted fellowship to fund independent undergraduate research Special Bonus Points: audited paleo-bio graduate course; all 3 of my LoRs are *superb* and 2/3 are highly successful really well known paleontologists Also, I arranged to meet with the potential adviser at Berkeley over this past summer (went really well!) and he came to 1 of my poster sessions (also went well!) I also have strong connections with (most) potential advisers at the other institutions and have met with (most of) them over conferences Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: I feel my SoP is quite strong and unique (addresses my low cum GPA, speaks to my previous ambitions as an artist, etc) Applying to Where: UC Berkeley- Integrative Bio UT Austin- Jackson School (potential adviser already phoned my LoR authors to discuss me further- that must be a good sign!) University of Southern California- Earth and Environmental Sciences CUNY- Earth/ Environmental Richard Gilder- Comparative Bio (I've done field work/ research for 1.5 years with one of the committee members) ** I'm already in to continue my masters at my current institution and continue my research if all else fails Thanks!! Good luck everyone and happy new year!

Hi all, So I am applying for a PhD straight out of my BS, and I'm hoping to head down the paleobiology path despite having little biology education in the classroom. Most of my research, however, has required me to build a general understanding of biological/ evolutionary patterns relevant to my work. Mostly I am posting in the geology forums, but I figured I would reach out here since a number of the programs I am applying to are in biology departments. I'm a bit nervous due to my bio inexperience, but I am hoping that my application (esp LoRs) will speak highly of my ability to learn quickly. I'd love any feedback on where you guys think I stand.... Undergrad Institution: medium sized urban college Major(s): Earth and Environmental Science B.S. Minor(s): GPA in Major: 3.9 Overall GPA:3.1 (well explained in my SoP- my first few years were wayward until I discovered earth science) Position in Class: top Type of Student: female/ returning student GRE Scores (revised/old version): Q: 156 V: 153 W: 4.0 B: Research Experience: 1.5 years with well renowned paleontologist; Smithsonian REU; ridiculous amount of field work spanning 1.5 years (for my research as well as others- domestic and international); 3 poster sessions, 1 talk, 1 paper in prep (all first author) Awards/Honors/Recognitions: 1 from my school; 1 from Institute of Prof. Geologist; Dean's List Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Part time job while attending school; secretary of my school's geo society Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Granted fellowship to fund independent undergraduate research Special Bonus Points: audited paleo-bio graduate course; all 3 of my LoRs are *superb* and 2/3 are highly successful really well known paleontologists Also, I arranged to meet with the potential adviser at Berkeley over this past summer (went really well!) and he came to 1 of my poster sessions (also went well!) I also have strong connections with potential advisers at the other institutions and have met with all of them over conferences Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: I feel my SoP is quite strong and unique (addresses my low cum GPA, speaks to my previous ambitions as an artist, etc) Applying to Where: UC Berkeley- Integrative Bio UT Austin- Jackson School (potential adviser already phoned my LoR authors to discuss me further- that must be a good sign!) University of Southern California- Earth and Environmental Sciences CUNY- Earth/ Environmental Richard Gilder- Comparative Bio (I've done field work/ research for 1.5 years with one of the committee members) ** I'm already in to continue my masters at my current institution and continue my research if all else fails Thanks!! Good luck everyone and happy new year!