Abiogenic Gas

m_stanfordRejectionCounter++; is equivalent to: m_stanfordRejectionCounter = m_stanfordRejectionCounter + 1; Essentially, it means add one to the current value of m_stanfordRejectionCounter, which would mean that it's just another rejection to Stanford.

Another acceptance at Scripps (UCSD) for Geophysics posted yesterday. Still holding out hope... Updated: MIT today too.

Congrats on getting into UT. I did my undergrad and know a few grad students there so if you have questions on anything, I'd be happy to help (though I know more about the geophysics there than anything else). How do you know to expect to hear from Berkeley in late February if accepted? I had a phone interview with a prof from BU yesterday. I guess that's something to be happy about (though it's last on my list)?

I thought the opening was hilarious, but it just seemed to go downhill from there.

$1125 I had a spreadsheet for all things grad school.

UCSD and Stanford Geophysics contacted someone a couple weeks ago. It's the same person so I'll assume that this person is such an exceptional candidate that they were notified of their acceptance before the regular acceptances.

Hey, it's always a treat to find other earth science people here. You can see where I'm applying in my signature below. I'm actually geophysics, but all my friends and family think it's the same as geology anyways. I myself haven't heard anything yet but I saw one person on the results list who heard from two of the schools I applied to (UCSD, Stanford). Which programs did you apply to?

Well, I'm in the Earth Sciences (Geophysics to be exact). You can see where I'm applying in my signature below. I've been a lurker for quite some time, and I'd generally say that there are very few posters in our study area.

Actually, I'm not applying to grad schools yet. I am finishing up my first year of my master's. I plan to apply this fall for Fall 2009 admission to PhD programs. At the moment I don't have any plans to apply to any of the Ivy League schools because most of them aren't that great in my field. I actually did my undergrad at one of these "Top 10" non-Ivy schools and have friends doing their graduate work there. From my experience as an undergrad and hearing about their's as a grad, I never would've thought my school was Top 10 (or maybe I expect too much from a school with "Top 10" as a descriptor). I guess what I'm trying to say is that rankings don't tell you the full story. So next year when it comes time for me to make my decision (assuming I get acceptances) it will be based upon location, fit, and size of department (I have a thing for large departments), in that order. Of course my dream school may not agree with any of this but that's why it's my dream school - Dreams don't have to make sense.

I spent my whole life in San Antonio up until I went off to undergrad. I agree with the above poster on all points. Here's my two cents. The summers are hot and dry, often breaking 100 degrees. The winters are short, probably only really cold in February for about week or two (30-35 degrees as the low). Don't be surprised if you're still sporting shorts, a t-shirt, and flip flops around Christmas. Mid to high 70's are not uncommon around then. I dont know much about the public transportation, but I've never seen a bus outside of downtown San Antonio though there are bus stops. A car is a must because of how spread out the city is. UTSA is right next to Fiesta Texas, which means it's close to being out in the middle of nowhere. Though there has been a recent pickup in development around the area. Shopping centers are popping up everywhere along 1604. The cost of living is definitely lower compared to the other Texas cities (Dallas, Austin, Houston) so it should be easy to find a great apartment within you budget.

Hey! Finally, another geoscience person on this forum! I agree with all that's been said previously. I just wanted it to be known that there's more than one geoscientist here.

I spent 5.5 years at UT for undergrad and lived in three different areas. Here's my take: West Campus - I agree with the above poster on all points. It is definitely overpriced, especially with all the new development. On the other hand, it is extremely convenient to get to campus. North Campus - This was by far my best housing experience. I lived down on 51st street and then on 30th. It certainly was cheaper than west campus and I found the students much more tolerable. I also enjoyed the walks to campus when I lived on 30th. Its walkable from 33rd or 34th street on in, probably a little further out too. Riverside (east of I-35) - It is certainly cheap, I'll give it that. The big student complexes are convenient but I think they tend to get a bit rowdy. If you do consider this, I would only look at the complexes that are on the UT shuttle routes. I believe the area south of Riverside (Oltorf street) may be a little better in terms of the roughness of the area, but I don't think they have a UT shuttle. In my opinion, this area isn't that far away from campus. Far West, now that is far. Some other suggestions - Many students who don't live on a shuttle or live far away drive and park on one of the shuttle routes. If I could do it all over again, I would probably like to live along Enfield or Lake Austin shuttle routes. Then again, those areas are more expensive.