frightenedrabbit

Dear 2022-23 thread, 
The Tuesday/Friday pattern is no more. Please apply your anxieties toward new speculations concerning the inner workings of the NSF.
Cheers, 
-the 2021-22 thread
Here is one *provocative* theory for your consideration:
  

Reviewer 1: "The technical approach is systematic, well-resourced, and likely to succeed in [its objectives]. Letters are strong, citing independence, initiative, and consistent engagement in scientific discussion during lab meeting. The transcripts are puzzling, with several low grades in relevant coursework. Many brilliant scientists do not achieve high marks in traditional coursework, but the application should provide some contextual information [for these low grades]."
Reviewer 2: "Though, low GPA during undergrad is a concern, the applicant provides a highly original self-developed research proposal. The proposed studies are highly challenging but have a great potential in [advancing knowledge of the field]. Previous research experiences of the applicant in both wet lab settings and bioinformatics perfectly suit the applicant's current proposal. The applicant also is well supported by strong supporting letters... Overall the applicant demonstrated outstanding research performance and provides a high quality research proposal."
Rejected. Not even an honorable mention.
Glad to know that academia cares more about grades than the proposal, whilst simultaneously and explicitly acknowledging that grades are not reliable indicators of research ability or potential. And with that, I am officially giving up on neuroscience and the PhD pursuit. Academia wouldn't even give me one single interview in my third cycle applying, yet somehow I'm good enough to bag a $85K/yr entry-level job in industry working with Feng Zhang. Re-read that last sentence and think about how messed up the academic processes must be for that to occur.
(For the context of those outside of biology, though Jennifer Doudna won the Nobel Prize in 2020 for the discovery of the gene-editing molecule CRISPR Cas9 [recall headlines about designer babies], Feng Zhang was independently working on it at the same time and was the first to engineer and prove its efficacy in mammalian cells. Many believe that he should have shared the Nobel Prize. That's who I'll be working with.)
TLDR: I'm done waiting for academia to recognize me. I'm moving on.
Best of luck to everyone else in your ongoing PhD pursuits! Keep your head up, take care of your mental health, and don't forget that there's always great opportunities out there - even if you can't immediately see them.

HOLY SHIT. I GOT THE FELLOWSHIP. I CAN LEAVE TEXAS. JESUS HALLELUJAH. 

It seems like my reviewers really liked my application too, but I think they fixated a little on my lower GPA(3.25)/change of major. I did manage a 360 and even have a publication that's been accepted first semester out of undergrad, so I will keep on trying and reapply for my second year of grad school! The new institution I'm going to for my PhD will give me many opportunities. 
*Edit
I want to clarify that I applied as an undergrad and will be starting grad this fall. Is it a good idea to wait until 2023 to start my next application? By then I believe I'll have a good grasp on my project. 

Im a second year so I can't reapply unfortunately
But the fact the reviews liked my application made me feel a bit better!

That's actually the worst, I'm sorry Definitely re-apply if you can! I had an almost identical situation last cycle, but after tweaking my research statement and re-applying I got the award It seems that much of it simply has to do with the set of reviewers you get.

Honorable Mention-IM: E/E/E BI:G/F/G
Got wrecked on broader impacts, they would've liked to see more leadership apparently. All 3 reviewers mentioned the proposal was one of the best they've read, which maybe is why i got an HM instead of no award. Guess that's not bad for my only shot at applying ?

The Excellent/Very Good and so on part of the reviewer comments is just part of the consideration. They also normalize each reviewers responses across all the applicants they reviewed to a score and apply that score to your application. It’s kinda behind the scenes but it’s supposed to make it so someone who is harsh on everyone doesn’t bring down an applicant. If that reviewer never gave anyone an “Excellent” then basically their “Very Good” will be considered an Excellent for that application. But it will still say “Very Good” because they won’t change their comments on it. 
 
I think people who got mostly E with a couple or few VG scores and didn’t get it could have had reviewers who gave out a lot of E/VG. Or not, who knows. It’s just something to consider.

Awarded— IM: E/E/VG,  BI: E/E/E
honestly I’m more relieved than I am happy because of how much I’ve been worrying about this. But that’s also probably because I’m tired and it’s past my bedtime

Holy shit, I got it! I never thought I would experience this!!! I’m a second year grad student and this was my second time applying for the GRFP.  In the past few years I’ve been rejected by every fellowship I’ve applied for and had many, many grad school and paper rejections and research struggles. It feels good to finally get it this time, but I was just in the shoes of everyone who didn’t get it and I know how it feels. I’m the same scientist who just got rejected from another fellowship last week, but somehow this particular application struck the right note with these particular reviewers. Remember you are worthy. Keep believing in the importance of your work and keep pushing! I’m proud of you.

Awarded!
VG/VG/E, E/E/VG
I am a mess of emotions right now but i want to say thank you to everyone here for helping me get through all my anxiety with the process! I believe everyone here is capable of doing great science, with or without the GRFP, and I look forward to seeing what y'all accomplish in the future : ) 

Yes! and it would be cool if we stayed on here to address our comments by reviewers. It might suck if it's less than great feedback but we can give each other tips. 

Yes! and it would be cool if we stayed on here to address our comments by reviewers. It might suck if it's less than great feedback but we can give each other tips. 

God no

God no

^^ I've literally read mine so many times just to see if it's worthy of the award LOL

I could 100% see them doing that lol
 
If it's real, this is what I assume would be happening.

bUt wHaT aBoUt ThE tUeSdAy FRiDaY pAtTeRn...!!

I bet we'll hear back by next week (Tuesday or Thursday), since they said notifications would be out by "early April". Otherwise if they wait until the week of April 11th, that is technically mid-April. I would classify everything past that as late April. 
I know all the speculation is exhausting but I am really hopeful that we'll know by a week from today!

I just want to find out just in case I possibly get it so I can email my dream school that has been giving me *radio silence* and see if that’ll give me a better chance of getting accepted ?

There still might be a shot that it's tonight. PLEASE!!

The latest they've announced maintenance the night before results was in 2013 (9pm), so there is still a chance we'll hear results tomorrow....!

My people, at this rate, I don't think it's going to come out tomorrow.  We did the six pages and everything lol.
 

I agree with the general sentiment of what you said, especially since I'm guilty of fanning the flames with regards to wanton speculation on when maintenance will happen, but I think you came across a little too acerbic, especially in calling us "pitiful".
Your point regarding the banner is a little strange. The NSF GRFP actually specified, on the program's homepage, that results would be posted by the end of this month (today, actually). Why wouldn't we listen to that and assume that results would be out a little earlier than the solicitation specified? The banner was posted back in mid-February - they had a month and a half to remove it, and they chose to do it essentially at the 11th hour. That's why we're a little miffed.
Like others have said, this is a space for discussion on the results, and that will most likely include anxious posts. I do agree that it's not healthy to spend the entire day waiting for results.

I’d rather commiserate with random other people on the internet than spiral alone! Lots of people use this thread to talk with others in a positive way. I know I don’t have anyone in real life that I can talk about my nerves with, I’m sure other people here feel the same.