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emandar

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Posts posted by emandar

  1. After all of this waiting, I've had a lot of time to think about my application.

    I don't feel very confident since I'm not in graduate school yet.

    What do you guys think of my chances?

    I went to a state university and did well (3.9GPA in physics/math dual degree finished in 4 years). I did 3.5 years of research while an undergrad (3 summers of REU at my university) and published 3 co-authored papers. I got the goldwater in 2009.

    Looking back at the past winners, they seem to come from top schools and are in their 1st or second year as a grad student. I feel like I'll be able to compete when I know what my graduate research will be and have part of a semester under my belt as a grad student.

    ugh, this process is annoying.

  2. "Dear Mr. XXxxxXXX

    On behalf of the the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship Committee we would like to congratulate you on being awarded the 2011 NDSEG fellowship in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering. The Department of Defense (DoD) is committed to increasing the number and quality of our nation's scientists and engineers, and towards this end, has awarded approximately 3,200 NDSEG fellowships since the program's inception 22 years ago. We are proud to have you as one of our nation's scientists. The NDSEG Fellowship is sponsored by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research(AFOSR), the Army Research Office (ARO), the High Performance Computing Modernization Program (HPCM), and the Office of Naval Research (ONR), under the direction of the Director of Defense Research and Engineering (DDR&E). We would further like to extend our humblest request that you do all within your power to take pity on those who were unfortunate enough not to receive one of our awards. We ask that you share a bit of your awesomeness amongst them, so that they may remain on the true path of scientific virtue. Unlike past years, where an individual recipient receives a single award, we have decided to make an exception. Due to your amazing intellectual prowess, boyish charm, and quite frankly, blindingly handsome physique, we have opt to award you 100% of the available funding in your field of specialization. Stay awesome Mr. XXxxxxXXx - you will receive your hooker limousine party shorty."

    Not funny, man.

  3. I called about five minutes ago and the operator informed me that the results will definitely be released tomorrow via email.

    Ugh... I'm so nervous about something that is now completely out of my control.

  4. 24k - 12k(rent) - 3.6k(food) - 1k (books/school expenses/parking) - 1k(new clothes) - 1k(new laptop) = 5.4k to do other things like travel home/explore a city/save. You need more?

  5. I am applying straight from undergrad, anyone else?

    Is this scholarship more for those who have already started research with their advisor, rather than those of us matriculating to a grad program in F2011?

    I can't find whether the awarding process for this scholarship, like the NSF GRFP, is loosely based on demographics. Anyone have info on that?

  6. Thanks for the thoughtful responses.

    I have thought deeply about everything that hasseye said for the past few weeks. I think the best course of action would be to accept Princeton's offer of admission, but very near to April 15th. I was informed by Stanford that there is no deadline to accept/reject their offer, so it is possible they could offer me funding when one of their aided prospectives declines in favor of some other school. Also, I applied for the NDSEG and no one really knows if the results will be in before April 15th...

    I think that if Stanford offers me some aid (tuition, at least) or if I am awarded the NDSEG, I will go to Stanford. I just wonder now if I have to inform Stanford about my decision to go to Princeton? I'd still like to be considered for aid and have the option of accepting their offer.

  7. My understanding is that it's hard to get funding before you pass quals.

    Thanks for the reply was1984. I think you're correct for EE at stanford, but looking on the materials science website I found the following:

    "Students are expected to find a research group to join by the start of Winter Quarter. During the summer after the first academic year, students typically work intensely on research under the guidance of a professor in the Materials Science and Engineering Department or a professor from another materials-related department. In the second year, students continue to do research and typically take one or two courses per quarter."

    From what I understand, the department (or faculty) funds the students who are conducting research with RA's (ranging anywhere from 10-50%, with tuition remittance being 100% for the quarter at 50% RA).

    Since this is very important in my decision, I think I'll just call the department and ask about my specific situation.

  8. I've been admitted to several programs for PhD studies, but Stanford and Princeton are in my top 2.

    I've been waitlisted for funding at Stanford, and I plan to wait until April 14-15 to make a decision in case I hear that they will indeed fund me. My question is: should I go to Stanford unfunded over Princeton fully funded? There are some important considerations which must be included in my analysis. Stanford requires that its materials science PhD students find an advisor by the end of Winter Quarter, so I would only go unfunded for 2 quarters (seemingly, am I wrong?). I have the funds available to fund myself for two quarters (~20k) plus living expenses (~15k) for the first year, notwithstanding the tuition remittance and stipend afforded by the RA in the last two quarters of the first year while working for a research advisor. For those who know, is this analysis correct concerning the likelihood of finding RA for a PhD student in the third quarter? I will eventually have to do research, so the tuition remittance from the RA will definitely come into play at some point.

    The reason I am considering Stanford so heavily is that I like the location, intellectual atmosphere -- Princeton has this too, and subject. The courses I would take at Stanford are very interesting to me and there are several advisors I would really like to work for.

    I just got back from Princeton and was very pleased with the visit. The campus is very beautiful and the graduate students seemed very happy. My potential advisor there is a scientific rockstar and I would be happy to work for him. He is a mentor to his graduate students (coaching on presentations, weekly individual and group meetings, great at placing students into top industry positions).

    Basically, I don't feel I can go wrong academically or with an advisor by going to Princeton, but it lacks the location and core course education with respect to Stanford for materials science. Also, for those who are interested in commenting about relative prestige for academia or industry, consider these schools/advisors to be equal in all respects.

  9. I would really like to matriculate to Stanford in the fall, however....

    I was admitted to the PhD program in materials science, but there was no information on how I can actually ACCEPT their offer. I've sent some emails to the person in charge, but she hasn't yet responded. Perhaps I will call her personally tomorrow.

  10. First, you're either ignorant or arrogant to call Michigan a second (or third)-tier school, especially coming from someone who got owned by Arizona State and community college. Michigan is a top program, public or private and you should be proud that you graduated from there.

    Yes, there is use trying to distinguish between these three objectively. The current research areas faculty at each of these places are doing could be worlds different; if your research interests don't match up, then collegiality and placement are the least of your worries- you're going to have a hell of a time (in the bad way). If that's the case you might as well be going to a third-rate regional school.

    Actually man you should read his post more carefully. He says he goes to a second (or third)-tier school IN Michigan. It isn't necessary that he's talking about Michigan State or Michigan Ann-Arbor. Your insult is unjustified.

  11. I received an acceptance email from the UCB MSE department head in late Jan but other schools have been eerily quiet since then..

    what other schools did you apply to emandar?

    I also applied to Stanford MSE (I was admitted there to PhD program). It seems odd that berkeley wouldn't even send a rejection notice; I thought I was a good candidate.

  12. Has anyone heard anything from Berkeley MSE?

    There aren't many (I think 1) results about it this year on the results page, so maybe they haven't told people about acceptances yet.

    It's getting late in the game and I'd like to have my options on the table before I start more seriously considering where I want to go.

  13. Hey man, glad to hear you got accepted. I was also accepted today without mention of funding. It's a small department, so I don't think they're going to let us go unfunded.

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