nano2014

Hello All, I am a new PhD student in my first semester and I am having a hard time deciding which group to join. I am seeking some insight or second opinion. My background I am an international student studying in the US and obtained my bachelors degree in a liberal arts school. My concentration was a major in chemistry with a minor in math. Back in school I only had very limited research opportunities. In fact the ones I had, I created myself out of classes that I found interesting (aka independent research). The research I enjoyed most was medical applications of nanotechnology. This was the reason why I applied to graduate school, I was interested in learning more about it. While in undergrad, I had many research interests but could not explore them because many funded undergrad research had citizenship requirement (which is completely understandable). I also reached out to professors in my area at research universities but the only ones that got back to me were in fields I had little passion for, although I worked in their labs anyway. Now I am in graduate school. I was hoping to explore more research through rotations but the rotation policy changed and now students do one rotation instead of the two which was advertised earlier on. I have found so many research that are very interesting to me. That is why I applied to this particular school in the first place (to explore my passion before I settle with a group). As the fall semester draws to an end, I am expected to declare the professor I am interested in working with (for rotation in the spring semester). And this is where my dilemma lies. The groups that work with nanotechnology with medical applications do not have the funding to support a new student, so I had to look elsewhere. I have now identified three groups who work in areas I am interested in but different aspects of it. Group one: This group synthesizes nanoparticles for energy applications. The primary aim of the research at this point is to synthesize particles that are effective in splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen. Pros: 1. This research seems promising towards making cleaner energy. 2. I am interested in novel nanoparticle synthesis. Con: 1. This professor is new so I am a tad bit unsure about the future of this project and whether it will hold. 2. Depending on who you ask, the future of hydrogen as a source of energy seem quite unpredictable. 3.This research in not medically focused Group Two: This research is about the microenvironment of cancerous tumors Pros: 1. This research is medically related (specifically cancer research) which I am very much interested in. (At least the few papers that I have read from this lab were very interesting) Con: 1. This is basically tissue engineering related with no nanoparticle/medical devise focused. 2. I'll like to some some physical science/engineering focus (ie building stuff) Group Three: Nmr of novel semiconductor materials. With the possibility of doing some research in semi-conductors. Pros: 1.After attending a few seminars organized by my program I have gotten some interest in semiconductors and I'll love to explore it. 2. This professor is very well established. Her group works with teams across the country. 3. She has quite a bit of funding 4. Has multiple projects in her lab (physics and chemistry) which will be a great asset to building a diverse set of skills Cons: 1. Completely out of line with what I wanted to do in the beginning. 2. Not sure whether I'll like it. Have no experience here. I need a second opinion. This decision has been keeping me up at night and my thinking process is all jumbled up and can't really make an informed decision. My thinking process is along the lines of: 1. I am going to spend 5 years here so I need to enjoy my project. I know there'll be frustrating times but I am a very motivated person. 2. I'll like to attend conferences to network ( bioengineering professor is not too keen on conferences because he thinks people "steal" ideas) 3. Will these set of skills be employable? Although I am interested in the "clean energy" research I am skeptical about it due to the unstable market and differing opinions about hydrogen as a source of clean energy. PS: All these three professors are extremely nice and helpful and their grad students are happy with them. So from that point, I don't think the personality of the PI is an issue. The NMR group is fairly large (quite a friendly group) the other two have an average of one student. Please let me know your thoughts. Any advice will be helpful in clearing up my thinking process. Thank you!

I agree! The process of finding a place is frustrating! Especially when you're not physically there! Anyway glad it worked out for you. I am still on the hunt :/ Thank you for your reply! Still searching the place downtown will be my last resort if I do not find anything. Thanks again.

Hello Everyone, So I have found an apartment that looks like its going to be a comfortable place to live. I have tried to rent an apartment through Quadrangle at WUSTL but it has been very futile getting in touch with anyone. May I know how safe 111 N. 15th St. is? From my research it is about 30 mins by the metro from WUSTL and the price seems pretty affordable. I am not familiar with St. Louis at all but I read that this place is close to downtown and a little shady. I dont plan on spending a lot of time outdoors at night so this will be fine right? Which downtown is this? (from what I have heard STL has more than one downtown). Any input at all about this location will be greatly appreciated. Also is the distance reasonable? I am an international student and do not know much about this place. Please help! Thank you.

how did you find a roommate?

Hello everyone, I will also be attending WUSTL this fall. I am very unfamiliar with St. Louis and apprehensive about the whole finding a place/roommate thing. I have never lived by myself. I need your help/advice please. Ultimately, I will love to have a roommate, pay in the range of 500-600 (possibly including utilities). How do graduate students normally find roommates? (based on personality/lifestyle matching etc.) I do not have a car or plan on owning one so I will like to live at a place close to campus or with close bus routes. Will it be possible to find a place online before I get there or it will be better to go over and find a place? I will appreciate your responses. Thank you.

I got into UNL too

Hi Everyone! So I have been a heavy stalker of this site and decided to join. I applied to mostly chemistry, material science, and biomedical engineering programs...so far I have heard back from two schools (interview) but I am still nervously waiting for my top choice . My stats are International student attended small private college in USA. GPA: 3.83 GRE: V 150 Q 157 W 4.5 Research: 2 years including research in my area of interest. I have 2 poster presentations and 1 Oral presentation. My top choices are: RICE!! ( chemistry- research here is exactly what I want to do) UPENN (material science), JHU (Material science), WashU (Material Science) Applied: Rice, JHU, UPenn, University of Florida, Vanderbilt, Washington University in St. Louis, University of Nebraska- Lincoln, University of Georgia. Accepted: Rejected: I am soo nervous!!! Did anyone apply to any of these schools? Have you heard anything? Thanks!