Who's applying this year? (for the 2011-2012 application season?)

[InquilineKea]

Maybe we might be able to share resources with each other.

Anyways - I'm definitely applying. My primary interests are actually in astrobiology - in particular - planetary atmospheres, so I'm mostly applying to the schools where the professors do a lot of work in the field. There's a lot more but I'll stop for now

[Kitkat]

I'm applying this year, I've already been getting my stuff together. I'm more into the geobiology and sed/strat stuff.

I think that geosciences in general have more people who go out and do stuff. I know that is what I am looking for in labs.

[InquilineKea]

Oh yeah - that's definitely true.

Unfortunately, NASA funding cuts seem to be hurting my chances. Kasting told me that he's losing funding for one grad student because his exobiology proposal failed to get renewed

[Kitkat]

Oh yeah - that's definitely true.

Unfortunately, NASA funding cuts seem to be hurting my chances. Kasting told me that he's losing funding for one grad student because his exobiology proposal failed to get renewed

That sucks. Such an awesome field, and I am sure that there is a lot to look for out there. It would be horrible for you not to do what you want to just because you couldn't get the funding for school. I wish you luck.

I am also curious to see how many schools people are applying to/have applied to in previous years? Personally it looks like I am settling on 9 right now, although I am not sure if that is too much or not, for something in geosciences. But since there are other people who can apply from other fields as well (like biology), and they also tend to apply to about this many, I don't know if it is enough. And then there is the consideration of the people writing my LOR's.

[InquilineKea]

That sucks. Such an awesome field, and I am sure that there is a lot to look for out there. It would be horrible for you not to do what you want to just because you couldn't get the funding for school. I wish you luck.

I am also curious to see how many schools people are applying to/have applied to in previous years? Personally it looks like I am settling on 9 right now, although I am not sure if that is too much or not, for something in geosciences. But since there are other people who can apply from other fields as well (like biology), and they also tend to apply to about this many, I don't know if it is enough. And then there is the consideration of the people writing my LOR's.

Ah - thank you very much for the support!

Yeah - this is definitely hard to say. Geoscience tends to have very little representation on the Internet (apart from Physics Forums and PhysicsGRE.com). And yeah - there are a bunch of people who also apply from physics too.

I don't know how much I'll apply to yet - much of it depends on my GRE scores. But I'll probably apply to 3 Caltech departments and 2 UChicago departments - at least.

[parable151]

I am applying to 2 PhD and 3 MS programs in geology. I am interested in tectonics and structural geology with a hint of geochemistry. My husband is in the military and we are being stationed in the Bay Area so I am limited to schools there. Of course, that means Berkeley and Stanford, which I don't think I'm probably highly qualified enough for but I'm trying anyway. The other three are San Francisco State, UC-East Bay, and San Jose State. San Jose State will be a bit of a commute but probably the best fit. If I get Standford or Berkeley though I will definately take that.

I have been out of college for 8 years, so that has made it a bit tough. I didn't do any research projects but I did work at WHOI as a lab assistant so I have a little bit of experience. Of course, haven't been able to get ahold of my old boss from there to do a letter of rec. My projected score on the latest GRE was 1300-1450. Not as high in the math as I hoped. But, I know once I get the scores we will see how the actual new style scores pan out.

[Kitkat]

Sounds like a good plan so far for what you have. And you never know with Stamford and Berkeley. One of my advisers said there should be a couple schools you don't think are likely, just in case you are that one person with not the best package, but with the best fit.

Good luck with the whole thing! I hope you get that letter, cause that sounds like it could be a good one.

[hope4fall2012]

Hello everyone ,

I'm from Bangalore, India..applying to PhD programs in Atmospheric Science for Fall 2012..Still in the process of shortlisting places to apply to.. ..

Im pretty sure I can't get into the biggies (Princeton AOS, Harvard EPS, MIT POAC, Columbia EESC, Chicago GEO, UCLA Atmos, Caltech EPS, UW Atmos, UC-SD Scripps), but I'm applying to 3 of these, just in case, things "happen" ..

The trouble I have is choosing the right set of schools which are not in the league of the above schools but still pretty good that I'd want to go there.. ..and I've been stuck on this list for way too long..

All the best to everyone who's applying.. May the force be with you..

[contretemps]

Hello everyone ,

I'm from Bangalore, India..applying to PhD programs in Atmospheric Science for Fall 2012..Still in the process of shortlisting places to apply to.. ..

Im pretty sure I can't get into the biggies (Princeton AOS, Harvard EPS, MIT POAC, Columbia EESC, Chicago GEO, UCLA Atmos, Caltech EPS, UW Atmos, UC-SD Scripps), but I'm applying to 3 of these, just in case, things "happen" ..

