MoJingly

Just popping in here to say that I think protein is key. A handful of almonds for a snack or chicken for dinner makes a huge difference in energy level for me. And that boost lasts much longer than a sugar boost. Plus, no crash!

Not uncommon at all. I did it, and it usually isn't a big deal. Once you're in, you're usually in (does that make sense?) I see that you're not even matriculated yet. I wouldn't rush things. Just get in, maybe go a semester, and see how things go (especially since there's overlap). Things always make more sense and are clearer on the inside!

SO many people in my program have had to move with their advisers. It happens. It stinks, but you can't do anything about it. Talk to him about this!

I know you probably had your recruitment weekend already, but maybe for others... In my experience prospectives only really ask about why you chose YOUR school, not why you decided to go to graduate school altogether. They already decided to go, after all.

And what about getting a PhD but without the end goal of working in academia?

You'll be fine! It would be one thing if you just made stuff up on your profile. If you just didn't update it, I think it would be pretty obvious by comparing to your CV

I never get involved in non-graduate school discussions on this forum, but I want to chime in here. I grew up around guns, used to shoot .22 rifles competitively, and have a deep understanding and respect for the power of firearms. I always try to add this perspective to "gun-control" discussions because there is a lot more to "gun control" than people carrying around handguns in their pockets, and sometimes it's easy to forget that. I grew up in a rural area and we would use guns to protect our animals from the coyotes that would venture on our property. We'd shoot nocturnal animals that were obviously rabid and wandering around in the daytime. We'd put injured deer laying on the side of the road after being hit by a car out of their misery. As a young female living alone in my house, I do keep a shotgun in my room when I sleep to protect myself and my property if i need to. And I know how. To me a gun is a tool more than a weapon. There is MUCH more to the world of firearms than the handguns and assault rifles that people use to shoot other people. There are a lot of people out there that handle guns safely and use them wisely. I just hope that as we debate gun control in America we don't forget this perspective.

Mine increases ~$500-1K/yr

This is not the correct location to post this question, but I will bite. I suggest having a native English speaker go over your SOP once you finalize it. There are some pretty easy grammar fixes but you want to be sure they are taken car of. (I'm assuming the rest of the document reads similarly).\ Some people on this forum would argue that you shouldn't even mention low grades in your essay because it will draw attention to it. You're trying pretty hard to sell yourself here, and there is a hint of desperation. "...I can assure you of my sincerity and hard work. I am confident that my enthusiasm will enable me to live up to your expectations" sounds more desperate than something like "I am enthusiastic to work hard and pursue Clinical Pharmacy at [name of university]." Use as many specifics as possible. Instead of saying "your university" give the name of the University. Finally, I would just cut off the last sentence, especially the part about "adequate financial assistance." If they like your application they will give you financial assistance. Don't start bargaining for it now. Also, one last thought. When somebody says they are confident, I almost always perceive arrogance. Confidence is yourself isn't something you can exclaim; you have to show it. The rest of your SOP hopefully did. Good luck!

From my experience, it's really hard to get a good handle on what you want to do before you try something out. You can read and read and research and ask and read and read and ponder, but you have to wear the shoes before you know if they fit right. I tried to know exactly what I wanted before I got into graduate school, but that is not easy. Remember what it was like when you were in high school trying to digest the college experience? You'd look up to the ledge and imagine what your experience will be and how you will go about it, but nothing is really clear until you get up there and look around. Things get clearer as you move forward. I'm not sure if this will work for you, but try to find someplace with strong psychology and social work programs. Use the fact that you love both and make a unique calling for yourself. Chances are, you will find out that one is a better "fit" than the other. I chose my grad program because it was really flexible in allowing me to explore my options before I made a decision. I ended up in a different direction than I predicted, and I am really happy! You're doing good research, so keep at it. And keep us posted! Best of luck to you.

This last paragraph is a sign that you are going to be just fine. You're taking initiative and talking to people. And you have enthusiasm! Grad school is more about enthusiasm and perseverance than anything else. Keep your chin up. My first year was really really tough. But, I got through it and even though I still feel like an impostor sometimes, I know I'm in the right place. Rooting for you!

