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isobel_a

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    PhD applied microbiology/env. eng.

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  1. Some of these threads really go off on tangents... I'd object to the notion that LORs are "character references"... they're supposed to highlight the academic potential of a student. I've heard that letters that consist mostly of "X student is the friendliest student I've ever had", or dwell more on personal qualities than academic preparation, are not considered good letters. They're considered fluff written by people who may like the student personally but have no real clue whether they're ready for grad school. If you've known a student to cheat, or steal, or defraud the university, of course you shouldn't write a letter - or you should mention it in the letter. But still, "character references" are not what adcoms are looking for. Edit: My first degree was in the humanities, FWIW. Edit2: Things may be different in the U.K. But in the U.S., "character references", such as the type you'd get from a former employer, are considered worthless in grad school admissions.
  2. Some questions for people who are living in Madison now: 1) Is UW-Madison's stipend something you can live on comfortably given the cost of living in the area? (I hear your health insurance is outstanding and you get dental?) 2) Will I be able to find a studio for less than $800/month? I know roommates are cheaper, but I tend to be a night owl and, being a little older, I'm used to having my own space. 3) I personally didn't apply to programs in NYC because I don't want to be distracted by the endless possibilities and the proximity of my extended group of friends. I'm imagining Madison is one of those charming college cities with plenty of cute bistros and pubs, but not a whole lot of distracting nightlife. I'd rather not be tempted, to be honest... Will I be able to focus on school without withering away socially and culturally?
  3. "And when they enter the stress of grad school and realise that they perhaps aren't as amazing as they view themselves to be, their toxicity becomes amplified as they lash out. Ultimately, you should be looking out for your own well-being in your learning environment. Avoid the toxic person as much as you can (can you request a different office?), don't give that person any fuel for their rage (e.g., never discuss your grades), and when there is an incident, make sure you've documented what happened and get in touch with someone who can make a difference (e.g. a dean or advisor)." This kind of stuff happens in "the real world" all the time, too. Competition and bad blood exists in the workplace, and the stakes there can be even higher. Anyway, good advice.
  4. When I got the "your application is complete" email from each school I applied to, I just assumed that it was and they'd call me if they needed anything...
  5. I'd be interested in knowing in which programs it is "contraindicated" to send CVs... P.S. I've searched the Chronicle of Higher Ed forums, and I can't find any mentions of CV submission reflecting poorly on applicants. The only gripes I can find are about people who call too often to "check up" on their application. People who demand to know why they were rejected also get no love. Nobody should take *anyone's* word for anything on here. Do your own research. Everything is field-specific (obviously). I don't think it's worth putting a disclaimer on every sentence. I see a lot of advice on here that I've ignored or discarded, because information I have says it's bad intel, or it's very specific to a single institution. I will say that as someone who is pretty familiar with the inner workings of academia, I think you'd be putting yourself at a disadvantage if you aren't willing to take some ever-so-slight risks during the admissions process. Believe it or not, PIs are not nearly as obsessed with grad apps as applicants are. Worst case scenario, if you attach something to an email that they don't want to read? They won't read it. And then they'll forget about it two minutes later. I've known a lot of researchers, and they had neither the time nor the inclination to get peeved about these matters.
  6. Good points, Surefire. At my recent meeting, the PI told me he almost never answers emails from prospective grads, so mine "must have been very well-written". He made it very clear that he considers good writing skills to be essential to being a good scientist. Take home message: if you're not getting good responses when you email POIs, try revising your message. Be sure to spell-check.
  7. On a bad day: "No publications, probably because her degrees are not from R1 universities! Pffff, we've got applications from 20 MIT grads who are already published in Science and Nature. As if!" "Why didn't she take the subject test, it's not even that hard..." "Why would she want to leave a decent career? Does she realize how hard it is to get by in academia right now...?" On a good day: "Bwahaha, cheap, well-educated intellectual slave labor! With solid stats. You're in. Now sign on the dotted line..." In my wildest dreams: "She clearly loves research and is fully committed and ready for the challenge. Fellowship time!"
  8. Spokeo makes me angry. This is like a stalker's dream. I didn't opt-in to this service, how the @#$%& do I opt out? It has me listed at every address I've lived at in my current state... with property values!
