Cking86

2014 applicants, How the hell are ya?! I am in my final year and wrapping things up. What a journey this has been. Hope you all are doing well and prospering!!

Hello! I am in my final year, and currently writing. I have not sent any drafts to my advisor for feedback. I was wondering, what's the best way to send or share drafts with your advisor. Any help would be greatly appreciated ? Draft (80 pages) is already formatted as per university specs Windows OS MS Office 365 Zotero reference manager

Those who have declared their thesis research labs. How did you break the news? Slipped a note in their mailbox, face-to-face conversation, email, greeting card?

:D/

...because "HELLZ YEAH I'M ACCEPTING YOUR OFFER!!!" isn't quite proper.

Thank you for the great advice. This might be the best post I've ever read at the cafe. I am attending grad school this fall (2014) and you've pretty much summed up what I think my approach should be at the outset and what to expect when I'm in the thick of things. I will be sure to come back and refer to this post when things begin to get hectic. Thanks again.

Congrats! I interviewed for that program as well. So I guess it's a rejection for me since I haven't heard from them.

Wasn't until last month did I notice that I didn't apply anywhere warm :-/

I applied to University of Colorado's MCDB program, Rutgers' Cell & Dev Bio at New Brunswick, and StonyBrook's Molecular Genetics & Micro Program. Not a peep. Has anyone heard anything?

Since my flight was cancelled my interviews will be via telephone. First one is 10:30AM today.

Flying from NYC to UCONN with a DC layover. Looks like that's not gonna happen, from the looks of it. Will call airline tomorrow evening.

It was not my intention to send any 'thank you' emails. It wasn't until after my interviews did I reconsider thinking it wouldn't hurt. The night after my interviews I sent emails to all my interviewers (8) thanking them for their time. I also added specifics about our interview for a personal touch and indicated if accepted, my desire to possibly rotate in their labs No more than 8 lines. By 8 the following morning i received 3 emails thanking me for the follow-up, and one informing me they recommend that I be accepted. (I was accepted with full funding). I also sent emails to the grad students that I spent the most time with because they are the adcom's eyes and ears at the student only gatherings. Their opinion of you counts as well. They advised me who's labs to steer clear of and which PIs genuinely care for their students. Also, should I choose to attend these people will become my family of sorts so it's great to already have a rapport with your future cohorts.

... At another institution's recruitment weekend. Couldn't stop smiling. I must have re-read that email 10 times.

I recently interviewed for two programs at the same institution. Got accepted to one. Awaiting a response from the second. I asked the graduate secretary prior. She said it was more than ok.

Three days after my interview, I called to give the graduate secretary some info and she spilled the beans. I'm awaiting the arrival of the official acceptance package.

First two rounds I applied to all NYC schools. I didnt think I was hot sh*t, it just happened that we have good programs here and the thought of relocating (I have children) made me uncomfortable. This time around I cast as wider net and applied to 12. As close as 10mins from my home to aaaaalllllllllll the way in Boulder, CO (the kids are grown and dont need me around much anymore). I have four interviews.

I applied to 12 programs. Oy. I just closed my eyes and clicked "send". Paying no attention to my debit/credit card bill. Welp.

I have great rapport with the graduate secretary at my most recent interview, who upon calling to provide information about reimbursed expenses informed me that I was accepted. *squeals*. That was a little over a week ago, so I'm assuming that maybe there are separate meetings for acceptances and funding OR my package may be delayed due to the bad weather NYs bee having as of late. If nothing comes by next Tuesday, I will shoot her an email.

Yes. Good luck! :-)

iheartplants' interview advice is right on... I interviewed at two programs at the same university over the weekend, and between the two departments I spoke with 20 different faculty members. Oy. In hindsight, I was over prepared. I was expecting a lot of questions regarding my research. My last research project was '08, so I reread my posters as if my life depended on it... What I said about my research totaled maybe 2 mins of each 30 min interview. They mostly talk about themselves and their current/future research, the University, their spouses, children, pets, etc. I got the feeling that my interviews were more or less putting a face/personality to my application and establishing some kind of rapport with my interviewer. So let your personality shine through, don't tell them what you think they're looking for, be yourself and ask questions about their work. Oh. you will be interacting with current students by way of lunch/dinner, student-only gatherings. Attend all events. Even if they are 'optional'. You are still being watched/evaluated! I heard that last year, one prospective, thinking that since it was a students' only party, decided to lay on her back and drank beer out the siphoned keg. Needless to say, she wasn't accepted. Don't be her. ... P.S. To the UGA posters- See you next week.

Camp Fire

I am interviewing for their Cellular Biology program Feb '14. In regards to housing, if I am accepted, I will be living off campus. I'm from Brooklyn so I am gagging at how cheap housing is down there. Most of the listings I've seen (via Zillow) are on/near bus routes, which is cool bc I don't have a car. Mass transit looks decent enough. (I just have to keep in mind that it's not 24hrs like in NYC). I plan on getting my license/purchasing a car within a year or so after I matriculate. So how do you guys like it so far??

I recently applied to that program. What's it like?