samman1994

Hello everyone, So I recently got accepted into the Chem Department at Iowa State University. I got an open house invitation, and they asked me what faculty members I would like to meet during this open house. Now my real desire was to join the BBMB program, because 2 out of the 3 faculty members I'd like to work with are in that department, but one of the faculty members informed me I should apply to both to increase my chances. So I did. I have not received any response from the BBMB department, but have received an acceptance from the Chem department. When I included the faculty members name that I'd like to meet, the school informed me that I cannot meet them because they are not in the Chem department, and are in the BBMB department. They told me I need to choose from people in the Chem department. Now from the people in the Chem department, I only want to meet one person (the same faculty member who advised me to apply to Chem and who's lab I'd like to join). The problem is, I'm afraid if I do accept this invitation, I can only join this one persons lab. I initially applied to this school because there were multiple faculty members I would like to work with (in case this one individual didn't work out). However, now I'm concerned I won't be able to work with them since they're in a different department. My fear is, I decide to go to this school to join this guys lab in the Chemistry Dept., but something goes wrong (grant issues, room problems, or guy falls very ill or something), and I can't join that lab. Now I am stuck in a department with faculty members that I have no desire to work with, and the faculty members that I do want to work with (those in the BBMB department), I won't be able to. But I could be wrong, and that's why I'm here. Is it possible to get accepted via one department (e.g. say Chemistry), but join a lab in another department (e.g. say BBMB). I.E. if this guys lab doesn't work out for whatever reason, could I join someone else in the other department or would I have to reapply to that department? Edit: Also would it be bad to inform the school I have no desire to meet anyone else on open house outside of that one faculty member (at least for people in that department)? I have not replied to their email yet telling me to pick other people to meet, since I didn't want to look bad by saying, there is no one else I want to meet.

Hello everyone, So I've come across a... sticky situation that I don't quite know how to handle and was hoping for some feedback and help. Backstory: So approximately 2 months ago, I got a job at a small pharma/Biotech company. In the interview, I told them I was looking for something long term and was not applying to any PhD programs for the following year (no one would hire me otherwise if I told them I was planning on leaving within the year). In the meantime, I was actually applying to various PhD programs for the fall of next year (2018). In my eyes, if I got into a PhD program, great then I'm good to go and will leave my job for it (yes burning a bridge, but a bridge worth burning in my opinion for following my dream of getting my PhD). If not, no harm no foul, no one knows and I"ll have a safe job I can fall back on and reapply next year. This was my original plan. The problem: In the company, we have 4 different groups working on different projects. In my group, there is only me and one other Research Associate (outside my boss). So far things have been great, they've already told me they want to keep me after my 90 days, and they've told me they like my work so much they want me to be directly involved in all their meetings regarding the clients drugs I am working on. I was also just informed my boss likes my work so much, he wants to promote me to a Research Scientist instead of Research Associate by summer of next year. So whats the problem? A guilty conscience. I just found out a week ago my co-worker was leaving summer of next year. Following my original plan, I am leaving summer of next year for my PhD program as well (looking to leave early June). I have a great relationship with my boss, and we discuss all our projects, plans, gossip, etc. He was informing me that following my co-worker leaving me, he wants to take me on as his partner (i.e. this follows the RS promotion I discussed earlier) so that we can start to grow our group together and train all the new people we'd be hiring then. At this point, he's planning everything around the idea of me staying. If I don't tell him anything and leave in early June, then both me and my co-worker will be leaving at once, leaving him alone with no one to work with (until they hire some new people). And....I feel really bad about doing this. I really like the guy, and I don't want to throw him under like that, and he seems like a really trustworthy person. The problem is, I don't want to tell him I'm planning on leaving next summer, but this would mean 1) I lied during my interview and 2) I'm still in my 3-month and don't want them to fire me over this (or rather tell me at my 3-month point they don't want me anymore). My idea is: After my 3-month, I confide in my boss (and my boss only) that I am planning on leaving early June for my PhD program. This way I don't get fired, and he also knows 6 months in advance and can plan accordingly for the departure of both me and my co-worker. However, I also am afraid this may ruin the great relationship we have now (he might get upset and pissed off and they may not be able to fire me, but he could still make my life a living hell, especially if he doesn't keep it secret and everyone finds out I lied). So I don't exactly know what to do. On one hand, I could stay quiet, do my job, and leave for my program when the time comes and screw my boss over. But I'd feel really bad for him (and don't like lying to his face everyday when he tells me all the plans he has for me), and I already feel bad and this scenario is months away. On the other hand, I could inform him, and hopefully everything goes fine and dandy, he's cool with it and understands why I did what I had to do, and can plan accordingly for the future. No bridges burned, no one got screwed over, everyones happy. Orrrr it could the complete opposite and I tell him and then I get screwed over hard, everyone finds out, and my boss holds a grudge against me and fucks with me till I leave. So..... any ideas? Should I tell him after my 3-month? Should I not tell and say who cares? Thank you ahead of time! NOTE: One final thing to state is, I have already received an acceptance letter from one school. So I already am for sure going for my PhD program. My 3-month is in February, so by that time I should hear back from the other schools and have a pretty good idea of where I am going. So I will be quitting my job regardless, the question is only a matter of whether I should include my boss in my plans or not.

