UnlikelyGrad

People might be able to give more specific advice if you named profs by name. How stressed out you are depends greatly on who your advisor is.

At this point last year I started obsessively checking Craigslist in my chosen destination, trying to get a feel for what I could expect to pay for an apartment. Not thrilling, but it gave me a reason to be on the computer all the time.

I went on a P.G. Wodehouse streak about 5 years ago. Maybe I should re-read his stuff; I could use a few laughs about now.

It is more selective (fewer awards given) but on the other hand the application process is different. For example, I was hit on my NSF app for not having enough methodology in my research proposal. That wouldn't be an issue with NDSEG since we didn't have to submit a proposal... My advisor has had students who won the NDSEG before, and she calls it a "beauty contest". From day one I've said that I might actually have a better shot at NDSEG than NSF because (1) I didn't have to submit an actual proposal and (2) I have extensive volunteer/community service, some of which involved interfacing with government agencies...

I actually got three reviews!! My first reviewer gave me a VeryGood/Excellent. It was the next two reviewers who shot my chances down--both gave me a: Fair/Good. My complete lack of publications was an issue. Also, both reviewers 2 & 3 torpedoed me for not having enough methodology in my proposal. Given that I was coming from a background straight (theoretical) chemistry to an interdisciplinary field, I guess this should not be a surprise.

I would, but I won't qualify.

(For those of us who didn't get an award...) How do you access your ratings sheets if you haven't yet received an email?

Why would it knock you out of the running? I don't understand your reasoning. You can get both (NSF & NDSEG) or either... the winners are chosen independently.

Well, I knew I wouldn't get one anyway. So it wasn't a huge surprise not to find my name on the list.

Well, considering that I only got 4 hours of sleep last night, I don't think that's a possibility for me... But if I go to bed now, I could easily wake up in the wee hours of the morning to find out. I have to get up early anyway...have a test in the morning, and am too tired to get any more studying in tonight.

How has this thread increased in length by 50% since I checked it this morning??!!

Facebook page now says, "notifications are expected to be sent out next week!! fingers crossed and good luck!!" So I think next Friday is a good guess.

I read Twilight (also, just the first book) just before grad school; my book club was reading it. In our group, there were 2 of us who hated it, and about 10 or so who loved it. I was in the minority who thought it was just really really dumb and completely non-compelling. I have no desire to read the subsequent books. Now the 4th book in the Eragon series is a different story! Hurry up & write, Mr. Paolini! (I am also a rabid Harry Potter fan.)

I've been reading autobiographies lately--"Sully" Sullenberger's (not bad), and The Trapp Family Singers (by the real Maria von Trapp)--not as Hollywoodish as The Sound of Music, but more interesting in many ways. After a looooong binge on historical mysteries, I've recently gotten started reading historical romances. *blush* I am fond of the Victorian era (both for mysteries and romances), but the high middle ages are my favorite time period. I don't do contemporary stuff--I read to get away!!

My kids are older, but my dad started grad school with a 3 year-old and a baby...by the time he got his Ph.D. he was up to an 8-yo, a 5-yo, a 3-yo, and one on the way. My mom stayed home the whole time. It's definitely possible!

My thoughts exactly. I have friended one former student on Facebook. However, I did so not because of our interaction as TA/student, but because he's good friends with a couple of my officemates (Chinese Student Association) and therefore hangs out in my office all the time. It's been nice, getting to know him as a person, not just a student. (He asked me if he could use me as a personal reference for an internship--not an academic reference.) A practical reason not to friend current students is that it eliminates your ability to mock their stupidity in your status. Ditto with current professors and complaining about classes.

Go for it. A kid's perspective: My father did a stint overseas when I was in elementary school--I loved it. Later he did this again when I was in high school. This time, I thought my life was going to end--I couldn't leave my friends for a year, it would kill me! But it turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life (up to then, anyway). If you've worked out income issues and your spouse is on board, I can't see what is really holding you back. Go on, you'll have a great time! I am, anyway...

You won't take a bigger courseload. I took 4-5 classes per term as an undergrad. Now I only take 3. Yes, people here take 12-15 units per semester, but much of that is research credit. (This semester for me: 8 units coursework, 4 units research.) Also, I've noticed that grad classes tend to have a lot less busy work than undergrad classes do. (Unfortunately, I have to take a couple of undergrad classes to remedy "deficiencies"--it's my undergrad class that's killing me this semester, not my grad classes.) There's a lot more original thought required in grad classes, though--just regurgitating material is rarely enough to get a good grade. Don't worry, you'll manage somehow.

I had one of these about a week ago...read here: http://unlikelygrad.wordpress.com/2010/03/22/fellowship-decisions-must-be-coming-up/

Well, as a grad student you do more than just take classes. I take 3 classes a semester, but I also teach 3 classes a semester. Plus I'm trying to do research. Remember--it doesn't matter how many classes you take, you won't get your Ph.D. until your dissertation is written. Research needs to be your #1 priority. Taking 3 classes and teaching 3 classes, I find it hard to put in more than 5-10 hours a week on research.

(1) Don't assume anyone will not want to be your friend! Just because they're older than you doesn't mean that you won't have anything in common. I'm going back as an "oldster"--my officemates are all 10-15 years younger than I am--but I get along with them just fine. (2) Don't wait for them to come to you. The best way to make friends is to be one. I met my first friend at grad school on orientation day, when I was wandering around looking for a particular room. "You look lost, too," I said. "Are you looking for ____ Hall?" She was. We started talking as we combed the building, and by coincidence we discovered that we were both in the Chemistry program. Our orientation schedule was the same, so we spent the whole day together, and now we're good friends. Don't get me wrong, I've had dozens of encounters like this that don't lead to lasting friendship. But I still feel like stepping outside my comfort zone (I'm an introvert) is what helps me make friends. Talking to people before/after class is a great way to find people. (3) Get involved. There are more organizations out there than you may think. They may not be part of your department, but they are there nevertheless: drama club, music clubs, space society, whatever...surely you can find one to suit your interests!

I was in your shoes last year. Not only did I really like the prof at my school #1, he really liked me...unfortunately, I couldn't stand the rest of the department! I picked my school #2 and am very happy here. As a grad student, your advisor is the person you interact with most, but you still have to interact with the rest of the department A LOT. There are lots of profs here that I really enjoy being around--same was not true at school #1. Also, I found my interactions with grad students here a lot more enjoyable than at school #1. I spend more time with other grad students than anyone else, so it probably was a good thing that I chose this school!

You took the words right out of my mouth.

Grad students have to look professional?! I would only worry about that at a conference. My profs don't care how I carry my books. My students don't even see how I carry my stuff, since the lab where I teach is right next door to my office--I don't use a bag to haul stuff next door!

I'm sure it's possible, but it won't be easy. One of my office mates commuted 1.5 hours to work every day. That lasted 2 months before he buckled down and moved in closer. I overheard him talking to a prospective grad student about this the other day, and he basically said it's ok to start out that way, but sooner or later you will end up moving closer. And really...you think you can get a science PhD going in 3-4 times a week? I'm sure it's possible, but don't count on it. Even doing theoretical work there's a lot of face-to-face interaction time that's necessary.