kjc

Even though it was now months ago... I am still stewing over my NSF GRF application. I FULLY and completely read the solicitation once, and went back and skimmed/looked at specific sections multiple times. At first, I had a broader impacts and intellectual merit section in both statements. After having them reviewed by multiple other students, I was told by two students and a prof that I didn't actually need the statements to be separate (i.e. their own paragraphs), that they just needed to be evident. Since having the statements separate in the relevant background/etc. statement seemed clunky, I took out the heading and integrated it with the rest of the essay. I left the separate headings in the research statement. I have looked back at the solicitation and it does ask for them to be addressed separately. I am really kicking myself and have accepted that I won't get the fellowship (and I have learned the lesson that I should read the solicitation fully multiple times and not listen to other students that are applying). Does anyone know if my application will be returned without review? I can handle a rejection, but I might end up with a broken heart if they don't even look at it after all that work (i'm sure my advisor will be pretty unhappy with me, as well). Also- does anyone know when you find out that your application is returned without review? Do you have to wait till April?

Even though it was now months ago... I am still stewing over my NSF GRF application. I FULLY and completely read the solicitation once, and went back and skimmed/looked at specific sections multiple times. At first, I had a broader impacts and intellectual merit section in both statements. After having them reviewed by multiple other students, I was told by two students and a prof that I didn't actually need the statements to be separate (i.e. their own paragraphs), that they just needed to be evident. Since having the statements separate in the relevant background/etc. statement seemed clunky, I took out the heading and integrated it with the rest of the essay. I left the separate headings in the research statement. I have looked back at the solicitation and it does ask for them to be addressed separately. I am really kicking myself and have accepted that I won't get the fellowship (and I have learned the lesson that I should read the solicitation fully multiple times and not listen to other students that are applying). Does anyone know if my application will be returned without review? I can handle a rejection, but I might end up with a broken heart if they don't even look at it after all that work (i'm sure my advisor will be pretty unhappy with me, as well).

I'm in a different field (Biology), but I am also finishing up my first year of a PhD program without a masters. I have a light TA load (~10 hours a week) and am taking 12 credits but only 7 of those are graded. I too have felt like courses have taken up a ridiculous amount of my time, but I guess you just have to grind through it. Aside from TAing and classes, I have some general lab duties (~10 hours a week), and I have gone out into the field for about a week to get a sense for the system I am working in- which gave me ideas for research. My advisor also wanted a research plan from me very quickly (There were grants he wanted me to apply to). My first idea was a failure. But then we worked together to formulate something we are both happy with. But they are still just research ideas, he wants me thinking about things I COULD do not necessarily nailing down my exact topic. I have applied to 3 grants with 2 different research plans- we will see which ones, if any, get funded. I think it is a pretty widely accepted that you should be throwing around ideas and getting the thought juices flowing early, not necessarily marrying yourself to your exact dissertation research, but who knows maybe one of those ideas will stick. It is a little silly to deem someone unfit for a phd in their first semester, there is a huge learning curve. It just seems like you need to jump to it and throw out some possibilities instead of getting bogged down in your daily duties. Remember, the big picture of a phd is not about your courses or TA.

I joined a lab this fall and things have been going well, but I have hit one snag that has been more awkward than I had anticipated. How do I know what types of things I should pay for myself, and what I should expect my advisor to pay for? Some examples: There is a conference coming up that my advisor wants me to attend even though I will not be presenting anything. Am I expected to find my own funding for the registration fee and hotel costs, or is he since he wants me to go? What if I can't find my own funding? For research, I will be using a lot of supplies. Both supplies that are commonly stocked in the lab and supplies that will need to be ordered especially for my project. Is it generally expected that I only need to find funding for supplies unique to my project? Or will I be expected to find funding for both? Neither? If my advisor finds grants he wants me to apply for but they require that applicants are members of the society (and thus a membership fee) am I supposed to pay this or him? I know this is a conversation I should just have with him, but I would like to know if there is a general consensus, or just other people's experiences, so I can have a little bit of an idea of what to expect. Thanks!

