Vader Was Framed

thanks fuzzy. good idea regarding the addendum - this journal does not describe author contribution level. i've been advised that submitting multiple samples is not advised. however, i feel like publications are my strength. plus this program does not give specific requirements about samples. any thoughts on doing more than 1? i had assumed 2-3 is fine .. not getting carried away with 4-6 or anything. Sample 1 is a lock (my lead author) Sample 2 would provide another peer review (with addendum on my contributions). I have a feeeling a LOR writing will mention this project though. plus maybe the third.. Sample 3 would provide an example from my professional work outside of academics, but gives the ad com a better idea of what i've been up to.

I plan to upload multiple writing samples to PhD programs in STEM field. I have a masters + 4 years professional experience (in research). I've had several opportunities to work on a number of neat projects, very few being solo authored. Writing Sample 1 - lead author peer-review pub (no brainer) then it get's tricky. Sample 2. I have a 2nd peer review publication as 2nd author. I had assumed this would be another great writing sample, but am realizing it's not just MY writing but a group of 4 authors. But it's peer review. Sample 3. Non-peer review publication with an environmental advocacy group, co-author. Other options would be digging up term papers and such, but I do not think that is as compelling for me personally. Thoughts?

agreed .. im considering this even in a 2 page SOP.. helps the reader along

PM sent .. still looking for others to read this is for PhD programs by the way. thanks!

I'd also recommend picking up Donald Asher's book "Graduate Admissions Essays" if you can. Lots of great advice and tons of examples to skim through.

Hi Folks, Having trouble honing my SOP down for my first application of five. Would be great to get a fresh pair of eyes on it who isn't my mentor. I think having someone that doesn't know me read it (like the ad com) would be great! Looking for the following feedback: -Have a hit on any big no no's described in advice given on this forum? -Am I being too general in areas? -Am I balanced in answering the different aspects of the prompt equally? -I'm I selling myself enough? Willing to swap. I am applying to environmental sciences programs.

congrats!!

Follow up question here... When you give a talk at a conference AND have a paper appear in the proceedings (same topic as the talk) of said conference, would it be best to list both the paper on your CV under publications and the talk under presentations? Seems a bit redundant.. but maybe I'm missing the point. Similar situation -- I'm a co-author on the conference paper but did not give the actual talk. In that case, I probably would only list the paper in pubs and not list anything even though my co-author gave a talk of our work. Thanks!

most places generally only check references when they are close to making an offer (as opposed to very beginning of candidate review phase). So I'm sure you'd have an interview or two before them calling any references. Im dealing with the same thing. I avoid putting references at my current job, because them being contacted would raise a red flag ("so .. you are actively looking to leave eh?").

ACM - I think it does matter (your support from a Prof). I believe at some point in the FES admissions process the POI has to weigh in and show support for your app. I forget if this is a prereq to it then being sent for review of full committee or after committee has read it. Either way, it's important. Are you coming straight from undergrad? I'm not applying this year, but planning to apply next year. I learned FES typically has ~12 slots and 200-250 applicants. So yes, extremely competitive. Also learned that current masters students at Yale can eat into that of course (as they should). Mind sharing what Prof you've had good communication with? What was your visit like? Did you set up meetings with POIs? I've never been to the Yale campus, Kroon hall looks stellar.

It's not awkward at all and I think will go a long way to send an email. You are right - future collaboration. You may meet this POI at a conference, etc. It's similar to situations in which one may get a rejection from a (business) interview or didn't make a final cut for a job offer. In those situations, it's best practice to still send an email acknowledging their decision, thanking them for their time, and that you look forward to any future opportunities. Paths may cross once again. Cheers

ACM88 - any specifics you can share about the Yale FES process would be great (applying next year). How did you learn they do not conduct interviews? Did you ever visit before applying and how has your POI contacting gone? I'm planning on contacting POIs this Spring/Summer. Thanks and Good Luck!

Looks like a lot of rejection emails Jan 23, per GC Results

Great sign, I hope you took up the current student's offer to field questions. How did/is that interaction going? I imagine that current students are one of the best resources for getting a feel for the department and also which profs to connect with before app deadlines.

UBC - IRES was not on my radar but looks neat!

Well I hope you hear something soon. It's still very, very early. They are getting back to work this week at the soonest. I'm interested in renewable energy siting and energy policy, along with broad interests in climate change communication and public perceptions. M.S. and B.S. in environmental studies, 3 years of environmental/energy professional work in research. Yes, looks like they took 6 incomings last year. Where else did you apply, if you don't mind me asking? How would you rate them against Yale FES, Duke, UC-Bren, etc. I'm having trouble with this since E-IPER is relatively new program-wise. I'd appreciate any insight either of you could provide if/how you reached out to E-IPER faculty when applying, current students, have visited. etc. I imagine they do some kind of interviewing at some point also.

research interests? I plan to apply next year. good luck!

