Sassytune

What were your reasons for applying to such different areas? When you chose to apply and wrote out the SOP you must have tailored them for each, yes? Go back and look at what attracted you those schools and make a list of pros and cons and work from that.

Oh absolutely ask your advisor for guidelines on coursework. You don't want to waste time taking courses that are not useful. I don't understand why you should feel stupid when you talk to your advisor ... to me that would be a red flag, since I am going to learn there, if I already knew everything, what am I doing in the school? I know for sure, I will be having lots of "DUH" moments, but that for me is part of the learning process.

http://www.uwyo.edu/...dentSuccess.pdf

When there is a choice to move AWAY from your U/G - I would take it. Just because you envision yourself working there "10 years down the line" does not mean they would want you there - especially since you have not been tested in a different environment. Not to say, they won't - but it is probably better to move to another Uni. Immunology is great (granted, I am biased) but it can pretty much be applied to any area of life sciences. School 2 has more funding, better choice of course work, in that you can be selective, less course load, less TAship. What's not to like? You can go back to repro. bio for your postdoc, or re-design your project to have an immunology slant - there appear to be more options at school 2, IMO.

I am a bit confused by the wording of the TA offer from X University. It says, "full time twelve-month graduate appointment and your annual stipend will be 16K". It then says "you will be paid semi monthly basis on the 15th and end of the month from September to May". Does this mean the stipend covers only that period and will be pro-rated since it is for 9 months - so essentially I will be getting way less than 16K? And also that I have to get employment during summer??? HELP! confused! TIA

I believe it is not a good practice, but if you read the CGS resolution (http://www.cgsnet.org/portals/0/pdf/CGS_Resolution.pdf), it does have an option for a student to withdraw BEFORE April 15. Good childcare during graduate study is an absolute must, IMO. If you word your letter explaining why you are withdrawing, they might not get miffed (at least not too much).

W00t! Congratulations! Wow! Awesome to be so close to winning the award. Fingers crossed for you! I agree with the other posters - MIT will surely understand the need to defer. Good Luck!

This. If you feel you are unlikely to do PhD later and would be happy with just a Masters' then Yale is okay, if you can finance yourself - $90K <gulp!> CMU has good creds., I think - though I am not in your field, so perhaps don't have all the info. You will not have to choose a research topic right away at CMU, I don't think - so you will have at least the first year to decide on a research topic - so your second point is perhaps addressed.

Choosing a school will depend on your research interests, JMHO. Just listing the pros and cons might not be enough. You might want to weigh them against each other and see which one you can live with and which one is not negotiable. Good Luck!

Working part time and doing a Masters' - that could get very, very challenging, just something to consider. Also, legend has it that after starting a graduate program, students change their interests - so if you are *only* going for your Masters' because of that one prof's research, it is something to consider also. I don't know enough about deferring to give an opinion, but worth checking.

I am a Case u/g and was living in Little Italy. Much of the info. above is still very valid. Though the bus transportation has not improved. BUT, University Circle has their shuttle service and you can take it to get around Case campus and also to Cleveland Heights area. Biking is good, though if you have not ridden in winter, it can be a challenge. University Circle Inc. is building some really snazzy apartments near campus. Might be ready for occupancy by Fall. As any urban area, you have to use some caution, but it is pretty okay. I use public transportation and bike all the time, and have not had any problems. I even bike late in the evenings, after hitting the bar scene on Coventry and don't feel unsafe. It is all about being aware of surroundings and using the usual city living smarts. There are poor neighborhoods like in any city in good 'ol USA, but it is NOT a ghetto. With all the snazzy buildings of University Hospital and Cleveland Clinic - it is quite nice actually. Lots of apts./duplex houses close to campus, Cleveland heights area, Shaker Heights. Drive around and you will see lots of For Rent signs. Avoid East Cleveland for housing. If you have a car, you can even rent a house in the 'burbs - if you share the cost with others. Though, parking is a bear and you will pay beaucoup $ for it. Cost of living is pretty low and a Case stipend will go a long way. Legacy Village, Crocker Park are great for retail therapy and if you like hiking and biking - Cuyahoga Valley National Park is awesome. If you have any specific questions, ask away.

