siliconchins
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Posts posted by siliconchins
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Holy sheet y'all good luck to everyone
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I was accepted to MIT grad with a GPA of ~3.5, although I will probably say it was one of the less important parts of my application.
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I don't think she'll have to justify that degree choice. Have her go for whichever one interests her more in terms of coursework and research. I started off as a premed student, and decided to pursue a PhD in the beginning of my senior year. I was very open about that fact, brought it up in both my personal statement/statement of purpose and during some interviews. There was no negative perception, or any sort of assumption that I had "failed" in any way.
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4 minutes ago, Marinebio444 said:
I think they meant in a previous year.
Right, I'm asking if the email from previous years contained the decision. Sorry for the confusion!
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12 hours ago, jmillar said:
I got a notification from info@nsfgrfp.org .
Did they send an email containing the result or do you have to access fastlane to see whether you received it?
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45 minutes ago, mochamocha73 said:
Similar to other people on here, I really need help with decisions!
I got admitted to two great programs at Harvard and MIT, and I love both of them for different reasons. I'm applying for a PhD in the general field of biology, specifically microbial ecology. Harvard's program is a direct admit into a lab, and the lab I applied to seems awesome. The PI and I seemed to get along, and he's really pulling for me to attend there. There's a lot of flexibility in terms of projects, but the PI seems to be very busy and other than his lab, there aren't a lot of other people in the department that do similar work, so if something were to happen I would kind of be out of luck.
At MIT, the program is a rotation system, with heavier coursework requirements the first two years. There are a number of labs I'm interested in, but none where I felt the same kind of rapport as at Harvard (maybe because I only met like 2 of them for 30 minutes each). I like MIT as a school, but this program is a little more industry-oriented and while people have told me that grad school is different from undergrad, the rep of MIT concerns me a little. The research fit is great, though, and I might have more options.
So what should I do?? Please help, I have been thinking about this issue for several months now, but I just received MIT's offer so now it's getting a lot more real!
Congrats man! The nice thing about choosing between Harvard and MIT is that there are so many things in common between them (location, prestige, and quality of training). I applied to the Biology PhD, not to Microbiology, so there may be some differences in our experiences.
Personally, I only applied to rotation based programs as I'm not entirely sure what specific research topic I'd like to pursue. When I was deciding between programs, MIT stood out to me in a big way due to the fact that they front load the coursework in the first semester. From what students have told me, it really helps to build a strong knowledge foundation, foster cohort camaraderie, and let you focus more on choosing the right lab in the spring. Personally, I think that this will let me have an easier transition into grad school as I haven't taken any classes in the past 2 years.
The shorter rotation times (4wks vs 8-10wks at other programs) also appealed to me as I think that this system really emphasizes the fact that you should spend the time focusing on fit rather than trying to complete a small project. If I don't mesh well with a lab, I definitely would not want to be stuck there for longer than necessary, and I think that fit can be well-determined during the course of a month.
While there are a lot of opportunities for industry work, I definitely didn't get the sense that the program was biased in any way. I think that the program provides a lot of support and training whether you decide to pursue industry or academic work after the PhD.
Are you worried that the lab at Harvard will not work out? Is it relatively easy to find a new adviser if things go south? In the end, it's the mentor that matters, but I personally wouldn't feel comfortable without having at least 2-3 potential advisers in a program.
Either way I don't think there is a wrong choice here. See you in Cambridge/Boston!
- mochamocha73 and StemCellFan
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So if it's a release on Friday, we would expect maintenance notice(s) by tomorrow right?
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You guys make the waiting a bit easier lol
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18 minutes ago, YouCantBcereus said:
Maybe we'll get lucky and they'll decide to kill two birds with one stone and upload the results during the long maintenance tonight since the bill got signed.
Wouldn't that mean they would wait until this coming Tuesday? Seems kinda strange that they would buck the trend of releasing on Tues/Fri.
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2 hours ago, devbioboy said:
I've officially committed to Cincinnati's MDB program! I feel like a huge burden has been lifted off my chest!
@BiomedicalPHD123 You have a very hard decision ahead of you! Make sure that you take into account your gut feeling about a place. If you're really interested and committed to cancer cell bio for your graduate training, then I'd go ahead with GSK. If you think that you may want to venture out into other fields, then I'd say go to Harvard because they are pretty good, if not excellent, at many things bio-related. I'm a little bit leery about the rotation/class thing at GSK personally, but if that works for you and seems to be well-liked by the current students, then go ahead and do it!
18 minutes ago, AllieKat said:Just sent in my letter for Baylor's biochem and molecular biology program!! What a RELIEF that this is over.
Congrats all!
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6 minutes ago, Bayesian1701 said:
I wouldn’t give up yet. Maybe maintenance is no longer necessary. It could come later today.
In previous alerts, people were notified during the early morning which is why I'm hesitant that today is the day.
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Friday mornings come and gone, looks like another few days at least of waiting.
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No second maintenance at 10pm EST. Looks like tomorrow may be a bust
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5 minutes ago, Gandalf? said:
It's definitely tomorrow, I put it in my calendar as "NSF?" a few months ago and calendars don't lie.
If gandalf says so you know it's gotta be true
- Orgmet and grilledcheese1
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5 minutes ago, GoldenDog said:
Two years ago, there was an extended shut down day of release (March 29)
Then last year, day of release was March 17th, According to posts on this page:
03/15/17 - FastLane will be unavailable from 10:00PM ET, Thursday, March 16 to 5:00AM ET, Friday, March 17 for scheduled maintenance. We apologize for any inconvenience. 03/15/17 - FastLane will be unavailable from 10:00PM ET, Friday, March 17 to 10:00AM ET, Saturday, March 18 for scheduled maintenance. We apologize for any inconvenience." So I feel its likely to be results tomorrow..
