singlecell

I'll add a question: do PhD students take classes year round?

oof, I am really sorry. I wasn't trying to freak people out, nor be an alarmist. My intent was just to share the information, which I think is from an accurate source.

No worries, I am short too- like 5'2'' on a good day The frame sizes are generally in centimeters and I have found a 47-49cm frame is best for me. 49cm frames can take 700c wheels, which are more common (read:easier to find) but 46 and 47cm frames usually require the 650c wheels (usually bought by youth and smaller women like me). The benefit of the 650c wheels is reduced incidence of toe overlap when you are riding and turning. I ride a 49cm frame with 700c wheels and I don't have much problem with toe overlap. I used to ride a 51cm frame but it really was not comfortable. You're getting me all excited for spring and riding season!

I can speak to this topic, since I am a confirmed bike commuter and cyclist. I have to echo the statement that you ought to become comfortable doing common repairs. My advice would be to buy a secondhand bike to start, from craigslist or a co-op. I started out buying fixer-uppers from craigslist and taught myself to be my own mechanic through trial and error. It took about 3 years but I learned enough from my experiments on cheap bikes that A: I learned what good quality components and brands were and B: I could build myself a very fine road racing bike from scratch for about half the price of retail. If you want advice on craigslist bikes you are interested in, please feel free to post the links. If you are set on buying a commuter bike retail, keep in mind fenders, panniers, etc. can be added to most bikes. I have a detachable dirtboard (plastic back fender) that I can put on my road bike for really rainy days and I invested in a Timbuk2 messenger bag that holds everything I need to carry. A good rain jacket and perhaps rain pants are a must too. I guess what I am saying is commuting is more about the accessories than the actual bike.. IMHO.

So you accepted that offer, congrats!!!!!! <3 microbiology <3

From undergrad I will have $5000 unsubsidized and $15,000 subsidized for a total of about $20,000.

Okay, that helps a bit. I am going to visit apartments West, South, and East of campus and see how things look. I found this site informational : http://www.crimereports.com/ , just search for Madison, WI. Crime report data was provided by the Madison police department. According to this map, the West side looks the safest.

Seeing James Franco's GRE scores > Seeing Obama's birth certificate

Hey all. I am seriously considering apartments south of campus, I think the neighborhood is called Burr Oaks. I have heard Badger Road is the "bad" part of town, but coming from low income neighborhoods in Chicago this does not deter me much. Can anyone shed some light on this? Is it really that bad? Are we talking shootings and stabbings, or more like graffiti and burglary? Thanks folks.

Thanks for elaborating on the politics game. It really helps me to hear some concrete examples. Hopefully I can pay back by helping some future first years when I am more experienced.

All of this advice is spectacular. Thanks to all who posted so far. Can some of you please elaborate on navigating department politics. What to look for, who to ask, what absolutely not to do, horror stories, whatever

I'll be moving the weekend of August 20th, after my summer classes end. I am taking some courses my bachelor's program didn't require but I need before I can start grad school, so, no break for me!

Thanks I will be looking on the isthmus and the west side, possibly even south of campus. I am totally new to Madison so I need to check out the feel of the various neighborhoods. I want to live near a good bike route, since I plan to commute that way. Do you think 2 days is long enough to see several apartments and get a feel for things?

Yes!!!! Congratulations!! It sounds like you deserve to take a break.

I agree, Renster, I can do ~$40 a month for what I understand is excellent health care (it even includes preventative dental care and some money towards eye care). See you all there in the Fall! I am going to look at apartments May 10-12. On the off chance anyone else will be there at that time, send me a message!

I agree it is unprofessional. It happens to the schools too, according to one of the AdCom directors I spoke to. He said that they send offers of admission to folks and then never hear from them again. And that was a wait list school! I guess it goes both ways... Not that it is right.

Ah, okay. I can totally understand that you might turn down the offer, for me doing research that I am interested in is extremely important. And unfortunately, it sounds like you can't do it at this school...

I like this super secret new nickname idea!! I plan to stick around, I have been decided for quite a while now and I still like this forum a lot.

Congratulations on the acceptance and funding, PathMicro. Whatever you decide, that is a feather in your cap. Do you have to let them know by Apr 15?

http://cleantech.com/news/5384/top-10-cleantech-universities-us this article is a start, but definitely not a definitive answer. It lists the top 10 universities based on how many startup companies are based on clean technology developed at those universities. Another factor it takes into consideration is how much Department of Energy funding these universities get for research. I am sure there are other good lists which use different criteria. This list is not specific to renewable energy, it considers all "green" technology. Let me know what else you find out!

I found the official campus area apartment listing service. It seems like a good alternative to craigslist: http://campusareahou...c.edu/index.asp

I applied to three schools (you can see which in my tagline). Only one, Berkeley, didn't require but "recommended" a subject exam. I didn't take one. I didn't get an interview there. The other two didn't require or recommend one, and I got interviews there. Overall my application was strong. Anecdotal evidence, I know. But taking a subject GRE can't hurt you, besides the expense. You don't have to submit the scores if you don't like them, right?

That is sweet!!!! He must be an amazing lecturer. To echo everyone here, I have senioritis too. For my classes at least. I find myself devoting more and more time to my research project, which attributes zero value to my GPA. I am motivated to bring my project to a certain point of completion before I graduate. My classes are not holding much interest, but I should be getting A's and B's. Previously I would have considered B's unacceptable, but it doesn't worry me much now that I am accepted to grad school.

I tend to gravitate toward those "B" type mentors. They have made me stronger and better in the end. Now for the cliches: You can't go wrong either way. And, go with your gut.

I'm doing my Ph.D. in Microbiology. I have been looking at craigslist a lot, but I really want to see the apartments as ogopo mentioned before I commit to something. It seems like you can get some really good deals on apartments, like 2 bedrooms for under $800/mo. I really desire hardwood floors, but a lot of the photos I am seeing have carpeting. I should ask some of the current students in my program for apartment recommendations-- I'll share any good information I get.