[Should I discuss this in my SOP?]

Hmm alright... I talked to my academic advisor and she recommended that I leave it out for the same reason that it's only one grade.

 

Right now I'm leaning towards not mentioning it because it does seem to weaken my SOP. I may just call the programs and ask how they prefer me to address it.

 

Thanks for all of your input

I totally agree with others and your advisor.

It is just one class, and plus, you got A's in the subsequent classes that are more difficult.

[Pennsylvania State university (Penn state PSU) - Hershey - Biomedical Sciences, PhD]

Hello there,

To whom follow this forum respond to my inquiries please.

I am interested to join bio-medical science graduate program at Penn state university/Hershey campus. I went through the Penn state university/ medicine college website but I couldn't find any information regarding eligibility and financing.

I am not a citizen but I reside at Harrisburg, PA. I hold a bachelor degree in bio-medical science, GPA 3.57. Regarding the financing does it matter if I am a citizen or not? I really need my graduate study to be financed because as I mentioned I am not a citizen and because of that I can't work here and I don't have any support to pay for may studying.

Please any one has more details about the eligibility or the requirements to join the program and the financing information please share it with me.

Thank you.

Hi,

I am an international student with F-1 visa, so I'm going to answer your question based on my experience.

Although I did not choose to attend PennState Hershey's biomedical science program, I have applied and got accepted.

From the introductory presentation I was given during the interview session and the conversation with directors and other faculty, the non-citizen students (including permanent residents and international students) are also financially supported equally.

I don't know if you are a permanent resident, but if you are not, then the only thing you have to be concerned about is that once you join a particular lab after completing laboratory rotations, the PI cannot use T-32 Training Grant to support your tuition and other costs.

I don't think you have to worry about it too much tho, because when I interviewed there, I saw few other international students in the same group as well, and we wouldn't be invited for the interview if they don't have a way to support us.

[University of Pittsburgh 2014]

Hey! Science_Nerd, you guys are lucky you have an orientation for the summer starters. How's it going so far for you? I forget when you were moving here. Anyway, I moved to Pittsburgh 9 days ago and started my first rotation the very next day! O.o But honestly, so far, I love it. It's kinda sad but I think I'm the only one from my year who's here already... *so lonely* Have you met people from your program yet?

 

Your program doesn't have the orientation for early students?  It kinds sucks that you couldn't get to know people in your program beforehand. 

 

I haven't moved to Pittsburgh yet, actually. Maybe in next few days or so.

So I havent met anyone in my program yet. I'm really looking forward to seeing them.

[University of Pittsburgh 2014]

Hey guys, just few days back I received email about the orientation for those starting from June.

I'm so excited that it's really happening, but then I'm also nervous too lol haha

[University of Pittsburgh 2014]

Hi folks,

 

I'll be starting my PhD studies at U Pitt in the falls (was admitted to the Computational Biology program--CPCB). Been lurking around Gradcafe for a while now looking to see if I could talk to anyone else who's going. Anywho, looking forward to moving to Pittsburgh and seeing y'all.

 

Hey!

Seems like it's been super quiet on this forum lol

[URGENT HELP - PLAGIARISM]

It's just so funny to me how the discussion is digressing so much from the actual problem.

 

No one is disagreeing with the fact that the very definition may not be as "academic" usage of the word, but in this case, we are dealing with the issue here based on "Academic Plagiarism" and the fact that someone pointing out that it is not how the dictionary says about the word is pointless.

 

 

Anyways, I wonder how the OP addressed the issue.

[URGENT HELP - PLAGIARISM]

The plagiarism definition debate on page 2 reminded me of Ad Hominem fallacy that politicians love so much.

 

Just saying.

[URGENT HELP - PLAGIARISM]

You lied. Now you pay.

 

I don't understand why this post was (-1)ed.

I guess to someone, "the truth hurts".

