Pitangus

Same here. "Thanks," or "Thank you," when the email includes a question or request. "Best," when it's just a response. I use "Cheers" with a few people I know personally and in a friendly way.

When I first read about the potential increase, I assumed that it would go into effect for fellowships awarded during the 2012-2013 application cycle and onwards. Nice to see that it will apply to all active fellowships.

The award list is based on your information at the time of application and doesn't change. My current institution is still blank as well.

I also use the date range. So for my current program I have "Dual-degree Ph.D. program in <department name> and <interdisciplinary program name>" with "2012 - Present" To me that is easier than deciding on an "Expected" date for when I will finish (I have an idea of course, but really it's still just a guess at this point). As for whether to put MA or PhD student, perhaps you could you use "MA-PhD program" if that's the standard progression. Does anyone go straight into the PhD? If you are technically considered an MA student at this time you could always use "MA program" and switch it to PhD when you finish the Master's requirement. I am not familiar with this system though, so this is just what I would do based on the information given.

That was how I approached it as well. When I wasn't helping with current fieldwork, I did a lot of reading and started looking into the relevant forms (not IRB, but something similar for animals). I felt pressured at first, but in my case it ended up just being what I wanted to make of it and what my advisor thought would be useful. Unless a program or fellowship specifically outlines things that need to be accomplished or produced, then I think it's up to the student and the advisor/PI to decide on the best use of the time. I think building a solid literature base and learning about/taking part in the current projects of a lab are worthwhile starting activities for anyone in a science field. Beyond that will be more field/lab specific.

This has been my experience during my first year. I applied for a couple of small grants that I only found after I developed a project proposal and started looking for relevant funding sources. Deadlines can be all over the place, so it's definitely helpful to have your CV ready to go if you hear about / find a funding opportunity that's due soon!

I'm not in chemistry, but I received a separate "early start fellowship" as part of a first year recruiting fellowship from my department/college. It wasn't really a program though; that is, there was no requirement to be at a certain place or work during a specific time frame (besides "summer"). I basically just received the fellowship as a lump sum and used it to visit my advisor's field sites, help with data collection for current projects, and start planning my own project. It definitely helped to scope out potential field sites and better visualize how I could develop a project that ties into the ongoing work in my lab.

Right, the time will vary based on the specific program and previous graduate work, and I think that's why the OP is trying to get a sense of the average. I was just pointing out that becoming a "PhD candidate" usually has a different official meaning than becoming a "graduate student," in case anyone was wondering whether they should include time between finishing undergrad and starting a graduate program, which I don't think is what the OP is asking.

It seems that many people use the terms "PhD/graduate student" and "PhD candidate" interchangeably, but it is my understanding that "PhD candidate" usually refers to a graduate student who has passed the PhD qualification exams or program equivalent. I'm guessing the OP is asking for the time between starting the graduate program and reaching candidate status.

The best way I've found to report a taxable fellowship stipend in TurboTax is to report it as a "fellowship not listed on a 1098-T" (even if it was). Then when you proceed you should see a Yes/No checkbox asking if you were required to complete an internship or other service position for this fellowship (this would be "No" for most fellowships I would think). Then there's another checkbox asking if you used the fellowship for "nonqualified" expenses (non-educational expenses; I think it lists rent and few other things). Check the "Yes" box and enter the amount used for non-education expenses (this would be the whole stipend you received untaxed as a check or direct deposit or whatever, unless you used some for required textbooks or had to pay some of your tuition/fees yourself using this stipend). When you go to Forms mode in TurboTax, you want to see your stipend recorded as "SCH <your stipend amount>" to the left of line 7 on the federal Form 1040. If you see that then your stipend should be accurately included in the calculated taxes you owe.