Good for you! Go for it!

After all the hand holding that my LORs did for me and the umpteen SOP drafts that they read and suggestions that they gave, I felt it was only fair to tell them the whole story, rejections and all. I am not easily embarrassed, and did not take the rejections personally - <Harrumph!> - not much anyway (aside, after crying bucket loads that is) .

You can be a non-degree seeking graduate student and take graduate classes. Some schools even allow transfer of those credits towards your degree when you are accepted into graduate school. Some schools have maximum number of credits you can take as a non-degree student though.

I will also claim bias, being a pragmatist. You say after the MFA, you *may* get a teaching gig - sounds pretty iffy to me. Is the MFA program funded or are you going to incur bucket-loads of debt? Personally, I would be leery of incurring debt. With the summers off, full benefits and a hefty paycheck after you get your teaching job, can you not take summer classes in Art school and develop as an artist? Just a thought. Good Luck with your decision.

I tend to agree with your supervisor's assessment - if, you plan on a PhD later. It just depends on what you decide is your dream - you mention only way to attain one's dream - is your dream to live in DC and/or NYC? If you follow the sup.'s advice - you are not giving up the dream, just holding off till later, when you will have a better CV and NO DEBT! You can also move to a bigger city in Florida, if you want to experience BIG city life or take time off and take a short class in DC/NYC - you might find it exhilarating or a bit of a drag and to top it you will not be in debt. Good Luck with your decision!

I could not find any discussion on this topic in the five pages I checked. Apologies if it has been re-hashed before. All things being equal between two schools, which is a better option - RA or TA? I know that being a TA will help in lecturing later etc. Is it possible to get that experience elsewhere? How does one swing it? I am in the Sciences, btw. I know being an RA will give more time for my own research but by not choosing TA am I losing something that I cannot potentially rectify?

so in the Neuro program you will not be doing similar neuropsych and/or fMRI work? You have to do molecular stuff? about working with mice and rats - you say your gut says you were not meant to work with them - hmmm. Will you feel queasy about sacking them? or injecting them while they squirm around and try to bite you? Do subQ? If you still at school, you might want to mosey over to a molecular/lab rat setup and spend some time there and watch the proceedings, to get an idea. Also the smell

w00T! Congratulations!

Few things stand out from your posting: a) that there is no comparing Clincal Psy and Neuro - one rocks and the other sux. b)people are kwel, while molecules and lab rats are oh, hum. c) Clinical Psy - possibility of starting own biz, Neuro - post-doc and research = more molecules and lab rats, even if they are housed in fancy-schmancy Ivy schools d) You say you are finishing your Masters in Neuro - did you not get to bone up on molecular and lab work already? If you think Neuro is just *okay* (ie. oh hum) after doing your masters and it does not engage you enough, then a PhD with limited PI guidance will become rough ride, JMHO. Is it possible to change to Clinical program at School #2 like psycholinguist suggests?

If you choose urban gardening, and come north - we might meet.

Congrats on acceptance and also for already being in a position of choosing a project! How cool is that! Both the projects sound very engaging. If you are getting funded by a fellowship, then it is not necessary that the PI *has* to allocate funds from her grant to you, she could still take on another student for that project, even if you work on the project. So I don't think you will be taking money away from another student. If you are really interested in the project, you can ask to work on it. I would think it is up to the PI to work out the allocation of the grant $. It is indeed, very commendable of you to worry about another student's funding. Good Luck on selecting the project!

After several months of total silence, I was contacted this AM for an interview! I was given like 10 mins. prep time!! I was a bit frazzled, to say the least. So, there's hope, folks. It is not over till the fat lady sings!

I am getting way ahead of myself, but do you get to check previous written comp. exams to know what to expect? I am in the Sciences, btw