The trouble I have is choosing the right set of schools which are not in the league of the above schools but still pretty good that I'd want to go there.. ..and I've been stuck on this list for way too long..

All the best to everyone who's applying.. May the force be with you..

That is a LOT of smileys.

[hope4fall2012]

That is a LOT of smileys.

Yeah.. .. As soon as my post came up on screen, it looked yellow!! Guess I was happier than usual while writing the post..

[Kitkat]

Im pretty sure I can't get into the biggies (Princeton AOS, Harvard EPS, MIT POAC, Columbia EESC, Chicago GEO, UCLA Atmos, Caltech EPS, UW Atmos, UC-SD Scripps), but I'm applying to 3 of these, just in case, things "happen" ..

The trouble I have is choosing the right set of schools which are not in the league of the above schools but still pretty good that I'd want to go there.. ..and I've been stuck on this list for way too long..

First, welcome to the group!

Second, as I have heard from all sorts of people including the undergrad adviser at my school and my PI, there is no harm in applying to school that you think you would have a hard time getting into. You never know.

Third, picking schools is hard, but its important. Just try not to finish it all off at the last minute.

And all of the smiley faces were good to see. Its a good way to go about it all.

[InquilineKea]

Wow - where did you get that list of biggies from?

I do have the feeling that Geoscience admissions does seem a lot more "random" than admissions at most other places. Can you really compare a 3.4 in Physics with a 3.7 in Earth Science? Or a 3.4 in Physics with a 3.7 in Biology?

One thing: I just got a 810 on the Biology GRE as an astrophysics major. Could that help as well? I also took the Physics GRE, but I don't think I'll do as well.

This is my list so far:

Dec. 31st: harvard, princeton

Jan 1: Caltech Planetary, Caltech Environmental, Caltech Biology/CNS (huge reach here)

Jan 3: Columbia Astro (may switch to EES depending on PGRE score)

Jan 5: MIT EAPS, UCSC

Jan 8: Arizona Planetary

Jan 9: Chicago Geophysical Sciences

Jan 14: Arizona Astro (probably wont apply)

Jan 15: Boston U, Colorado, UCLA ESS, Washington Atmos

Jan 20: Penn State Astro

Feb 1: Cornell Atmos

[waddle]

This is my list so far:

Dec. 31st: harvard, princeton

Jan 1: Caltech Planetary, Caltech Environmental, Caltech Biology/CNS (huge reach here)

Jan 3: Columbia Astro (may switch to EES depending on PGRE score)

Jan 5: MIT EAPS, UCSC

Jan 8: Arizona Planetary

Jan 9: Chicago Geophysical Sciences

Jan 14: Arizona Astro (probably wont apply)

Jan 15: Boston U, Colorado, UCLA ESS, Washington Atmos

Jan 20: Penn State Astro

Feb 1: Cornell Atmos

I hope that "so far" means you're looking to trim it down.

[hope4fall2012]

On 11/20/2011 at 7:32 PM, InquilineKea said:

Wow - where did you get that list of biggies from?

I do have the feeling that Geoscience admissions does seem a lot more "random" than admissions at most other places. Can you really compare a 3.4 in Physics with a 3.7 in Earth Science? Or a 3.4 in Physics with a 3.7 in Biology?

I'm sorry if biggies meant something else. When I said biggies, I was referring to universities that are really well reputed and very difficult to get into (from an average, international (Indian) students perspective. I could very well be wrong.

And how would they compare GPAs? There has got to be some method to it right?

And that is a very very strong list. . I would be probably be applying to Penn State, UCSC and WashU too. Just wondering, why is Berkeley missing from your list? They have a pretty strong earth sciences program too right?

[InquilineKea]

On 11/21/2011 at 12:07 AM, waddle said:

I hope that "so far" means you're looking to trim it down.

Probably not - given my extremely unusual background, the advice is to apply to more. I don't even have any safeties, and I may be in the peculiar situation where I have a higher chance at Chicago/MIT/Caltech than at "lower-ranked" schools due to connections.

On 11/21/2011 at 5:59 AM, hope4fall2012 said:

I'm sorry if biggies meant something else. When I said biggies, I was referring to universities that are really well reputed and very difficult to get into (from an average, international (Indian) students perspective. I could very well be wrong.

And how would they compare GPAs? There has got to be some method to it right?

And that is a very very strong list. . I would be probably be applying to Penn State, UCSC and WashU too. Just wondering, why is Berkeley missing from your list? They have a pretty strong earth sciences program too right?

Ah I see - international.

Berkeley isn't there since there isn't anyone specifically in 3D exoplanetary atmosphere modelling there. But also since its deadlines are early and I'll probably miss them.

