yash13177

Hi! I've interviewed and have participated in recruitment this year. I've seen everything from flats, to closed-toe black business casual shoes, chelsea boots, stuff with heels, stuff without... My biggest suggestion is wear something comfortable! You will have a long day and uncomfy feet won't help!

Hi friends, I have two weeks to decide which lab to join. I'm in a neuroscience graduate program and broadly interested in neuron-glia interactions (esp. in development and degeneration). Option 1: New faculty member (~1 year at current institution), Neuroscience dept within a research center known for having a more rigorous environment Research is on a specific type of glia in mice (I have some data from my rotation that would be interesting to follow up on) Currently has 2 post docs, 1 grad student (2nd year), 1 lab manager, and ~4-5 undergrads Great environment, really like the people in his lab and they like me (yay!) Funding: only has startup money from institution, his goal is to apply and receive an R01 within the next 1-2 years. As a post-doc he wrote and submitted R01s for his supervisor that were later awarded. Publishing history (only as first author): Glia, Neuropharmacology, Journal of Neuroscience, Neuroscience What I like: Extremely excited about glia and has many cool ideas Pushes me academically (but not to a bad extreme) Supportive of my mental health diagnosis My reservations: new faculty member many things unknown (ability to get grants/publish) research center he is located within is undergoing administrative changes Option 2: Faculty member (~10 years at current institution), Biology dept co-appointed to Neuroscience Research is anything glia in zebrafish Currently has 1 post doc, 4 grad students, 1 staff scientist, 1 technician, ~4-5 undergrads More relaxed environment compared to Option 1, also like this lab environment Funding: many grants, has successful grant history for herself and for her students Publishing history: Cell, Cell Reports, Journal of Neurochemistry, Journal of Neuroscience, Glia What I like: Her research is more broad compared to Option 1, I'm not limited to a specific type of glia She is well-known throughout the university for being an amazing mentor Supportive of my mental health diagnosis My reservations: Not in research center that Option 1 is a part of, I feel like I'll be missing out on the more academically rigorous environment I am not as excited about her research, probably because I am unfamiliar with zebrafish Anyone have any ideas?? I've talked to so many people (inside and outside both of these labs) but I'm still stuck. I really like both!! Would like any and all questions/ideas/suggestions.

Hi! During the Neuo interview day they mentioned it's a rolling admissions process, so as people make their decisions they will invite more. I was surprised they offered a revisit day so early, as I imagine most people will make their decisions in the next few weeks up until April 15th which may cause them to admit more later. I wouldn't give up hope! I turned down the offer very quickly because I knew someone else might want to go to the revisit day, other applicants may choose to go to the revisit day and then reject the offer.

Hi Whovian! I'm not in anthropology either, but my experience and knowledge (in biological sciences) tells me that finding a great mentor outweighs the potential prestige of a program. First, grad school is tough and having a great mentor will go a long way. Second, while the name of a program may carry a certain amount of weight your grad school/research output, mentor recommendation, physical/mental well-being carries more. Thirdly, you always have the option of establishing connections/relationships with POIs in prestigious programs without necessarily attending the program. I hope this helps! Although it seems as if anthro is quite a bit different, anyways that's my two cents!

I have! I received an offer of admission for the Neuroscience program on March 6th.

Hi everyone, I have finally finished interviews and have heard from all programs. I have narrowed my decision down to two programs: University of Virginia or University of Rochester. I just completed a Master's and I realized I would like to return to researching an interest of mine: any and all things glia (encompasses a lot I know). The pros and cons of the institutions are both fairly weighted in my opinion (I won't bore you with the details but if you want to know I can rant hahaha). So, for those of you who are conducting research in neuroscience/glia which institution would you recommend for pursuing glia-related research interests? I also know my interests may change, so I feel both institutions have other areas and resources that could support a potential change of interest. Thank you all! It's been a crazy admit season, I hope everyone is doing okay¬

???? awesome! None in Arizona I'm afraid, only discovered them in Hong Kong... Great to know I still have access to them after I move back to the States!

Oh my gosh!!!! So cool!!! I just finished my degree in HK. I'm heading back in the beginning of March! Hope you have a good time ?

Hi friend, I am not going to ignore the realities of graduate school applications, it's getting increasingly competitive and still unfairly biased towards candidates who can afford admission fees, prep materials, taking time off to do apps/interviews, etc. But I also want to offer you my support. If this is your dream, do not give up! I know that at this point in time it seems as if nothing will get you to where you want to be. Please let me know how I can help, whether it be looking at your application, giving you advice on what to do next, or just listening to your story. I don't want to seem preachy or like a know-it-all, but rather offer a peer some encouragement. Please feel free to PM me! Best wishes to you.

