Food science program

[racapieri]

<br />i just got a notification email from Davis today!!<br /><blockquote><br /><i>As Chair of the UC Davis Food Science Graduate Group Admissions Committee, I am pleased to notify you of your acceptance into our MS program beginning in Fall 2010.  You will soon receive official notification of your admittance along with more information about our program and a support offer.  In the meantime, if you have any questions about the program, please don't hesitate to contact me.</i><br /><i><br /></i></blockquote>I'm guessing this means I'm getting some kind of support package... wow I am really just blown away right now. I hope you guys have good news to report too <img src='http://forum.thegradcafe.com/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /><br />

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Woo hoo!!! Congratulations!

I haven't heard anything yet - praying.

[kobie]

Congratulation pjv!

Just like racapieri, I still haven't heard a thing yet. Keep on waiting and hope for the best.

May the rest of the admission results are coming to us soon.

[bvang]

Thanks guys

I could really use your help in deciding what to do now though...

Cornell

Pros: NY area (change of scenery, close to bf), prestigious school with great FS program, the only FS program with my desired "International Food Sci" specialty

Cons: No funding AND expensive, no research with an MPS ("professional MS")

Davis

Pros: Funded and affordable (in-state), great FS program (I was most impressed by their research when compared to other schools), easy move for me (in bay area now)

Cons: i really dislike the central valley (although I hear Davis itself is nice...), will be far from the bf, less prestigious school

I guess ultimately, I wonder ... how important is it in the world of Food Science to go to a "prestigious" school? I assumed it wouldnt matter that much because every program specializes in different things with different strengths. The admissions lady at Cornell told me there's potential I can switch to a funded MS my 2nd year (or find an outside fellowship)... but I dont know if this is even likely.

I'm still waiting for Rutgers to respond, so there might be one more option to consider too. although I'm not very optimistic because I was never able to get a hold of any professors from there (highly doubt they'll offer me funding).

I'd love to hear your thoughts. (Sorry, I should probably post this in the "Decisions, Decisions" forum... but i'd rather get other FS perspectives )

[racapieri]

Hello pjv,

I agree with you said. But, you shouldn't make the decision based on the location since you are going for a masters you won't be living there for too long. But whatever project/program you decide to do now will be stuck on your resume forever.

I have friends that went to Davis and they say it's not all that bad, a little boring, but you can always drive for an hour and go to SF or somewhere else for fun.

Davis has a very good reputation in Food Science, lots of published material, lots of funding.

I don't know much about Cornell, but it does sound a lot cooler to say that you went to Cornell than Davis ;-)

May I ask where did you get your undergrad?

I didn't contact any professors, how did you do it?

Thanks!

[bvang]

Hello pjv,

I agree with you said. But, you shouldn't make the decision based on the location since you are going for a masters you won't be living there for too long. But whatever project/program you decide to do now will be stuck on your resume forever.

I have friends that went to Davis and they say it's not all that bad, a little boring, but you can always drive for an hour and go to SF or somewhere else for fun.

Davis has a very good reputation in Food Science, lots of published material, lots of funding.

I don't know much about Cornell, but it does sound a lot cooler to say that you went to Cornell than Davis ;-)

May I ask where did you get your undergrad?

I didn't contact any professors, how did you do it?

Thanks!

Hey racapieri,

I posted this a while back .... but I actually did my undergrad in a completely unrelated field (computer science) - and on top of that I also have an MS in computer science as well. So, a big change of careers. I went to a small engineering college in CO so i bet the name is probably irrelevant

Actually I have a funny story to tell: I contacted professors way back in September when I was looking around. I looked into their research and emailed the ones who sounded interesting - simply just a few sentences about their research along with my resume. I didn't hear from any of them. It wasnt until Jan '10 that I realized that I had put this stupid filter on my inbox that automatically deleted all emails from *.edu addresses (dont even ask my why, long story). Yea talk about feeling stupid! Anyway, i resent ALL my emails to all those profs... and got some responses. But you can imagine not many professors responding in January. I guess I'll never know if they responded in Sept!

So yea this has definitely been a learning experience - lots of stupid mistakes ... but making some progress finally

Btw, thanks for your 2 cents about Davis. I need to take a drive up there and just pay it a visit.

Good luck!!

pjv

[kobie]

Hi pjv,

In terms of providing you with a background in food science that you lack, the MPS program of Cornell may seem to benefit especially when you are unsure of what field in food science you want to work in. However, if the UC Davis program does not stick you with any particular one lab during the whole degree program (I mean if it allows you to really rotate among different labs of different professors in the department), that will be a better choice.

Though the FS programs of both Cornell and UC Davis are all great, I would favor UC Davis more. The research areas there seem to be a little more diverse than Cornell, but maybe this also depends on your interest. For me, I found a better fit in UC Davis though both are my top choices.

And especially UCD is a perfect choice if you ever think of wine making as one of your chosen field to work in.

As to the location, I don't think it matters that much. Maybe for me Davis cannot be more boring than the small town I spent my college years in so that's why the location does not seem important to me at all.

That's my thought about the programs. But definitely it sounds more complicated when relationship also plays an important role in here.

I think if I were to choose between the two, I would also be undecided. It does sound pretty cool to say that you are going to Cornell as racapieri said though.

But it seems to me that your decision kindda leans towards UC Davis, doesn't it? Hope you will make the best decision for you.

