hippyscientist

@artsy16 when i've gone from living in the dreary, rainy place called the UK to the heat (Greece/Thailand in particular) the one thing I've found helpful is to take around baby wipes/make up remover wipes (they smell nicer lol) and it's like having a little portable refreshing shower if the humidity starts to get too much. Also (and this is obvious but I'm gunna say it anyway) you will need to drink WAY more water than you think you need to!

@Dishsoap I know my linked in profile has had a surge in views since my apps where submitted, so I wouldn't put it past adcomms to also look at Facebook and other social media accounts for a shortlist of people. Obviously not all applicants, that would be far too crazy, but if you've come across as interesting (gah I hate that word) in your SOP, they might want to see what you're like, and a good way to do that from distance is social media. You shouldn't have anything on there that you wouldn't mind the entire world seeing anyway, but always better to be safe than sorry.

Exactly, no news is good news. A lot of programs won't send out decisions until Feb/March time so we just gotta wait it out. That's what chocolate and netflix were invented for!

Okay so I'm going to pipe in to this conversation. I've lived in many countries around the world and have friends from all of them, which certainly makes it a challenge! We are so lucky with Factime/Skype/iMessage/WhatsApp/Facebook etc etc that we can keep in touch so much more, and be more involved in our LDF (long distance friendships) much better than we used to. However, like TakeruK mentioned, some people are cut out for distance, and other's aren't, and that's totally okay. Some things I've found useful: Videochat - it doesn't have to be regular or often, but it can be invaluable for those deep meaningful conversations that are just too much effort to write out. Time differences can make this tricky, but in the US it should be manageable (and I videochat with my Aussie friends all the time, you can do it!). Use a messaging service like Whatsapp/iMessage something. When you're together, you and your friends text about silly things. We all do it. We make jokes about something on the TV, or walking into a lamppost, or leaving your house without shoes because you were in a huge rush. KEEP DOING THIS. It's the silly, insignificant things that keep a friendship going. If you're the one to move away, do something nice for the friends you've left behind, especially if they're insecure about you going. I have a great friend, but she's limpet-like and always wants to be around me. When I moved away (5 hours, it's not that far), she felt pushed aside and neglected. I ended up sending her on a spa day (they had a special offer on) and sending her texts at predetermined times throughout the day to tell her where she was going next. She loved it and it showed her that I knew all her favourite things. Make time to listen to your friends too. A lot of our friendships are based on shared experiences, and the support system when something you experience goes wrong. When we have a new beginning in our lives (like starting grad school), it's very easy to get wrapped up in what you're doing. "Oh I spent hours in the lab today processing this", "Ugh my advisor is such a pain he never makes it in on time", "I just wish they would pay me already", "how are undergrads so stupid?". Your friends aren't going to be going through similar things, and it's important to acknowledge they have things they want to get off their chest too. However, saying that, you'd be surprised at how many things translate out of academia. The things we complain about are time draining, being overworked, being paid too little, people oriented or just people being idiots! A lot of that applies to the work place, family life (if you have friends who are stay at home parents), and just everyday life. Find the common ground, even if you're 10,000 miles away. When all things are said and done, if you've tried your hardest and your friends are still pulling away, that's a sign to you that they were once a good friend and that the friendship may have run it's course. That's okay. You can end friendships amicably. The important thing is that you and your friends are happy, if it's as friends, or parting ways. Friendships take time and effort, two things we don't have a lot of in grad school, and LDFs take even more of both, but the right friends are worth it.

oh if only I could afford that time. I'm in the middle of exams so that is a good distraction anyway, but if I ever get any downtime (my masters course is crazy intense) I will be sure to do this!

So I got nominated for a college fellowship for one of my PhD programmes (my last choice but still). It's cool, but now there's a tonne of extra work to do so I'm trying to balance exam studying, reading for class tomorrow and writing this fellowship statement in collaboration with the PI. If it was for one of the schools I was more excited about I'd be jumping for joy, but right now it just feels like more work to the mountain that's got to get done. On a more positive note, the POI linked me a really useful site for science career development goal setting and targets! myidp.sciencecareers.org (not affiliated in any way, just highlighted some skills I hadn't really ever thought about).

