Jump to content

NeuroGal

Members
  • Posts

    36
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    1

NeuroGal last won the day on March 18 2012

NeuroGal had the most liked content!

Profile Information

  • Location
    Washington DC
  • Program
    Neuroscience

NeuroGal's Achievements

Caffeinated

Caffeinated (3/10)

25

Reputation

  1. My reviews were: IM/BI E/VG E/G E/G = Honorable Mention They noted my publication history, undergrad GPA, reference letters, and how well thoughout the research proposal was. The BI didn't include enough clear plans and integration with my research.
  2. Go for the fully funded offer. I know a couple of technical writers who only got their BA in writing so I would avoid large sums of debt for writing if that is the route you are going to go (they are at very large national companies!). I also know someone who got their MA in writing and racked up thousands of dollars in debt. She had to get an entry level job in marketing and that was a struggle for her. In short, if you can find a funded MA program, that is amazing! The body of work that you publish will mean much more than which university you went to.
  3. You actually bring up an important point that should be touched on. A PhD is a transformative experience. The liklihood that her needs will stay the same after going through a PhD program will be slim. That plus her age and the fact that she has yet to come fully into herself means that she will change somewhat as a function of time and education. Who knows how much? What I know is that I went into a PhD program in a long term relationship and it has changed me in ways I never predicted. It has been difficult because my partner is not in academia and it is somewhat alienating. I wouldn't have changed my decision for the world, but he is also very supportive of my goals and dreams and we were able to compromise on the location. Had he not been willing, I don't think I would have been able to stay because for me personally, my educational goals are extremely important to me. I happened to find someone who was a good fit for me and who was equally as interested in my success as his own success and vice versa. Furthermore, there is an argument to be made that he is not at the moment fitting her needs perfectly. She wants to get her PhD, he is marginally supportive as long as it doesn't uproot his life. He's telling her she should be "content" with a MA, but higher education is a very personal decision. Although he may be content with an MA, she obviously isn't. Lastly, to assume that she would never find anyone else again is absurd. In a PhD program, you meet a lot of like minded people. I'd say the chances of her meeting someone else are staggering! Not to mention, women aren't usually lacking a selection of men. I've had wayyyy more opportunities for great relationships than I have had for PhD programs.
  4. The administration is such a small part of your experience there I think it would be fine. It sounds like it would be a good fit for you! I know people who got their chemical engineering degrees from there and are set up with some pretty nice jobs.
  5. In many neuroscience programs there are people with physics, CS, psychology, and biology backgrounds. You would not be hurt at all to lack a biological background, especially in computational neuroscience. Most of the neuroscience programs will focus on the biology/psychology aspect and not CS which puts you in a great position. In fact, all of the people in my program who are in computational neuroscience never had psychology or biology backgrounds. They either came from CS, physics, or engineering.
  6. I think you will regret it if you don't pursue your PhD. You have to live your life for you and not for someone else. If he is meant to be with you and vice versa, he can wait. I know it's hard, but if he dies in 20 years and you are left on your own, what will you have to show for it? Will you be satisfied that you didn't achieve what you could have based on a potential husband?
  7. Ignore the other post if it's here because it was no worded well. I submitted 2 abstracts to the biggest conferences in my field (2 years in a row) as an undergraduate and with the work I did as an undergraduate. Because I didn't know that these things could be rejected (!!), that shows me that my PI really helped me a lot. Do you have an advior who's name you could put on your work as an author?
  8. That is really an excellent program and a great school for that kind of work from my impressions of it. I'm not in the engineering field but I know people who think highly of that particular program. I believe that town is pretty small and "country" though.
  9. I'm definitely happy in my PhD program! My life has really blossomed with academia and the student body is fantastic. I was worried that I would move all the way across the country and would feel alienated or overly burdened and stressed. Quite the opposite has happened! Although my sleep has suffered, my social life has not. My classes are engaging, the professors are intelligent, and approachable. The program is very collaborative and supportive. Most of the graduate students are stressed to normal levels, but nothing outlandish. I've been able to approach the program director and other professors that aren't my direct mentors for counsel in lab decisions and they all have been very eager to help. Of course some classes and some lectures are hit and miss, and the workload can be crazy, but in general, I'm really happy with picking the program I did.
  10. Once you leave the workforce, you are going to have to work back up to where you are. I'd hate to lose progress unless you absolutely can't advance in your field unless you have a masters degree. In addition, graduate school takes an enormous amount of effort and dedication and should not be done because it is funded or convenient. You should go to grad school because you have an undying passion for it and it is necessary for your goals. Not because you think you should or because you can. There are some rough days and the work load is no joke. Because you are so up in the air, that tells me graduate school is not your passion, therefore I would recommend going for the job.
  11. I agree, I can't imagine paying for graduate school! I decided if I couldn't get into the program I wanted I wouldn't go to graduate school. Thankfully, I didn't have to worry about that because my hard work as an undergraduate paid off. Go for the funding and make a name out of your hardwork and dedication. Contacts are not exclusive at Chicago, and in your field you will be meeting lots of people at conferences. You should make a name for yourself in the cheapest most viable way possible. Don't underestimate how crushing 100k in student loans can be! I was able to get out of undergraduate without many school loans. My university didn't have national prestige but I worked hard, published, etc, and got into a top PhD program with great funding! The point is, you can make a name for yourself anywhere.
  12. 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.
  13. NeuroGal

    Piercings?

    I agree with the above poster. It's not a visible tattoo so it can be removed without anyone knowing any differently when the time comes!
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use