  9. I'd interview with all of them and just be honest about my preferences. It's possible that they all want to work with you, but only prof A has funding. Circumstances change, though, so it never hurts to talk to as many potential PIs as possible. You might also decide to switch later, and it'd be valuable to already have additional contacts within your department.
  10. I recently had just such an interview, and I actually had a lot of fun! Here's my advice: 1) Prepare for a real-live interview, but don't expect to be grilled in the same way you would at a job interview. Relax and be yourself. Take this as an opportunity to ask questions that are not answered on the department website. I would also advise against overdressing, but that's a matter of personal discretion. 2) Definitely read the lab website, read some papers, but don't memorize them. I was introduced to lab members, and a lot of their current research was either new or a variation on what was posted online. You're not going to be an expert even if you pore over all their lit., so just inform yourself as best you can and try to ask relevant questions as they come up. 3) The PI I met with was very down-to-earth and honest about the strengths and some of the limitations of the program. I think he and his lab members were trying to get a sense of my personality and general outlook, more than they were out to interrogate my scholarly accomplishments. Don't be afraid to inject some of your real personality into the visit - there were a few philosophical issues (related to the practice of science) that we discussed and I found out we clicked on many of them. 4) If you're given the chance to speak with grad students alone, take advantage of it! I left with a much clearer feel for the program, it's "flavor", than I would have otherwise. These are the intangibles that can go a long way in helping you make your ultimate decision.
  11. Sometimes, people don't know how they come across to others. Before I'd go to a higher school official, I'd try meeting with the PI to discuss some of the issues you're having. Make sure you don't frame it as a personal issue - just explain that you'd be more effective in the lab if he treated you with more respect. Gently set up some boundaries. In the end, I think it would reflect poorly on you (and you may even see a blacklash from others on campus) if you didn't try some sort of face-to-face conflict resolution before you discussed the situation with others outside the lab. This is often seen as "tattling" or "airing dirty laundry", and it will result in people not trusting you. If you do set up some boundaries, and things don't change or if they get worse, then you should involve others. The thing about bullies is that many either don't realize they're being too aggressive, or back down when someone asserts themselves. Your PI may be under a lot of strain, as a new hire (esp if s/he isn't certain of tenure), and may just be under an enormous amount of pressure to produce, which is being (unfairly) taken out on you. If so, it's nothing personal. Disclaimer: My $0.02/YMMV.
  12. Applying to grad schools is the most stressful thing I've ever done in my life, and I've been in extremely high pressure situations. Marriage is an apt metaphor, I think: we're making decisions now that are going to affect the next 5 years or so, not to mention our entire career and the rest of our lives. And so much of the process is completely out of our control. It's expensive, it's time-consuming, and we're expected to do it all on top of our regularly scheduled school and work duties. It's encouraging to see that everyone's in the same boat. If you're feeling super-discouraged, look at some of the old threads where people were SURE they'd never be accepted anywhere, and got into all kinds of incredible programs.
  13. Ask the program administrator whether it would be possible to set up an interview with a potential PI instead of attending the weekend. I don't think it's "too late" at all. I'm sure this happens all the time. I'm not in this same situation, but I will be visiting a potential PI at a school that hasn't sent out interview invitations yet, because the school is close enough that I can drive there.
  14. I know. You breathe a sigh of relief, thinking you're all ready to just "wait it out"... then suddenly you have more stuff to worry about. I have my first interview tomorrow. I have to admit, grad applications have been one of the most stressful experiences I've been through.
  15. Addendum: Believe it or not, schools can tell when you're a "prestige hound", and they'll consider weeding you out. For example [hypothetically, of course- I have no familiarity with the following field]: if you want to study marine biology, it's going to raise a few eyebrows if you apply to a dozen (mostly landlocked) Ivy League universities and honorary Ivies. Dartmouth, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Northwestern, Duke, Emory, MIT, WashU, Brown, and Cornell are all excellent schools, and some may even have top-notch marine biology research going on, but most marine biologists are going to wonder *why* you're applying to grad school in the first place, if all you care about is the name brand of the school with little regard to research fit. You're in for a world of disappointment if you're getting a PhD mostly for the prestige of it. If you're primarily motivated by a desire to impress people, you're better off going to professional school. And you probably won't make it to quals.
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