adinutzyc

I don't know if it's this one but, http://www.physicisttv.com/2011/10/get-inspired-the-feynman-series/

Though I cannot tell you for sure, as there is no exact amount of time for a Ph.D., I can tell you that it'll take you at least 3.5 years. The norm is 5 or more years though, and most people end up staying even 7. I don't know how many of the last bunch have had their masters degrees before (since in the USA a lot of people go to PhDs directly from undergrad), but it greatly depends on your research progress. Plus, I think it makes sense to stay more than 3.5 years, since you will have a stronger application profile at the end (for jobs), but that's just my opinion. I did apply to RPI and got in though I accepted an offer from somewhere else, but although a particular university may set deadlines and calculate average graduation times, it will rarely kick you out for being in your 6th year.

Hey, I think there is little to earn from applying so much earlier. I know applications are considered on a rolling basis, but I applied on the deadline date for all of my schools (some of them the date after because the submission system wasn't clear and there was an extra button to push that I didn't notice at 12 am). Many of them accepted me, and even more of them considered me. At least in my field and for my specific application, I do not think applying early could have saved me. A weak GPA but which greatly improved in the last semesters is better than the other way around. My GPA was pretty consistent, but it did go down over the last semesters. It didn't seem to matter. As long as, if there is a cut, you make the cut (and they cut at around 3.0), then they should not take someone else just because of the other parts of the application. Write a great SOP, explain the GPA problem. Get great LORs. Maybe instead of writing an extensive explanation, ask one of your recommenders to explain in his. Don't worry that much about the GPA. You can apply earlier than I did (please do so), but you don't have to be one of the first to apply in order to get considered.

OK, I have never ever taught a class before, and I can understand if you feel that this reply isn't useful, but why do you worry so much about it? If they want to learn the software they will pay attention. If they don't, they might go online. I absolutely see no biggie here. If they don't disturb the class and their peers, they might as well check their email. Or maybe they take notes on the laptops they use? The point is, they are presumably grown-ups and there to learn. If they don't pay attention, it has absolutely noting to do with you. Also, some people, like me, are better at multitasking (pay attention and do something else, maybe even take notes in word). As long as they don't type loudly, burst out laughing, or distract their peer's attention with their screen, then they can do whatever. Also, if the purpose of the class is to learn software, well, then they should be at the computer with the program open, ready to start fiddling with the program you're teaching them. Maybe keep your presentation short, and then give them a problem to solve- you learn better by doing than by just seeing. Why would you want them to move away from the computer so they can't try what you're teaching them on the computer, on the spot, so they can ask you questions if they don't get it? If they just see you do it, they won't learn a thing (there is actually a study that proved that interactive tutorials are way better than just watch tutorials, though I don't have a citation)

You might want to try the British Government there... Getting a loan in your home country should be easier, but probably more costly. I know the UK has a good loan program set up for students, though I don''t know if they transfer to other countries (I for example don't even exist in my country right now, as I am neither a student, nor an employee -- I am not even part of the unemployed)

I don't know what I'd do, since it's an awkward situation, but I know what a professor of mine did to other students. He just said no, and advised them to find someone to find someone else that'd think higher of them or whatever. In any case, tell them that the rec letter you write them won't be a stellar one, and that it'd more likely hurt their chances. They might think you're a jerk, but they deserve to know in order to be able to ask someone else (or give up applying?). Otherwise it's a waste of both your time and theirs.

