nihchick2017

I think I'm applying to EPIK!

I emailed the PI I worked for last summer at Stanford and haven't heard back (they're usually very quick to respond to email) so maybe they're still sending them out/working on who to invite?

Of course, happy to help! (although I probably should have tried to sell you on Baltimore since Stanford is my top choice and I haven't heard from them yet but oh well )

Of course, happy to help! (although I probably should have tried to sell you on Baltimore since Stanford is my top choice and I haven't heard from them yet but oh well )

I don't think anyone takes out loans, most people just live frugally. Also, Stanford has really good on campus housing that you can live in for your whole PhD. If you're willing to live in the less nice housing,  it's only like $750 a month, or if you want something higher end it's around 1100-1300. Most of the grad students seemed to live pretty comfortably (going out for dinner/drinks a lot, going into the city a lot). It's definitely a livable stipend. However, you'd probably live way more comfortably in Baltimore i.e. you could have a car, take more vacations, etc. But living near SF is also it's own factor since the city is unbelievable (my favorite in the US by far). Also I heard from the Stanford grad students that for each class you TA after you fufill the teaching requirement you get paid $1500. not sure if that is also the case at Hopkins.

Ugh, affirmative action

freaking out about hearing from stanford neuro (top choice program)...it looks from the results search that invites go out over a few days so keeping my fingers crossed....

I think you have a pretty good chance at getting interviews at more than half of the schools on your list. Your GPA is slightly low for the more competitive programs, and your verbal score for the GRE could come up a bit. I think if you are really enthusiastic about your research and goals in your personal statement, you will be a great candidate. It's also hard to tell what you mean by 4.5 years of research... is that full time? Did you take time off after undergrad? This gives a better idea of how involved you were in the work.

If I were you, I would really consider if these are all schools with at least 4-5 labs you would be interested in working in. I can't tell what type of work interests you, but it is a good idea to make a list of labs you would be interested in at all the schools you apply for. If you can't honestly come up with more than 4, I wouldn't apply there. 10 schools sounds great initially, but it is a lot of work to apply and attend more than 5 interviews. Good luck!