grizzlygirl87

I'm not sure if there is a thread for this already - I have seen a couple similar ones. But I am looking for advice on how to handle an advisor/PI that has too much on their plate and is always busy, and thus is always giving feedback last minute or not at all - but then acting like it's my fault when things are down to the line in terms of time. For example: I was working on a grant last term (a grant that was suggested by my advisor). We were both well aware of the deadline. I made it very clear that I didn't want to spend my Thanksgiving working on the grant, so I made every effort to have it done before then. My draft was ready two weeks beforehand, we sat down and went through the budget together, etc. However, my advisor continued to send last minute edits, changes, and feedback for the grant after I had already left campus for break instead of updating me prior to departing. This is because he was also submitting a grant to the same organization for a similar project and hadn't drafted his grant application yet (since his was due later, and could be emailed). I suppose he didn't want them to be too similar? I ended up working through Thanksgiving to have it finished and mailed out on time. It couldn't be submitted online, and instead had to be mailed (and received by a certain date - not postmarked by a certain date. Therefore, I had to pay to overnight mail the paperwork so that it arrived on time. Another example: my dissertation proposal draft was in a shared Dropbox folder, so that both my PI and I had access to it the entire time I was working on it, from start to finish. As I completed certain parts, I not only emailed the draft to him, but reminded him that it was also available in his Dropbox to view at any time so that he could offer feedback. The proposal draft was completed and available a full three weeks before he needed it. I made it very clear to him that I would like some feedback before submitting my proposal to the committee (a week prior to my defense, as is required by the department). I didn't end up getting ANY feedback on my proposal until about 8:00pm the night that it was due to my committee - and I received two or three emails with well over 100 edits combined. I worked on my proposal for four or five hours that night but couldn't complete everything he asked for. So I sent him an email asking what changes were most important out of the remaining ones, and he basically blasted me for not having sent it out to the committee when it was due, saying "your proposal is now one day late" - which was true, but not wholly my fault...? I ended up having to send my proposal 'as is' to the committee for my defense the following week. Most recently: I have a poster presentation for a university symposium at the end of the term. As a lab group, we had a meeting about how to design our posters, how to cut back on text, layout choices, color schemes, sizing, etc. He expected to see all of our posters before they were submitted to offer feedback. I sent him my poster at the beginning of the week, expecting him to glance briefly at it to make sure that all my text/columns were aligned appropriately and that there weren't any glaring mistakes. The day that I sent it to him, he emailed me saying that he wouldn't get to it until that night. Two days later, I still hadn't heard anything. I emailed him again, asking for feedback because I was getting close to the printing deadline and I wanted to make sure I had plenty of time to get the poster printed. Still nothing. So I submitted my poster for printing without feedback like I told him I would. I got an email the next day with a page full of comments, edits, and suggestions. I understand that PIs don't need to give feedback on every little detail. But he has specifically requested to see things to give feedback before they go out - and I have been burned by this three times now in one year (for major assignments/projects). I have tried reminding him of deadlines via email and mentioning things to him when I see him in lab or in the office. I have simply started telling him that if I haven't heard from him by a certain point with feedback, that I am submitting documents 'as is' for conferences, symposiums, dissertation work, etc. I'm not sure what else to do at this point, since he doesn't seem to budget his time well at all. I get the sense that he is incredibly disorganized and forgetful, and that is just how he operates. But it's not how I work at all. I am working my butt off to make sure I am meeting the deadlines I set (which are well before the ACTUAL deadlines) so that he has plenty of time to go over things, but he consistently waits until the last minute, and then gets upset when I haven't followed through on editing appropriately. What is the best way to handle this situation?

Is there a thread on here somewhere for American students who have gotten their Masters or PhD at a Canadian university? I am considering University of Saskatchewan, and I have some basic questions regarding the moving process, visas, becoming a resident (or not?), and bringing cars/pets into Canada for the 4-6 years that I'll be there. Thanks!

Did you decide to attend U Sask? I'm thinking about going there for my PhD, and was wondering if anyone had any experiences there? Can we revive this thread and see if anyone has any input? Public transportation good or bad? Weather? Things to do in the summer? What's the city like - do you like it (and why or why not?)? Are there many pet friendly rentals/places to visit? Literally any information would be welcome!

I am currently in my second year of a three year Masters program. I made in clear in my entrance interview that I would eventually be looking for a PhD. But now I am thinking it's time that I perhaps make that sentiment a bit more clear to my advisor. I would love to stay here, in my program, to complete my PhD research. I feel pretty comfortable in saying that I think my advisor acknowledges that I am a hard working student, and that I would do well in a PhD position here in the same line of research that I am currently finishing my Masters in. I know the professors that are involved in my lab typically receive several applications for graduate students every year. Currently, all students in the lab are Masters students. I have gotten wind of the idea that they are looking to admit a PhD student next year (during which I'll be writing my manuscript). What is the best way to suggest to my advisor (and my committee) that I will be looking for a PhD position after I complete my Masters, and that I would much prefer to stay right where I am? I'd love to get right to work after finishing my thesis. I want to be upfront and assertive about it, because let's face it...that is how you get places in graduate school. But I also don't want to come across the wrong way. Suggestions???