Hi everyone!! Thank you all for your suggestions - I was able to survive two interviews in temperatures below freezing. I'm updating this for posterity and to save little fragile desert people like me. Three things helped me: A legit winter coat I bought from Amazon (not Arizona winter coat, an actual winter coat), layers, and thermals. Winter coat I bought was Orolay's thickened down jacket, which after reading reviews seemed pretty legit. It's a bit pricey, but since all my interviews are on the East coast I figured I would end up moving somewhere cold. This thing is magical. It's big enough to wear things under it (sweatshirts/blazers/etc) and is pretty resistant to wind. My layers consisted of things I owned plus Heattech (see below). Unfortunately couldn't find any good socks, so I just went with the thickest cotton pair that I own. I am currently in Hong Kong, which has a huge Japanese brand called Uniqlo. There's a line called Heattech that is a literal life-saver. I have some shirts but I bought leggings specific for the interviews. They are the highest grade of warmth and I wore them under jeans/slacks. These were the best thing ever. So! With all of this, I survived temperatures around 20 degrees with wind. I had scarves too but I could just zip up my jacket and that was fine. For most interviews you're not walking around too much, so I don't know how my tactic would work if I had to stand outside for long periods of time. But for me (who thinks 60 degrees is cold), I was warm and toasty throughout my interview weekend. Thanks to all for suggestions! ❤️

Yes that's exactly it!!! Wahoo!! Congrats fellow applicant! Feel free to PM me if you wanna be interview buds~

Hi! Well I guess I was on the waitlist! I received an invitation to skype. When I emailed them back accepting (and also letting them know of my flight plans to the states) they invited me to the in-person interview!

Hi all! I am a domestic applicant currently studying abroad. I have two in-person interviews for programs. When I applied to programs I attached a supplemental cover letter where I mentioned I would be visiting the USA between Feb - March (hinting I would be in the US for interviews). I just officially defended my Master's thesis and my boss approved me to go back to the states for a MONTH (thx boss) for interviews instead of flying back and forth. I applied to 11 programs, only two formal rejections. My question is whether I should email the programs I haven't heard back from to let them know I'll be in the USA? But at this point it seems rather useless since most programs have already made interview decisions....

I just got an invitation for a Skype interview! Interesting because I thought the interview session ended for U of Rochester.... But happy nonetheless! I am a domestic student currently based abroad.

Damn looks like no interview invite... sad But congrats on the interview! I hope it went well and you get out of the storm safely!

Hi everyone! Anyone know if University of Rochester is done sending out invites? I connected with them at SfN and even had a lovely skype with one of the faculty... I was hoping for an interview but no word yet... I see in the results some interviews went out. Anyone got any info?

Thank you so much for your suggestions! Hahahaha oh dear.... I'm glad I am "lucky" this time! I have some just above ankle height black leather looking booties I think I'll wear. I also have some black oxfords but they're quite flimsy and probably wouldn't hold up in the rain...

Same here friend... ? now standing with two official rejections and two interview offers....

Hi everyone! For my entire life I've lived in pretty warm places, aka no snow and temps never below 55 degrees. I'm visiting a school on the east side of the USA from 1/31 - 2/2. Based on weather.com's monthly estimates, it'll be about a 43 degree high and 25 degree low with RAIN - probably the coldest I've ever had to deal with ever. Any tips with how to survive the interview weekend? The thickest coat I have is just like a black trench coat, looks professional but doesn't provide enough warmth for such a low temperature. I can borrow a coat from my boyfriend put it is quite puffy and not really suitable for interviews. How do I stay warm and also be business casual? I'm counting on lots of layers but I'm guessing wearing a thick coat to interviews is normal? Is there anything that is a must buy? Literally a desert girl who has never had to deal with cold ahahaha!! sorry for such a silly question

Happy 2019! Received an email for Tufts University Neuro (not neuro at JAX) for a possible interview on March 1. Someone in the results said that they were done sending out invites... looks like they're not! Stay positive everyone!

My fingers are crossed for you!!! That's really what I'm worried about is appearing to be in limbo.. especially if I decided to re-apply next cycle...it'll put even more time after my bachelor's degree on top of my master's degree........ Let's stay strong!

I applied to 11 and I've only heard from 2... which cued the anxiety-ridden original post... I've taken @BabyScientist's advice and have tried to relax... but it really is tough!! I have no idea whether I should re-apply or not.

Congrats!!!! So are the invites over? :/ :/

Hi @maya123z! So I have a friend there who is a 1st year MD/PhD student. If you want I can put you in touch. I don't know how well he can answer your question but just in case no one here can give you answers feel free to PM me!

@BabyScientist THANK YOU SO MUCH. I have to admit I've been a little gradcafe crazy... seeing everyone get offers and not hearing anything has just made me really anxious thus the post above. I so very much appreciate your reply. For now, I'll try to keep it cool. I'm just worried that I won't be even able to check out the programs I'm interested in because I won't get an interview... time will tell! Thank you so so much!