Vader Was Framed

I'm on the X6 trial right now, coming from X4. Its sharp. While nothing ground breaking, those small conveniences sure do add up. I like having a one-stop-shop for organization + cite while you write.

I have not had time to read all of this thread, but certainly plan to as it's an interesting topic. One thing I'll add (although it's likely already been added): Collaboration is required in most industry research jobs and most academic research jobs, at least in most disciplines. You can't do good research simply on your own in most fields. While I understand that some may feel the need to compete in a classroom setting, I think it ends there. I've never felt this need much in a graduate class, but I've never had any bad experiences like some of you have in terms of people taking advantage of your work. I tend to ensure, in any class/research support group, there is two-way communication and two-way benefit (or 3,4,5-way etc.). It also gets back to communication skills. Most grad students lack them. I think refusing to work with others creates a feedback loop that isn't to your advantage. Collaboration in small groups gives you an informal training ground that you'll be hard-pressed to match elsewhere, later on in your career. You had better equip yourself with good collaboration skills now is how I see it. Cause you'd be playing catch up later, whether it be during your post-doc, assistant prof or other research job. Gaining some of those communication intangibles, in addition to all the great knowledge from the coursework!, is more valuable to me than "risking" Jonny getting an A and you getting a B for whatever reason. Probably best to run ideas by professors of the course as well. I'd hope most would encourage it, but you wouldn't want to find out the hard way.

Advice above is very good, and should be what you first think about. But I do want to point out something secondary: not all writing is excellent. What I mean, is that some of what you have been assigned to read may just be poorly-written work if you are having that much trouble making the connections. Not all of what gets published in peer-review journals is written well. Google the Dr. Fox Effect. Sometimes when we hear a lecture or author speaking about concepts we don't comprehend, we take it upon faith to assume they are correct. "Clear communication of one's research is not appreciated. Faculty are impressed by less readable articles" (From Peter's Getting What You Came For). Crazy right? But it has some truth. And it could be that very reason your prof is assigning this reading. They know it is tough to comprehend themselves! Now, I'm assuming you aren't brand new to your field. If you are, maybe your field's jargon and common language is what is slowing you down. If so, get with other students and profs and try to discuss these types of articles outside of and in advance of class. But don't be afraid, from time to time, to just admit "I don't get this one" for an article and move on!

Anyone use this app to help increase their verbal score? I'm thinking about starting to use either it, or Kaplan's flashcard app as a routine going to and from work.

Looking closer are their website, I believe the program begin in 2000 but more funding/approval was secured recently. http://pangea.stanford.edu/programs/eiper/about/history

well, the wine stains on the paper don't help .. oops

I think it's wise to delegate TA grading to hours of the day where you are not cutting into your best productivity times. That has been late afternoon 3-5pm for me (when I am least productive that is). Save your best hours of the day for more difficult tasks such as writing papers and preparing presentations.

I like this approach when I think about future advisor meetings, just to keep a clear record for both parties (but mostly for me) and have some accountability around action items (e.g. send this paper, review this chapter). Neither party wants extra, unnecessary emails and reminders. Hopefully profs won't be put off by capturing notes during a meeting, but this is the norm in most office settings outside of academics for me and the note-taker sends notes to the team after the meeting. I'd rather capture good notes instead of having to reminder professors of what we spoke of, what I'd like them to review, etc. I can imagine most profs wouldn't appreciate drop ins (they probably get enough of those with undergrads). Having a recurring meeting seems best. Anyone go to lunch with their advisor from time to time, drinks? I think having a mix of formal/informal sessions is also ideal.

I thought this would be an interesting topic to discuss as I started to ponder about it tonight, and the differences I've observed during graduate school vs. industry. Obviously, we use both. But I'd be interested in hearing about people's preferences and experiences. In your research, relationship with your advisor(s), interactions with your cohort, TA and RA duties (heck anything) -- when do you choose to communicate via email versus phone? In the information age, we've grown accustom to expecting quick responses from professors, peers and others. While the email is powerful, I know I've personally grown too reliant on it in my day-to-day tasks as a research analyst in my field. Sometimes I'm just starting my day by rapidly firing off emails and emails on deliverables, data and setting up meetings. I've found that cultivating relationships via phone conservations has produced fruitful collaborative results. However, I'm often dealing with people in different parts of the country/world (obviously chatting with someone in their office or a meeting room is ideal!). So .. a few items to noodle on: When you are getting major feedback from your advisor outside of the office, is it usually via email or phone? When you are collaborating with researchers outside of your university, do you prefer phone or email exchange for major idea sharing? What elevates the situation from simple email to requesting a phone chat (i.e. advisor not getting back with you)? For those on larger campuses (or larger departments), do peers ever Skype or have conference calls on projects when you can't meet in person? Do you have some professors who outright prefer phone conversations over email? Do you have a recurring meeting with your advisor (weekly? monthly?) or impromptu based on your progress? In my current job, I've grown accustom to scheduling meetings on people's calendars, setting up conference calls, rescheduling meetings, meetings meetings meetings etc. etc. that I've grown numb to it. Frankly, some of my team uses it as an ego thing. I'm looking forward to getting back to the basics and mostly just meeting 1:1 with advisors and students and small groups on projects. Cheers!