I'm actually not bingeing right now...I've got an excellent book that I'm trying to finish before starting on the LOTR books. I'm not sure how I made it to 24 without reading or watching anything LOTR related, but it's time to correct that. I was on a star was binge before, and before that Buffy!

@Neist it's an even split for me - Los Angeles and Florida for sun, PA and Delaware for cold (relative). At least you can find bargains in the sales on cold weather gear. JUST TELL ME ALREADY!!

@haltheincandescent i'm so excited because whichever school I end up at, there's going to be some epic live concerts and festivals near (by near I'm including a 3hr drive). I can't wait!!! I'm not looking forward to all the visa crap first though. Just want to get started on all the bureaucratic stuff so I can enjoy life again, but I gotta find out where I'm accepted to first. You see this positive approach, this is how I'm getting through this. I WILL be accepted somewhere lol.

@Dr. Brains congrats! Amazing news! Now to celebrate!! Just think, by August we'll be at our still-to-be-determined new schools.....that's an exciting thought. Now future, will I need to pack clothes for sunshine year-round or snow?

@Mattie Roh I hate how application season is turning me into a raging neurotic! I hate how everytime my phone vibrates with a new email notification I jump. I hate how addicted I am to refreshing application status pages. I hate how addicted I am to gradcafe forums. I just want to knowwwwwwww. Join our whine, wait and wine thread - that's entertaining.

@DrZoidberg definitely with you there. The waiting has made me appreciate which schools I can really see myself at for 4 years and which ones I am now almost regretting applying to (well not really, I'd still go there if no one else accepted me). It's interesting how time changes our perceptions. Also, shiraz and scrubs is the plan for my Friday night

YOU GUYS!! I had an email from a PI urging me to apply for the graduate school fellowship award as "I want to award it to you, but I can't until you sign these forms". I hadn't heard anything from this school until this point. YAY! And I took my 2nd exam and it went well (I think). And I saw Star Wars (go see it, it's amazing). And now I'm going for pizza because there's a gluten free pizza restaurant in my incredibly small town. Today is so good!!!! Passing all my positive vibes on to you all. Keep smiling! It will all work out!

@artsy16 it's never too early to whine and wine! Only one of my programs interviews so it's a waiting game for the others. Plus, infuriatingly, there's no preior years results on grad cafe for any of the programs I applied to so I don't know when to be whining!!! Join the whine and wine club

Exactly, it's not over until we've officially heard back from everyone so stay strong, and when that fails...ehhh well you know what this thread is titled. @Dr. Brains keep optimistic, it may be a case that your area sends out interviews in phases, or by PI or by a variety of different ways. We're not rejected til we get that letter that says thanks but no thanks. We got this!

This might be the reason why people say there is no such thing as a safety school at grad level?

I'm an international student and my top choice school is Penn State, so very interesting to know about the liquor laws! No such restrictions here, I can buy booze in the corner shop, supermarket, petrol station, literally everywhere. Sometimes it's easier to find beer than water. And in other news, my first exam is done (woohoo!), so i think I can have a glass of wine tonight while obsessively refreshing my emails and status updates. Do you all netflix binge? I like shows that don't require too much thought, as I think we use our brains enough during the day! I ended up halfway through Season 2 of SoA which was great, can't remember why I stopped watching it. Right now, I'm on nickleodeon shows (yes I know you all are judging me).

@gingin6789 I left that field blank too for precisely the same reason. When I had an interview I was asked about it, and I told them the truth and stipulated that the reason I was applying to those 4 schools specifically was that the research fit was excellent in all 4, but there were 2 schools that I could truly picture myself at (one being the one I applied to and the other is actually the top rated programme in the world so a total longshot and not the reason I applied there!). They seemed impressed at the schools I was applying to and also grateful for my honesty so maybe leaving the field blank is a good thing as it gives you more of a chance to explain yourself when this question inevitably arises.

