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Sofi dlS

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Everything posted by Sofi dlS

  1. I also applied to only one program last year. It was (is) a location matter; in my area is the only one University that offers PhDs and I'm not willing to move (I'm extremely happy here). I got accepted "upon funding". Soooo disappointing! In fact, money never came though, and here I am reapplying to the same program, with the same adviser.... Hopefully works out this time around.
  2. I received the weirdest acceptance letter. First of all, I got it as an email attachment (not in the mail as I was expecting). It says that I would be admitted ONLY if funding can be found. They gave me three options: My advisor gives me a graduate research assistantship; I get a teaching assistantship; I come up with the money somehow. My advisor said he has the money for the project but he hasn't figured out yet how is he going to spend it. First freak out! I am already on a wait list for a TA, I just need to wait and see. I don't have the money to support myself, but I feel I should be doing something to get it. Is it too late to get a scholarship? Anybody knows of anybody that got a grant this way? (I mean with very little time left). Any other idea???? Please helppppp!!!! I don't know what to doooooo!!!!!!!!!
  3. The fact that she is pretty high up shouldn't intimidate you. Just stay calm and approach her as who she is: a normal person looking to work with people as passionate about a given topic as she is. So, if you sort of know what you'd like to do, I would say just make sure your research interests are similar to those of hers. You are not gonna be asked to be proficient in a particular subject, that is why you are going to school: to learn. You just need to demonstrate passion and commitment to research and show her that you won't be a gamble; you will be a great person to work with. Confidence is key! Also, I think a very important thing to remember in this type of "meetings" (or interviews) is that it will be the time for her to meet you and you to meet her. It goes both ways. It happened to me while looking for advisors that one of the professors I had contacted (and our research interests were aligned) ended up not being compatible on a more personal level (if you know what I mean). We talked, he offered to be my advisor and I decided not to do it. I just didn't feel it would have been the right fit. Keep in mind that you will be working together for several years and the human factor is as important as academics.
  4. So... I did apply. Went through the whole thing, that, to be honest, applying to a US University being a foreigner is not super easy. Passed both the GRE and TOEFL exams with little preparation and got enough good grades that don't represent at all what I actually know (I am way better with numbers than verbal). GRE verbal 162, GRE quantitave 153, GRE writting 3.5. TOEFL I got 117 out of 120. Got reference letters (2 good ones, the other one really poor), wrote an okay Statement of Purpose... and crossed my fingers. Some days ago I received an email with a letter from the Department saying they will recommend me for admissions only if funding can be found to support myself while on grad school. Now, I'm trying to pin my advisor down to also cover my part with money for the project.. Hopefully it works out, otherwise I will have to come up with something else (not sure how easy would be to get a scholarship or any type of grant at this point with very little time left). I'm super excited! Thanks everyone for their advice and words of encouragement!
  5. Undergrad Institution: Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina) (Master's Degree) Major(s): Biology Minor(s): Ecology GPA in Major: Overall GPA: Type of Student: International student, female, hispanic GRE Scores (revised/old version): Q: 153 V: 162 W: 3.5 B: TOEFL Total: 117/120 Research Experience: 2 years working at National Animal Health Service in Argentina (Molecular Biology Department); 9 months as Research Technician/Assistant in a non-profit in Maine (heavy metal contamination in wildlife) Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Pertinent Activities or Jobs: See Research Experience Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Active volunteer in reef/beach cleanups and fish counts in Maui, HI. Special Bonus Points: Woman, Latinamerican Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Bigger project already in place (funded), where I would have my own project (also funded by the research group). Applying to Where: University of Hawaii at Manoa, Department of Biology. (PhD)
  6. Thank you both. I think I'm going to do it... I already contacting professors and studying for the GRE!
  7. Hi all, Here is my situation: I'm from Argentina and had graduated from College in 2008. My degree ("Licenciatura" in Biological Sciences) is equivalent to a Master's degree in the US (4 years of General Biology plus 3 years of, in my case, Ecology). Three years ago I moved to the US where I've been working odd jobs, just to pay bills, always trying to get into 'biology' with no luck. Last year I finally started working as a Lab Technician/Research Assistant for a non-profit studying heavy metal contamination. After 9 months with them, and due to financial constraints, my position has been eliminated, leaving me unemployed. I do have the chance to continuing with the project I started with them, but I'd need to get my own funding with absolutely no help on their side (I already applied to grants while working there, but unfortunately never got them). This situation triggered, once again, the never ending dilemma of "should I get my PhD?" I always thought of grad school, but as soon as I finished my degree I started travelling, got married and have never been committed to any place in particular. Now, I think the time might have come, but I realized I might not have enough research experience to get accepted into a PhD program plus I come from away, which makes everything a little harder (standardized tests, references, GPA's differences, etc). I know I want to keep doing research (that is my passion, always has been) but I'm not sure if I should just keep on trying to get a job -not easy at all-, build my resume in the US a little bit more and then apply to grad school or go all in, apply next fall and see what happens. As you can see, I'm pretty lost and my brain is all over the place. Any advice you might have will really help me out! Thanks in advance, Sofi
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