Yeah, it seems that this initial bit of regret is fairly common. It is just unfortunate that friendships within my cohort seem unlikely because I don't have a ton of time for extramural activities. I suppose I will adjust. Yeah this is a small school with a program that is a few of the natural sciences combined instead of just biology (also in the PNW). I like your point of how I could consider this an opportunity for flexibility, I will just have to work on changing my mindset for that. I think you are right, I need to make more of an effort to find friends elsewhere. I just need to find the time for it! Ha! The PNW is beautiful and I can't pass up my opportunity to explore it just because none of my fellow students want to do so with me! Ha! I will just think of it as a waiting game- things will get better eventually, right? Two months is not very long.

I am a bit over 2 months into my PhD program and I can't seem to squash the feeling that this was the wrong decision. While my research topic is still exciting to me, and my advisor still seems like a decent fit, I am really not enjoying this school/program. The students are apathetic and not interested in forging new friendships (the new students are not apathetic but don't seem to want any new friends either). The program is scattered and unclear (and there is usually no one to answer questions, there is always someone to pass the buck to). Lastly, the graduate course offerings are very scant, so this quarter I took a class that I thought would be marginally relevant to my research, and it is not whatsoever. I'm not really sure what to think or do. Does anyone have any insight?

Ugh. Here we are over half way through the semester and I am having some serious doubts. I like my advisor and research area, but the school and program are not impressing me. Everything is unorganized and unclear, fellow students are apathetic, and there are few course options. It makes me wonder if I made the right decision. Anyone else have similar feelings or some advice?

I don't think they are necessarily the determining factors, but I think they are definitely important. I got into UCR last season and was given a fairly nice fellowship, I was told all those small (and annoying) extra mini statements are what they used to determine who got fellowships.

I think it depends. Can the prof at the community college say more about you than that you got/are getting good grades in their classes? If the answer is no that is not a good choice. An excellent LOR talks about your academic growth/perseverance, intelligence, and aptitude for scholarly achievement. If the prof just had you in a class that you did well in, no matter what the class, you are better off getting a letter from someone else. If they can do all those things I don't think it matters if they are at a community college or a university.

My PI wanted major changes the day of the deadline. I did (most of) them. He thinks it improved the app, I'm not so sure. Alas, it's over. Now we have months to forget about all the work we did.

Thanks for the in depth response farflung! That's good to know. Now I just have to wait 6 months to find out results. Hopefully that will be enough time to get my hopes down! Lol

I heard that NSF's funding got slashed this year and they will be funding significantly fewer applicants than previously thought. Though this was all through the grapevine not a legitimate source. Anyone else hear this?

If you are looking for a roommate I accepted an offer to UCR's bio department!

I just did exactly that. Feels Good! Thanks for all the advice and support everyone. Now that the acceptance game is over for me I'm off to be worried about finding place to live and driving across two states! Best of luck to all!

I've gotten two acceptances and I feel my choice is obvious. One of them I loved, and I have said is a top choice from the beginning of the application process. I am 95% sure I want this program. But for some reason I can't commit and let go of my other option! Uuurrgghhh what is wrong with me? Any advice?

Thank you BerenErchamion! Any advice on areas to avoid/prefer for housing?

If I find out any useful news I will post it on here! Hopefully this will be an informative visit.

Also, does anyone have any details on the "Chancellor's Distinguished Fellowship?" It doesn't say if there are any duties attached to it, and I can't get anyone on the phone for longer than two seconds about it!

That would be useful, I will ask about it at the visit this week! Are you going to be at grad-fest Sarochan?

Holy crap! I've been looking into apartments as I might be coming to UCR this fall. I can't find a single 1 bed apartment under $900 that doesn't look sketchy AF! I will be moving from Washington state so no one that I know that I could share a room with.

Bahaha! Yeah... I guess that is easier said than done. And I'm one to talk, I have been a total mess the last 2ish months!

I bit the bullet and did it, but it had been a month post-interview. It was a rejection and it stung, but it was worth it to know.

The interview at that school was on Jan 28, so not too long before yours. But different schools do have very different timelines, so try not to freak out.

I was pretty straightforward. I basically just said- I wanted to touch bases about my application status as I have not heard anything either way. University of ____ is one of my top choices and I would like to know before moving on with other offers. Sent to my POIs. I also called the office beforehand but no one answered. Hope that helps.

I sent an email to ask my POI when I would know about acceptance/rejection as it had been so long post interview. I got back a very nice email that pretty much just said- "sorry forgot to tell you you were rejected." Oh well. It stung but it feels better to know. Now I can actually consider making a decision on other offers.