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siliconchins

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  1. Upvote
    siliconchins got a reaction from mochamocha73 in 2018 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results   
    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!
  2. Upvote
    siliconchins got a reaction from orycinn in NSF GRFP 2017-18   
    Fastlane just went down. Only a few hours now folks. 
  3. Upvote
    siliconchins reacted to eevee in 2018 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results   
    Finally made a decision and filled out my forms and WOW WHAT A RELIEF THIS IS TO BE D O N E
    Good luck to everyone! I hope you all end up in the places where you'll be happiest   
  4. Like
    siliconchins reacted to jmillar in NSF GRFP 2017-18   
    The previous years email contains the decision.
  5. Like
    siliconchins reacted to SaltyHatter in NSF GRFP 2017-18   
    The 2017 List of Awardees has been reloaded.
    Maybe it's a sign that Friday will be the day! 
     
  6. Upvote
    siliconchins got a reaction from StemCellFan in 2018 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results   
    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!
  7. Upvote
    siliconchins reacted to mochamocha73 in 2018 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results   
    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!
     
  8. Like
    siliconchins got a reaction from pinkcrystalthumb in NSF GRFP 2017-18   
    You guys make the waiting a bit easier lol
  9. Like
    siliconchins got a reaction from Behavecol in NSF GRFP 2017-18   
    You guys make the waiting a bit easier lol
  10. Like
    siliconchins reacted to Molecular_nutrition_2018 in 2018 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results   
    Committed to Columbia Metabolism! Ayyyyyye thanks for everyone’s help along the way! It’s definitely more harder than I thought as being an international student. But I guess I am lucky enough this year, I’m more than grateful to get in Columbia and start my new journey!!! 
  11. Like
    siliconchins reacted to LiaLuver in 2018 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results   
    Congratulations to everyone!!!!! 
    I have finally and officially committed to the University of Missouri-Columbia Biochemistry program.  Very excited to get started this summer!!!!  
  12. Upvote
    siliconchins reacted to Marinebio444 in NSF GRFP 2017-18   
    Also, good news: the Senate passed the omnibus spending bill. Here's hoping it isn't vetoed.
  13. Like
    siliconchins reacted to psychpride9 in NSF GRFP 2017-18   
    Ya, I feel like releasing it early last year has sharply increased the anticipation for this year #ugh #increasedexpectationsincreaseddisappointment 
  14. Upvote
    siliconchins got a reaction from grilledcheese1 in NSF GRFP 2017-18   
    If gandalf says so you know it's gotta be true
  15. Upvote
    siliconchins got a reaction from Orgmet in NSF GRFP 2017-18   
    If gandalf says so you know it's gotta be true
  16. Like
    siliconchins reacted to nanograd in NSF GRFP 2017-18   
    Guys i just found a 20 on the ground and contemplated picking it up because i "didnt want to use all my NSF GRFP luck.." ..okay i need to find out asap cause the wait is legit starting to cripple me ?
  17. Upvote
    siliconchins got a reaction from ChemGal in NSF GRFP 2017-18   
    Maybe they're just parroting back what it says in the solicitation?
  18. Upvote
    siliconchins got a reaction from amwhite in NSF GRFP 2017-18   
    Maybe they're just parroting back what it says in the solicitation?
  19. Upvote
    siliconchins reacted to cemeterydr1ve in NSF GRFP 2017-18   
    Let me just say that regardless of what happens tomorrow morning, we have some excellent investigators in this thread. You guys are on it. 
  20. Upvote
    siliconchins reacted to STEMed13 in NSF GRFP 2017-18   
    Not quite the maintenance we were  hoping for...

  21. Upvote
    siliconchins reacted to ABApsychh6 in Let’s just TALK about it...   
    I have been continuously checking my emails since I had my interviews. The one time I was checking my email for something unrelated, I received an acceptance email! I am so excited! I was stressed that it was taking forever!
    Applied: 2 Denver U, Nova Southeastern
    Interviews: 2/2
    Admitted: 1/2 Nova Southeastern
    Rejected: 0/2
  22. Like
    siliconchins reacted to factanonverba in 2018 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results   
    Thanks @jasbee, @siliconchins, and @StemCellFan for your input! I definitely clicked with the Stanford faculty better, although I really liked the grad students at MIT. (Not that I didn't like the Stanford students though!) This really helped! I think I am going to go with Stanford!
     
     
  23. Upvote
    siliconchins got a reaction from factanonverba in 2018 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results   
    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. 
  24. Upvote
    siliconchins reacted to devbioboy in 2018 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results   
    Just got an acceptance from the Molecular and Dev Bio program at UCincinnati and Cincinnati Children's Hospital! It's been my top-choice throughout the process, but I have a lot to think about before committing.
    Good luck to everyone who is still waiting to hear back or getting ready to decide!
  25. Like
    siliconchins got a reaction from eevee in 2018 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results   
    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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