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doyouevenchop

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Posts posted by doyouevenchop

    Blacksburg, VA

    in City Guide

    Posted

    Hello! I will mostly be heading to Virginia Tech this Fall, and I would like to know more about Blacksburg. I see that you're an international student too. How has the transition been for you so far? I read that it gets very cold out there, but hopefully I get used to it. I live in a place where it's hot and humid throughout the year, so the change is going to be quite drastic.

     

    How are the living expenses there? What about off-campus housing? Any recommendations? Also, I see that you're in the Transportation Engineering program. I got accepted to the Structures program, so could you let me know more about the program in terms of research and funding opportunities, faculty,etc?

     

    Apologies for asking so many questions! 

     

    Hey there. I'm currently an undergrad at VT, but I can answer some of your questions. I don't know anything about the engineering programs here, except that they are rigorous and highly respected.

     

    Weather ranges from cold to hot, we get all four seasons. February is typically the coldest month, with an average temp of low 20's to 30's. Snowfall varies year-to-year, we got 6-8 inches on two occasions this Feb. Weather typically starts getting cooler in late October, transitioning to cold in November thru early March. Blacksburg gets very windy, which is really the worst part about winter here. Starts getting hot around May. It can get somewhat humid at the peak of the summer, but not too bad.

     

    As far as living in the US goes, Blacksburg is very affordable. I currently pay $405 for rent, but it's for a very spacious appt that I share with 2 other roommates in a good location. Lots of grad students live in the Foxridge community, where you can get buy paying ~350 for rent in a shared appt. Utilities aren't too bad, maybe ~70 per month for everything. Food is pretty cheap if you're good at catching sales. I spend 200-300 per month on food (sometimes more, depending on the month), but I'm 6'3 and 200 and athletic, so I eat a lot. I think I have a pretty good standard of living here, you could easily get by on 10-15k a year. 

     

    If you like the outdoors, there's lots of opportunities here. We live within an hour of a bunch of great hiking trails, including the Appalachian Trail. We are also half an hour from the New River, where you can fish or going kayaking/tubing/rafting. Good outdoor climbing activities out in neighboring West Virginia. Shooting range pretty close by. Football games are hugely popular, and a blast. Other sports are free to walk in to watch. If you don't like the outdoors, there's really not too much to do here. Besides drink. Which we like to do. Southwest Virginia (where Blacksburg is located), is a rural area, so it may be a culture shock when you leave campus, depending on where you're from.

     

    Blacksburg Transit runs a tight ship, the bus system is very good. However, I would suggest owning a car for shopping/activities. There aren't any big-box stores in Blacksburg proper, only some grocery stores and small specialized retails, although the town is expanding on the southern end (new movie theater going in!). But Christiansburg is only 10 minutes away and has a mall, Walmart, Target, restaurants, etc. Parking on campus is a huge pain-in-the-ass though.

     

    Students (and everyone) here are generally very nice and outgoing. Lots of fit people - we're the fittest campus in the nation, along with happiest and we have the best food. We have spectacular gyms and dining halls. Faculty are in general nice and approachable. VT is really a special place.

     

    If you have any more questions, I'd love to answer them.

    Program Specific Thread - The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla

    in Chemistry Forum

    Posted

    I'll probably see you there! I'm 90% sure I'll be picking Scripps.

    I don't know all the answers to your questions, but I did ask some grad students similar questions when I was there a couple weeks ago. Apparently a lot of students live in the UTC and PB (pacific beach) areas. Commute will differ, iirc UTC is pretty close to TSRI, but PB is farther away (15 minutes?). No idea about one br appts, I'm planning on going the multiple roommate route.

     

    There is also this great resource: http://education.scripps.edu/files/course_documents/campus_documents/LaJolla_Student_Life_Guide.pdf

    How far can you trust rankings in chemistry in usgradnews?

    in Chemistry Forum

    Posted · Edited by doyouevenchop

    I think it depends on what you want to do with your PhD.  I'm currently looking at industry/biotech/pharma/startups, so I think having a big name is important - obviously the professor you end up under is more important and will have a bigger direct impact on your life, but it is silly to think that prestige and name recognition are not important. I do not want to do a post-doc, unless I absolutely have to.

     

    Also, cost of living, activities, and the area itself. You have a school like Kansas, leader in med chem - but you have to live in Kansas for 5 years. I'm a very outdoorsy person, so living in a place with nice weather and mountains/lakes/beaches/trails/etc is important to me. 

    Program Specific Thread: Caltech

    in Chemistry Forum

    Posted

    I see mainly pros in this program actually! At least for my case, I think they have very excellent organic catalysis/methodology/synthesis PIs (Fu, Reisman, Stoltz for example), and I hear they are also very strong in Biochemistry (Frances Arnold and Hsieh-Wilson for example). They also have a ton of great choices for Inorganic chem (Grubbs, Peters, Agapie, to name a few), and are just a really well rounded department overall in terms of great, young/active, productive professors to work for with funding too! I also hear that most of the PIs in this department are pretty laid back/lenient compared to at other schools, so that's always nice...in the case of Caltech, it's the students who are really self-motivated too so they don't necessarily need strict professors either haha!