Thanks! I initially applied to BBMB, but I was advised by someone in the department there to apply to the Chemistry Program as well. No response from BBMB, but I did get a response from the Chemistry Program.

So wouldn't say sup-3.0 gpa, I had exactly a 3.00 gpa, but I feel like that still semi-applies. GRE scores 155/156/ 3.5 Q/V/AW, so not all the amazing. No pubs, one lab with 3 years of experience. Just got my first acceptance letter for a PhD program from Iowa State University. So totally doable, good luck guys!

I'm afraid I can't speak for other schools outside socal schools (southern California). However, from my understanding and what I've seen, they are very respectful, tolerant, and most of all understanding of it all. I even had certain clubs where they asked very early on which pronouns you would be comfortable with being addressed by (or something like that). We also had a very strong LGBQ community and atmosphere at my university (as well as other socal schools). So if you were randomly to ask to be asked a different name or be addressed with a different pronoun, no one would look at you weird or even question it. Secondly, from my experience with grad programs outside of my local area, I'd like to say that they are all very professional and understanding and will understand where you are coming from and be completely okay with it. That being said, sadly, I have seen a lot of sexism and immaturity on that level (higher education) regarding the matter. I have seen professors personally target women unfairly either as grad students or even post docs, ranging from simply just being rude to them, to taking their name from first author to 6th or 7th (I've even heard of one scenario where the PI tried to prevent the person from finishing their dissertation, and from what I was told, it was because of their gender). However, most of what I've seen and heard, is about professors, and the students themselves seem pretty understanding, tolerant, and aware of the topic. I am not in your shoes, nor in your situation. However, if I may just throw my 2 cents out there, I'd advise coming out sooner than later. Yes it may come as a shock to those close to you and may even cause some complications early on, but overtime people will become used to your new identity, and it won't even be a "new" identity, it will be "your" identity. Just as an example, I had a friend back in high school that was a female. She had a girlfriend at the time, and we all just thought she was lesbian. She came out 2 years later stating she wanted to be a man, and was unhappy with her current gender. This started from a declaration, to getting her hair cut short, to getting a name change (e.g. think samantha to sam, something simple like that), to testostrone treatment, to eventually even surgery (I don't know the details, but something about physically altering your genitals). So in all ways, literally a man (voice, thought, behavior, look, etc.). I will say this, early on, it was really hard for me to adjust with the change, and I don't mean accepting her as a man, but looking at her as one. What I mean is, it was hard to initially refer to her as him in third person (e.g. did you invite X, yes I invited her oh I mean him), or calling her by her male name instead of her old female one. I wasn't alone in this either, I know a lot of her close friends also had this problem, but none of us didn't want to be her friend, we just had problems with the initial mental adjustment. Overtime though (say give or take a year or so), it became second nature. While typing this, I initially typed everything "his" and had to change it to "her" because in my mind, she is a man. Her old personality and character no longer exists in my mind or others that had known her before. Most in fact have already forgotten her old name or how she even looked back in high school (she took down all the old pictures of her). The last time I spoke to him about his transition, he was very happy with his change and loved his new life. Although, at the time I asked him, it wasn't even his "new" life anymore, it was his "current" life now. Now I know your situation is different since it regards your current academic and future career, And this isn't just a bunch of friends, but your entire academic community, so it raises the stakes quite a bit. Despite what I said prior, I do believe in my heart that most people in academia are intelligent, mature, and understanding and will bear no ill regarding your transition. I do wish you the best of luck, and I hope I was able to help.

Just got an acceptance letter from one of my PhD schools, and an invitation for an all expenses paid visit out to them!

I recently got a job that I am in love with, was able to move out from my noisy neighbors so now I finally can get a good nights sleep, finally am done with applications so I bought a bunch of books to read with all the free time I now have, and finally bought a 4k tv over black friday. Life is finally moving forward after being stagnant for 3 months split between PhD applications and looking for work.

