DarlinClementine

I'm in a biology program and talking to a couple PIs, they seemed to think that at least two first author papers was good. One even said 3 would probably be good.

I'm with the dark-and-smoke-filled-room hypothesis. I don't really get it either. And for what it's worth, bein' a chick didn't help me out any. Your marks seem pretty good, though. You should try next year if you can!

Did you? I think I'm going to apply next year again and since I got good marks on my writing I'm tempted to try that for at least my personal statement and research experience.

Holy crap! 227 pages?! Anyway, E/VG VG/F (wtf? :? ) G/VG Will someone use their powers of reason and explain that one to me. I just got out of a test and I think I'm having trouble understanding... I didn't get an HM, but I am pretty stoked about getting a 3rd review. But I think I may have been robbed. I currently volunteer at a museum, I had someone from there write a LoR for me, but for that second sheet, all I could get from them is that they wanted to hear me say something like: "I plan on continuing to involve myself in getting more kids excited about science" You think they might have been able to pick that up from other things that I talked about and the LoR. I wish I could grade grub on this one... Congratulations to all who got HMs and Awards! Don't forget us little people

You pesky kids!! :x

Profs review each app. twice. Then the top third or so go on to have another review (that's why some people talk about having two vs three reviews). That's all I know. Not really rocket science... The government does the rest. Hope that helps

Geez. I don't know how my profs can do this all the time. No wonder they are all half crazy! I'm going to go play darts or something now...

Do you need to take the GRE again? You will already have a masters by the time you apply...

Amen to that. On the other hand, not too bad an idea to just keep it in the back of your mind how you'll spend your final years in undergrad. I also went to CC (and a not so prestigious university). Actually my undergrad career consisted of about 3 schools...which I at times I worried might look bad but here I am. Anyway, I don't think they look bad at all. In fact, some of them are actually really good! Just get good grades and be proactive when it comes to being involved. Everywhere I've been I just think "this is my education and I am responsible for how valuable it is."

Have you explained this to the school? You might be suprised how supportive they are. I know people have defered thier first year due to pregnancy or death in the family. I know the returning to the homefront thing can be a little difficult (I've been through it), If it were me, i'd definately want to stay with my spouse, and if you explain this to the administrators it's possible they will at least be sympathetic. And as far as getting in to grad school next round? I would assume that if you got in once you could get in again. You may have to explain why you chose not to attend school the previous year, but as long as you adress it I wouldn't think it would be too much of a problem. It's probably dependent on the department. I've got nothin' for the law school thing, sorry. That's your decision. At any rate, good Luck!

Spends her days dreaming of sleep.

Well an english program is bound to be different than a bioscieces program... But for me, I was informed while I am allowed to take vacations, they want me to be productive. Translation: it depends on your advisor and the amount of research you've completed and how much they feel like you deserve a break. But you can't just say on friday "so I'll be out for the rest of the month." I just have to get a lot done and maybe take a little time off when I can.

You got it, dude! "...So this friend of mine was wondering if you've heard anything on their grant. The name is Nardo...its all one word."

Despite knowing that I won't find out anything, I keep checking as well. I started to do okay until my former boss emailed me asking if I'd heard anything yet. He's one of the reviewers for the thing (note: this is fully disclosed so any ethical violation is unlikely). But I did think he might have the scoop! My heart lept when I saw the email subject (NSF), and quickly plummeted when I read the note... Now I'm back to checking NSF, this forum, and anything else I can think of to maybe come across some indication of my results. *sigh*

I don't think it's a bad idea to consider, but don't give up on your apps just yet. Last year when I applied, I didn't get any interviews until mid march. It was really frustrating and I had started to think about ways I could spend my unintended year off from school. I thought about starting a masters program, retaking some of my exams, or making a strong effort to publish, which I'm sure my boss would have supported. Sit tight, I hope you still get some interviews. But if you don't I think it's good you're thinking of ways to make yourself a more competative candidate for a PhD program. Good Luck!

Awsome! I have shared this with all my fellow first years. I will definately be thinking of this article when I have my cell and molec. exam next week, thanks. To stupidity!

You might also check out University of Washington for their primate facility. Also, OHSU in Portland OR has a primate facility AND tons of immunology and neuroscience minded people.

I think Arastoth has some good advice. I'm in my first year of my phd program, doing my rotations, and I have some pretty specific interests concerning the development of the nervous system. I also have a specific model system I'm interested in. But I am actually trying to rotate through labs that study different aspects of the nervous system, or different aspects of development because I feel that what's important now is to get some "basics" about doing science, like how to answer a question elegantly and precisely and how to ask a poignant question to begin with. If I end up in a lab that studies exactly what I want, great! If not, I just want an advisor that's going to steer me in the right direction and not lead me down the garden path. I'm keeping in mind that I still have a postdoc to look forward to where I'll really have the chance to work on something that I am totally enamored with. And it's there that I will actually do the most work (relative to the work I do in my phd program).