     

    For most people, they will love the weather and cool west coast culture and surroundings that Caltech is in, and that there are a lot of things to do in the area,...however for me, this was the main con, because i LOOOOVE the east coast and i want to live and work in NJ someday!! Honestly, if it wasn't for this, I think I would strongly strongly consider going to Caltech because i think their department is very excellent and well regarded too.

     

    It does seem like a pretty great program overall - but I honestly don't know much about it. I actually talked with Hsieh-Wilson on the phone and will be meeting with her (and hopefully Arnold)! I've lived on the east coast for my entire life, and I think I'm ready for a change. I've visited out west before and absolutely fell in love with the scenery and culture out there... cost of living, not so much.

     

    I will definitely be visiting Caltech.  They have a truly phenomenal program and it is certainly one of my top choices.

     

    I am also fortunate enough to have a friend from my UG institution who is now a first year grad student there.  He says he really likes it and says that the atmosphere is very collegial and even light-hearted.  He also says that the chemistry grad students are very normal and down to earth, which was a nice thing to hear.  In terms of funding, he says that the first year grad student housing is very affordable and 'your most limited resource will be time, not money.' Only five courses are required for graduate students, and there are department scholarships available so that you may not even have to teach your first year (only 900 undergrads)! 

     

    Some pros:

    -Outstanding reputation (on par with MIT in my opinion)...some may argue the best in the country.

    -Small department (a pro in my opinion)

    -From what my friend has told me, Pasadena is a very nice (and affordable) area to live in.  The weather is also very nice.  

    -Graduate students know each other very well and work together.  My impression is that it is not as cut throat as some other programs.

     

    Some cons:

    -As the name implies, most of the students there are scientists or engineers.  2/3rd of the students are male.  Not a whole lot of diversity in my opinion (no graduate mingling with MBA, med, or law students).

    -Intense. Although I think the atmosphere is welcoming, it is intimidating to be surrounded by so many smart people.  Also, some professors are very demanding.  Tragically, there was a student suicide a few weeks ago in the Peters group.

    -Division III school.  I know many don't care about sports, but to me going to a football game on a Saturday afternoon is a great way to unwind.  I think this also ties into school spirit.

     

    Nice to know that the students are "normal" (relative to chemists I assume  B)). Your pro's and cons are pretty similar to mine... I would miss having football every weekend as well! Beach might make up for it though. I also looked up the housing and it doesn't seem *too* astronomical for CA housing (given, where I am, rent is 300-400 for nice places). 

     

    I'll also be visiting Caltech for the March 19 - 21 weekend. I'm super excited about it! (Though this reminds me that I still need to reserve a shuttle to/from LAX).

    I still need to get my shuttle too! Thanks for reminder.

    Program Specific Thread: Caltech

    in Chemistry Forum

    Posted · Edited by doyouevenchop

    You know what to do...

    1. Are you planning on visiting? 
    2. What do you see as pros and cons of the program? 
    3. Which PI's are you interested to meet?

    I'm personally going to be visiting on the Feb 26-28 weekend, looking forward to it.

    Program Specific Thread UIUC

    in Chemistry Forum

    Posted

    I understand not owning a car... but how do you guys not know how to drive/have licenses?!?

     

    I just did my first visit last weekend, some of the questions I asked were how well they liked living in the area, what kind of activities there are to do, typical cost of living, good areas to live, bars to go to, sports, etc. Asked different students what kind of hours they worked, and the resounding answer I got was: if you work for an un-tenured professor, expect to be worked to the bone (one student worked 72 hrs/week) - however you might get more publications out of it. 

    Program Specific Thread UIUC

    in Chemistry Forum

    Posted · Edited by doyouevenchop

    i'm visiting in March for Chemical Biology.

    I have similar pros/cons right now... talked to a prof for an hour, he was really nice. I don't mind being in the middle of nowhere so much, but the complete flatness of the area. I need some mountains or streams or forests to run around in. It also seems like an extremely affordable place to live

     

    Seems like they have a strong program, it's an internationally recognized and well respected university. They also have some cool research going on, and a pretty sizable chem bio department.

    Chemistry Applications Fall 2015

    in Chemistry Forum

    Posted

    Also does anyone know if Caltech has sent out their acceptances? I called and all I got was, "Well they have until April to decide."  I am trying to make flight arrangements for ACS (I have to book by Jan 27th) and I am departing on March 21.  Since Caltech's visit weekend goes until the morning of 21st it would make a lot more sense to fly out of CA than MSP.... I've lost all hope at this point  :unsure:

     

    I just got a call from professor at Caltech on the 22nd and received an email shortly after. They have an additional visit weekend Feb 26-28 (deadline is Jan 30, so I assume all accepts will be out by then)

    Chemistry Applications Fall 2015

    in Chemistry Forum

    Posted

    I'm feeling the same way. I discovered this website after submitting most of my applications... seeing all the posts on here makes me wish I applied to more reach schools (Stanford, Berkeley, Yale, Harvard, etc..), my only two are MIT and Caltech.  But it definitely feels good getting acceptances! I think if I applied to all reach schools that would not be the case right now...