I went to a small liberal arts college in NY. I've always addressed professors by their first name/nickname (eg Bill for William). The weird people were people from abroad (I too am from abroad) that absolutely refused to adapt and persisted on calling the person Professor LastName. I found it weird and slightly inappropriate (no, you're not erring on the side of caution, you're just trying to be different, and you're trying too hard!). On the other hand, it might have been a culture thing (though others from the same countries did adapt and embrace change) Right now, in grad school, I really have no clue how to address people (started school a couple of weeks ago). Some people use first names (I'd feel weird to do so without having been invited to/ with it not being necessarily the norm), others use last names, others use professor lastname etc. I sort of stuck with the just lastname for now, but I just avoid addressing them directly (in emails I use the professor lastname option). All of them ar quite young and friendly, which makes me even more confused. I have to mention though that I come from a country where there are fences in place between students and professors, which has not been my experience here. Which confuses me even more Ah, and for the being addressed Dr... part, I am eagerly awaiting to be addressed like that I'd say ignore them if they're not important. I find it sad that people arent't able to google people before addressing them. I always check the school website to see if the person I'm addressing is a PhD or not... and a female or not for that matter

I seem to be the only person around that just applied to schools without contacting people. By the time I realized I should have contacted them (December/January), I had already received an acceptance and an interview request (the interview request actually came from the school I decided to attend). I ended up being accepted by half of my schools and rejected by the other half. I don't think having contacted potential advisers would have changed anything for me. Many of the rejects were actually caused, in part, by my transcript not reaching the school in time. I am really happy with the results, considering that I applied to many schools and actually put a great amount of effort into adapting the SOP for each and every one of them.

All's good except that I'm not from India

I want to travel in Europe as much as I can (I am from Europe so I'm basically going home over the summer and then we'll see from there). But until then, I have to finish 2 exams, homework, lab report, poster presentation, defend my thesis, graduate in a week and a half, have my mom over (for the first time in the States yey), pack 4 years of college until June 1st, go to ST Louis, find an apartment and move in before June 14th. Pay for said apartment. Work on a game with a friend is also on my list, as well as learning more about my research field, and maybe work on a computer game with a friend over Skype This is all causing me pain, especially anxiety attacks, but whatever. If there is something I have learned in 23 years of living is that everything works itself out. I mean the material things. Also, I have refused job offers over the summer, because I figure this'll be my last summer vacation, ever, and I haven't really had one in 4 years, so I might as well relax. I will be earning more than a decent amount of money once the school year starts... Now, more pressing issue: HOW DO I FIND AN APARTMENT?????!!! (

Talk to School B. Explain why you accepted there and what the problem you are facing is. Explore your options at School C. See if school B would be willing to let you go. Also, I agree: being a TA is of no use as long as you're not planning to be a professor. And even then, it's just a way for schools to ease the burden on their professors. An RA is so much better than a TA.

Only reading this makes me panic. I looove talking and being the center of attention, until I realize that I AM the center of attention. Then I turn red and silent. So having me speak in front of an audience, as a speaker... And about the practice part, I always took it as practice speaking in public, not as practice that specific talk... I think practicing in general is a lot more beneficial, in general. There was a point during my first summer REU when I would just get up and speak when it was time for my presentation, maybe a little too fast still (and English is not my first language so that might be a tad bit hard to follow, esp since natives usually don't speak fast even when they're speaking fast), but I would definitely not freeze. I got out of practice, and I get short of breath only thinking about it right now...

I did it too. Now, my only confusion is whether or not I need to reapply for a visa in this case? I do, right? My visa expires this May...

You have a VERY strong profile. Be very careful about how you write your statement of purpose though, I know of people totally bombing that part of the application... I think journals are fine (from what I gather they're actually better than conferences). Recommendations, as long as they are strong recommendations (and I gather they would be) are so much more important if they come from well-known people in the field. People in the US know to write recommendations that would get you in. I think that, as long as you have a few safeties you would love to go to if worse comes to worst (top 50 would probably be fine), you will be more than OK. And be sure to score decently on the GREs. By decently I mean more than 700 (I'd say more than 750) on the quant, and more than 4 on the essay. Lower scores may draw question marks, though I doubt you'll have anything to worry about it. Good luck!

Take the job and reapply in one or two years... Retake the GREs. While they may not improve chances of admission/funding, lower end scores definitely set you back...