[University of Pittsburgh 2014]

eh, writing on an iPad is kind of awkward, much faster to just write on paper..... i took grad classes at duke and some people would try and type everything on their computer that they could possibly type, and never looked up at the lecture but had everything typed... some would have their iPad/tablet, and they would always get behind on note taking, or just use it to view the power point slides which is pointless because its projected in front of you... and others would actually pay attention and just listen to the lecture and jot down things they deemed important...I just recorded the lecture on my phone and paid attention... but yeah taking notes on an iPad seems great in theory, but its just not that great in practice... at least for me and from what I have observed.... I don't know for the classes I took, almost everything came from journals so you could always just go back and look at the paper they were referencing... its so much easier than undergrad.... no memorizing, just applying things and making rational arguments.... you also have to consider that for some classes you are just discussing literature, and not like taking notes on a lecture etc....

 

Hmmm... I guess the tablet notetaking tech hasn't really evolved as much as those tech companies claim that it has.

Oh well, even though my laptop is an ultrabook and really thin and light, I'm tire of carrying it around with me all the time, because of the permanently attached keyboard. So I am for sure going to buy a tablet, but now after hearing your experiences, I will be using it for other things than notetaking.

 

Thanks!

[University of Pittsburgh 2014]

It's been quiet here.

So, according to the student-list that was sent by email few weeks ago, there are 8 of us starting early on June.

Which means that we, 8 of us, get to use the Enrichment account early as well

 

What are you guys planning to use the account for?

When I asked current students I met at the interview, most of them said that they bought a new laptop.

And they also warned me to save some of the account money to buy textbook, so I won't have to deal with library and making photocopies and such.

 

Anyways, since I just purchased my laptop a year ago, so I am planning to look into tablets.

It would be cool if I could take notes on tablet, directly onto PDF with stylus (I just watched some iPad introduction videos and I thought it was cool).

I've never owned a tablet, so I appreciate any opinions you guys have!

[University of Pittsburgh 2014]

Hi there!

 

Thought I would join you people here on this thread.

I will be joining MPH - epi in the coming fall. 

Where do most graduate student usually end up living... University housing or outside campus?

 

I'm a new student at UPitt so I cant answer your "where do most graduate student usually end up living" question,

but I know for sure that University-Owned apartments are all full and they won't accept any more application for it at this point.

I've tried and they dont even return a response lol haha

[University of Pittsburgh 2014]

Congrats Science_Nerd! I also just signed a lease for a place in Squirrel Hill, close to Murray Ave. We may just happen to run into each other.

 

haha  my apartment is on Murray ave too lol

We might be indeed riding the same bus to get to campus!

[University of Pittsburgh 2014]

I just signed a lease agreement to secure my apartment in the Squirrel Hill area, 20 mins from campus by bus.

 

Since i will be rotating in the lab at Children's Hospital, I submitted all the security background check paperwork, and all the CITI trainings online have been taken care of!!!

 

Whew...all done!

[University of Pittsburgh 2014]

 Hey, I'm also in IBGP and will be starting in June! I'm planning on moving there about a week before the orientation. I also found a two bedroom place (to share between me and my GF) for $900/mo near Frick Park. I think the two bedroom places in Pittsburgh are significantly cheaper if you are willing to have a roommate.

 

Oh cool! nice to know there are others starting on June!!

My first rotation will be at the Rangos Research Center (Children's Hospital).

Where will you be rotating, if you don't mind asking.

 

Yeah I do agree with you. 2-bedroom apartments in Pittsburgh are really reasonable, compared to other cities.

But I think I'm gonna rent a studio apartment for the first year, until I make friends in the program and find someone who is interested in being roommate. 

[University of Pittsburgh 2014]

Have you tried Mozart (www.mozartrents.com)... I think its a little above your 600 dollar price limit but students use it and they allow you to rent over the phone... its called InstaRent. Sounds sketch I know, but they will give you photos etc and make sure you have any questions answered.  They have some cool apartments close to campus.  I know one or two other students from our weekend that are probably going through them.  It can't be that bad.

 

I am not renting anything, I think my parents want to purchase a condo since I will be there for 5-6 years.  You end up spending like 50-60k on rent and utilities over 5-6 years. Pretty crazy.  

 

I just skimmed through their website. They do have a really nice apartments in the area but they are a little over my budget.

 

The Graduate Studies Office at UPitt SOM told me that they are launching something called "Housing Helpers Program" to help us secure place to live.

I hope they launch it very soon.

