insaneinthemembrane

The commute from Astoria down to NYU takes me about 30 minutes from the train platform so definitely doable. It depends on which part of brooklyn you're looking at but it's also not too bad of a commute. I don't think you would find any single bedroom housing anywhere close to the campus around that price range unless you get really lucky.

Hey everyone, I'm a new york city native but I wanted to ask any current grad students (particularly any from NYU Sackler, Mt. Sinai or Weill Cornell) how livable a $35,000 stipend is for grad students since they're all in relatively expensive areas of the city. I know the general cost for things but I currently live at home and live rent free. I get by on about $1,000 every month but I imagine that with rent being close to that if not more, I wouldn't have much to spend afterwards depending on what the monthly stipend is. Any thoughts or experiences? I'm trying to decide whether to stay in NYC or leave for grad school and move back in the future.

Hmm, I really liked a few places the most so I guess that's where I'm starting from. I felt really comfortable in all the schools with an urban environment, I got along well with the students at all the schools I went to, some more than others though so I guess that's what you and amertume were talking about right?

Hmm, I've been thinking alot about that since it's been really hard to eliminate schools and decide where I want to go since the science is great at all the schools I've applied to. I will definitely add this to my pros/cons list now. It's a good perspective to have. Although to follow up, what would you do if you liked the environment at multiple places?

Heard back yesterday via phone and I got an acceptance for UW Immunology!

This was from the IMP program

I got a call today from one of the directors I've kept in contact with during the application process today telling me I was accepted and he told me that the official acceptances will go out on monday.

I'm pretty used to unsafe neighborhoods (i grew up in pretty bad parts of NYC) but are people usually fine walking around past 10pm or is it one of those things where everyone is home by 9 every night because I might have late nights working in the library or the lab.

got my acceptance notification from NYU Sackler today!

Thanks! I think I might just try to save up a bit and purchase a laptop. I'm wondering if I should ask if the program will be purchasing one because I've heard from some friends already in grad school (for biomed PhDs) that their programs have purchased laptops for the students

I think what elkheart said is very true, the grad students in my lab are pretty happy because everyone is excited about their project. That being said, if basic research bores you, it might not be the best fit for you. I've been judging how interested i've been in the faculty at the school by their explanation of their research. There are some faculty members that I wished I had a longer interview with to discuss some of the finer points about their research and in some cases, I've wanted to (and am planning on) asking some faculty if they have any recommended reviews for labs I'm interested in rotating with. This has worked well for me but obviously, everyone has to find their own strategy that works.

Yea my professors have been understanding but it's just hard trying to do all the work that I normally have 7 days for in about 4 because I can't really be productive on interview dates with all the travel and activities they have planned for us. I just realized I have 2 quizzes and an exam next week and they snuck up on me.

Is anyone else still doing their undergrad and going through this process?? I wanna know if anyone is managing to survive missing all of these classes and making up for it in their free time.

Does anyone think that having the ability to live alone should factor into a grad school decision? I've been thinking alot about wanting to have my own space after a long day in the lab and classes but it's not realistic in some places. I've been giving other schools where I can afford to live on my own slightly more weight but it feels strange to not make a decision based purely on the quality of research happening at the institution.

Hey everyone, I've been debating whether I should buy a new computer for grad school. I've had my macbook pro for about 5 years now (upgraded to 1 TB of hard drive space) but it's been getting sluggish and I don't want it to die out on me during grad school. I was thinking about removing my hard drive and converting it to an external since I want to keep all the files and storage I have but would like a new computer with upgraded processing power and better memory specs (I'm not sure how much statistical work I would need to do or if I will end up in a slightly more computational lab) Does anyone have any thoughts, current grads or recently accepted?

Are there furnished properties available? I got accepted into UChicago but I don't think I can bring all of my stuff out before the quarter starts. Also, what are the best areas to live in around Hyde Park (ie is access to the Metro line significantly farther out from the University?)

I also second this, I live in Astoria right now and it's amazing. Great school district and it's about 20-30 minutes to NYU (you only have to take the N train there) Astoria is nice because it's a mix of areas. You have the main streets where there's some hustle and bustle for when you and your family want to eat out/have fun but you can find apartments away from those streets as well.

To anyone who's waiting on Mount Sinai or University of Minnesota, I received acceptance offers from both on Friday afternoon so check your emails!

I interviewed a month ago today and I've yet to hear back from them, they did say the middle of February which is now so I guess we shall find out. I think person5811got accepted but that's the only one i've seen. Nothing in the results page from them yet

Congrats!!! The first one is always the best one and that post was hilarious!!!

Some of the PI's I've emailed have gotten back to me, some haven't. I don't think it has anything to do with standing in the program as Pastel said. It's just how available they are.

Just got my second acceptance to Emory!!

Congrats!!

Got my first acceptance to UChicago Immunology on Thursday!!! So excited to know that I'm going to grad school next fall!

In case anyone applied, I received a rejection from Hopkins CMM. Good luck to all those who applied and interview there!