[Waiting it out: Evolution, Organismal, Ecology? Fall 2014]

Schmitt and Holbrook do a lot of teaching and work in the tropics (so jealous of their research intern people), so maybe that's why they didn't get back to you?

For my field at least, I've heard that it's really important to get a response before applying and to build a rapport. I'm not sure if it's the same for marine, but I imagine it's similar. :/

 

Ouch. I suspected as much. Guess I will plan on spending this year figuring out what I need to do differently. I am a "non-traditional" student - 43 years old with 20 years in industry - so it is not as straightforward for me. I also started late in the year as things didn't align for me to look like I could think about applying until October or so. I guess we'll see, but that is not good news.

[Older students?]

I will add myself to this list. I am 43 and have just put in for PhD programs in Marine Ecology. I have a BS in Zoology from 20 years ago and a BS in Business.

 

I have been, and continue to, work as an analytical chemist in industry. I am trying to go back and do what I should have done in the first place and pursue what I am passionate about. I have a wife and three kids. Fortunately my wife and I both make a decent salary, and she can likely support the family in a halfway decent manner while I support myself throught school. I really have no idea if my prospects are any good - I only applied to four schools that would be within ~3hours drive of where my wife has a job opportunity and I put the applications together at the last minute.

 

Still, I am clinging to hope, and if it doesn't work out this round I am going to see if I can learn why not and cast a wider net next year.

[Waiting it out: Evolution, Organismal, Ecology? Fall 2014]

I'm EEB - plant community ecology! Though I'm also hoping to study biodiversity across tropic levels (bugs). I applied to just three programs (see my signature).

I've heard back from UCSC (already went for an interview - it's the most amazing campus!!!) and UCSD (interviewing next month). Waiting for Stanford with only the tiniest sliver of hope.

Astond, who are you applying with at ucsb? My undergrad degree is aquatic bio from there.

I emailed Schmitt, Holbrook, and Gaines. Never got a response back from any of them - as a matter of fact, the only response I got from any professor was one at Stanford - is that low response rate typical??

[Best and worst applications....]

Agreed on Stanford being the worst.

 

Still, to be fair, they may find it hard to find competent web designers in that area.

[Waiting it out: Evolution, Organismal, Ecology? Fall 2014]

EEB PhD programs in Marine Ecology here. Still no word from anybody but I only applied to four California schools.

 

Stanford is the only one I expect to hear from any time soon, and based on the number of people I see that have already received interview invites I am pretty resigned to a "Dear Applicant" letter from them.

[Keep A Word Drop A Word]

trap door

[Ocean/Marine Sciences 2014?]

You can count me in with this crowd as well.

 

I am a bit of a "non-traditional" student though - been working in industry for 20 years and now I am hoping to go back into school and pursue my passion.

 

I applied to several California schools as my wife has a potential job out there and so I could hopefully at least see her and the kids on the weekends.

 

I have no idea what my prospects are, my GRE's were good, and I coauthored one paper a few years ago. I have been working as an analytical chemist all that time but am trying to get into more of a marine ecology focused PhD, which is what I really love.

 

I am just sweating it out for right now, hoping for the best, I suppose like everybody else.