biomed2010

I kept my maiden name as my middle name so I could publish with it and I did not have any issues. I took a copy of my marriage certificate with me and was able to have everything changed over as the standard free of charge change they do when you get married. The only bit of trouble I had was one credit card company not changing it until I had two forms of ID with my new name. I liked this option best because my maiden name appears on publications but I don't have s long hyphenated name that gets chopped off on everything or causes confusion. I just drop it or use a middle initial when space doesn't permit or it isn't practical to use both.

We got a list with everyone's name and contact info last month. Most of us are friends in facebook, there is a program facebook page and we have a google group. I think it really varies. I have friends accepted to other programs who haven't heard a peep yet.

I am a first generation American and college graduate. I will be starting a PhD program in the sciences in the Fall. I am already facing challenges in terms of relating to my family and now I wonder how things will develop. I am pretty nervous about going to visit my family before school starts. They keep asking questions like "Why aren't you going to school to be a real doctor?" and "What kind of job will you get?" , "Will you still be a good wife?" and my least favorite, "How long will this get in the way of starting your family?" Ahhhhhhhh. Most of the women in my family are homemakers. I am a nontraditional student, going back to school after working several years and am totally stressed out about keeping up with my home life, commuting to campus and doing well. It is really great to know I am not the only one worrying about getting started in the Fall. I hope this thread stays lively so we can support each other through this transition. I have heard so many horror stories of students tanking in graduate programs because of poor social skills. It really is about more than the academics. Good luck to my fellow first gen students in gearing up for the first year!

No you should not be concerned. You get it at dinner. That was enough time to look them up that evening just to have an idea of what area they worked in. None of my interviewers seemed to have any expectation that I would have any idea about their research. Best of luck to you!

Cellular and Molecular Medicine

I am. I just turned in my acceptance letter:) What program will you be in?