gellert

My field usually puts it like: Grindelwald, G. (in press). "Field-changing paper." High impact journal. Done and done.

From what my current boss/PI tells me, any research experience is a good sign, because it means you're learning about methodologies, ethics, design, analysis, etc. HOWEVER, people with experience directly related to the field of interest will have a huge advantage over those who don't. Is there a way to connect, even tangentially, your other experience to your current interests for SOP purposes? Or to use it as a tool to explain how you became interested in your current topic?

Any other mixed people out there? What about white-passing mixed? What did you put for race on your application? White, or Mixed? I feel like anyone who sees me would think I'm white, but I'm actually also part Black. My heritage is important to me, but I do experience light-skinned privilege due to my skin tone. Thanks in advance!

"Maybe I should pull a Walter White to pay all my grad app fees. Wanna be my Jesse?" ^^^^ and if you've been watching regularly, you know how THAT ends.

What I did to eliminate the fear (since I had the same issue!) was to go ahead and sign up for two GRE dates, the second one two weeks after the first. Yeah, it cost more money, but it was worth it because I got really good scores both times - the first time, partly because I knew I had a second chance, and the second time I did even better, partly because I knew I already had a good enough score as it was. Just something to consider, if you have the funds.

scary movie

I've done about six years of research. I'm wondering whether or not I ought to include project-specific details on my CV (as in, a list of the specific projects I worked on with what my responsibilities were and the methodologies used), or if I should just briefly mention under each lab what kinds of projects I did and then have a separate skills/methodologies section. I'd been doing a bit of both - short (4-5 sentence) descriptions of each project as well as a skills/methodologies section, but my CV is going on 10 pages now and I feel that's a bit disingenuously long. I know I need to frontload my publications, posters, grants, and awards, but what is typical for presenting research experience in a grad application CV? Thanks in advance!

Depends. How much data are you looking to store on it? Are you thinking in the range of gigabytes or terabytes?

I feel like resurrecting this thread. (Only one of these has actually been said by me. I'm not going to admit which one.) "Would it be weird if I just went ahead and attached my CV?" "Can I send in eight LoRs? MORE IS MORE, RIGHT? :DDDDDD" "I found my POI on facebook. We like all the same bands! Clearly we're an awesome fit. I should get accepted no problem. Just gotta drop some Arcade Fire lyrics in my personal statement, amirite?" "Should I retake chemistry while I have time off? I mean, I got a B in that class, you know...."

It really depends on your field. Some fields are more competitive than others, and so in those cases, you'd want to send out as many applications as there are schools you are truly interested in (and would happily attend). Cut any schools that you're even slightly iffy about.

You do not have enough time to study the vocab and learn all the words. That said, you can learn the top 200 or top 500, and learn some common word parts (e.g. poly, -ology, etc.).

Hey all! I'm applying to social programs as well. (And I'm strongly considering adding Toronto to my list of places to apply, though not for the same POI.) I'm applying to around 15 schools. I've drafted my letter for POIs but haven't sent it out yet. Application jitters. I suppose I might send it out today.

Second time applying. I learned that it's practically required in my field to take two years off and work as a research assistant or lab manager, which I've done - as well as the importance of networking and having direct research experience related to the research interest of the PI. I also think I could improve my personal statement and apply to more than just top-tier schools.

^ That is super helpful; thank you so much!

So, how many schools is everyone applying to? I've got about 20 prospects right now that I'm going to cut down to 12-13.

I've already contacted my top POI's, and have had unofficial interviews with three of them (and a scheduled interview with a fourth). I'll probably start blanket contacting everyone I want to apply to in late summer, and will ask for LORs in early fall. Happily, 2/3 of my letter writers will be the same as the ones who did my letters last time, so I'll just have them update with my slightly more honed research interests and send the same thing. Easy peasy! Oh, and I'm applying social psych and cog neuro.

It's about that time again! Who all is here for Fall 2014?

I have a Cambridge Satchel Company "batchel" that looks good as new after one year of daily use. I usually carry 1-2 moleskines, a book (to read), pen, keys, sunglasses, my iPad, phone with earbuds, hand lotion (dry hands = curse of my field), wallet, lipstick in 6-7 colors (what can I say?), emergency heart medicine and emergency nausea medicine (for med problems), checkbook. Occasionally I will put my 13" macbook pro in there as well, though I'm thinking of switching to a macbook air just to make it lighter to carry. Sometimes I also bring a water bottle, thermos, or baggies of tea and/or snacks. Am considering buying a Saddleback Leather bag. Those are really expensive, but the quality is allegedly incomparable. Maybe that's something to buy as a self-gift if I get a post-doc or assistant professorship in the far future, though. Right now, my satchel is still working great for me.

I've never had a problem, personally. There are bike lanes throughout Cambridge and Somerville, and as long as you stick to those and obey traffic rules, I can't forsee much issue. Just be careful when there are a lot of cars parked on the side of the street; you don't want to get doored! Cycling in Boston proper, on the other hand, is a pain and a half.

computer mouse

minnie driver

My username: Gellert is either the dog of Llewellyn the Great or the character from Harry Potter, take your pick. My avatar: Charles Xavier (Professor X) as seen in X-Men: First Class! The character is a very powerful telepath; the thing he's pulling onto his head is a device called Cerebro, which enables him to extend his telepathic range significantly (in later years, it's suggested that he can reach every mind in the entire world using Cerebro). I chose it for two reasons: (1) I am obsessed with XMFC and Charles Xavier, and (2) it is vaguely relevant to my focus of research.

lucky break

I think most people in Durham, happily, will know what a vegan is -- and probably know one or two themselves! Recently there was a "Vegan Challenge" in Durham for restaurants to offer interesting/novel vegan options, which has helped out a lot. International Delights - 9th St, a lot of vegan options - it's a Mediterranean restaurant, so loads of falafel, etc. Twisted Noodles - Thai restaurant that has vegan options on request Blue Corn Cafe - Mexican, 9th St, vegan options Full Lotus - 9th St, juice bar, vegan and organic/raw! Beyu Caffe - a whole ton of vegan options Yamazushi - sushi restaurant in SW Durham with a vegan menu Francesca's - coffee and gelato (including vegan gelato and sorbet) on 9th St - great study atmosphere! There are food trucks that are veg*n friendly as well -- for example, the Korean truck (I forget its name atm!) and The Parlour for vegan ice "cream." Hope this helps!

Old man friend: So, are you going to get your Masters? Me: Actually, I'm planning on going straight for the Ph.D. Old man friend: Why would you do that? Why wouldn't you get a Masters? Me: Well, because I want to be a professor and do research, and that requires a Ph.D. Old man friend: Well, I hear Masters are in pretty high demand these days. Maybe you should get a Masters. Me: I think a Ph.D. is more useful for what I'm hoping to do, and it entails a Masters.... Old man friend: Well, you should get a Masters instead. You won't be able to get a job if you don't get a Masters. Me: I already have a job in my field. Old man friend: Oh. Well, you should still get a Masters.