First off, I'm not in your field. I am in the sciences so cannot speak directly to education. From what I can tell in reviewing the top programs I am interested in, the majority of PhD students have not gone straight from undergrad > master's > PhD. The majority have at least some experience in industry, non-profits, govt research labs, etc. Now there are, of course, some exceptional students who have not taken any time off from school and excel. But I think having experience will better equip me personally in getting the most out of my (hopefully) future PhD studies. Regarding your specific concerns: 1. If by difficult you mean taking a paycut, increasing your hours. Well yes. But I don't think it's more difficult to accepted to a program per say. 2. LORs will be more difficult, but you need to make a focused effort to keep in touch with some key faculty after you have left your master's program. 3. No, but try to not completely "check out" from research activities so not to have a huge CV gap. That said, during my master's I did work with a few PhD students getting their doctoral degree in Science Education and they were in their early 30s. I would imagine in education it could only help that you have real-world teaching experience.

Is there a per diem for alcohol?

Updating my CV and I have a new addition: a peer-reviewed conference paper. I have attended and presented at several other conferences (not peer-reviewed) and those are listed under my Presentations section. Under my Publications section, I currently have the following sub-categories (I'm in science) in preparation referred papers books non-referred papers blogs Should I just throw the conference paper in the referred papers section or call it out separately in some new section, say conference proceedings? I don't have a ton of peer-reviewed publications (4) so I don't have the luxury of having a bunch of sub-categories without having just 1-2 papers in each bucket.. probably over thinking this but would love to get other's thoughts on if they differentiate between journal articles and conference papers when they are all peer-reviewed.

I'm doing this soon. I've been out of my master's program for 3 years. Luckily, I've maintained close relationships with two professors that I know will write me LORs. I've published two papers with those faculty since leaving. I've hinted to both of them that my office job is eating my soul and that I want to return to school. But the target of my third LOR is a professor that, you guessed it, I haven't spoken to since graduation. I am going to slowly try to reconnect via email when the time comes (I no longer live in my graduate city). I'll also visit that campus this upcoming year and try to catch him for lunch and tell him I am planning to apply to PhD schools and ask for his advice first (which I greatly value), and then maybe an LOR later on days or weeks after. Unlike the other two profs, he doesn't share my same research interests but I took two cornerstone classes with him and I think he will speak highly of my work in class (the other two can cover research). You sound in a good position since you are in your master's program now. Make it a point to stay in touch with key faculty. I can't stress this enough. Ask them questions about where their research is headed. Give them updates on what you are doing in industry. Just keep a connection on anything. Email and phone (phone is better). Frame it as you want to continue to mentor under them, and you respect their advice. But also respect their time. This doesn't have to be weekly. Just a few updates each semester or year. That way, when it comes time to ask they a) are more likely to say yes and are up to speed on your progress and interests (which will change in 3 years time). Hope that helps.

I'm probably using bars/pubs interchangeably there but yes! A nice pint in the afternoon, a few articles and maybe some writing!

I think this varies greatly between students who have had a job in the "real world" (9-5) and also who have a spouse/family, etc. I think both of those items lend towards a 9-5 system (or closely related) for their graduate routine. I plan to return to academics for a PhD in 1-2 years, and feel totally equipped to not bring too much home with me. During my master's, I felt like I had very very sporadic hours. I don't think that would bode well for a PhD now that I have a wife and a larger life outside of my research. Of course, with research and writing, sometimes your feeling it and sometimes you just aren't. When I'm not, I go for a run or do some non-work reading to get my mind back into a good place. And when you are feeling it, sometimes you gotta ride the wave!! (queue bedside notebook/recorder for ideas, getting great thesis ideas in shower). I think everyone has a different system. But I think not skimping on good food, good exercise, good friends/family and good sleep are key no matter what schedule you keep. 40-60 hours seems right, and I agree with some weeks just being more fully-loaded than others with deadlines, etc. I think your work environment is also key. My primary office is, well my work office. But I also float and do some writing from coffee shops and bars. It's very hard for me to do 8 hours of committed work from one seat. That is an issue I have with my current office job. I look forward to breaking up my schedule with TA duties, library trips, etc. rather than working from one office all damn day. Last option is home office, just too many distractions.

