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Hi y'all, So quick question for you all...my computer is currently dying a very slow death. It's gone from being able to last days to holding a FULL battery for maybe 4 hours. It's gotten pretty bad, so I'm in the market for a new laptop. I've been using a macbook for the last 6 years. I like the simplicity of it. But, that being said, I'm open to other idea's. I've been doing some research into the Microsoft Surface laptop which seems pretty close to the macbook. What does everyone else use? I'm looking for something with great battery life, easy to use, and will last me through my masters and (hopefully) Ph.D. Thank you all in advance!

Has anyone interviewed for Tech and not heard back? Wondering if I should have heard something back since I interviewed on 2/19.

I have an interview for the Speech Pathology program at Texas Tech on Friday and I have purchased a coral colored blazer to wear with a nice blouse, black slacks, and black heels. I am now doubting if my blazer is a good choice? I think it looks great but will the color come off unprofessional? I appreciate any opinions!

Hi all, Does anyone here have an experience applying (or got accepted) to CMU (MIIPS) UPenn (M:IPD) or Northwestern (Product Engineering)? Would like to know how do you prepare your portfolio especially if you're not a design student (like I am)! Or do you know any other school that have similar program as I mentioned above? Would be very happy if you'd like to discuss!

Hi all, Just wondering some thoughts. I'm a bit of an unusual candidate for an MPA & wanted to hear thoughts before I make a final decision on pursuing the degree. I have about 10+ of IT professional experience as a systems engineer who decided to go back to college at some point. I ended up earning a BA in Political Science from a Top 10 school while I worked and progressed in my career. I also did some volunteer work during this time period - some of which has spanned a few years at a time, and I have experience with stuff such as managing a mom-and-pop microfinance firm. My goal, ultimately, is to transition to nonprofit or public service work & I've been reviewing job descriptions to see what is in demand while applying to MPA programs. I am also applying to MBA programs that will let me have a nonprofit management concentration. I'm told from different people that my tech experience would be valuable as well as my volunteer work and exposure with micro-financing but I'm having a hard time seeing this with the job postings that I'm finding. My idea would be to use the time that I have in the MPA program to take advantage of career services & networking to help ease my job transition but with my recent internet searching, I'm now wondering if pursuing an MPA is a crazy idea for me. Any feedback would be welcome.

Hey Guys! I was wondering - Have any of you heard back from Georgia Tech yet? I applied for the MS program (Aerospace Engg.) for Fall 2017 and I've already sent them like 3 emails. They are just not replying. :/ Do any of you have any information as to what's happening? Thanks a ton.

Hi! I’m considering applying to graduate school and wanted to see if anyone here had experiences that might help me decide. What I would do: Apply for a PhD program in Neuroscience for Fall 2017. What I have done: I did a bachelors degree in Chemical and Biological Engineering at a pretty good university (Ranked 20-25 fwiw) and graduated in 2014. I did some research there, including a summer R&D internship in industry, and a senior project, but was never published or anything like that. I never really considered grad school. After graduating, I got a job doing analytics at a tech company in San Francisco. I’m now doing analytics at a different, but fairly well known and respected tech company (at least in SV). What I’m thinking: I like my job, but always loved science and academia and miss them both. I always thought neuroscience was interesting, and am excited about the innovation that’s happening now. In undergrad, my most favorite classes were the human biology, biological engineering, and computer science classes. Also, being now ~2 years out of undergrad, I’m scared of waiting and it being too late for me to start a PhD. So, mostly out of anxiety, I took the GRE a few weeks ago, and am now considering applying for a program next fall. Stats (if they are relevant): Undergrad GPA: 3.81 GRE: 167Q 166V My question(s) 1.Is it crazy for me to apply to a PhD program in neuroscience? Would I even be considered for acceptance? I haven’t done anything specifically related to neuroscience research. And, for the past few years, I haven’t done any academic research at all. 2. Has anyone else made the switch from industry (especially tech) back into grad school? How’d you do it? 3. Is there any lighter-weight way for me to get some experience in Neuroscience and see if I like it? It seems crazy to start a 6-8 year degree based on a gut feeling and reading a few books. But, I’m not completely sure where else to start. I really appreciate your advice. If anyone has any questions for me that I could be helpful with (I know that some phd students end up moving into Data Science/Analytics), I’d be happy to help. Just DM me. Thank You!

Hi everyone! A Toronto-based tech company called Venngage is offering a scholarship for students who want to start their own business. They're offering three scholarships: one $5000 scholarship and two $1000 scholarships. All you have to do is create an infographic pitching your business idea. Full information about the scholarship can be found here: https://venngage.com/blog/venngage-student-startup-scholarship/

I am an Applied Math and Bioinformatics double major looking to apply to top-tier PhD programs in Bioinformatics this fall. I was recently offered a data scientist/machine learning role in a large tech company for the summer. I have conducted research in machine learning applications to computational biology for the past two summers, worked in a laboratory for about 2 years, and was recently offered a spot in the Amgen Scholars program at my own university this summer. I want to conduct research in machine learning for biological applications, so this internship is a great opportunity to see the newest innovations in big data research (most of the best research in big data and machine learning is occurring in the tech industry); however, I have heard that many professors do not look favorably on industry internships. Will it hurt my chances of getting into a top-tier PhD program when I apply if I do a pure tech internship (not medically related)?

Hey Grad Cafe, I'm a life-long sufferer of anxiety, who recently experienced a really bad bout of it after I started grad school at MICA in the fall of 2014. Lots of self-doubt, crippling panic attacks and a struggle to find adequate mental health care. So, for my graduate thesis project at MICA, I've been working on an app that translates anxiety therapy and self-care techniques into fun adventure games. Basically, my goal is to develop a tool that helps fill gaps in mental health care experienced by so many millennials. I recently started a non-profit crowdfunding campaign to support my research: igg.me/p/worry-quest/ Grad Cafe-ers, would you be able to contribute and/or spread the word about my project? I'm just over halfway funded with less than three weeks to go. The money will be used towards a trip that will provide me with professional mentorship, and the opportunity to test my anti-anxiety app in cities across the United States. Also, all contributions are tax-deductible donations to the Millennial Trains Project 501(c)(3) non-profit. I'm also open to advice for crowdfunding. Have any of you found any particular strategy to be really effective? If you have any questions, feel free to reply in the thread or email me at mbambach@mica.edu. Thanks!

I have narrowed my decision down to the following schools: University of Colorado - Boulder University of Washington - Seattle Iowa State University Georgia Tech Texas A&M Virginia Tech UC - Davis Which program is the overall best decision for an MS degree? Which school looks the best to employers? Which school is the most respected? Which program has the best job prospects? . Thanks!