bandinterwebs

Thank-you so much, Dawnbreaker. Because I'm coming from undergrad with only a superficial introduction into most of these topics, and since then I've been in an unrelated field, I would say "what I already know" is limited. I've been particularly interested in production and logistics systems design, and I've recently gotten an offer to join a well-funded Human Factors lab (which I hadn't considered but sounds intriguing). I think I would prefer using optimization methodology over statistical quality control, if that makes sense, but I'm fairly fluid at this point.

Thank-you, fuzzylogician. Sound advice!

Ah thanks for finding that!! Appreciate it! Are there any thoughts on bringing SO's to social events?

I'm about to begin the school visit and interview month and was planning to bring my significant other on these trips. My boyfriend is planning to move with me when I relocate for grad school, so I want him to get a feel for the cities and surroundings while I go through the formal interviews/professor meet-and-greets. We plan to cover his flight, separate lodging, and transportation on our own (we travel for work and have miles saved up for this purpose). I thought this must be a normal occurrence (bringing your SO along), but I can't seem to find much on The Google. Assuming I would of course not bring him along to any formal gatherings/tours/interviews, and also assuming that we are a mature couple that wouldn't be weird or inappropriate in front of others: 1) Is it wildly inappropriate to bring him along to the city? 2) If not, is it appropriate to ask the organizer about bringing him along to things like the sporting events (one visit includes a hockey game), etc.? What about casual drinks with other grad students and stuff like that? I don't want to step out of line or send the wrong message, but he is also part of this decision, so I would like to include him where possible. I would've thought this was a more common scenario...

I worked for 3.5 years in an unrelated industry and have just been accepted into multiple PhD programs without a masters. I shied away from a Masters program because, rightly or wrongly, I've perceived them as a way to quickly boost your salary in industry, segue into a new field, or bolster a poor undergrad performance (Or just prolong your life in academia...). I personally decided I didn't want to pay for my graduate education, and because my undergrad was solid and in my desired field of study, it did not seem to be a profitable decision for me. I, too, am very debt-averse. Is the debt you will incur from this master's and potentially carry through your PhD worth working with that professor? Are there potentially other schools where you might apply in a year (or a semester) that would be just as valuable? At least that way, you could continue to pay off your existing debt and save more for the vow of poverty that is grad school. Could you reach out to an undergrad professor and review your application weaknesses? The only reason I would even consider a masters is if I really thought I could enhance a mediocre undergrad performance, but if your performance wasn't poor, then would a masters necessarily buy you anything?

Hi all - I will be attending an [undecided] Industrial Engineering PhD program this Fall, but I have been working in an unrelated field for the past few years. Do any current IE/OR PhDs have any advice for studying up in preparation for Grad School? I have a Linear Algebra textbook I plan to work through, but are there any other subjects I should especially focus on at this point? It's been a few years since undergrad, so anything I can do to refresh and prepare would be great. Thanks for any advice!

I have been accepted to three to four programs (I'm not sure whether or not the "Recruitment Weekend" for one of them actually means I'm accepted). For one of those programs, I was immediately told I'm being offered an RA position. I've called the other two definite acceptances, and I've been told the admissions committee is still working through funding offers. In other words, it seems like some schools will make the admission decision first and the funding decisions afterwards.

Hello - Thus far I've been very fortunate and have heard back positively from most of my PhD programs. However, I've only interacted with one professor. He has emailed me to ask if I'd be interested in joining his project with full funding for 4 years. I'm excited and hate to shut any doors, but I do not find his research area (healthcare) interesting. Ideally I'd like to find an advisor whose work would better align with my interests (production systems and logistics). I have a call scheduled with him to discuss, but what is the best way to broach this subject? I feel confident that I have options as far as programs go, but, as his area of research is a hot area right now, I'm worried I might have difficulty getting synced up with the few professors who research in my desired area. I hope that doesn't sound obnoxious, and I'd appreciate any insights with respect to how to broach this conversation.

Well, I got the invite ()! I'm going to reach out tomorrow to see if it is feasible to schedule an earlier interview and/or see if they have an alternate interview weekend. Will let y'all know how it goes!

Hello all - There is a high probability that, if I am invited, I can not make the interview weekend for one of my top choice schools. I held off for as long as possible, but I had to commit to a work trip as well as some personal obligations that weekend. I thought I just wasn't invited since Interview Weekend is in a month, but I was just invited to attend another school's Interview Weekend that is only in a few weeks. Would I typically have heard by now (a month in advance) if I was invited? Has anyone been in a situation where they can't attend Interview Weekend? Is that a dealbreaker?