Edited March 26, 2010 by kobie

[bvang]

Hi pjv,

In terms of providing you with a background in food science that you lack, the MPS program of Cornell may seem to benefit especially when you are unsure of what field in food science you want to work in. However, if the UC Davis program does not stick you with any particular one lab during the whole degree program (I mean if it allows you to really rotate among different labs of different professors in the department), that will be a better choice.

Though the FS programs of both Cornell and UC Davis are all great, I would favor UC Davis more. The research areas there seem to be a little more diverse than Cornell, but maybe this also depends on your interest. For me, I found a better fit in UC Davis though both are my top choices.

And especially UCD is a perfect choice if you ever think of wine making as one of your chosen field to work in.

As to the location, I don't think it matters that much. Maybe for me Davis cannot be more boring than the small town I spent my college years in so that's why the location does not seem important to me at all.

That's my thought about the programs. But definitely it sounds more complicated when relationship also plays an important role in here.

I think if I were to choose between the two, I would also be undecided. It does sound pretty cool to say that you are going to Cornell as racapieri said though.

But it seems to me that your decision kindda leans towards UC Davis, doesn't it? Hope you will make the best decision for you.

Hey Kobie,

Thanks for giving me your honest opinion - and for being really thorough - that means a lot.

You're both right about the fact that 2 yrs isn't really that long... so maybe location isn't that big of a deal. I think at this point, I'm going to stop stressing about picking a school until after I've visited both schools. I think visits make a very big difference on decision making... and with two top choices, I probably won't be THAT unhappy regardless of which one I pick right?

Thanks again for the advice/support. Good luck to both of you!

pjv

[kobie]

Hi guys,

Have you Food Science folks on this board gotten all your results yet?

I am still waiting to hear from 6 schools and really tired of the endless wait right now. Just wanna it to end soon.

[bvang]

Hi guys,

Have you Food Science folks on this board gotten all your results yet?

I am still waiting to hear from 6 schools and really tired of the endless wait right now. Just wanna it to end soon.

Hi Kobie,

I've heard from everyone already. I think the last one I heard from was Rutgers... and that was the last week of March.

Have you tried calling them and asking specifically? Maybe you'll be able to get some answers. (i.e. I had to call Rutgers myself)

good luck - sorry you're kept waiting so long. I would've pulled my hair out by this time.

[racapieri]

Nothing from Davis for me yet. :-(

Hey pjv, Congrats! Seems like you got in most of the schools you applied to. Have you decided where to go?

Do you mind sharing a little bit of your stats/background and application strategy? It would be interesting to know in case I need to re-apply next year.

How early did you submit you applications?

Thanks!!

[kobie]

I think I am gonna give them one more week before I contact them on next monday to find out.

By this time, I am already drained out by the wait. So stressed out!

[kobie]

Hi guys,

I have just checked the application status website of UC Davis and found out that I have been waitlisted. I am not sure whether the message was sent by the graduate school or the department so I don't know if that decisionis made by the department itself or not.

I don't have my hope too high with that waitlist thing at this late time into the application season, but somehow that makes me feel good about myself.

[bvang]

Hi guys,

I have just checked the application status website of UC Davis and found out that I have been waitlisted. I am not sure whether the message was sent by the graduate school or the department so I don't know if that decisionis made by the department itself or not.

I don't have my hope too high with that waitlist thing at this late time into the application season, but somehow that makes me feel good about myself.

Congrats that you got waitlisted! Hey, that's much better than getting rejected right?

I just wanted to add... I know you're international... but if there's ANY way you can visit the campus and meet with the professors... I feel like you should really consider it. I know it's late in the game, but a lot of them are still getting funding throughout the year... and granted Davis doesn't force you to obtain funding prior to joining... if you can have someone vouch for you, that will do wonders.

Have you heard back from any of the others?

Good Luck!

[kobie]

Thanks pjv,

Though the waitlist sounds a little disappointing at this late time, it kind of enlightens my mood in this long wait. At least it means my application is not so bad as I think it was considering I was waitlisted at a school with serious budget problems and the fact that I am an international student.

As to other schools, I still haven't heard anything from them yet. I did ask them about the completion of my application back in February and March and was told that the decision should be made towards April and May. I feel kind of intimidated to ask them again so I guess I just have to keep waiting.

If only I could visit the campuses and meet with the professors as you said, that would be wonderful. But I am currently not in the US any more. Actually if I were still in the US, everything would have been much easier for me in this application process.

Seems like you have already settled your decision. Congrats on that!

I wish you could transfer your spot at UC Davis to me instead.

I hope that you will enjoy your career change. Welcome to Food Science!

Edited April 20, 2010 by kobie

[mmarron32]

Good luck in your food science endeavors. It's a great field, even if many people don't know much about it. Here is a great resource for food science careers. Best of luck to you.

[natoulka]

hey guys,

I hold a BS in Food science and management, I want to apply to a university in Canada (1st choice is McGuill) for a Phd program bcz i heard we can do our Phd directly after BS without a masters degree but it takes longer (5 yrs).

Does anyone have any idea about this program? and about the funding? (i'm considered an international student)

thank u

[Kartheek Anekella]

Anyone for food science Fall 2012?? I am heading to NCSU

[Shekari]

I have applied for food science as well and still waiting for response from canadian universities. have an admit from MSU.

[Sol Invictus]

I have a Masters from Cornell in Food Science. I have applied for a PhD for the fall session of 2013 and I was wondering if there were more people like me waiting to hear about their decision results. If so, it would be nice if we can discuss about it