Tall Chai Latte

Eigen, I am well aware this option exists, and my current PI is supportive of this arrangement. One problem that's hindering this is the lack of availability to join other labs this late into the year, and the whole funding situation. Thanks guys for answering the entry!

Yep that's the case with my program. I have to join the department in order to work with this PI, as he is ONLY affiliated with this particular department. Having him affiliate with another department might be an ever harder battle to fight than getting the current dept to keep me.

wtncffs had it correct. I haven't taken my prelims yet, because that will come in the following year.. At least that's how I planned it to go in my mind. My program is an umbrella program encompassing a couple different departments, and students of my program are "free agents" and free to join any of the departments it has affiliation with. Typically, students file for transfer at the end of their second or third rotation (should they choose so) to become a grad student of the department they want to stay in. This is where I am at, I filed transfer to the department I want to stay, but apparently I got red-flagged because some previous students couldn't pass the prelim given their non-physics background while their PI championed them. I don't have a physics background, and the situation Eigen mentioned is at play (my PI apparently advocated for this new rule), for some reason he thought I was a physicist. I have now become "the classic example the type of students the dept wants to avoid". Right now I am a "free agent", back to square one looking for new rotations to do. I'm sorry to not clearly explain the situation, it's strange to me as well.. A big blow to my stability.

The situation is this: I was happy and finally found a lab to stay, and just when me and my PI thought things will go smoothly, the program director refused to sign my paper work of officially joining the department. I had a conversation with my PI, apparently the reason behind this rejection is that the department has a 3-part preliminary exam, one component being physics. Some student(s), who were non-physics major, came in and can't pass the exam (the PI even guaranteed that s/he would pass). And PI wasn't happy, student wasn't happy, and the dept wasn't happy because of the funding difficulty that resulted from failing. As a non-physics major from undergrad, I got red-flagged since the dept is very sensitive about this, that said, I was suggested to find another rotation or somehow bridge the work of current lab to another lab. I am terribly frustrated because at this point in time, finding a rotation is difficult given I turned down all of my other choices to stay in this lab, as well as individual PIs accepting students from their previous rotations. I guess I don't really have a question in mind to ask, my mind is messy... I feel so lonely in this process... why me? Is transferring to another PhD program even a valid option? Is transferring to another school an option? Or do things just end here even if I find another rotation and don't like it?

glasstothearson, I am sorry that grad school hasn't worked out for you. I am not saying my experience is more/less awesome compared to yours, and perhaps not every single grad student is happy with where he or she is at, but on this forum we are trying to look on the bright side and help each other out. If you want to leave with a masters, leave with a masters, and do so professionally. You are ruining your own reputation by throwing comments like this, not the fact that you are leaving grad school. The world is yours to do with it, why are you still here?

Guys, thanks for all the input. I just talked to my PI today, who is also the department chair. He said courses with C's won't be able to count toward degree requirement, but I should still have my funding if I maintain my cumulative GPA above the requirement. The class I received a C for (pathology) is not related to my field of research at all (biophysics), I initially signed up for it as a requirement for working with a prof, who does research in my field, but he is only affiliated with pathology. My cumulative GPA is still above 3.0 (thanks for the rotation grade), and I was freaking out because I just wasted one semester doing a class that I don't really need anymore and FAILED, now everything gets tight. Thankfully my PI was very understanding and said "now exercise your good judgement, pick another class that you'll do well in next time". Looking on the bright side, as a Biochemist I knew nothing whatsoever about Pathology. I could have gotten an F or something.

Er, how bad is getting a C in grad school? Although my cumulative GPA will be above the requirement, this stupid class really hit me in the face... Ugh.

Hi awvish. Are you an international student? I think most major service carriers in the US work. I have been using AT&T for years and doesn't have a problem in Ann Arbor, lots people seem to have AT&T because I see iPhones everywhere on campus. Verizon is also an alternative, but a bit more expensive. Both have a branch office near campus.

My ex-PI did ask for my unofficial transcript when I asked him to write me a letter. I was freaking out because I never told anyone about my GPA, because it's low.... I was even afraid that he might kick me out of the lab, but I was glad that he remained supportive throughout the process. Some other faculty didn't want to write me a letter because of my GPA (or even accept me into their group for undergrad research), I guess it depends on the person.

