bachikarn

Is it realistic that they will get this funding? I seem to remember they say this every year. There was a lot of talk that the Stimulus money would only come next year. Is this still the case?

Apparently not. My percentile was 70-79th percentile. I got an HM. My ratings were: VG/VG, E/E, E/VG. It seems to me now that the ratings really aren't indicative at all on how they rank you.

So for next year, are there going to be more awards given? I think I read a link posted about how Obama specifically said there will be more NSF GRFP awards next year? Is that true?

I got an HM. It's good for it to be finally over, but it sucks when one person on the rating sheet said you did something good, and another said you needed to work on it. It'll make it a little confusing when I apply next year Does anyone know how these rating sheets actually work? They tell us very good and what not, but is there actually a secret numerical score that is more specific. From my research before, it seemed like the third rating sheet was like the final decision. Is this not true? My break down was: 1) VG/VG 2) E/E 3) E/VG I'm a little surprised I got so many excellent in Intellectual Merritt. I though if I had any chance it was for me to really promote my Broader Impacts PS: Anyone else who got an HM scared they didn't get anything from the email title? I would have thought they still would have written "Congrats!" in the title if you got an HM, but it just said "NSF Notification." I was worried they just rejected me, haha.

what exactly did you say? i'll probably do it. it can't hurt

I'd be down with an HM. Honestly, I care more about winning the NSF due to its prestige and to have it on my resume. The money is nice, but I think most people are getting funded one way or another. Obviously, it does allow freedom.

For those of you who did not have "good" GPAs, could you tell us what you think the strengths of your application were? Publications, sick recommendation letters, etc? Just curious. Trying to figure out what I should highlight in my application next year if I don't get it this year (I'm in limbo). : ]

So let me get this straight, if you haven't been notified that you have received the award or that you have been rejected, you either got an Honorable Mention or you might still get the award? Is that how it goes?

Do you have the NDSEG Research essay by any chance? That was one I had the most problem with because of the 3000 character limit (I believe). It seemed very restrictive. Thanks, and congrats again!

Could you post your essays? I didn't really put that much time into my application this year, so I wasn't really surprised I didn't get it. But I definitely want to reapply next year and put more time into it. Thanks!

haha, so did I. Just curious, for those who did win, what was the subject of the email? Mine was just "2009 NDSEG Fellowship Notification." Congrats to everyone who won!

I did not decide I wanted to do a PhD in engineering right away from undergrad. I had originally planned on getting a job first, and then get a PhD down the road. I changed my mind, but the due dates to PhD programs had already passed. Although, I did apply to get a Master's at my undergrad school as a back up. So my question is, what would look better - a gap year where I do volunteer research or doing a Master's for year while researching? The main drawback about a Master's is that I do not have funding. Also, I feel I might have to retake a lot of the classes anyway if I go to a different PhD program. I was also wondering if a gap year looked bad at all if the time was spent doing research or other academic pursuits. Thanks for the help!

I did not decide I wanted to do a PhD in engineering right away from undergrad. I had originally planned on getting a job first, and then get a PhD down the road. I changed my mind, but the due dates to PhD programs had already passed. Although, I did apply to get a Master's at my undergrad school as a back up. So my question is, what would look better - a gap year where I do volunteer research or doing a Master's for year while researching? The main drawback about a Master's is that I do not have funding. Also, I feel I might have to retake a lot of the classes anyway if I go to a different PhD program. I was also wondering if a gap year looked bad at all if the time was spent doing research or other academic pursuits. Thanks for the help!