Ocean-Atmos-Climate

I would definitely do a physics and/or mathematics major. If picking one, probably just physics. Also, it is helpful to seek out undergraduate research opportunities (e.g. summer REU programs and research assistant positions at the university) related to atmospheric science. Lastly, it is highly encouraged to self-teach (or minor in) computer science. Python is a great route to go.

Not to freak anyone out, but I got my offer via a phone call last year on Thurs. March 24th. I assume their on a similar timeline this year, so they may be sending out offers in the coming week(s).

Personally, I did not have any references/citations for either of the two main research essays. There just isn't enough room, like you said, with the 2250 character limit. The goal here is to convince them that you need their supercomputer resources, so make sure to communicate clearly the demand of supercomputing with your project. Otherwise, stay somewhat broad in the discussion of your topic -- broad enough that a general audience could understand it and so that you don't need serious citations, but still with enough detail to communicate the issue, if that makes sense. I can go into more detail about my two essay approach if that would help more.

@hopefulPhD2017, I think coverage on interview weekends varies by field and institution. I went on three official visits for oceanography/atmospheric science programs and all three were fully covered (lodging, flights, meals, etc.). For only one was I reimbursed by my potential advisor; for the other two, the institutions/departments handled all of the expenses up front. Wait until you hear back regarding admission, because when they mention an interview/visit weekend, they will tend to let you know up front whether or not they will cover expenses. If it's vague, I agree with the others that you should respectfully ask! They understand that you're a student and are likely deciding between a few programs and don't have the money to dish out on a bunch of flights and such.

You're correct - I didn't mean to gloss over the POS entirely. Just looked back on my application and had forgot about the essay going into depth about the POS. I spoke extensively there about how each course would contribute to my overall research topic. Another very important thing is that the mathematics and computer science courses must come from the university's APPM/MATH and CSCI departments. They want you to learn math from mathematicians and computer science from computer scientists. For example, they would not approve a climate modeling class from another department for me since it wasn't directly from CSCI.

@marmle -- If you're applying as an undergraduate senior, you really need to be actively talking to an advisor at a university about working with them. On the surface level, this is because they actually need to submit the application for you (if I remember correctly). On a deeper level, they have a better knowledge of courses for the university/program and will have ideas for the sort of research project you can work on with them that utilizes high-performance computing. The POS for the application isn't that bad -- 2 science/engineering (your department) courses; 2 mathematics; 2 computer science. My 2 department ones were just two courses required for my program (physical oceanography and ocean biogeochemistry); my 2 math ones were partial differential equations and time series analysis; my 2 computer science ones were intro to high-performance computing and parallel processing (pretty standard for CSGF fellows if you aren't doing a computing degree). The more important part is the short essays on your research plan and how you will utilize high-performance computing. IMO, this is what will sell your application. (Note: Upon my acceptance, they even asked me to change one or two POS courses, so that shows that it isn't super important!) Thus, you really want to talk actively with a potential advisor about project specifics. I spoke with mine on the phone and we came up with the ideal experiment given these resources and proposed that. In summary, you can do it as an undergraduate senior, but you just need to be proactive and be talking specifics with an advisor. If there's a potential advisor you're speaking with that is excited about you and potential projects, then they will surely put in a little bit of time helping you out! A decent portion of my cohort with @pterosaur came straight from undergrad, so it is definitely doable. Hope this helps.

I conduct climate research and my graduate degree is funded by the DOE. Yipee. Good thing my fellowship already has the money set aside...

No problem at all, I hope it helps you out! On a side note, my undergraduate major was in physical oceanography. I'm now focusing on biogeochemical oceanography in graduate school, but looking to bring physics into my work.

Hi @ETRXRock, Hopefully your Python journey is going well! A side project for my Atmospheric Thermodynamics class is to read through this phenomenal (free) online text and do the exercises. I remembered this thread and figured it might be of help! A Hands-On Introduction to Using Python in the Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences

Don't stress out too much about the score and let the anxiety of "I'm not ready!" tear you down right now. You can't change how you prepped thus far, all you can do is take the time you have now and do the most you can do. As someone going into planetary sciences, I'd focus your efforts on prepping for quant as much as you can. I was quite proud of my verbal/writing scores, but my advisor told me my department (atmospheric & oceanic sciences) essentially doesn't take them into account at all! Another tip: make sure you get 1-2 full length practice exams in next week (but not the night before, take that day off!). It's much better to be comfortable with the timing and testing environment than to cram one more day of general practice problems. Finally, I'd like to second @Need Coffee in an IV. My program suggested that students tend to only get in with a quantitative score between 80 and 90 percentile. I got into the program and am funded through a computational/mathematics fellowship with a 75%. Point is, fellowships and graduate programs are holistic reviews! They aren't going to shun an otherwise good student for not meeting the demands of a relatively meaningless standardized test. Show your character and knowledge through recommendations, good class performance, and engaging/exciting essays!

Yep! I've been out here (at CU) on a research position for the summer, and am working with output from one of NCAR's climate model ensembles. My advisor works up there on Wednesdays as well, so there's close communication between our lab and the folks up there. I'll be working primarily with those involved in ocean biogeochemical modeling.

I'm pretty stoked for my courses this fall. Starting up my first semester in a PhD program in atmospheric & oceanic sciences. I'm taking: Atmospheric Thermodynamics and Dynamics Introduction to Physical Oceanography Partial Differential and Integral Equations I inconveniently left 2 core classes to take my senior spring of undergrad (this past spring), so I was stuck in 100-level courses I wasn't too excited for. I'm happy to be doing the complete opposite this fall.

Here's a pretty solid resource : MIT Open Courseware -- A Gentle Into to Programming Using Python Both an intro to Python and a course made to make you think like a programmer. A professor I know out at UC Davis also put this course together : Python for Environmental Scientists

I'll be starting up this fall as a PhD student in Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences. I lived in Boulder last summer to work at a gov't lab, so I have some insight but not a ton! @Ish3988 - I lived in Bear Creek last summer. Bear Creek isn't bad at all, but isn't too special. It's pretty close to campus, has good WiFi/laundry/parking, etc. It's a little pricy (but so is everything in Boulder), but I really don't have any complaints about the place. I think the smallest setup you can get is 2-bedroom, so no option really to live alone. For your situation, I could see it working out well. It's furnished, you'd get your own private room and share a bathroom with one person, have a full kitchen and living room with great views of the mountains. I think there's plenty of better options for living in town, but if you're searching from India it might be a little tough. You can't go wrong with Bear Creek for year 1, and could take that time in person to find other options.

Hmm, it's the DoD, so there must be a pattern. April = Month 4 of year. April 1st = Day 1 of month. Wednesday = 3rd day of week. Put that together and you get 4:13pm. If my model holds true, we'll hear at 4:15pm this Friday. Stay tuned everyone.

Anyone know their method of notification? Will they just do acceptance/rejection via email?

Congrats!! I just got a call as well at the end of the week offering the CSGF. I am definitely taking it! I'm with you -- was not expecting a phone call a month early with that news.