Well my mom writes my publications for me ... And my dad can beat up your dad! Don't fret it elie - I echo most everyone's advice. Just mom being mom! My mom helped my wife and I drive cross country for a move. She was certainly a huge help, but it wasn't necessary. But as it turned out, she got to spend some great alone time with my wife (I was driving in another vehicle listening to Lord of the Rings on tape - which was epic). Savor the moment, soon you'll be book-high and probably needing to talk with mom and others about your cohort, adviser and all the other highs and lows of school.

bump would love to hear from those who are starting new programs in a few weeks

Tak - good format there. Curious - where would you advise putting professional experience for those who have been in industry for a bit? I'm learning towards a shortened version (list positions + 2-3 sentences of role) after education.

I've got to ask -- is there a male version of this thread? Or would that be too hopeful.. The Big Bang Theory doesn't exactly showcase the best PhD attire for guys in the sciences (oh Sheldon). Read through what some of you ladies had to say (great stuff), and I also worry about having to dress down in the sciences with the fear of coming off like I care more about my appearance than my actual work (not the case). I've been in an office environment for 3 years and have acquired quite a bulk of what I consider wonderful business casual pieces. Don't want to dress down to a t-shirt and jeans routine (at least not until I've got a good dissertation beard going).

Not to hijack the thread, but I also felt like "No more coursework or exams ever!" after I completed my M.S. Now that I am considering "coming back" for a PhD and leaving industry, I can't help but be somewhat excited about coursework. Anyone else have experiences with thinking they were done with coursework for all of eternity, only to realize they were in for more once the started their first semester of PhD? What got you (re)-motivated?

Ding ding ding! Very well said, and primarily captures my thoughts on why I'd like to pursue a PhD. I've now been out of school with my M.S. degree for three years. I have a great salary, but my office job is .. well an office job. I'm doing research in a related field, but I am mostly told what to work on (I dislike this) and don't get freedom to pursue new research topics. It's all about what the client wants (consulting). However, I am building some nice skills in analysis, presenting/writing, presented at two conferences. And I am happy that I did not go directly from B.S. > M.S > PhD. I wouldn't be nearly as prepared as I am now professionally and personally. Plus, I've dealt with office politics in my current role that tend to make some of the academic politics mentioned on this board seem like child's place. But I just don't feel the passion with my current topic/environment. Am I making a difference? Sure maybe. But I know I don't love it. I just don't. And what is worth doing unless you love it? I knew leaving my master's program three years ago that I'd someday at least apply to a few PhD programs to see where the dice fall. If it doesn't pan out, oh well, I lose a few great years of my early 30s where I could be bringing in a nice salary. I'd always regret it, if I don't at least try. That would just kill me. My wife knows this, and is generally supportive. But we are now just trying to work out the timing of it all (the hardest part sometimes eh?). We are both fairly established in our careers/current jobs, so we'd certainly be making sacrifices (likely moving and her leaving her position). I was fairly set on applying for Fall 2013, but I think I may push to Fall 2014 to allow for her to get a promotion under her belt and us put away some more $$. Making the decision as a family is certainly harder (at times she questions it -- which she should .. there is risk), but I couldn't imagine doing it alone. I think my overall application will be better off, as I continue to build on my CV and start to realize "Hey .. I might as well apply to the best of the best programs and see what happens!" A TT position at a nice university in a nice region would certainly be the end game. But those are few and far between. If the academic landscape is still dreary and doors are just closed, I wouldn't mind moving to an NGO, think tank, or govt lab either. I don't think that is a bad Plan B and all, other than the risk of being overeducated (or passed over because of a PhD) for some of those jobs. But what I do know, for-profit research work has just been soul-crushing... and is starting to bias my judgement so I am getting out asap!

I'd be interested in the exact same information. Looks to be a great program, although I discovered it well after the Yale FES, Duke Nicholas, and Berkeley ERG's of the field. Not sure why it flew under the radar for me, seems just as robust but maybe newer?

Great points all, especially about saving some cash on using .pdfs of unofficial transcripts until actual acceptance to a program (for those programs that detail this). I think I'll plan on including a supplemental doc with course descriptions as long as a program does not explicitly state you can only upload/submit certain documents. I feel without it, those reviewing the actual transcipt would not have much information about many of my key grad courses.

My transcript from my masters degree doesn't exactly give the reader too much indication of the courses I took. Long story short, several courses were bucketed under a "Special Problems/Directed Studies" course listing, etc. I figured it couldn't hurt to include in my application package an additional document with course listings of my undergraduate and graduate courses completed. Is this common? Is this overkill? I feel without it, it is hard for any reviewer to decipher some courses by its title/listing (esp. my grad as mentioned). For undergrad, I figured I'd categorize the courses taken by discipline/relevance instead of a giant dump of courses. Related question - has anyone ever heard of revising a transcript to address this? Not sure if I'd want to go down that path.. Any thoughts are welcome! Cheers.

Is that Kaplan Vocab App for iPhone still free? I am only finding the $4.99 one .. maybe still worth it.