Do you have other deadlines this week? Maybe I'm jaded by my own procrastination, but starting an essay on Sunday that's due on Friday sounds pretty good. I work similarly to bedmas when I need to work late at night. I'll work until 12 - 1 AM, sleep either 3 or 4 1/2 hrs, then get up early and finish. This works for me because I don't work in this way constantly: I usually only have to do it on occasions when I have two deadlines the following day. I don't worry or guilt myself about my procrastination anymore, and I am feeling and working better because of that. I think often the worst part of procrastination is worrying/feeling guilty about it, so if working hard tonight will make you feel better, then I think you should do it this time. It sounds to me that maybe the anticipation of getting started makes you feel the most anxious, so in your case perhaps it would be helpful to start things as soon as possible, even if you need to start with what seems to be a "simplified" approach. Good luck; you'll get it done.

I also live in Lansing, close to the East Lansing line, and I don't pay for heat either. I can't speak to the electric bill for a family, but as one person in a one-bedroom apartment, my bill is usually $30 - $35 per month. I have my laptop plugged in most of the time, and I use my TV most days, but I tend to keep my lights off unless I'm eating or doing work in that room. Also, my stove is electric, but I only do the most basic cooking. My highest bill was $50 in August when I had the A/C on pretty much every day.

I left a pretty glaring mistake in my personal statement last year (worse than a typical typo). Apparently my reviewers either read too quickly to notice or noticed yet weren't too bothered by it.

I moved 900 miles to start my program; both my SO and I had been living in the same city for our entire lives, and I was ready for a change. We had decided while I was applying that we would stay together regardless of where I went. I told SO that I would like it if he came with me, but I wasn't going to demand it. SO wasn't ready to move at that time, but he said he would be coming eventually. The first semester ended up not being that bad, even though we didn't see each other in person at all until I came home for winter break. It was strange being apart for so long and we certainly missed each other, but honestly it didn't really put a strain on our relationship (if anything I would say I feel even more confident in the relationship now, having gone a whole semester apart without thinking "this isn't going to work"). SO had mulled over his options in the fall and decided to make the move before spring, so I have definitely been more anxious this semester. But he's given me a date, and it's very soon, so I am feeling good about that.

Yeah I really shouldn't have included the letters at all: my school technically doesn't have any letter grades (the reported grades are 4.0, 3.5, 3.0, and so on). I used the letters as an approximation because I'm used to seeing letters (I think many people are). I was interpreting the 3.5 as a B+ because 3.5 is lower than the 3.7 GPA value of an A- grade from my undergrad school... but now that I think more about it, I guess the 3.5 is more like a combination A- / B+ on my undergrad scale because it is halfway between the A- = 3.7 and B+ = 3.3. Hmm, looking at my post again I think my conclusion was that a 3.5 GPA in my program is decent since I think it should be attainable for everyone. So a good (better than decent) GPA would be higher than that. I don't know the average GPA for my progam, but I'd be willing to bet it's higher than 3.5, so an "above average" good GPA would probably be in the 3.7 - 4.0 range.

From the FAQs:

The beginning of the summer is not too early; however, spring and fall are usually the recommended contact times because many EEB professors travel to field sites and/or conduct much of their research during the summer, thus they may not be as responsive to prospective students during this time. If you try to contact a professor during the summer and receive no response, then you should try again in early fall. If you still do not get a response, then it is up to you to decide if you want to continue to pursue this professor or move on and focus on those who have responded.

Yes, I would recommend that any EEB applicant consider applying to more than three programs unless that applicant has established strong connections to those three; that is, s/he has contacted at least one potential advisor at each program who has responded and said 1) s/he thinks the applicant would be a good fit in the lab and 2) is planning to take on new students in the upcoming application cycle. Many EEB programs expect you to identify faculty that are willing and able to take you on, including programs that do not explicitly lay out a faculty sponsorship procedure. I applied to three programs last year and received an acceptance from one. I had strong previous connections to a lab in one program, but I was ultimately rejected from that program because my potential advisor was unsure about taking on new students and eventually decided it was not possible (and I unfortunately did not fit as well into any other lab). Thus my emphasis on identifying potential advisors who are willing and able to take on new students (preferably more than one per program if possible).

