MoJingly

What kind of set did you create? Did you paint a mural? Strategically place lamps and vases? Awards and trophies?

That is completely the truth. The PI is probably the busiest person I've ever known: he's practicing, editing, directing, teaching. It's exhausting to even think about. Thanks for the input.

Last year, I worked for Professor A. Back in 2009 I finished gathering all of the stuff we needed for the write-up. Professor A just had to submit the proposal in order to write and publish. Professor A keeps scheduling time in his calendar to do this, and I keep hearing "next week, next month, no wait, next month." I have offered to help on this issue, but my offer is always denied. This has been over a year. Professor A has told me he is aware how much a publication will help my resume. Furthermore, it's a cool article! AND Professor A is the editor of the journal we would publish in... I have my first interview in a few weeks. I'm not going to have a publication by then, but I certainly WOULD if it were up to me. I'm obviously not going to say in an interview, "the reason this isn't published is my PI's fault." I'm not even planning on mentioning it. But if I'm asked what's become of that research project, what's the best way to approach it? "The review process has been slow, but the paper is ready to be composed"? Do I approach it as a team effort, or gently put responsibility on the PI (in a way that doesn't seem like pointing fingers)? This is also serving as a rant to the fact that scientific research is SLOWER THAN MOLASSES. (I'm learning to become more patient).

I'm a big fan of notebooks with ivory paper instead of white. It is easier on your eyes than the stark contrast between the bright white paper and the dark ink. Mead used to make them, but I haven't seen them in stores for a while. You can still find them online. Also, it's very important to me that the paper is 8.5 x 11. Why? I don't know, I guess I'm just that obsessive. You know, probably like the rest of you...

First of all, How?! That's admirable. I agree with what has been said here. If they gave you a prompt saying, "write about your undergrad career, your experiences, etc," then it might be worrisome. But I think it is commendable that you wrote about something of substance rather than just "me me me me me." They can always have a chance to learn about you in an interview. Have a beer and try to get back your tranquility.

The best thing to do would be to ask them. But I would think that if they say the will look at 60 units, then they will be looking back to your CC courses. Won't that work out in your benefit, though? If they really only look at 60 (and not the quarter equivalent of a semester's 60), then they will ultimately be looking at a shorter span of time... Who knows. If it's killing you, just ask. Semester and quarter credit conversions so get confusing (I know from experience).

I am just so very very sick of the GRE. I should stop reading these threads. But I can't. It's like an addiction. It's like I enjoy obsessing over the fact that I don't like my score. Lord help me.

I just want to point out the hilarity that we have two conversations going on here: a completely legitimate one about the sad state of academic research and one about, um, the difference between the crack and meth markets. Gotta love grad cafe.

I second Strangefox. What happened? If this was the fall of 2009, something must have happened by now.

Back in the day (well, last year) I interviewed for med school. Med school is different than grad school for a bunch of reasons, but I specifically remember one comment by the Dean that applies in this situation. There are some people that apply for med school in their 40s and even later. The dean said that, from a financial standpoint, it doesn't make much sense to train a doctor that is only going to be able to practice half the amount of time as a younger applicant. But he said the difference is compensated for in the enrichment that students with life experience bring to the academic body. It's well worth it, he said, to train a doctor that will not be practicing for 50 years because you know they will approach medicine with life experience, maturity, and wisdom. I thought that was an interesting way of looking at it.

Whoa!

Waddle, that is a fantastic essay. Thanks!

I JUST WANT TO GET IN!

That is a solution I had not thought of. The saving grace in my situation is that I currently work at and live near University B. I gave the names of the professors I would be interested in meeting with and said I would be able to interview at any time convenient to them (other than their interview weekend, of course, oiy). Program A is my first choice so I am happy to be on the books I've just come to the conclusion that scheduling conflicts are inevitable. They should probably add a few more weekends in the month of February. I mean, add a Sat-Sun between every Tuesday and Wednesday. That seams like a good solution.

I applied to only 2 programs, and they BOTH want to interview me on the same weekend. How like life. University A contacted me earliest. They have 3 interview weekends, and booked me for their second. Plane ticket purchased, everything. Three weeks later, University B contacts me, wants to interview me the same weekend. But of course, that is their only weekend. Fabulous.

That's a really interesting and noteworthy point.

50 interviewees for 18 spots? It's a fight to the death... Just wondering, how many neuroscience interviewees are usually invited for one "interview weekend?" Are there 10 of you, sitting in a room, sipping coffee and giggling, or 75 of you glaring around the room and picking out your fiercest competition? I know it varies by school, just curious about what some experiences have been.

Yeah, the AW section is just one of the many bones I have to pick with the GRE. I got a 4.0 too. I just made sure to submit a really polished SOP and writing sample to redeem myself. I received interview invites from my top two choices (which is a relief, seeing has how I only applied to those two ) . So rest assured, there is more to an application than an AW score. I have a feeling we just start to obsess over every negative thing on our profiles, and they tend to become the only things we can think about. But you know what? It just might be ok after all.

I scuba dive. And in my spare time I record original songs with my ukulele and make goofy little cartoon videos to go with them. And I love to cook for people. Who wants to come over for dinner tonight?

This is very good. It's always great having friends in high places looking out for you.

Just a thought... can you ask the schools directly? Approach it like, "I am sorry it didn't work out this year, but I am still interested in your program, and am wondering what I can do to enhance my appeal for the future." Unless, of course, you aren't interested in applying again.

How did I never know these existed?! So cool!

That's what they keep telling me. But what if I don't want any more character???

Yup. You get through one stressor and then deal with the next. I don't think they will ever end. Makes you wonder why we do this to ourselves