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Hi edbutson, I am too a theoretical chemist, and I feel you. Doing theory and computational work is really different from experimental work, we all know that. Sitting in front of a computer 8-15 hours a day isn't the most fun/healthy thing, no matter how much you love your research. Sometimes it takes a toll on your mental and physical health if you don't establish a good balance. I suffered enough of this to feel obliged to give you my 2 cents: 1. Exercise! I gym/run at least an hour a day, 5,6 days a week. Everyone else in my lab, including my advisor, does exercises. It lifts your mind from the mental frustration theory work can do to you We sometimes do a group run. Our postdoc does yoga. Do what you like, but stay active! 2. Do more than one thing! A lot of theory work is very tedious, and bored me to tears (fixing someone else's code, for example). So I have been doing a theory project (main) and an application project (collab with experimentalists to explain their data...) at the same time, so when I get stuck on something, I switch to the other project and get something done. Achieving something everyday, small or large, is important to me because it helps boost my confidence and moves me forward. 3. Have good friendships with other theorists. I'm very close with my lab mates. Theorists often feel more lonely! In my group, we help troubleshoot each other's code bugs/ calculation errors, exchange ideas... to be sure everyone feels motivated and get our work done at the same time. Stay positive, that is the most important thing. I was once the mad grumpy scientist that worked non-stop and never happy. Now I work faster, better and happier (and I work less!) Hope it helps

Among those schools, Purdue is the better one. Do you have POIs that have matching interests at Purdue? If so, go for it.

I'm not in your field, but a quick read tells me that this is too general and doesn't show specific "Research interests".

You might want to correct the misspelling right in the title of your blog "amatuer"

As a fellow first-year, hats off to you! It's silly but I actually teared up a bit reading this.

13" is very very light too. Screen size vs. weight, I still vote 13".

Go Air! I have had 7 laptops over the years and Air is my favorite. My research is 100% computational so I work either on my Mac mini or my Mac air: build and compile various quantum chemistry codes, Matlab, Mathematica... The weight and the battery life make a big difference! My SO is a programmer and he uses a Pro. I tried his and still prefer mine

My dear, No one can ever predict the future. Just tell yourself that whatever choice you made is the best choice, and go with it.

Honestly, I think you get the most success and satisfaction from a career that you love. The most (self-made) wealthy people love what they do, and work their butts off for it. Why does your question not include that? lolzzz

Tenure track and Research at nat labs/universities are my dream jobs

This is a great question! I have seasonal affective disorder, and winter time is really really hard on me. Among all the schools I was accepted to last year, I picked a tiny Midwest town with horrible winters. Basically the last 6 months were straight hell for me. But my decision was solely on research, and I believe I can pull through another 4 years. There is a bit of logic in my decision since this area is so boring plain, I have nothing else to do but to work! I love my research and enjoy it so much it doesn't matter if it's snowing 12 inches outside (most of the time)... I'm a theoretical chemistry student btw, so take my words with a grain of salt

th3catalyst, I heard from another fellow that jennyb is correct. It really depends on the school, and the awardee's funding situation BEFORE getting the fellowship. I found some internal source of funding for conference registration fee, now I only have to negotiate for the rest. Thanks Jennyb!

Hello NSF GRFP fellows, Anyone can explain to me how the educational expense is supposed to be used for? From the solicitation, I get that my school will get 12K per year. As of now, I'm fully funded by a departmental fellowship and my insurance is also covered. Can I get my conference registration and housing cost covered with that? Or it is based on my negotiation with the school? I'm trying to see if I can save my boss some money. Thanks! Any advice will be appreciated!

Higher education is mostly about teaching yourself; pursuing a doctoral degree means doing RESEARCH. Why don't you do some research first (aka Google, consulting your profs and peers...) and come back with some concrete questions? This sounds like complete laziness. You agree?

GOT IT! now go crying, brb! Okay back its VG/E, E/E, E/E!!!!

It depends on the schools you are shooting for. Most schools don't require any subject GRE, and many state that subject GREs are 'optional'. Of course, if you take it and get a good score, it will look great on the application, especially for top 10 programs. But research experience, GPA, rec letters, publications are way more important. I got in very strong programs including a top 10 in theoretical chem without subject GRE, so it can be done. You can PM me for my $0.02. Good luck.

This is the exact reason why i visited the school for physical/theoretical chem last year and declined my offer. Be sure you guys feel motivated by your future colleagues!

You must take at least the minimum # of required courses within your discipline (in your case, check with your academic advisor), normally its more than half of the total required. In my case: I took 4 chemistry courses, taking Physics and will take Computer Sciences in those respective departments.

B is clearly the better one (based on the info given) Good luck!

A lot of intro quantum can be explained and demonstrated clearly with Mathematica (orbitals, harmonic oscillators calculations...). Prepare a notebook and show your students the input and output. Working out the integrals and such are super easy in Mathematica, using classroom assistant palette.

I second this. I expressed my desire to do postdoc in Europe, or elsewhere outside the states, and my advisor advised me the same thing. He even told me how many friends of his (in the same PhD batch) hadn't gotten a job in the US after very good postdoc work abroad. Ugghh

I did this last year, and got offered 2 extra fellowships (departmental and summer research fellowships), and even got nominated for the university wide fellowship (I didn't get it though). I also got minimum teaching responsibilities. Of course, I sent my first choice school the official acceptance letters/ fellowship offers from other schools for that to happen. It never hurts to show some political intelligence, as long as you articulate it well Good luck!

65.34% okay, I lied (but who the heck would know that???). But : (1) You post this at the wrong place, should be whatever thread Engineering people post at (2) You don't need to up vote your own question to get people to notice it (3) Your question is too vague: how good is your research background? Publication? Recommendation letters?... (4) No one would know exactly what your chances are. Someone might give you some advices on how to strengthen your application, but then you just need to apply and see!

I second this. My visit weekend roommate actually got so drunk that she missed her flight back home -__- Don't get drunk, kids!

I don't what field OP is in, but a PhD in my field is 5-6 years and the tenure process is not happening til the end of an assistant professor's 6th year.