There are gym facilities on campus. Most people I know are from Medical School and Central Campus, and we all use CCRB, access is free for anyone with valid Mcard (if no Mcard... 30 bucks!!!). You can look them up online (http://www.recsports.umich.edu/facilities/ccrb.html). The Kinesiology department does offer classes, but I haven't signed up for any classes yet, so can't help you there. You should be perfectly fine living in Kerrytown, the gym is close to Central Campus Transit Center... Hope this helps.

Come on, people can't do anything to you if you don't want to finish.

I'm still pretty green to grad school, this forum continues to help me a great deal as well. Thanks for the more senior members like fuzzylogician to impart their wisdom/experience to us, and most of all bgk for starting and maintaining this forum. Thanks a lot! Of course I'll chime in if I could help.

Do you mean being a resident of a particular state? From my experience, I don't think being an out-of-state student is any less advantageous than an in-state student. Sure, the tuition is cheaper for an in-state student, but once you pass candidacy exam, your tuition goes down a lot. At least this is true at where I go to school, perhaps other members can provide more insights.

Department politics (or politics in academia in general) kinda comes through quiet observation.... It's different everywhere, you kinda have to test the water yourself within the department. One important thing to remember is that you need to be humble, keep your ears open, and talk less. Students talk amongst each other about things, you will definitely learn a thing or two....

Long distance housing search is difficult, but doable. I'm a domestic student, but my hometown is about 10 hours (driving) away from Ann Arbor before I started grad school. I found my current place by sending mass emails asking if anyone is looking for a roommate, with the intention of moving to a better place next year. Sharing apartments definitely cuts down the cost, something you can consider if you don't mind having roommates. As for getting a car or not, Ann Arbor itself is convenient and the bus system takes you everywhere. If you choose to live in Ypsi, having a car won't help with commute because there is no on-campus parking for students (those are for faculty and staff), and regular public parking won't go easy on your wallet. Having a car definitely makes grocery shopping easier, also if you want to explore areas outside of Michigan having a car helps as well. Just my two cents. Hope this helps.

1. If you have a low UG GPA, it might not matter so much if you have good research experience and decent GRE. LORs are very important. 2. Make sure you have backup LOR!! That screwed me over when I applied, some schools don't look at your app at all unless everything is in... Including LORs. 3. When it comes to decision time, regardless how many people suggest/advise you about choices, always make sure you are okay with what you decided on. We all get cold feet moments with major decision times, but which school to attend a very personal choice. Trust your instinct!

At one point I was worried that I wouldn't be able to join the lab I wanted. This created much stress amongst the first-years in some departments, as PI losing their grants and positions were cut down. Some students have to compete for a spot in the lab....

I'm still a first-year, but finishing up. Here's some thoughts as the end of the semester approaches: 1. Be professionally assertive. I am a shy person, sometimes I am afraid to speak up for things I want or say no to unreasonable requests. All first-years want to leave good impressions on their peers and professors, but remember -- you have your priorities to take care of, for example, classes. Professors know classes are important, but some will push you to do more nonetheless. Be assertive, so people can't take advantage of you. Grad school is very demanding for sure, but you have the responsibility to take care of yourself. 2. Learn the politics quick. Crucial for survival, especially first-years who are the weakest because they are new to the game. 3. Know that undergraduate research is very different from graduate research: research was all fun and games when you were an undergrad, but once you put the grad student hat on, it's all serious business and your PI will demand a lot out of you. Be ready for the intensity! Think as much as you can, be as creative as you can, and be as productive as you can. The competition is fierce. 4. Exercise and find a hobby that you enjoy outside of work. Being in grad school puts you in that thinking mode constantly, but it can't be all work and no play. As professors will tell you, you need to eat, sleep, breathe grad school and it's all for your sake, but what they are not telling you is you need something to balance that workload (they might not want to hear about it either ). Taking your mind off work once in a while will help prevent burnouts. 5. Sleep and eat well. Never never compromise sleep and meals. That's all I can think of for now, and I hope this helps any incoming grad students. It's a new chapter of your life, make the best out of it and you will be just fine!

In terms of money issue, some schools consider applicants for scholarships or fellowships when considering for admission, that's when your undergrad GPA will come into play. Also, I know that when you apply for some really competitive fellowships, like the ones offered by NIH or NSF, will ask for your undergraduate transcript. Otherwise, nobody will ask you about it again.

If your professor is funded by the government agencies, the proposal and amount of grant awarded is public information, at least for what I know about NIH and NSF grants. For example, if your PI has NIH grants, NIH RePORTER is a place to look the proposals up...

Totally call them to see what's up.