[spintosopranoofdeath]

Applying to these three schools for MA programs:

Columbia GSAS: Jewish Studies, Liberal Studies (Spring 2012)

SLC: Women's History (Spring or Fall 2012)

CUNY Hunter: Ethnomusicology (Fall 2012)

Columbia app is in, need to finish up CUNY and start SLC.

[Kitkat]

How are everybody's application's going so far? Almost have my first one done! getting excited....

[mike_ens]

Hi, I'm also international student from Mexico. Right now I'm doing a MS in applied math (at UW, Fulbright funded), and looking forward to applying to PhD's for the next year (I want to do some theoretical stuff combining advanced math, as well as physical process in the ocean+atmosphere).

Here are the schools to which I'm applying to:

1. NYU (center of atmosphere ocean science)

2. USCD- Scripps (P.O.)

3. UW (applied math & Physical Oceanography)

I guess when it comes to choosing a school to apply to, I would recommend to consider the research possibilities you have at each school, and also the city you want to live in for the next five of years. Again, I would take my time when it comes to which school, depending on whether there is someone whose research is appealing to my interests, and maybe someone who is not too famous, but a great scientists still. You don't want to get stuck with a person who doesn't care about his/her students, or doesn't have time for you...

[waddle]

Applying to these three schools for MA programs:

Columbia GSAS: Jewish Studies, Liberal Studies (Spring 2012)

SLC: Women's History (Spring or Fall 2012)

CUNY Hunter: Ethnomusicology (Fall 2012)

Columbia app is in, need to finish up CUNY and start SLC.

FYI, this is the "Earth sciences" subforum. You may have posted in the wrong thread. But you're certainly welcome to hang out here!

[waddle]

Hi, I'm also international student from Mexico. Right now I'm doing a MS in applied math (at UW, Fulbright funded), and looking forward to applying to PhD's for the next year (I want to do some theoretical stuff combining advanced math, as well as physical process in the ocean+atmosphere).

Here are the schools to which I'm applying to:

1. NYU (center of atmosphere ocean science)

2. USCD- Scripps (P.O.)

3. UW (applied math & Physical Oceanography)

I guess when it comes to choosing a school to apply to, I would recommend to consider the research possibilities you have at each school, and also the city you want to live in for the next five of years. Again, I would take my time when it comes to which school, depending on whether there is someone whose research is appealing to my interests, and maybe someone who is not too famous, but a great scientists still. You don't want to get stuck with a person who doesn't care about his/her students, or doesn't have time for you...

Mike, just a heads up, in case you haven't considered it: The UC's are going through a period of low funding right now, and classes, instructor positions, and internal funding have been cut severely. This means that UCSD will have fewer openings for graduate students (less TA funding, and less internal funding), and funding may not be stable (I don't remember if Scripps guarantees funding, but it's worth looking into these days--you don't want to be caught without funding midway through your Ph.D.). It looks as if you're very qualified (and probably would be admitted to Scripps easily during normal years), but just be aware that if you are able to bring your own funding (via an external fellowship) to the school, you'll probably have a much greater chance of acceptance this year. Public schools in other states, and most private schools, are faring much better (relative to the UC's). Scripps is a great place, and I'm certainly not trying to imply that you shouldn't apply, but it's good to be aware of the financial situation that it might be in. (Feel free to PM me if you have questions you'd like to discuss.)

[mike_ens]

Thanks waddle!

It is something to really consider :S. I will, fortunately, be able to secure funding via an external (Mexican) fellowship which is renewable for up to 5 years. Do you think that should be something to mention on my application?

And again, thanks for the heads up!

[waddle]

Thanks waddle!

It is something to really consider :S. I will, fortunately, be able to secure funding via an external (Mexican) fellowship which is renewable for up to 5 years. Do you think that should be something to mention on my application?

And again, thanks for the heads up!

DEFINITELY MENTION THIS. That's great!

[hope4fall2012]

That thing regarding the UCs definitely is bad news..I have 3 of them in my list, might chop it down to 2 I think..for lack of research fit..

But if a prof replies that there is funding available for one graduate student in his research group, does it imply that funding is not a problem, atleast for that particular prof?

[waddle]

But if a prof replies that there is funding available for one graduate student in his research group, does it imply that funding is not a problem, atleast for that particular prof?

I would interpret it to mean that they have an RA position for at least one year. Because most NSF grants run for 3 years, RA funding from the same grant usually can't be guaranteed for more than three years in advance. If their grant runs out midway through your Ph.D. and they aren't able to get another one to fund you, and if the department doesn't guarantee funding (via TAships, etc.), then you might be out of luck (unless you have external funding of your own, like a fellowship).