MaeN

Hi, it's always confusing navigating transcripts and GPAs as a transfer student, but my understanding is that you submit only the GPA from the institution which you graduated from. Unfortunately your other GPAs don't get averaged in. However, do send transcripts from all your schools. This way wherever you're applying will see your grades. I'd also include a little statement at the end of your essays explaining that you went to a few schools before transferring. Best of luck!

@NousEssayerai I'm not data science or cs, but I am headed to Brown and am also looking for housing, so I wouldn't mind being added to a group chat.

I'm deciding between two schools and I'm definitely leaning towards one of them, but I don't feel ready to make the decision. I really like both schools and advisors; each has different pros and cons. I know that I'll be missing opportunities wherever I don't end up going, just like with any decision. So, once you start making up your mind about which school to go to, how do you decide that you're ready to decide?

I'm also working on deciding right now. Here are some things I'm thinking about: How much will I have to TA at each school? What research will I be working on? Do my interests align with my potential advisor's interests? Will I like the environment of the department? The culture of the individual lab groups? What specific facilities/resources are there at each school? (e.g. supercomputers, labs, etc.) How long do most students in that program take to finish their PhD? What's a typical number of papers that a graduate student will publish in their time there? What conferences do students at that school typically go to? How is this funded? How excited does each school seem to have me there? Will I feel welcomed? Does the school or potential advisors have any particular connections that will lead to exciting opportunities? (e.g. field work, types of jobs after graduating, etc.) Are there classes I will be excited to take? Do the current students there seem happy? Do I see myself being happy there? Hope this helps and good luck deciding!

One school invited me for a visit, but I'm picking the date. Does at least one day need to be a weekday? Should both be? Neither? I'm not sure what's typical but I want to make sure I'm taking full advantage of the visit and also limiting the amount of classes I miss this semester for undergrad.

Definitely bring a hat, scarf, and gloves if you'll be outside for a while the second day. Though we had 50s the last couple days, we got several inches of snow overnight and odds are that the end of January will also be pretty cold. One suggestion for comfy yet professional that I like are sweater-ish cardigans. They're warm and you can always slip it on after your plane ride and wear something more comfortable underneath, like a plain blouse.

I've done this with a few of my POIs and have another one tomorrow. Make sure you know about what research they've been working on (look at topics of recently published papers). Prep both questions and answers. There are some great posts elsewhere that go into more details about what to say/ask in interviews, but at minimum think about what you'll say to: "Tell me about yourself." and "Do you have any questions?" I've been asked both of those in each informal interview. I found it also helped me to decide ahead of time what I wanted to get out of it, which for me was gauging the POI's advising style and what daily life would be like there. You want to make sure the conversation is more than just introducing yourself to each other, in my opinion. Best of luck!

I definitely get the fear that I'll be overlooked in favor of older applicants. I'm only 19 right now (and also a snowed in northeasterner, actually). I'm trying to convince myself that no one will really look at my age, but honestly I have no idea. I've also met with potential advisors at conferences and I really hope I didn't seem too young. But then again I've been on the young side of my peers for a while. Just anxious to start hearing back.

I'm applying for Fall 2018 and I was wondering what people typically do the summer between undergrad and grad school. Most REUs (Research Experience for Undergraduates) and my school's research opportunities don't let graduating seniors apply, but there are still internships and a few other academic jobs I can apply for. There are non-academic jobs, too, of course. Depending on where I end up, I may also be able to start rad school earlier in the summer. I definitely want to be doing something, but I'm not sure what. Any suggestions or perspectives on this?