Eyetea
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Posts posted by Eyetea
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being from Northeastern Indiana with lake effect snow, wintry weather is the least of my worries- living close to the beach will be new. Any ideas of affordable areas for grad housing- no car so will probably start of within a region that is reasonable accessible by public transit...
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Any body with info on Kingston RI?
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Not worth the hustle...
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I am in a similar situation to the OP. My PI just recently decided to leave academia and none of the other profs here are a good research fit. After speaking with the chair and DGS, they both advised me to apply elsewhere. As already mentioned above, this is important because it gives a lot of credence to your application to go elsewhere. I have had to re-apply, but I feel it is more important to have a fulfilling graduate education.
It is not an easy decision to make, but it is very rewarding in the end...
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At my undergrad, my research advisor was on an admissions committee and I saw first-hand just how bad he felt turning away applicants who he thought would thrive well in the program. I know we're all invested, but as you jjduval said, not everyone can get in- sometimes its a matter of who impressed the eye first/most.
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I understand how rude it might seem if you get a rejection email with one sentence. What I do not get is the gripe with the whole 'impersonal email' that is common on the results page. Is the graduate coordinator supposed write a personal email to each of the 100+ rejected applicants? Sometimes, another rejected applicant from the same program will post an excerpt from the email that sounds very courteous. Oh well, maybe it's just the waiting that's making me whiny...
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After receiving my admission e-mail in glee, I forwarded it to my friend saying that even though I was excited about getting in, I would probably not go there. But instead of actually forwarding it to the friend, I replied back to the POI!
- mop, KingKazama5, novacancy and 5 others
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I had a similar experience, contacted the department and tol;d me not to worry about it since it is a pretty common situatuion.
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I kept looking at the requirements to see if an SOP was also requested and I was just missing it, but no! Maybe the test is to see if you can be concise! Who knows?! Just makes me think they focus more on GPA and LORs than anything I'd have to say in my SOP.
I know I may receive quite some heat for saying this- but i think I like the '100 words' option. SOP's sometimes can create a false illusion. I'm a clear and concise kind of person. But hey, I'm a physical scientist!
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I made unwise choices concerning three courses, and am briefly addressing two of those situations in my Personal Statement, trying to not make excuses but expressing what I have learned in a positive light. The third course was 18 years ago, at a second school after receiving my degree from the first school. Should I invest precious Personal Statement space on explaining this situation, or would it be better to use the space to promote my fit with the program and more recent events, such as my graduate degree and work experience? What do you think?
I also agree that 18 yrs ago is way back and may not be indicative of the person you are now. I say, dwell on the current.
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I'm interested in molecular spectroscopy, atmospheric chemistry, semiconductor nanocrystals.. Applied to P-Chem programs.
I'm also looking applying to P-chem programs- molecular spectroscopy, environmental chemistry and electroanalytical chemistry, to be precise.
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If you have research experience, dwell on th e positives. After all, they are not only interested in test takers.
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I sent a cover letter to one of the programs that I was applying to which required one. I got a quick response from a professor interested in me and I got an admission decision in two weeks! So if they say so, and it improves your chances, DO IT!
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I am applying to 9 schools
even after reading up online and talking to people i still dont have a good feel for how likely my acceptance at these schools is. if it were as easy as the push of a button, i probably would have applied to 30
I know the feeling, It's as if at times what you've done is not enough. But I guess its just the mind playing games on you. The whole application process brings out an inherent fear in each one of us, rejection. And the fact that rejection could be based on variables and figures beyond our control does not make it any better!
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I've heard both: that you should get as many "big names" on your resume as possible, and that you should try to find an advisor who will take a personal interest in you (not just your research). I applied to both sorts of schools and was accepted at both. The fact that I am where I am, instead of the top-10 school that accepted me, tells you which of the two schools of thought I ended up subscribing to.
I like the idea of doing a post-doc at a well-known school.
Thanks guys for geting this thread going!
That was exactly my intention- do a postdoc at a reputable school. I wanted to do my PhD with a professor with something to prove. I know one professor who is really enthusiastic about my background and interests that he literally mentored me throughout the application process- including obtaining an application fee waiver! I feel that I may be able to derive greater benefits from such a school than from a top ten where I'm not doing something I like.
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Personally, I feel that the 'fit' paragraph just shows that you have done a background check on the department/university and your hunger to get in. Sometimes things don't always look right to us. Remember, if you try to tweak it too much, you might end up sounding desperate!
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Let me first state that I am no professional at this but I don't think the SOP is the right place for the GPA. Unless there are specific issues about your program of study that you would like the adcom to see (and they have your GPA, transcripts anyway!). I've seen some treads on this forum where people have succesfully weaved such issues into their SOP. My question would be, why would you want to place your GPA on the SOP- is it not something transcripts or LOR's could address?
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I also finished my apps pretty early and though I've aready received some responses, the wait period to Feb/March for the others is killing me!
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I have most of my applications completed. I've figured out what I would do in nearly every single possible permutation of acceptances/rejections. However, one that I can't figure out is this: what if I get accepted to both Duke (for a Ph.D in Classics) and Catholic University (Ph.D Early Christian Studies). I'm not accepted into either, so this is unprofitable speculation - but I wonder if anyone else has this dilemma: what if you get accepted into what is seemingly a more 'prestigious' program, but for whatever reason you think the other program would be better for you?
One thing that's particularly attractive about CUA is its long history of dealing with the late antique and early Christianity. Also, I'm Catholic, so the Catholic culture on campus would be rocking. Likewise, I don't think it would be too bad to live in D.C. for a few years while I'm young.
On the other hand, Duke is amazing. They have tons of resources (a great papyri archive that I'd love to get into), great professors, good ties with the Religion program and with UNC's Classics program. Plus, my girlfriend is currently doing her Ph.D there (in the sciences...she's smart).
Anyone else having to consider stuff like this?
I've been also o the same path. I have a professor at Vanderbilt who is a perfect fit for me and my research interests. I like the program and several other opportunities to carry out interdisciplinary research. However, Purdue has a highly ranked program in my sub-Field, Analytical Chemistry. If I get in at both programs, I think I'll be pretty worried dude. Fit or better job prospects?
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Why on earth did I not get a chance to do this new one? I seriously messed up on my verbal, no preparation at all. Not that there are any prep materials where I am but still, why did it take them this long to realise their test is crap!
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The Penn State Chemistry application was also free this year.
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Great for you! Its great to get such a rapid and enthusiastic response:rolleyes:. I also believe its a good sign.
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I think its application nerves. Go for it. If you fell that this professor's work gels with your interests, don't back out now!
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Yeah, I applied to:
Colorado Boulder
UC San Diego
Stanford
Wisconsin
Michigan
Harvard
UC Davis
UC Davis has already sent an accept letter, surprisingly.
I was also just about to ask you the same question about Stanford. WEll I'm not a CA type of person but I bet I'd try. Though grad school is a matter of fit. I also got two acceptance letters so early. In other news- I'm a bit confused, people keep telling me to apply to bigger school (with more respected profs thus better prospects) but I'm sticking to Profs who do research in my line. Is that a dangerous mistake? Or is application panic catching up with me.
That awkward moment when...
in Waiting it Out
Posted
Oh most definitely (he calls it a 'brain fart' moment), he even offered to call so that we could discuss some of the issues why i didn't want to go there..and after that conversation- i must admit they're back in the mix...