Same here. And that will be the same for this year. What will I do? Fix things around the house, visit family, and NOT STUDY

Are you currently a grad student? You should talk to your adviser. That's what (s)he is there for!!

First of all... How do you have 1.5 months for Winter break?!

Is it plugged in? Did you try hitting it a few times??

I got a 4 too. My PI at the time made me paranoid that it was a huge red glad on my record. But I still got the interview! I asked in my interview if that is hurting my application and the prof said, "it's ok. Won't hurt you." I'm in my second year at that program. So... you might be fine. It probably depends on the school (and the rest of your application). Good luck!!

Another question Have you noticed a difference in publications with clinical vs molecular research? It seems that molecular research can be broken down into a bunch of little projects, and you can publish some of these during the course of your education while still using that data in your dissertation/thesis. But it seems that clinical research is more like one project with a bunch of preliminary work, and multiple publications would have to come from the big bunch of data at the end. In other words, you are not publishing along the way. I'm lucky that my rotation project had great timing and I could pump out a manuscript, but I don't know when the next will come... Thoughts?

I'm confused. Do you want a title or a topic? A title would come pretty easily once you know what your project is about. Other people can't really give you a topic, especially in grad school. Part of the advanced degree is the ability to come up with a good question or perspective. Read lots of papers that are similar to what you have in mind, and see what they talk about. Does this spark any ideas for you?

Dal PhDer, it's so good to hear that I am not the only one who feels like this! And yes, the weekly meetings with the adviser can leave me thinking, "what should I talk about today?" But at least I'm following his direction in what I'm researching. Still, I'm pretty sure I will go back and keep re-reading your post just to encourage myself. I'm currently sitting at home with a cup of coffee organizing a spreadsheet of sources. I read, summarize, search, read, summarize, bang head on desk, read, summarize. And I just received a notice that the funding committee didn't want a full proposal from my abstract... boo. So, I'll add the next abstract submission to my list of things to write!

Howdy forumites I started off last year in a very molecular-based science graduate program before realizing that I really wanted to do clinical research (as in, research on and with human subjects). I have subsequently switched programs (at the same school), found a great lab, submitted a couple abstracts for funding, finished a manuscript from my rotation project... but no physical "research" on my project yet. This is all fine, but what's a bit stressful is talking to my friends from the previous program (including the S.O.)- "What are you doing today?" they ask. "Reading papers and planning out how I'm going to go about my project," I say. "So... no actual research?" "I... guess not." I've learned that clinical research moves slowly. Before I even THINK about recruiting subjects, I have to know exactly how and why I am doing my project, get the IRB approval, set up the equipment, run pilot studies, fix problems, etc. That's a bit foreign to my friends doing benchwork. I don't necessarily care how they perceive my graduate school experience, but my main question is, how do I avoid letting their little hints that "I don't do anything" make me paranoid? I'm not doing experiments everyday. My hands don't get dirty. I sit at a computer and plan and read. I've certainly learned a lot, and my process of planning and researching (and writing a review article in the process) has made me pretty comfortable with how my project will fit into the literature. This is interesting because it really highlights the differences in the "graduate school experience" based on your field. Anybody out there have experience where you feel slow-moving but know your attention to detail will pay off? Stay strong and carry on, I guess. Don't let people in a different discipline make you paranoid about your own.

I was going to mention the earthquake! Yes, one year ago yesterday, I thought my house was falling into the earth.

I agree with Eigen. You won't be able to escape it! Try to make neutral comments but know that they will always be twisted into a way that the receiver wants. Stop watching reality tv (if you are at all) because that will inundate you with drama. Get a good friend base outside of the cohort so you can look at it from a distance. Above all, learn to laugh and treat it all lightly. I haaaaaaaaaaaaaate drama, and I hate the person I become when I am surrounded by it. But sometimes it is unavoidable. Keep calm, carry on.

I totally agree with emmm. You can do a lot of hand waving in grad school applications. Looking at websites and reading grad school forums can just make the decision more confusing. Call up your prospective schools and TALK to them. That's what those admissions counselors are there for. If you are deciding which path to take to be most job-worthy, that's definitely a question you can direct toward your prospective school. Ask about job placements from their different programs.

This made me laugh. I've never seen a troll that actually admits to trolling, and actually gives good advice when the "troll" switch turns off.