@TakeruK Wow, thank you that was incredibly informative. I find it a difficult topic to bring up, as my field is historically very male dependent and to get anywhere as a female you have to have a very tough skin. Rocking the boat by saying you don't feel comfortable in class/with advisors is simply not done. You just "shut up and grow a thick skin". But I've had enough! The cherry on top came when an external examiner came in, I was involved in the meeting as it is part of my job role. While we were waiting for her (YES!) to arrive, one of the faculty members at my school made an offhand comment about how she must have stopped "popping babies out long enough to start something worthwhile". I'm thoroughly investigating avenues at my school as to where myself and others may get support in dealing with a very ingrained mindset in our faculty, but it is reassuring to know that others such as TakeruK are supportive in such an endeavour. So often bringing these things up you get labelled a trouble-maker, or an "overly-sensitive female". Thank you for making me feel like this is not okay!

@PoliticalOrder, that I understand but in a department of 15+ faculty, and even more PhD students I'd have thought there would at least be a female member of staff "nominated" to the programme who can help advise the female students (who comprise 1/3 of the course). I just find it odd that's all. I'm all for equality in best candidate gets the job regardless of race/gender/orientation/nationality etc but I think an acknowledgement of a lack of diversity (I mean the entire department faculty are white men in their 50s+ of the same nationality) and just stating where you could go if you have an issue would be helpful. As per shadowclaw's suggestion, I'm having a look at the support available on campus but I just needed to vent! It's surprised me how much I've missed having someone in a position of responsibility who I feel comfortable going to with problems, and it's something I will bear in mind when considering PhD locations.

Not really sure where to put this, but I need to get it off my chest so here goes. My department is awesome, we have some great classes, excellent research, world-renowned researchers, amazing facilities but and this is the big BUT absolutely zero female faculty. When I was applying to MSc programmes I really didn't pay much attention to the faculty, other than their research interests, but now I'm here I've realised just how much I've come to rely on having a female in a position of respect/power. It's not like this is a particularly female-populated area but every department I've experienced prior has had females in it! The faculty are great and really knowledgeable, but haven't the faintest clue how to deal with some of the stuff that's arisen. One particular member of our course has made some very sexist, demeaning comments, acts like the female members of the course are somehow lesser than the males and it's led to some of the girls feeling like they can't contribute or participate fully. As programme rep, I raised these issues sensitively, keeping anonymity of persons involved, with our programme director and basically got told "boys will be boys, grow a thick skin". I can't help but feel if there was a female member of staff present, that had I presented these concerns they would have been addressed with slightly more sensitivity. Really, how can any department these days not have at least one faculty member (or indeed PhD student - yep no females there either) of the opposite gender? I mean, we don't have racial diversity either. I'm just amazed (and not in a good way).

Most schools are aware that 99% of the world don't grade the same. So normally they will have a policy for students who are coming from grading systems that aren't on a 4.0 scale. In other words, you are not the first person applying from your country and you won't be the last. Each school will do things differently, for example one of mine had me put my GPA as 0.0 then explain why in a text box later down while another made me put in my grade in my grading system, whereas another asked to leave it blank. In simple terms, EMAIL YOUR ADMINISTRATOR FOR YOUR PROGRAMME. They will tell you what they want you to do for their school and their programme. Most of these concerns are easily addressed with a short, polite email asking.

@123hardasABC if I did that I'll have a very sore head for tomorrows exam!! No alcohol for me tonight. Water, brain food and an early night. I'll be back on the wine/beer/tequila train on Friday night. End exam, out for pizza and finally seeing star wars who says this time of year has to be stressful? (oh it is, it so is)

It was the biokinesiology dept. They're within the PT school, but have an awesome biomechanics program which I'm quite excited about.

Hi guys, I just found this thread so thought I'd say hello I've applied predominantly to kinesiology programs, but for biomechanics tracks (that's the way it works in my country and I'm only really realising that BME might have given me a broader choice in schools :/ ). My research interests would definitely fit into orthopaedic biomechanics labs, and looking at surgical techniques and materials that could reduce future injury risk and promote healing time in patients. But equally, it'd be fun to look at the science behind PT and working with athletes to recover from injury. Basically, i like injuries (to study and model). All your stats sound so impressive! Congratulations everyone who has received interviews, and we all gotta breathe (in...out...in...out) for the next couple of months until all this drama is over and we're accepted to awesome programs!