Tall Chai Latte

Same here. My undergrad overall GPA is around 3.09, but my last two years of undergrad I had 3.5-3.6 with 400-level courses. Do a good job on the GRE, strengthen your research experience, you will do just fine. Cheers!

As I mentioned before, I would like to stay in my current rotation lab for my degree. I got a positive comments from the boss man himself, did the presentation, interacting well with the other group members etc, but I haven't heard the magic word. Though the boss man promised to get back to me as soon as possible, he is away attending a conference for the whole week this week. Now what?? Do I keep emailing and ask him what his decision is? Now it's the time to plan the third rotation should the need become necessary...

I second juilletmercredi's post. Just be honest with your undergrad institution and say that you would like to make an informed decision, and asking them how long the extension would be. As for staying in the same school for another degree, I had that dilemma during my decision time, and had heard arguments going both ways. Eventually I turned down my alma mater and chose the stranger school (my current program). Once I started school and getting to know my professors and peers, I found it's not uncommon seeing someone with 2 degrees from the same institute. A number of my professors and post docs have done so, and some are doing perfectly fine and some are not.... So I guess it depends on how you choose to handle your own graduate career -- it's all about you. If you are happy and well-developed, where you go to school would matter less. Just my two cents, hang in there!

Don't get the general GRE book from Princeton Review. The math section has many mistakes in the answer key.

I wrote them cards. If I know them personally (like, been to their house before), I just mail the card.

Hello gradcafe community, it's Tall Chai here. I'm approaching the end of my second rotation, and I really would like to join this lab I'm in. People here are professional, thoughtful (in a professional sense), and highly technically able in terms of research. This is a place I want to be! But how do I approach this topic? Besides me, there are two other rotation students, whose intentions I have no clue of, nor I have any idea on how far they progress with their research. I am afraid to talk to any of them about this since I might come off as being too competitive or something. Last week, when I went and discuss my progress with the boss man, I brought up that I am considering staying in his lab. He said it's a good thing that I am happy with the lab, and also that I am making good progress, but he'd like to see my end of the semester presentation (where he wants me to make a case saying "look, I'm awesome"). He also wants me to be aggressive and complete the project. I have no idea what this mean, it's not entirely clear and straightforward. The reason why I decided to rotate here (other than the usual funding and reputation considerations) was because he said on the phone, that he would take all of us if we are all happy staying. I have to get this out of my chest, because this year has been very rough. I went from one micromanaging PI to a totally hands-off PI (who's rarely around!), now I'm totally worn out by this whole grad school thing.. It's so tempting to just pack up and go home. Any advice in how to approach this lab topic? Do I just sit the boss man down and ask him what his intentions are, so I can be prepared? Thanks gradcafe, you guys are awesome.

I had this experience some time ago, when I went out with my lab to grab some drinks. We had two pitchers of cocktail, by the second glass I was already super red and tipsy (as you can see, I am no drinker). But socializing still has to go on right? In grad school, there will be plenty of events with alcohol present. What I decided to do is: every time when there's an event with alcohol present, try to go for just beer. Don't chuck it down like there's no tomorrow (someone mentioned it before). As you move along with grad school, you will notice where your limit is, and strictly adhere to that limit. Nothing is more important than stay coherent and safe. Hope this helps!

Hello, it's Tall Chai here I'm about to finish my first year of grad school with U of M, and I'm looking for another place to live starting summer (my current place is a bit pricey). So I hope to receive some pointers from you guys who's been around longer So my question is, does anyone know if having the heat included with the rent would help cut down the cost? I don't have a lot of experience with renting apartments in Ann Arbor, what is the reasonable range of rent for a one-bedroom apartment? Thanks in advance!

When I went around investigating rotation possibilities this past semester, one of the profs I talked to actually contacted my LOR writer (my ex-boss). I thought that was a little strange, given I already matriculated. I don't know if other profs sent emails to my LOR writers or not....

Given that you are not a grad student (yet ), if you manage to publish that'd be impressive already. Are you currently a senior in undergrad or a post-bac? Most undergrads (if they are fresh out of college at the time of application) don't have publications when they apply to grad schools. I didn't, and I still did ok. My program director was telling us that 12 people, out of a total of 100 incoming students of fall 2010, have published in peer-reviewed journals prior to matriculation. I'm not sure if this number means anything, but don't worry about having no publications; they are more like a bonus for someone at your current stage.

I don't think it's strange at all. For me, I also applied to my LOR writer's lab -- we had a great time working together (still keeping in touch too), and my projects could turn into one or two potential publications. Just like katerific's prof, he also wanted me to choose the best for myself, and was very supportive throughout my application process. My two cents would be that you can look into other people at the same institute, there may be other labs you find interesting. In that sense, you are exposed to different environment (since no two labs are alike), and still join a department that you like in general.

Yes, second that. Now that I've moved to the great lakes area for school, The North Face is officially my favorite brand...

It depends on where you are on the east coast. I wear converse all the time even when the temperature is in mid 40s, It's not a problem for me, but it might be cold for you (I'm from mid-Atlantic region). We do snow on the east coast during February, and don't wear converse when it snows! you could slip and fall (personal experience here).

Deciding where to go was the hardest for me, no doubt.

Congratulations! Now you can relax a bit and enjoy the holiday! Merry Christmas!

You are not alone in feeling down. Even though you stayed at your undergrad for grad school, people will understand that you are going through a transition. Grad school is a big adjustment! When we are optimistic things will hopefully start working out. We'll do great next semester!

Hey, I feel ya! I was there last year, with everyone at work (I worked in a research lab) asking me if I got any interviews since December, and starting February they kept asking me "have you decided yet?" all the way til April 15th, after that they kept asking me "when is your last day" all the way til August. Yeah.. I know it's annoying, especially when you are anxiously waiting for an answer from the schools. Hang in there! This is only the beginning, bigger challenge awaits after you get accepted! You will do fine

Guys, thanks for all the encouragement! Things could be worse, coming to terms with the reality is important in keeping sanity intact.

Wow. It sounds like your experience is worse than mine. My rotation PI doesn't care a whole lot about me (since he wants me to work on christmas day, doesn't care if christmas is coming or not etc), at least he didn't call me incompetent...