Hi there, trying not to think about it since I've been told decisions won't be made until Jan-Feb, but still stressing out. Luckily, I recently got a job I very much enjoy, so that's at least helping keep my mind off it during the day. I just keep hoping they'll send me an email soon telling me I've either been rejected or accepted. Applied to Harvard (Biophysics), UNC (BBSP), UConn (Biomedical Science), Scripps Research Institute, Iowa State University (BBMB)

None of this post even makes sense. Undergrad pisses you off, you tell them off, undergrad reports you for telling them off. So you forward the email of them reporting you to other professors to show them the student was mocking you (although you say they already knew about this student, so sounds redundant). Head of department basically says your action is disrespectful and warns you to not do it again (publicly). You make a post concerned they may write you a negative letter (which still doesn't matter even after they've been removed from your committee), and ask how to handle the situation. However, it appears you had already reported the situation to someone higher up making this entire thread redundant.

So update as to the situation. My writer finally replied and said he couldn't write it without having the program name. So I sent him the names of the programs I was applying to, and he uploaded them 2 days after that.

That's how love works I'm afraid. But personally, I'd say it's worth it. Yes, it will break you, crush you, and make you wish you never even had feelings. But as someone who's been to the top, and at the very bottom, I'd say that feeling at the top, is worth every ounce of pain and depression at the bottom.

Bacon. I don't get the craze with it, and I don't like it.

Hello everyone, So I've submitted 4 out of my 5 applications (still have to write the SOP for the last school), so I'm almost done with my applications towards my PhD, and I wanted to just say thank you to everyone here. I honestly don't think I would've been able to go through this application process so smoothly without you guys. From answering my billion number of questions about the process itself, to helping critique my SOPs and CVs. This site and its community has single handedly helped me go from completely lost, to completely confident. I wish there was a better way for me to show you how grateful I really am outside of just saying thank you a million times, but I can't say it enough. The entire application process is confusing and incredibly stressful, especially when you don't have anyone around with experience to help guide you through it, and this site has been my guiding light through this anxiety ridden and turbulent process. So thank you thank you thank you all for everything!

I've called and emailed some of the schools, and all of them allow the writer to submit their letter after I send the application, but almost none of them allow the writer to send a letter after the deadline (well one of them told me they theoretically still can, but the committee won't look at). I think I'll wait until a week before the deadline and just drop by and say hi (and follow up on the letter).

Hello everyone, I've come across a slight potential dilemma. I've received my GRE scores and uploaded/sent them, finished almost all my SOPs and uploaded them, filled out the applications and uploaded the writing samples as well. I've had 2 out of 3 LORs uploaded for every school I'm applying to. However, there is still one LOR I'm still waiting on before I submit my applications. I have emailed this person twice now regarding this matter (spread across 2 weeks), letting them know what schools they should have received emails from regarding LOR, and that the deadline is Nov 20th (wanted to give myself some time if he didn't). He has not responded to any of my emails as of late. Now I trust this person, and I trust they have seen my emails (I hope). I don't think the lack of a response or failure to upload anything yet is of ill intention; however it is starting to concern me as that deadline gets closer and I still receive no uploads or replies to emails. I don't want to physically get up and go to his office and let him know (we are that close, but I still think it'll look bad), but I also am concerned he may forget, or get so busy he isn't able to upload them. At this point in time, I really don't have anyone else that I'm close with that I would or could ask for a LOR (especially telling them they only have one week to upload it). So I'm starting to come the realization I may only have 2 LOR instead of 3, which is where the question come up. How important is it to have 3 LOR instead of 2? Will it look bad if I had 3 people to upload but only 2 did? Do you think if worst comes to worst, I should get up and go to his office (after the deadline passes)?

Interesting, I have the exact opposite viewpoint (although it could be an age thing). I've been in a relationship now for over 2+ years, and as I apply to various PhD programs across the country (none are even remotely close to where I live), the question has crossed my mind of what will happen to my relationship. For me, career and education come before any relationship. If I need to break up with her to continue my education and career, so be it. However, again age could be a big factor. I'm 23 atm, and am not looking for marriage until at least 26 or 27, and definitely no kids until 30s. Now someone who's already 30ish in this situation, they may consider the relationship aspect a lot more important than I do.

Thanks for the feedback! I'll use Italics (I don't think quotation marks will make it stand out as much). I think I get what you're saying, I'll state the type of proteins they are instead of their specific names (although, since the protein names are in my thesis title, won't that make it look a little odd)? For that section, I think I may go into a little bit more detail, and rather than say used machine x for y. I'll state something like, observed y using machine x, or measured z using machine x. Instead of focusing on the instrumentation, I'll focus more on what I used it for.