I moved and started research for my program mid-May. At first, i was disappointed I was losing all of my summer. I went straight from my job in upstate NY to home for two weeks to pack and prepare, and then out to the West Coast to begin work at my university. I've been working two and a half months now, and I am so glad that I came out early. I was asked to be onsite to help another current grad student with data collection for her PhD project, but I have also started collecting data for my own and I have already learned so much. I am in the biological sciences program, so I have learned how to take blood draws and fat biopsies, and how to use a dart gun - we are working with large carnivores in our studies. I love the fact that it is so hands on, especially because once classes start and our subjects go into hibernation, we won't have much time with them over the late fall and winter. In short, I LOVE the fact that I came out really early and got a head start on everything. I am pretty familiar with the area I live in now, I've made some awesome friends (those in my cohort...and their friends too!), and I feel like I won't be quite so overwhelmed trying to learn everything all at once when classes start in August. It's definitely been beneficial, and a great way to get my brain jumpstarted.

When I first contacted my university about grad student housing back in April, they already had a wait list started for Fall 2012. I had a mini panic attack too, because I was moving 3000 miles clear across the country. So I did pretty much what is listed in the above comments. I contacted a few of the other grad students in my lab and asked them what they knew about certain areas or complexes, and if anyone they knew was looking for a roommate or looking to rent out their apartment or sell their furniture. I also kept an eye on Craigslist to see what to expect in terms of prices and what was available. Once I had settled on a couple places, I had one of the grad students check it out for me. She scheduled a visit to the apartment, took pictures and asked the questions I wanted answered. Luckily, my university is in a pretty small town, so there isn't much in terms of 'bad areas', but I was trying to avoid party/undergrad central. Don't stress out too much. It can be done. I interviewed for my university at the end of March, received my admissions decision that weekend and was asked to be in town by mid-May. So I only had a few weeks to figure this all out. It is manageable, albeit slightly more stressful than is ideal. Ask around and keep an eye out. I'm sure you'll find a place that is just right for you.

I am actually the only incoming graduate student for my advisor this fall, and there are only two others (a post doc student and a masters student) who work with my advisor as well. There are a couple other people in different labs who work pretty closely with ours, but even then there are only five of us total. I haven't had any experience with classes so far since that doesn't start until August for me, but I have been doing research and helping out in the lab for over a month now. So far, I find it really enjoyable. There is almost always someone on hand to help out, and we are all involved in the others' research. We are a rather tight knit group, and we enjoy getting together outside of work just to try to keep each other sane. There is some sort of get together almost every week - a BBQ, a coffee date, going out for lunch or a couple beers. Even more helpful is the fact that everyone also maintains their own social networks independent of the lab, so everyone has connections in other departments which is really beneficial. Typically, a good advisor will only take on as many students as he or she can efficiently manage. So it definitely can be a good thing that your cohort is small! Good luck to you!

@Thorslilcuz and @ncgirl12 - I am going to be living in the Maple Valley complex owned by DABCO. The units start at about $530 for a 1 bedroom, and they have a discounted rate for internet available. It looks like electric, gas and cable/internet are up to the tenant, but the units themselves are relatively new and in good shape. I was lucky enough to get an assistantship, so that will definitely be defraying the cost of my rent and utilities. They also have some 2 bedroom options available at some of their properties if you are looking for something lower (so you have the option to get a roommate if necessary). Not sure that any of the cheaper studio options are available. The downside is that you have to pay your security deposit AND last month's rent at signing AND your first month's rent at move-in. It seems to be a lot up front, but they also look like relatively nice places, so hopefully it's worth it. Craigslist also might have some cheaper options in terms of residential units rather than complexes (and I have definitely been scouring for good furniture listings...). And I am actually in the Biological Sciences program working towards a Masters in Zoology. I get to work at the Bear Center on campus, so I am super excited to get there earlier in the summer and get started!

I accepted an offer to WSU starting this Fall in the SBS. I'll be moving to Pullman early next month (May) to get a start on my research and to work over the summer. From what I understand, there is already a waiting list for Graduate Housing, so if you were planning on that I would maybe recommend looking off campus for other housing alternatives. I have already submitted an application and plan on signing a lease for a place at one of the DABCO properties in town. It seems the cost of living there is pretty cheap...which is AWESOME. In other news, are there really so few of us going to WSU in the fall? Or is there just no one else who has posted on this thread yet?

Problem! Any help or ideas would be fantastic! My crisis is this: My program wants me to start on May 1st so that I can be there over the summer to get a jump start on the research and to help out one of the other students there working on her project. Getting there is not the problem. It appears that graduate housing has no availability until JULY 1, and even then, there is a waiting list so it may not be available to me until who knows when. The email from the housing director seemed very inflexible, like I was inconveniencing him just by asking. I live almost 3000 miles away. How should I go about finding housing that will be available when I arrive, when there is no way for me to make a special trip over there to look at apartments? Thanks!

Just got the news today - I made it! Full funding and everything! Now I have so many emotions going on! I'm excited and nervous and everything all at once!