I would put down any merit-based scholarships (this is why I asked if you had applied for the Goldwater Scholarship: the prestige of the award is just as valuable as the funding itself). Since you completed much of your college coursework during high school, it is understandable that some of your awards are based on that work. I still think you will be competitive if you apply next year, but if the season doesn't turn out the way you want, then your Plan B sounds good. I decided not to apply for grad school during my senior year, so I worked field jobs for a year after graduating and found it to be both a helpful and enjoyable experience.

First, I will agree with previous posters that your website is nice and professional. I didn't encounter any applications that requested more than 3 recommendation letters, so I don't think it's necessary (or helpful) to add a 4th letter from a classes-only professor. The NSF GRFP application does allow you to list 4 recommenders, but in that case I would consider including a classes-only professor only for the 4th position (this 4th letter will only be included with your application if one of the other recommenders does not submit a letter by the deadline). I second the recommendation of pursuing an undergraduate Teaching Assistant position, if such a position is available at your school. Did you apply for the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship this year? Your GPA at UC Davis is a bit on the low side for this scholarship, but since you have research experience I would imagine you would still be competitive. The application is open to second and third year undergraduate students, but if you are planning to graduate in three years then you will not be eligible next year. Finally, not to take away from your achievement, but by graduating in three years (and applying to graduate programs right after) you are, in my opinion, probably missing out on opportunities to gain more research/TA experience, presentations/publications, awards, and field experience (if you are interested in field work). You certainly have enough experience to be competitive in the PhD application process, but just keep in mind that you will be applying alongside people with M.S. degrees and/or post-bacc experience as lab technicians / research associates / field assistants. It is definitely a good idea to get in touch with potential advisors this spring or early fall because faculty interest/sponsorship is very important for acceptance into most EEB-type programs. Good luck!

I think it's too soon to discuss dropping the course. As Dal PhDer suggests, nervousness usually won't tank a presentation as long as the slides are effective and it's clear the presentation was otherwise well done. As for the group presentation, I would imagine your classmates are mature enough to not complain about working with you instead of a friend or whatever. Whenever I've been part of a group for a presentation, we've always just divided it up so that each person prepares and presents one part of it. I was a terrible presenter until I started getting more methodical about my preparation. Like HeadCold, I've found that preparing a script is very helpful for timing and feeling prepared (and therefore less nervous). I have found that short sentences make the script sound natural, and appropriate transition words/phrases make it easy to remember as I move from slide to slide. If I find myself stumbling over any sentence, I rewrite it to make it easier. I also shorten as needed to fit the time limit without rushing. My goal is to rehearse until I have the script memorized (maybe I have a good memory because this doesn't take a long time; I can usually get through a 10 minute presentation cleanly after 2 or 3 rounds). I don't put the script on my presenter slides because I've found that having the text available causes me to rely on it more than I should or even need to. Also, it's harder for the audience to realize you're using a script if you are looking at them or directing them to things on your slides the whole time (I try to scan the room once per slide, though I tend to "look past" people, rather than look directly at anyone, so I don't get distracted). As much as I dislike speaking in general, I get positive responses regarding my presentations, and I've never received a comment that my presentation sounded scripted.

Seems that this is definitely school/program dependent. I've had professors say at the beginning of a course that almost everyone will get a 4.0/A or a 3.5/B+ (my school doesn't have an A- grade). The sense I got from older students was that most people get 4.0s, with the 3.5s only going to the few who perform relatively poorly on exams/assignments and don't participate well during discussions. I assume any grades lower than 3.5/B+ would be the result of simply not doing the coursework. In my program, then, it should not be difficult to maintain at least a 3.5 GPA (in my opinion).

Last year the notifications were sent out very early in the morning on March 30th. I think in other recent years they were sent out in early April. People have posted the exact dates in previous NSF GRFP threads.

Yes, only incorrect answers cause you to lose additional points from your raw score. But of course, if you leave a question blank you still lose the point you would have gotten if you answered the question correctly. When I took the test, I left a question blank if I couldn't narrow the multiple choice down to two likely options. Also, I decided beforehand that if I ran out of time, I would have left the remaining questions blank rather than guess randomly without reading the questions. Fortunately though, I was able to finish in time.