cmr26

Thought of more:

If your budget allows for it, buy non-perishables in high quantities when they go on sale. For example, there was a 50% sale on cat litter and litter liners back in March. I have 3 cats, so I go through the stuff quickly. I stocked up on it, which required a significant expenditure at the time, but a more significant savings in the long run since I'm still working through my stock.

Also, I agree about buying generics when practicable. Shampoo/conditioner/bras are the obvious exceptions for most of us ladies. A tip for other girls: men's stuff is SO much cheaper! Seriously, whether it's disposable razors, soaps/deodorants (and yes, you can find non-guy smelling scents...most of that is just marketing anyhow), or even workout clothes. I went to buy a set of warm ups the other day at Target and the women's pants alone were over $20. I went to the young men's section and got the whole outfit for $15. I wouldn't buy "real" clothes from the men's section, but for stuff like wind pants...I figure I'm going to look like an amorphous blob anyhow so why not save money!

Lol did you see how everyone responded so negatively to that? People get very jealous and bitter when you say that you have enough money for things. I didn't think you were flaunting it in a mean way or anything, I've just noticed that especially in the whole grad school culture people tend to get very mean and attack you personally if you're not living in poverty. For instance, when people learn that my parents pay for 100% of all my expenses and I don't have to worry about money when I'm in grad school they immediately attack me and say that I am the worst person on earth, must be lazy/stupid/dependent/not worth the dirt I'm standing on because I'm not paying my own way. Everyone grows up with different circumstances and some people end up getting higher stipends. I'm sure you earned yours, I just find this response to be very amusing, and sad in a way.

Yale's master is one year so it means you would have to apply this Fall and basically you would not take the most out of your Yale degree with regards to apps (since you would have started only 2 months before apps are due). What I am saying is that with the UW 2 years master, you apply in the Fall of 2013 for an entry in 2014, meaning you will have more than a year of master under your belt when you apply (+ great relationships with LOR writers, etc), which is a great asset. UW is also a great school, so do not worry about it.

My favorite part about your original post is how every point you listed that describes the city or the university is either hugely stereotypical or blatantly wrong. I'm guessing you're not American?

You applied there knowing nothing about the program or the university?

There is no negative tone. It is simply me not shining you on; you asked for opinions, I gave you one which you reject out of hand which lead me to conclude you don't actually want opinions just validation for a decision you have already made. Nature of the beast.



I amended my recommendation to be more in line what you were seeking. . .did you not see?

I think offers mean a lot more to the applicant than they do to the admissions committee because the students are investing their entire lives into this whereas the school is investing a few years, if that at all. They don't really care and don't take it personally. I think what matters is that you tell them in a timely manner as it is more respectful that way. You can follow up with the people who interviewed you, but I don't think it's entirely necessary unless they thought you were going to join their lab.

I would go somewhere new, because that would be better for your personal and professional development, in my opinion. I'm in a similar situation, and although the grad students and professors at my undergrad university are amazing, I'm already really familiar with their take on my field. I'm sure I would still have a lot to learn if I stayed behind, but I think a new place would allow more room to be exposed to new ideas, new perspectives, etc. It'll ultimately give you a more complete understanding of your field.

Is it a PhD program? Ten years is a long time to be associated with one university while you're still young.

Is there any possibility of negotiating funding? Also, think long and hard about this -- I know some people who say that you shouldn't attend the same school for undergrad and PhD...

You shouldn't have applied to grad school simply because you couldn't get a job...but that's in retrospect. I guess you should start looking for jobs now, finish the semester, and then tell your adviser that you realized grad school isn't going to work for you (or some such vague reasoning, don't actually say you "hated" it).

I think it's obvious that you will never want to return because you don't like research or academia. So start planning for whatever it is that you do want, and then gradually shift your focus to that.

When I correspond with someone I don't know, I tend to address them as Ms/Mr/Dr/etc unless told otherwise. When someone addresses me by my first name without any prior contact, it seems disrespectful because they think they can use my first name solely because I am a student or I'm younger than them. It also feels really personal, and I don't always like that -- but this is all just my personal preference.

Huh. First names seem to be the baseline assumption as far as how to address students in my field, and I like it that there is no unnecessary formality.

This is small and nitpicky, but --

I really hate it when they address me by my first name when I haven't given them the permission to do so. This also bothers me in follow-up emails with POI. I'm not sure why it irks me so mcuh.

Heyooo...

I'll bite.

You find yourself in a very fortunate position. Kudos! You're one of a very small minority, of this I'm more than sure. By "constantly promote themselves" I'm not implying that a student walk around giving an elevator speech to every individual they come across, or have a portable placard following them everywhere while illustrating their greatness. You would be amiss, however, if you did not think that the individuals competing for the multiple fellowships out there don't have to find a way to set themselves apart from everyone else. Don't take my word for it, though, just look at any fellowship/graduate school application. Letters of recommendation, Statement of Purpose, Personal Statement. What on Earth are these things for? I feel you all are being too literal about this stuff. People have the ability to NOT be a pompous ass, you know? Let's be rational! The 28 virtual pages of posts within this subsection of the forums attests to individuals that are, by hook or by crook, attempting to figure out how best to promote themselves. Do you disagree? The metamorphosis of the forums didn't go through some magical Kafkaesque switch up. Heck, that's why there's a "The Bank" section in the first place, right? People have, likely, been coming here for ages to figure this stuff out. Most don't even sign up! Heck, there are 2 guests reading this post right now! Hence, after 4/15 (when scholarship/admittance deadlines are passed) traffic here drops almost substantially, as everyone goes back to their cave to scheme up a new approach. If you have somehow managed to scrape by without being forced to take stock of your accomplishments, you are a better human than I.

This is what America is all about! For the most part, we are an ultra competitive society and most everyone wants to be the best at what they do. You have to prove that you've got what it takes, though, because nothing comes easy! We are disagreeing on one of the multitude of ways by which an individual goes about getting their accomplishments noticed. NOT on the philosophy behind self-promotion, however. So let me switch up...

We have discussed the point behind placing a highly relevant, important (at least to the person with the award) fellowship after their name within an email signature. It seems I'm in the minority when I say that placing it there is not a faux pas. I disagree that it's pretentious to do so, and really question the motives behind someone who would think along those lines anyway. I see that someone made the argument that it possibly might seem to be self-conscious. Um...tja.

By the way, are any of you NSF fellows? Or have something equivalent to the NSF? I don't, but the debate would have more teeth if any of you did.

P.S.: You seriously stop. Go to your signature. Delete the fact that you're a TA. And THEN send the email? Are you trying to save virtual forests? What in the world does your including that information to an irrelevant e-mail recipient matter!? I'm not getting it!

P.S.S.: I'm most def not getting the entire create a webpage to list your C.V. over simply placing ONE or TWO at MOST important (both to you and academia) Fellowships or scholarships in your signature. Ya'll are on an entirely different level it seems.

Got 3 interviews from UNLV Life Sci, ASU MCB, and OHSU Biol. Are these schools considered elite schools? I am wondering if there programs is comparable to the top 20 Schools. I have not heard from the top tier schools that I have applied to and got rejected from UW GS, UC Davis BMCDB, City of Hope, and UMich Pibs.

Hi all,

I have applied to most of these Universities. I have one interview from OHSU on Feb1-4, and a potential interview from UC Riverside. However, I have been rejected from University of Washingtion Genome Science and University of Michigan PIBS programs. My question is simply if I have not heard from these Universities above by now which is Jan. 17, then is it safe to assume that I am on their rejection lists? Do they have a second or third batch of interview groups. How late do they have the interview dates?