Great feedback all. Yes, I think I am going to test the waters by asking another prof in the department who would be more up to speed on the health details. He is not actively dying, just a diagnosis (albeit a serious one). I am certainly uncomfortable even asking. So yes, I think I am going to start there: ask other profs their advice and then go from there and worry about logistics later. I think it's the logistics that I was worrying about and how to get the letter in, should he pass. But I'll cross that bridge later. Some things are more important than LORs. I'd rather re-connect with the prof while I have the chance, for that fact alone .. regardless of a LOR. I may start another thread on the specifics of Interfolio. Going to do some research on it first .. but feedback from those who have used it would be great if they are reading this.

Those who have used Interfolio for LORs, did you find this helped Profs get them in sooner or did it hinder the process with an extra step?

Austin is weird like that.

For those with spouses in non-academic careers, how is your spouse dealing with the whole finding themselves a job in a TBD city thing going? I'm applying next year, my wife is generally supportive, BUT she loves her job in our current city. It's certainly going to be a two-person decision (both in where I apply and hopefully where I accept). She has her preferences on which cities we end up in. But it just so happens that one of the top programs I'm applying to, isn't exactly in her ideal city at all. Any sage advice for folks who had to woo their spouse over time? What helped?

Look out for yourself, it is a rather large decision to leave the program. What is the risk that you leave, but are unable to find a job? Or do you already have a job lined up?

Skip to LOR 3 and bottom of post for quick version Some Background Let me first say I am applying next year, so LORs would not be due until December 2013. I hold an M.S. and am applying to competitive PhD programs in environmental science. I have been planning to apply for some time, researching programs, contact POIs, prepping to retake GRE since my scores have expired. All in all I feel fairly prepared. LORs It's far too early for LORs, but here is who I have been targeting to ask. I'm looking for advice on #3 specifically (thread title) but welcome feedback elsewhere! LOR 1 - Primary advisor of my MS degree, Dept Chair // continue to stay in touch since graduating in 2009 and exchange research ideas. He can speak to my research capability and general aptitude as a grad student. Confident in this LOR. LOR 2 - on thesis committee and took several courses from this prof. Also studied abroad under her direction. Also did research with her (with LOR 1). Since LOR 1 is focused on research, I'd like for her to focus on my coursework and study abroad. Have kept in good touch with this prof. LOR 3 - Professor who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. This is an older prof, and his diagnosis has prompted him to retire, Fall 2012 his final semester. Unlike LOR1/2, I have not kept in much touch with this prof (which I regret for more than just LOR reasons) since graduating (2009), but had always targeted him for a LOR. Took some cornerstone classes from him and great relationship outside of class seeking career feedback, etc. All things aside, even though I haven't been in touch I feel he'd write a great recommendation with some reminders of what courses I took, interests, CV etc. Great writer, and I think he would bring a unique LOR relative to LORs1/2 (I really want each of the three to be diverse and strong). He is an extremely kind man who has served the academic community (among others) greatly. His diagnosis has saddened many, and I feel horrible for even having LOR-related thoughts but I trust I'm not the first to come across this issue. Or course, his retirement and diagnosis brings up ethics, etc. I want to be respectful. However, I know he is the type of person who wouldn't want people to act differently just because of his diagnosis. He has moved away from the university (so have I) so contact would be email/phone. What do I do? Ask early (i.e. ASAP)? I'd want to first re-establish connection with him before actually asking. Not sure I'd want to bring up his diagnosis, but I'm sure he'd get the idea if I am asking early or to prepare one in advance. What is the protocol here? Both in asking, but also in terms of logistics should he pass away. Can writers write LOR in advance? Could one his colleagues (LOR1 or LOR2) coordinate? (I plan to ask for their advice as well) I feel horrible for even thinking about this! By moving to a 4th or 5th option for this 3rd LOR, I feel I'd be losing a lot by not seeking a letter from this retired prof. I'd have to go to a professional reference or even a peer, and I feel they'd be a significant drop off from my LOR 1/2 that could hinder my application. I seek the gradcafe's wise wise council .. ! tl;dr: Prof who I was targeting to ask for LOR has just retired and has cancer. How do I approach asking him for an LOR early and can he write it early for next application season?

Molly - I suggest you read Getting What You Came For: The Smart Student's Guide to Earning an M.A. or a Ph.D, by Peters. It is a comprehensive resource while in graduate school, but the first few chapters cover the decision of even entertaining the idea of attending, admissions, jobs, etc. It has helped me greatly as I still decide whether to apply for PhD programs next season.