yaybrains
-
Posts
17 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Posts posted by yaybrains
-
-
I went ahead and set up my first one, then plan to go to the poster session for my program to meet more PIs. Not sure what others have done, but I kept my email pretty brief, just introduced myself and said what program I will be in, that I am interested in their research on X, and wanted to know if I could talk with them some time about a rotation. I was able to have a meeting in person, but you could suggest Skype or a phone call if they want to actually speak with you, rather than just email. I also attached my CV.
Personally, I don't think it is too early to start, but I don't know what the PIs think. I met with two (one currently doesn't have funding for me, so she said to check with her later), and both were more than happy to go ahead and meet with me and made no indication that I had started planning rotations too early. I would say just make sure you're not being too hasty with your decisions because if you do end up securing a rotation this early on, you have a couple months during which you could decide that you aren't interested in that lab after all, or that you would rather do something else.
Hope this was helpful. Good luck!
-
Congrats on so many great offers!
Something I think is important is whether or not you can really imagine yourself living there. Of course, research will be a big part of your life, but you have to have some way of relaxing and relieving stress every now and then. That's where the location can be important. If you aren't much of a big city person, then NYC might not be the best place. It might be even more stressful to you! Or if that's the type of environment you'd think you would really enjoy since there's so much to do, then go for it! Another big thing is the research. Do any of the schools seem to have more faculty you'd be interested in working with? The more the better, so if one of those schools stands out in that way, that would be something to consider.
Did you go to the schools to interview or were they Skype interviews? I am asking because if you were able to go physically, you could think about the people you met and where you felt the most comfortable.
Not sure about your particular situation, but hopefully this was a little helpful.
-
-
On 12/30/2016 at 8:30 PM, Almaqah Thwn said:
Personally, mine was flocculent: Resembling tuffs of wool in loose, fluffy organization.
Surprisingly, I have actually seen the word "flocculent" in a paper, and my lab mentor has used it on occasion (I blame the paper). I would have to agree with you though - such a strangely specific word is hard to use or even imagine using. I feel like it could be used to describe clouds maybe?
-
This is kind of a dumb question, but are any of you planning to take your laptop with you on interview trips? Not to actually have on you at the interviews, but to use in the hotel room, maybe during free time or at night. I'm having trouble deciding if it would be a hassle or if it would be helpful.
-
2 hours ago, neuroslice said:
I'm in a somewhat similar position. I have an interview scheduled for the day right before another and I don't think I can get from one to the other without missing events. It would be great if someone had advice.
Not sure about your schools specifically, but when I was planning to do the back to back interview thing, I was told that the events at night on the second day were not required (hanging out with the grad students and some faculty, etc.). I was going to fly overnight from the west coast (10:30ish PM) and arrive on the east coast around 10:30 the next morning. Of the interviews I have scheduled, most don't begin the first day until the afternoon, so if that's the case for yours then the primary issue would be where you're flying to and from, and if you can get a flight that will get you where you need to be in time. You may not have to miss any required events, but if the social events at night are really important to you or if the second interview starts earlier in the day, then it's going to be harder. I hope this helps! Good luck!
5 hours ago, purkinjay said:I also just got an invite from Yale and I am very excited (!!!) but also really not sure what to do because their interview dates conflict precisely with UPenn. Is anyone else experiencing this problem/have an suggestions? I was not able to get into the January session for Penn.
You could call whoever contacted you from Yale. Let them know that you already have an interview scheduled, but that you would still really like to interview. Hopefully they can work something out with you! Good luck!
- neuroslice and purkinjay
-
2
-
I am reading All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. It's pretty good so far (I'm about half-way through). I guess it counts as historical fiction. It follows two main story lines, which I think are supposed to converge at some point. One follows a blind French girl and the other follows a German boy, before and during World War II.
-
Just thought I'd share this haiku:
Oh Columbia,
My anxiety abounds!
Please email me now.
-
Thanks @TakeruK! When I spoke with the program manager of the first school, she implied that they do not allow students to interview outside of the set interview dates, so I don't think switching to Monday-Tuesday will happen. Based on what you two have said so far though, it doesn't seem like it will be too much of an issue. At this point I'm mostly concerned about logistics, but everything will work out as it should in the end! Thanks again!
-
@fuzzylogician Thanks for sharing!
-
I was hoping to get some advice/opinions. I have two interviews currently scheduled so that one is Tuesday-Wednesday and the other is Thursday-Saturday, and I can't reschedule them. The first school is on the west coast and the second is on the east coast, so I would have to fly overnight on that Wednesday. It seems crazy to me to give up the opportunity to interview at both (you only get this chance once!), but most of the "real adults" I've talked to have thought I was a little crazy for thinking I could do both. I do prefer the second program, and they argue that I won't perform as well at the interviews because they think I'll be tired from the first set of interviews and the overnight flight. What do you guys think? Based on your experiences, is back-to-back interviews across the country doable? Should I give up the first interview and put all of my effort into the second (preferred) one, or should I give both schools a chance, even if this may affect my performance at the second interview?
-
18 minutes ago, nescacphd said:
Does anyone have experience with asking for a different interview weekend? I have a conflict (Duke and NIH-brown gpp) and I would ideally love to go to both interviews, but they both only offer one weekend as of now. Any tips??
I haven't asked for a different interview weekend, but I have switched to a different interview date that was offered. I called the program managers for two schools and found that both were very nice and incredibly helpful. I think you should call the program managers, explain your situation, and ask if there is anything you can work out so that you can interview at both places. If the first one you call is able to set you up with another interview time, then you can just go ahead and accept the invitation to the other program. Hopefully this was kind of helpful!
-
1 hour ago, pitt_neuroundergrad said:
I was really scared to see that UPenn already started sending out interviews for neuro. Wasn't their deadline the 1st? I applied to UCSD, Johns Hopkins, Case Western, U of Chicago Boston University, MIT. Do you guys know when we are expected to hear back from any of these neuro programs?
Johns Hopkins sent an email (can't remember when) saying they would try to send out interviews on Dec. 19th or 20th.
-
3 minutes ago, cmykrgb said:
dang, was not thinking any invitation would go on on weekends. Congrats!
Thank you! I wasn't thinking invitations would go on weekends either. It was a big shock for sure when I saw it. I also saw a post somewhere that some places also send interviews after hours on weekdays. I guess there aren't any limits on when they'll send them.
-
UPenn NGG has started sending out interviews. I got an invitation by email this morning. Good luck to everyone who applied!
- Bioenchilada, spiffscience, cmykrgb and 2 others
-
5
-
13 hours ago, Neuro15 said:
Side note, any fellow neuro app buddies in here?
I'm a little late to the party...but I also applied for neuro!
What are my chances of being accepted into a Neuroscience PhD Program?
in Questions and Answers
Posted
From what you have described, I would think you have just as good a chance as anyone to be accepted. On paper (assuming you do well on the GRE) your GPA is your weakest point. However, you have 3.5 years of research experience, which will definitely work in your favor. Letters of recommendation are important, so make sure you have good ones! Really put time into the written portions of your application - they are what will help a committee decide whether they want to interview you or not. Numbers are important, but what you write in your application and what your recommenders say about you are probably more important. Finally, make sure you prepare for your interviews when the time comes! The interviews are your chance to make up for any shortcomings, and to show that your strengths and accomplishments are as great as they seem on paper. Good luck!