[University of Pittsburgh 2014]

Thanks! Congrats to you as well! 

I probably won't understand much of it, but what are you planning to study more specifically?

My housing situation so far is non-existent. I'm just now starting to look. How about you all? 

 

Thanks!

 

well, mainly anything that has to do with Immunology is what I'm interested, and right now I'm leaning toward tumor immunology.  It's fun

 

I can't really do anything about housing right now.

Many apartments I called require "in-person" visit before initiating the application process, which is impossible for me at this moment because I live in Texas.  So I need to wait until the Graduate Studies Office at school of medicine start the housing help service for us.  

And I found that the university-owned apartments are all filled up.

[University of Pittsburgh 2014]

Hey everyone! Looks like we'll be at the same school this fall. I'll be starting their PhD in political science

 

Congrats to you and to all of us altogether!

 

How are you doing in housing situation?

[University of Pittsburgh 2014]

I wouldn't fret.  I bet most people don't use grad cafe.  I am sure there are a handful of students doing summer rotations.  You have plenty of time to figure shit out.  

 

Who are you going to rotate under in the summer?

I'm going to rotate in the lab of Dr. de Vallejo during summer.

He is in immunology group but his office is in the children's hospital.

[University of Pittsburgh 2014]

hmmm... I haven't seen anyone who is starting on June yet.  anyone?

 

I have already contacted a particular laboratory and got a permission to rotate during summer.

How are you guys doing in terms of official paperwork and stuff?

 

For apartment, since graduate studies office sent out an email saying that they will soon launch a Housing helper service so I am waiting for that to happen. 

[2014 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results]

Well this is year two for me. Last year I apparently the bombed my interview so badly that they held it against me this year, which seems a little unfair. They literally told me if I hadn't applied last year, I would have been given an interview for sure.

 

Hi, I was just curious if anyone from the schools you applied to told you that your previous interview experience was held against you, or it is just your estimated reason.

 

Because if they really tell you that is why you weren't offered an interview visit, then it is just not fair and wrong.

Some people do bad in interview when they are nervous or for whatever other reasons, and they should not judge you or any applicant based on your interviews from last year.

[2014 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results]

I know many of the graduate programs (if not all) still require graduate student fee or something similar even after tuition is waived.

So I'm guessing that $100 might be something of this kind, but I've never heard of deposit-requirement.... 

[What surprised you the most going through this whole process?]

Also, as many people have said already, one of my top choices I applied to turned out to be "not so impressive at all" to me after the interview visit. And of course I was rejected, and I was happy about it.

 

It was weird feeling happy when I saw the rejection email.

 

 

 

BTW, I know it's kind of off topic, but I really enjoyed staying at many different hotels for interview visits.

[What surprised you the most going through this whole process?]

What surprised me, in a good day, the most is how different the interview was from what I have been told and what I have anticipated.  When I practiced with my boss and other people, they told me about all those "extreme" myths about interviews. And I know that they did that so that I would be ready for it just in case, but after having gone through it all, I think it was completely different.

 

I didn't have a chance to experience a group-interview style, so all I know is 30-35 min per person individual interview session.

I don't know if it was because I am from Japan, and many of my POI have been to Japan for conferences, but at lease 20% of the interview period was spent talking about their experience sight seeing in Japan  

Then we moved onto research interest, then time was up.

[University of Pittsburgh 2014]

Thanks sciguy!!

I will check out those and other apartments in Friendship area then.

 

I just sent an email to the Off-Campus Living office to inquire about the Central Oakland uni-owned apartment. I just wanted to know the floor plan of their efficiency unit, because of Efficiency is just one big room with kitchen and bathroom attached while others can have pseudo-segregated BR/K/Bath.

 

anyways, I'm hoping they will contact me back tomorrow.

 

[2014 Biology Grad Warriors]

I'm from the Pittsburgh area, let me know if you want to know anything about neighborhoods, etc.

 

Thanks MackF!!

 

I haven't had so much luck with apartment hunting so far.

I feel like I'm gonna settle with Efficiency unit at University-Owned apartment (off-campus)....

Being from Pittsburgh area, do you know or have you heard anything about these off-campus uni-owned apartments?