BabyScientist

Your GRE scores aren't that bad considering most programs are de-emphasizing it. I think you need fewer top tier schools and more mid/safe tier schools. You have a good deal of research experience, but your GPA is low and it will be harder for you to get through the first admissions filter at most schools. That isn't to say that you have no chance at the top tiers, just that if you really want to do a PhD program, diversifying your list will increase your chances.

Interesting. I didn't realize it could be so strict. Thanks!

Does that invalidate my experiences and those of all the upperclassmen I've communicated with? I've been in the field of biomedical research for years. I've been around enough PhD students and PhD programs to know what is expected in and by them. We have a support system in place in my program exactly for this reason. Our administration has warned that if at any point we feel we aren't being treated well in our opinion, we should go to them. My being a first year is irrelevant to what I know a graduate program is supposed to be. In fact, it may even strengthen my opinion, as I've just recently been through all the recruitment events in which they tell you what PhD programs are all about and what to expect.

Yes. Sounds like I'm the same kind of PhD program as the poster.

It doesn't sound to me like he/she is being trained to do research in this complex domain of knowledge. Part of doing a PhD is learning to develop your own ideas, and this advisor doesn't seem to be allowing that to occur. When you communicate this problem to anyone, it shouldn't be posed as "I am a creative person and want to be given room for creativity", it should be posed as "I don't feel that I am being given the proper training/training that will enable me to be an independent researcher in the future." You do the research that your PI is funding you to do. That's just how it is. But as a PI who took on a PhD student, he has to be giving you the proper training to create a scientist who can do his/her own research in the future, without always having to be directed. Discussing this issue with the right people will give you a better idea of whether or not you are getting proper training to eventually become an independent researcher, which ultimately is the purpose of PhD programs in science.

But say whatever piece of writing you wrote is already published. What right does a journal have to tell you you can't point it out to an adcom as something you wrote? The adcom isn't then publishing it as their own thing. It's like writing a book that's out there in print and sending a group of people a copy and saying "hey here's a copy of a book I wrote". It's already public. Why couldn't you share it with an adcom?

Just to clarify so I know for my own reference: I understand not publishing/submitting work that's in publication, but is submitting as a writing sample for a grad school app not different? It's not being shared with the public as dissemination of information, just being shared with an adcom as proof of writing capacity. I do agree with published work being largely edited, though. You could submit an earlier draft and note to the adcom that it is such and an edited draft is available in publication.

I imagine it depends on the situation. They should understand the social dynamics enough to know not to screw your relationship with your advisor. Theyll likely just give you advice on how to proceed, and only go to your advisor if your directed efforts aren't effective.

Go to one of these people. Even another PI in your department who you feel comfortable with. That is no way for a graduate student to be regarded and consulting people in the program about your problem is the best way to solve it.

So why not come up with your own project and just go to him with it? Get approval and say s tatting on this now. Again, are there not people in place in your program that are supposed to monitor your progress who you can consult about this?

I don't think that's normal. My graduate program has some administrative people you're supposed to go to with problems like this. Does yours have anyone like that? Alternatively the director of the program? It sounds like you need to tell your advisor that, as a graduate student, you need to conduct a project that you run yourself, start to finish. That's what's expected of a graduate student. The advisor is there to... advise (shocker) while you conduct your research. If your program has some sort of support system in place for issues like this, go to them first. If not, just go directly to your PI and discuss it with them.

Probably best to consult the schools about this. If it's published and it's yours, no reason why not I'd imagine. It's still a sample of your writing.

I think you should be the one requesting the phone call. Saying something like "I'd be interested in discussing our mutual interests more over the phone sometime." They are busy people, so be mindful of their time, but you have to initiate.

It definitely happens. I think it's one of the things programs are trying to evaluate when they look at your application and/or interview you. They try to filter those people out. Generally people who do PhDs can show that they're dedicated to doing a PhD. Of course there are good liars out there, and I'm sure they carry out their plans. Another thing is that if that person ever actually ends up wanting to do a PhD, programs will wonder about their previously mastering out.

It will probably help that your masters GPA is better and your research life has been active. The first authorship is good even if it hasn't been published yet - you can still put it on your CV as submitted and maybe ask your PI/mentor to mention it in your LOR. Im happy to help review your SOP when you're ready.

If you're at Brown now and want to go to Brown, maybe try to get in touch with the program people and discuss your application with them? Or any faculty you'd be interested in working with? Your GRE scores are low, but many PhD programs are de-emphasizing it, so it may not harm you too much (ask any contacts you have at the program). Your undergrad GPA doesn't help either, but your CV is great and you'll have to really emphasize that strength on your application. You'll need a really strong SOP and great LORs if you can get them.

The GRE is not the most important thing on her application. Odds are, it won't matter to much if she's proved she's qualified for the programs with eher course grades and any relevant experience. Another thing to consider is if she'll even do better the second time. I've heard that to really improve your score you have to drastically improve your study methods. If she already studied well the first time and can't improve upon it that much, is there any point? Especially for the AW, considering how well you do is partially dependent on which prompt you get, it's kind of hard to know how much you'll improve. If she can afford it and thinks she'll really improve this time, then sure.

I was under the impression that they all award masters degrees if you've completed your coursework (the reqs for the masters degree). I doubt they would advertise it since they don't exactly want to admit students to PhD programs who they feel aren't committed to the PhD program and just want to use it for a free masters.

Save your money for application fees. It's not a horrible score. Also, as many people have pointed out, most schools are heavily de-emphasizing GRE scores, and some aren't even requiring them anymore. Your CV is strong and your GPA is good. You should be okay.

Agreed. They don't scrutinize things like that. All 4 of those majors complement one another, so if anything comes the varied courses you took may be seen as a plus. It's a good idea to explain how it came to be in your SOP if the explanation really brings it all together in the context of your career goals. Describe it as applied math/stats in econ/psych and all these fields allowing you to "bring in varied perspectives" to problems you expect to encounter in your chosen career.

Well yeah of course a program cares about your personality. But the question here was how do you talk about your personality in an SOP. As I said, you don't discuss it, you convey it with anecdotes and writing style.

Don't take it. Waste of money. Many schools aren't even requiring the normal GRE these days - subject would be excessive. If it was necessary it would be required, and if you can't afford it don't bother. Especially if you have a good GPA in your field, you're already displaying subject competency.

I think that's reasonable? A PhD program is like a job. You're spending all year on your research. Spending more than 6 weeks total in a year away seems excessive? 42 days. 3-4 days a month.

As far as the 3rd recommended goes... If you're asking him in the fall while you're TAing his class, you could bother him about it in person. Give him a deadline that's before the application deadlines. Otherwise, personally I would advise taking a gap year. I recommend it in general just because I think it gives students an opportunity to mature into people who are ready to be graduate students, and it gives an opportunity to strengthen your application. I'm sure your application is strong now, but it could always be stronger, and a post bacc research experience could give you more LOR options.

Is that 6 weeks total or 6 weeks in a row...?