Man I hope you're right. Even if it doesn't seem like it, it won't stop me from feeling like the results will be out tomorrow.
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Lol that's actually hilarious
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38 minutes ago, cemeterydr1ve said:
Yeah, my mindset is that I’m most likely not going to be awarded. And I’ve already kinda mourned that possibility. I just keep reminding myself that I’ve had a lot of successes in my career thus far, so if I don’t get this one thing, it doesn’t mean I’m a bad scientist/academic. If I am awarded, I think I’ll probably fall over and have a heart attack, hah. I am eager for the results just so I can move on with my life.
Same here. My funding isn't really dependent on outside funding (and in fact won't even change if I do get it), so I'd like to just know once and for all and get this process over with.
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Dang guys, I'm really hoping for the announcement on Friday, whether good or bad. I'd like to know for sure so I can finally get my boss to stop asking me every morning whether they've released winners yet T.T
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So GRFP awards may not be limited to ~1000 this year (as suggested by Page 7 and Page 3 of these documents). A user on this reddit thread emailed in, and was told that the number of awards is still at ~2000. Here's hoping that it's the higher number!
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2 hours ago, nwa5fz said:
Was put on the wait list for UCSD's Biomedical Sciences Program (BMS) - does anyone know the chances/reality of getting off it? The email seemed hopeful, but I'd like to move forward with another school if it's unlikely I'll get off the waitlist.
Thanks!
I would email them and ask how many people usually get off the waitlist/your position to gauge how likely it is.
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1 hour ago, factanonverba said:
Hi guys, help me decide?
I got accepted to both MIT biology and Stanford Biosciences (Cancer Biology), and I am so torn between these two. Below are my criteria so far, but I would like to get more input on this:
1. Program structure: MIT has a rigid program structure, I would take classes in fundamental areas of biology, have two semesters of TA-ing, three 1-month rotations, etc. Stanford is a bit more flexible as there is no TA requirement, there are some classes in cancer biology but there are other electives. Overall, I like the Stanford structure a bit more.
2. Classes: as mentioned above. I like the MIT classes because they seem to cover a broader spectrum of disciplines and I like that. Although the Stanford ones are not bad, they are just more focused on cancer bio.
3. Faculty choices: MIT has only ~50 faculty in the department, while Stanford has ~60 affiliated with cancer bio and hundreds more in the broader Biosciences program. I could work with any of the hundreds within Biosciences. I also made some really good faculty connections at Stanford and they already guaranteed rotation spots for me. Some of them even gave me their cell phone numbers so I can call them directly.
4. Research: Both places are doing amazing research! MIT has a lot of legendary PIs (Tyler Jacks, David Sabatini, Philip Sharp, Bob Weinberg, etc.) but they may or may not be suitable thesis advisors for someone like me who is an early career scientist and initially needs guidance. Stanford has more of a spectrum of senior, mid-career and young PIs so that might be a good thing for me?
5. Location: Boston/Cambridge is awesome! A lot of research/biotech/museums/music/arts etc. If I live outside the cities I can probably even get a one-bedroom at a reasonable price range. In comparison, Palo Alto seems pretty boring, and SUPER expensive to live in (impossible to live off-campus).
6. Weather: Palo Alto for the win! Mild winters, a lot of sunny days, not humid in the summer like in Boston.
7. Prestige: Are they comparable? Some people seem to think that MIT trains a lot of big thinkers in the field.
What else am I missing?
As much as I'd like to tell you to come join me at MIT, it seems from what you're writing that you have already decided that Stanford is a better fit for you. Once you get to a certain point, it doesn't really matter where you go, only that you put out good work. If you feel that the faculty choices, mentoring style, and overall focus of Stanford over MIT, then you should go there. Also keep in mind that people like Bob Weinberg are no longer taking students.
Since I didn't apply to Stanford and am not too familiar with the program, I can only give my perspective about MIT. From my point of view though, once you get to the level of MIT, Stanford, UCSF, Harvard, etc., you don't really have to worry about prestige.
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1 hour ago, DaddyBenzene said:
That's very solid advice, thank you. From reading all of the other gradcafe posts, I was under the impression that the majority of applicants had some sort of publication already. Lots had posters and conference presentations, too, as well as TAships and other relevant credentials. People here generally have very impressive profiles. Having especially esoteric research interests, I was convinced that I may have been disadvantaged.
Congrats with your graduation, it sounds like you've had a very prolific student career. I want to be like you lol
Lol just keep in mind that the people who post on gradcafe are a self selected population and definitely not representative of the whole.
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On 3/5/2018 at 12:40 AM, spillintheT said:
Hello guys!
I will be applying to US phd programs next year (2019) and I'm currently in the process of selecting programs for myself. I don't quite understand the scheme of funding for many of these programs though, can you possibly help me with that? I was thinking about doing the phd in California (UCLA, Stanford, Caltech, etc), but as I understood universities there don't provide the stipend for phd students and I need to search for external funding anyway?
Another question about that external funding: how easy is it to get the funding for non-U.S. citizen? How common is it to get accepted to the program but not for funding opportunity? Is it common to get the funding only for the first year and then drop out because you don't have money?
Funding can be different for international applicants, especially at public universities where you might not be eligible for certain types of government funding (as is the case with some external funding opportunities as well). Generally, stipend support for PhDs are guaranteed by the department or graduate school as long as you remain in good standing and can require additional responsibilities such as a TA or RA-ship. Research funding is more likely dependent on the lab you join.
Since the policies can differ so drastically from school to school and even from department to department, it is probably in your best interest to contact the programs you are interested in to get the specific details.
NSF GRFP 2017-18
in The Bank
Posted
Fastlane just went down. Only a few hours now folks.