MoJingly

I don't really understand. If you strongly indicate your interest in lab A, what is the danger? Maybe they will think you are not interested in B? That's not the case. You already told them you were. Just be honest and let them know your thought process. You want to work in lab A. PIs want people who want them.

Wait.... what's the question? Should you show curiosity and independence? Of course. As long as you can reel it in, edit yourself, and know when to focus. There's no reason put on a charade, but understand that it ultimately comes down to what you produce and how succinctly you can produce it.

Transitions are definitely good. That's why it's hard to edit just one paragraph without knowing how it fits into the whole SOP When I did finally decide to change my major to chemistry in the fall of 2008, I was working 30 hours a week to keep myself in school. I had mostly only upper division classes left to complete my degree and it had been three years since my last math class. Under these circumstances, to say my road to graduation at that point was a little daunting would be an enormous understatement. I had to balance these courses commonly perceived as difficult with working five hour shifts every night of the week, and as a result, I know my GPA is no where near as good as it could have been. However, I believe working to support myself in school all the while persevering to finish my degree has made me an immensely strong person ready to take graduate school by the horns. I look at graduate school as a job, so I know there will be no outside distractions preventing me from not putting forth my best effort; I know I’ll be able to devote 100% of my focus to my research and my degree So I would suggest something like that.

I really have not idea! I wish grad schools would stop talking in code. This has nothing to do with your post, but I love your avatar. Very appropriate.

Did you survive??

When I did finally decide to change my major to chemistry in the fall of 2008, I was working 30 hours a week to keep myself in school. I had mostly only upper division classes left to complete my degree and it had been three years since my last math class. Under these circumstances, to say my road to graduation at that point was a little daunting would be an enormous understatement. I had to balance these courses commonly perceived as difficult with working five hour shifts every night of the week, and as a result, I know my GPA is no where near as good as it could have been. However, I believe working to support myself in school all the while persevering to finish my degree has made me an immensely strong person ready to take graduate school by the horns. I look at graduate school as a job, so I know there will be no outside distractions preventing me from not putting forth my best effort; I know I’ll be able to devote 100% of my focus to my research and my degree. I would omit that first part. No need to set the stage. "My low GPA is not an indication of my ability to succeed in graduate school. But I am a stronger person because of my determination to work and finish my degree." I look at graduate school as a job. Maybe so, but that makes it sound unexciting. "Graduate school will be an exciting opportunity to solely dedicate myself to my work and reach my full potential without the need to find financial support elsewhere." You know, just more eloquently

What's "LTR" ?!?!? It never ends.

I just read this again, and didn't even realize I wrote "that's." I'm going to avoid editing it, though, because I think it's pretty much perfect. Thanks! Should be a fun time!

I'm guessing, member of the Rotary club?

I have my first interview tomorrow, and I keep thinking, "what if they find out that's I'm ACTUALLY stupid?" Thanks for this.

What's even more confusing, by the way, is when profs just sign emails with initials. Even just one initial. M.

You know, if you feel uneasy about it, just call them Dr. _____. If they REALLY want you to call them by their first name, they will tell you that in person. I call many of my professors by their first names because that is how they communicate with me (sign emails, answer phones, etc). As my general rule, I always start out with Dr. ______ during every new communication. (this might be strange, but it's worked for me). The PI I want to work with, for example: I contacted him by email and called him Dr. He responded and signed with his first name, so I responded with his first name. But, when I talked to him on the phone the first time, I called him Dr. again. Eventually it will move to the first name too.

I have found that I have absolutely ZERO patience.

C'Mon guys! Collectively. Repeat after me. I will be accepted. I will not mourn. I will be accepted. I will not mourn. I will be accepted. I will not mourn. I will be accepted. I will not mourn. I will be accepted. I will not mourn. I will be accepted. I will not mourn.

I will propose too. To every random guy I see after I receive the happy news. Because I will LOVE EVERYONE.

I think that's a great point. Also be sure to understand other commitments they have, too. Department chairs, teaching frequently, etc. One of my current advisors doesn't travel, for example, but is sometimes impossible to get in touch with because of other involvements.

For me, NOT exercising is not an option. Bad things happen. I have to run to keep myself sane. Sometimes I leave work early just because I just can't wait to do it. I wish I liked yoga. I admit I want to be somebody who does yoga, you know? But every time I try it, I hate it. It's so depressing.

Yes. I saw PA for the first time yesterday right after I made this thread, and I just wanted to laugh. Researchers and acronyms!!

I LOVE ALL OF THESE ANSWERS!

Well, according to Wikipedia: "Person of interest" is a phrase used by law enforcement when announcing the name of someone involved in a criminal investigation who has not been arrested or formally accused of a crime. The phrase was adopted by the media and widely disseminated, thus most law enforcement agencies have picked up the term. It has no legal meaning, but it is a "catchy" term. It is often used as a euphemism for suspect, and can sometimes result in a trial by media So pretty much, it's perfect.

Yup. I keep thinking of the performance art poi.