None of the programs I'm applying to have stated an explicit limit (although one of them did have a section with 500 word limit, but you could upload any word count you'd like), so from other peoples statement, I've basically gone for under 1K. However, I'd state quality over quantity. If your 1k isn't important, don't put it. For me, I cut it down to, previous experience and techniques learned, mental experience gained (troubleshooting and whatnot), the school and faculty itself (who I want join and why I want to go to the school), and an intro and conclusion. 5 paragraphs, combined under 2 pages and under 1 thousand words.

Hello everyone, So I started filling out my applications, and I came across the test section. I put in my GRE scores and percentiles, but then there was a section informing me to upload my scores. I went on the ets site and found an option to download a pdf report but this includes my previous tests as well. When I emailed the school, they said it could literally just be a scan of my unofficial report. Is there any way I can upload a report that doesn't include my previous test scores (they aren't very good, and I am not sending them)? Thank you ahead of time!

Thanks for the feedback! 1) Thank you, I have made the change. 2) Some of them are protein names acronyms (they can get very long if spelled out), and some of them are general instrumentation any Chemist or Biochemist should at least know (e.g. HPLC, NMR, SPR etc.), although some of them are a little lesser known (MFI, DLS) so I think I may write them out 3) I changed all of them to past tense (used X for Y, or utilized A and B for C) 4) So how should I indicate titles, say for my undergrad thesis or poster titles? 5) Running in that sense means I physically was the one who set up the instrumentation and conducted the experiments. Analyzed means I took the data from the instrument and intepreted it. Often times many people either only conduct the experiment, and have someone else look at the data from it, or vice versa (especially for more advanced instrumentation). The specific names of the proteins aren't as important, but I felt like it would be very bland without it. I.E. Conducted binding experiments and mutagensis studies. That statement I feel like doesn't mean much, but saying "Conducted binding experiments between X and Y and mutagenesis studies on X and Z" I feel like sounds a lot better. 6) Made the change I could email you the actual word document so you can see it in its proper format (e.g. what's actually bold, what texts are centered and which ones aren't, etc.), but regardless, thank you for taking a look at it!

Hello everyone, I was just hoping you guys could give some feedback on my academic cv. Whether its missing anything, or anything should be changed. The formatting is a little weird because it didn't transfer properly from word over to google docs properly, but the information on there is the same. Thank you ahead of time! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1po-A7bowfwgtyRoK--im0ZsUOZcmGqfspqF5Js_sw4E/edit?usp=sharing

From the stories I've heard, most of the people I know with PhDs met their significant other in grad school and or got married during grad school. Also, I would not worry too much about changing yourself or your activities to find a man. You want a partner in your life, someone who believes, endorses, and will stand by your side throughout your activities and trials. Yes, doing such activities may limit the pool of men that will be interested, but there are plenty of men out there. I also wouldn't put a date on marriage, or even kids to that extent. You want to get married at 30? That's fine. You want to get married at 40? That's perfectly acceptable too. You want kids at 35? That's fine. I wouldn't put a time-frame mentality on it (oh no, all my friends at my age are married and have kids, what am I doing with my life). You do you. Hell my philosophy is, I don't even want to get married until my late 20s. I want to enjoy my 20s (and by enjoy I mean stress over exams, now applications, and eventually dissertations).

No of course, don't get me wrong, I'm not implying she meant that. That's why I didn't confront her or them about it. I was simply stating the ideal is there, and her statement is a reminder to that ideal. I have an issue with the Ideal itself, rather than her statement.

I did private tutoring on the side, but outside of that, nothing really academic. At least not in regards to leadership roles (e.g. I was part of a feminism club at our school, but not in any type of position). So if I don't include courses, GPA, or GRE scores. Is it just a list of publications, presentations/conferences, and related work experience (e.g. tutoring or my undergrad lab and current job)?

Hello everyone, So this post isn't as much how to make an academic cv/resume, but more along the lines of I don't have much to include. There are maybe one or 2 interesting classes I could include, and 2 jobs that would be relevant to what I'm applying for. I've only presented at 3 conferences (won awards in them though), and have no published publications, manuals, manuscripts, etc. Outside of restating my transcript, a very brief work experience history (2 entries), and my 3 poster presentations and their awards, I don't have much to say. At the moment, my academic CV/Resume is a little over a page and a half (and that's just because things are nicely spaced out). Is this expected since I'm going from an undergrad to PhD program? Is this acceptable? Is there anything I'm not including that I should include to help fill it up a little? Thank you ahead of time!