     

    But the schools you've been accepted to are nothing to sneeze at either! Especially UT, UNC, A&M etc, all Top 20 or Top 10 among certain subfields

     

    Agreed, wishing I would've applied to Harvard now

    Chemistry Applications Fall 2015

    in Chemistry Forum

    Posted

    For the Scripps applicants, have you received any further information after the first interview? In my first interview, the interviewer mentioned that there would be a second interview. Then, what could be the focus of the second interview?

     

    What do you mean, first interview? I haven't had any yet. Talked to a prof from FL on the phone, but that was it.

    Chemistry Applications Fall 2015

    in Chemistry Forum

    Posted

    You still gotta pass. And, more likely than not, the grad school is going to expect you to remember what you learned from undergrad, so those classes can still matter.

     

    HA! Jokes on you for still taking meaningful classes this semester.

    My course load is as follows:

    3 credits undergrad research, 6 credits online joke classes (music appreciation, world regions), 6 credits P/F joke classes (personal finance, geography of wine), and then 1 cr of P chem lab.

     

    All hail AP credits and busting my ass off last year  B)

    Chemistry Applications Fall 2015

    in Chemistry Forum

    Posted

    Hey Chemists,

    I read all pages on this topic, and I really impressed by the educational background of many of you. Moreover, I should say “Congratulations!” to many of you for your acceptance at such Top Universities. To be honest, it is really hard to express myself here, among such a well-educated students.

    Anyway, I like to know your point of view about my status. I have applied for thirteen universities as following:

    Purdue University

    University of Florida

    Colorado State University

    University of Southern California

    Stony Brook University

    University of Kansas

    Oregon State University

    Tulane University

    University of Akron

    Utah State University

    Texas Tech University

    Mississippi State University

    University of Idaho

    And, here is my CV:

    M.Sc. GPA: 3.60 (out of 4)

    B.Sc. GPA: 2.84 (out of 4); GPA-Chemistry Courses: 3.10 (our of 4)

    GRE: V: 144, Q: 153, AW: 3.0

    IELTS: 6.5 (overall); L: 7.0, W: 7.0, S: 6.0, R: 6.0

    Research interest: Inorganic Chemistry

    Research Experience: 7 years

    Publications: 2 Books (in Persian), 16 Journal Papers: (I am the corresponding author of six papers, my h-index is 5), 5 National Conferences (4 Posters, 1 Workshop)

    Awards & Honors:

    • Outstanding Researcher, Iran's Ministry of Education (2 times)

    • Distinguished Lecturer at a Student Research Center

    • Outstanding Chemistry Student at my B.Sc.’s university

    • Two papers among ScienceDirect's Top 25 Hottest Articles, Elsevier, 2009 and 2010.

    Work & Research Experience:

    • Chemistry Teacher at high schools, Iran’s Ministry of Education (8 years)

    • Chemistry Lab. Instructor, Student Research Center (1 year)

    • Research Assistant (2 years)

    • Reviewer for the following journals: Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy (5 times), Journal of Molecular Structure (5 times), Current Organic Chemistry (1 time)

    Based on my CV and your information to what extent I have chance to admit in the mentioned universities as an International Student?

    That is a really tough call. I'm not on an admissions committee, so take this with a grain of salt.

    Your research experience, awards, and publications are obviously phenomenal. However, I know many schools have minimum GRE scores. If you contacted POIs or the admissions committee and explained your scores in light of your out of class experiences I think you would have a strong case at all of your listed schools.

    Visit Weekend Conflicts...

    in Chemistry Forum

    Posted · Edited by doyouevenchop

    Option 1

     

    Feb 27: Seattle, Austin, Cal Tech*

    Mar 6: UIUC (already committed to this one)

    Mar 13: UNC, Seattle

    Mar 20: Cal Tech*

    Mar 27: MIT*, or Austin, 

     

    Option 2

     

    Feb 27: Seattle, Austin, Cal Tech*

    Mar 6: UIUC (already committed to this one)

    Mar 13: UNC, Seattle

    Mar 20: Cal Tech*

    Mar 27: MIT*, OR UNC

     

    Unless I'm missing something, it seems the question is if you'd rather miss out on UNC or Austin. If you get in both MIT and Cal, you'll have to skip one of the two

    Interviews

    in Chemistry Forum

    Posted

    I'm definitely going to FL campus, but I'm not sure about CA yet. What are you planning on doing?

    I was planning on CA, but there are some really cool faculty at the FL campus, so I'm not sure

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