OldGrad2012

Hey, I think I am the only person going to UCR this Fall too from this grad cafe forum thing. So you are not the only one in your cohort. Maybe you can make friends with your peer when you get there.

You should go to the same school as him to be closer, cause that what I will do. I had a long distance relationship before and it does not work for me. However, if you think you should go to a schoo that fits you more, than do it. I think your research interest could change over time and it not likely that you will do the same research after you graduated with your PhD.

I have done lots of research at the department at UC Riverside and it turns out that they really have some cool research going on that would interest me too. When I visited Riverside, I did not spoke to all the faculties that I wanted, but after searching around and emailing faculties that did related molecular biology research that I like, I am leaning toward Riverside now. The faculties even email me back and want me to rotate in their labs. True, the money will go farther in Pullman than Riverside, but I think it only $2000 difference and if you live frugally as many graduate students do I guess, you will not feel the difference in the money. I think the fact that it is a UC schools would be better than WSU.

Yes, I would still go to Grad School, and with the money if I win, I will not have to worry about finances. I would go to enjoy the passion of learning and live the good life anyway. It still does not change.

I have review the two graduate programs ( UCR and WSU) stipend and assistantship, and I must say that there are not much different between the two. Although WSU give about $2000 more in funding. UCR assistantship: $22,000 for the academic year and summer support WSU assistantship: $24,058 for the academic year and summer support So as you can see, there is not much difference in funding between the two programs. Pullman may be cheaper than Riverside a little bit. If I attend UC Riverside, I will have to move only about 7 hours drive away and my moving expense will be less. If I attend WSU, I will have to move 14 hours away and my moving expense will increase dramatically. Plus the fact that I have to spend more money to fly out to Bay Area every holidays. With Riverside, I can just drive. I have lots of stuffs to move too so I do not want to move that far away. So giving the situation, does it makes perfect sense to choose UCR over WSU?

Oh no, so the city of Riverside is not safe. It cannot be worse than Oakland, CA because I grew up in Oakland, CA. Does it has more crimes compare to Oakland, CA? It cannot be that bad, right? I bet it is safe near campus anyway, right? Do you know of any UCR students I can contact to talk about UCR and living in Riverside as a whole? At least, it does not snow heavily in Riverside so I do not have to buy a 4 wheel drive. If I attend WSU, I may need to change car because of the extreme weather in the winter. Does UCR have a shuttle system for students to get around? Can we also bike to class?

Thanks @Soon to be grad, Your description of UCR has convinced me more to attend UCR. Why is the city of Riverside a "Pit". Is UCR considered a college town from your perspective there? Are the students super nice and friendly? How can I get the video of "UnderCover Boss"? I know the chancellor of UCR is undercover in that episode.

I have looked more carefully at UCR and compared the ranking of UCR with WSU on US News and World Report, QS World University Ranking, and Times Higher Education World University rankings. In the field of biological science, which is the field that I am in, all three ranking companies has put UCR in front of WSU. Does this mean that UCR has a better reputation than WSU. I have also contacted some professors at UCR who are doing some research that I liked and they agreed to let me rotate in their labs. So am I making the right choice of choosing UCR over WSU? On the other hand, WSU is offering a little more on the stipend at around $22,000 compared to UCR $17,000. Both of these stipends are excluding tuition waivers and health insurance. Which schools should I go for now? Please help April 15th is coming soon.

@reporterinvietnam I would choose UC Berkeley because the Bay Area is a nice place to be living in. I have lived here for my whole life and the weather here is very pleasant. Unfortunately, I will have to leave the Bay Area for my own graduate school so you will like it here. Are you sure you do not have to TA at Duke because usually in the first year, you do not have to TA. But during your second year and so on, you may have to TA as part of your assistantship, which is what UC Riverside is offering me. Are you from Vietnam by the way because I a VietAmerican also.

@mallom You should hear something from UCR, I would call the department recruitment adviser and talk to them about it. I hope you will go to UCR in the Fall with me also because I feel that I am the only one in this forum that is going to UCR.

I prefer UCR because I picked that school to go to in the Fall. They also have a decent computer science program according to US News and Word Report.

Hey sorry, I was rejected from ASU too!

Darn, no one is going to UCR with me this Fall 2012

Sorry I had to edit this poll. I like a vote of any graduate student starting at University of California, Riverside (UCR) in the Fall 2012. If you will be attending UCR in the Fall then please vote here. You can also vote for any other programs beside UCR too.

Just want to start a poll of how many of you are going to UCR for grad school in the Fall 2012? I am wondering if I am the only person in this forum that is headed to UCR for Fall 2012.

Accept it and do not go over the painful process of re-applying for next year. What if you did not get in at all the next time around.

I have been wondering about my two schools that I have been accepted and still deciding on where to go. I got in UC Riverside and Washington State. I know I post this thread already, but want to get more opinions. If you were in my shoes, which schools sound more recognizable and well known? I mean which of the two is a household name? Which of the two would you want to put on your PhD degree or resume? UC Riverside ranking is #56 in World and News Report. WSU is #100 in the same report. So which school sounds like a more safety schools? Your input will help me make my final decision. It is almost April 15th. OMG!

I myself must decide over UC Riverside and Washington State even though UC Riverside is a lower ranked UC compared to the other UCs.

IF UC Merced give you more funding and it is closer to home, then go with UC Merced. It is still a relatively new UC schools so it does not compare with the other UCs, but at least it is a UC school. UC schools are considerd a public Ivy schools so it has its reputation. Even though Portland is a great city because I visited OHSU and I love the public transportation there. It is considered more expensive than Merced, since Portland State is uncertain about your funding for the next four years, I would be nervous to go there. You should asked them whether your funding is guaranteed or not. Thanks

I would not say anything and accept the job and work for several months. When it time to go like in July or August. Just give them a month notice or so. They will understand.

It usually takes about 1- 2weeks after your interviews that you know about their decisions. Some school even take 3 weeks or more while others take only 1 week after. You will hear something soon.

I am glad to know that there are others out there that are going back to grad school while in their late 30s and 40s. It made me feel that I am not alone. Before this thread, I thought I was the only one craziest enough to go for my PhD at this age. Now that I have companies, knowing that there are lots of middle age person going back to grad school rather than the typical 22 years old superstar (sorry guys) would convince me to go for grad school and quit my day job too. I am more convince that I am making the right decision in going back for grad school and quitting my job. There should be another thread about quitting a regular job for grad school, right?

Well, for me, it was mainly location and also what is more convenient for me. Both of my programs are good too. I do not dislike neither. It was mainly personal taste and situation that made me decide. I know I will be there long so I got to choose a location that will make me more happy. I chose SoCAL over Pullman, WA, but I am still reluctant on my final decision because WSU has more faculties doing cool research too.

If you have to decide which is more important. Pursuing your dream of a PhD and setting a name for yourself or just be happy with ur life right now with a job and a partner. For me, I also have to quit my high paying job and pursue the PhD because I cannot live not knowing what if I pass this opportunity up and regret it. I will be separated from my partner too because there is no job for her at where I plan to go to school. So this is also tough for me.

I like the University of Arizona because I have applied there. I do not know anything about the other schools.