NSF GRFP 2012-2013

[khujeci]

I can't help but think about the 6 months of anticipation then the let down of not winning, then the encouragement of at least getting HM, then the daunting task of starting over.

It's my first time, but I felt the deadline helped to think through my hypothesis. So regardless of NSF/HM, they helped me finally get into this issue. That's helpful even for classes I am taking now.

I'll switch to "et al" for anything more than 2

I think these things don't matter. Even if you truncate a citation, those are not things they use to ding you. They just would not even have time.

I didn't actually ask anyone to look at it. I probably should have, but I finished it the day it was due.

I've seen two winning samples from my university. One which was completed on the day and reviewed by no one (no time). Another that was heavily fine-tuned over two weeks. Radically different writing styles, and both got it. It's about what's inside. It's understandable that we will ask technical questions on this board (because I cannot help you with your biology related question as it's not my field) but let us not think that people get NSF because of the right combination of words per line, concepts per page, etc. The two examples were very different, neither used bold sub of the category heading (although they did hit those issues in the actual essay) and it seemed to not matter.

Good luck everyone. Nice to have company during this process. Now off to get blitzed. Friday night! Where's the nearest bar?

[InquilineKea]

Is it okay to cite academic books in the citations?

[SensLu]

I'm actually really excited about my whole application. Even if I don't win, at least I have a proposal ready and set to go. I knew one guy who lost the NSF GRFP but used his proposal to propose his project to professors. Ended up having a professor submit funding for his project and now he's in grad school. I think no matter what, you should keep a positive attitude about it...especially if you know you put forth a great application. I think no matter how stellar other proposals are, the chances are really against everyone considering the amount of people who apply.

:

Now I'm just worried about how I gave my references plenty of time to submit letters and two are still absent makes me really nervous. Though my experience with one professor is that he submits letters of recs close to the deadline...I haaate that.

[SensLu]

Are you guys using "we" or "I" for your proposed experimental plan? I was leaning towards "I", but I talk about unpublished data from "our lab" and I want to have a consistent "voice" I guess... Speaking of which, how should I cite unpublished raw data? I've just been writing (unpublished data) after each statement but should I put something in the citations list--if so, what? I can only find formats for citing unpublished papers.

Also, I am currently working as a research assistant (applying to grad school right now) and I am proposing this project as if I was staying in this current lab/university for grad school which is unlikely but not outside the realm of possibility. This project IS specific to the lab/its interests and while I could perform it at a few other schools, where I am at now is best suited for it so I listed my current department as my proposed graduate program. Do you think reviewers could view this as weird for some reason?? Should I emphasize why this school really is the best place for this project (one technique was developed here and is still not widely disseminated and I am also using preliminary data from this lab)?

I used 'I' a lot for independent research, but when I talked about 'assisting' on other projects, I used 'we'. Honestly, I think it's already assumed that you're doing research in a lab where your research is specific to the professors/lab's interest. It's your project, so why wouldn't you use 'I'?

[Dynamom]

Are you guys using "we" or "I" for your proposed experimental plan? I was leaning towards "I", but I talk about unpublished data from "our lab" and I want to have a consistent "voice" I guess... Speaking of which, how should I cite unpublished raw data? I've just been writing (unpublished data) after each statement but should I put something in the citations list--if so, what? I can only find formats for citing unpublished papers.

For the research plan I used the passive voice (e.g., subjects will be... preliminary research indicates...), and saved "I" and "the lab of Dr. X" for research experience paper. I have a professor that has asked me to write my own recommendation letter. Uggh! Does anyone know of sample rec letters? Have tips? Thanks so much...

[dendy]

I read somewhere or talked to someone that someone once submitted an application saying that and the reviewers weren't too happy about that...so I'm not sure. I might just look for another program you can do it at. there's always another school working on something (see if your lab is doing any collaborations for instance)

Do you know why they didn't like it? I don't really discuss where I am doing this research other than referring to "our lab" and listing the department on the app. There isn't really another lab I could do this, and it's a real project I came up and am starting preliminary work on now. I think my PI said that I basically operate as a grad student now in my letter but I can't be sure.

I am referencing unpublished data from my lab--would they prefer I say I'm applying to Harvard and taking my current lab's data, animals, and imaging setup with me??

Do the reviewers just think it's nepotism?

[dendy]

Are you guys using the required sections (Introduction, Problem Statement, Hypothesis, Methods to Test Hypothosis, Anticipated Results or Findings, Expected Significance, Broader Impacts and Literature Citations) as headers for each section or paragraph? Do you think it's ok to combine some of these things--My conclusion combines expected significance and broader impacts. Instead of writing "Methods to Test Hypothesis" I have two "Aims" that test my hypothesis and I my justification for that experiment and discuss the anticipated results or findings for each Aim within each aim section.

Does anyone know where I can find the format guidelines for previous years? All the papers I've read included "aims" but I will change mine if "aims" were specifically included in the guidelines each year, and replaced by "methods to test hypothesis"

[isawnewton]

Do you know why they didn't like it? I don't really discuss where I am doing this research other than referring to "our lab" and listing the department on the app. There isn't really another lab I could do this, and it's a real project I came up and am starting preliminary work on now. I think my PI said that I basically operate as a grad student now in my letter but I can't be sure.

I am referencing unpublished data from my lab--would they prefer I say I'm applying to Harvard and taking my current lab's data, animals, and imaging setup with me??

Do the reviewers just think it's nepotism?

I have talked to several graduate students who received the GRFP and a lot of them did what you are planning on to do. I am pretty sure there is nothing wrong with stating that you intend on continuing your research with Dr. xxx, as long as you justify it.

[whirledpeas13]

Has anyone here received the NSF in the past for Cultural Anthropology? Also, in terms of letters of recommendation, what should I have my letter writer's focus on? I have my current undergraduate advisor, a language instructor I've had for 4 years, and a professor with whom I've done research.

[Pitangus]

I have talked to several graduate students who received the GRFP and a lot of them did what you are planning on to do. I am pretty sure there is nothing wrong with stating that you intend on continuing your research with Dr. xxx, as long as you justify it.

My proposal last year was clearly meant to be carried out in a particular lab within my proposed program and institution (I mentioned the study site and the lab's previous work with the study system). Like dendy, I had worked for the lab previously. None of my reviewers expressed any concerns about this in their comments.

Also, I used "I" throughout my proposal. I didn't think to use to "we" at all, perhaps because I designed a project that was different than any of the lab's current (or previous) projects, so I wouldn't have used data or methods from anyone else in the lab.

Edited November 18, 2012 by Pitangus

[SensLu]

Are you guys using the required sections (Introduction, Problem Statement, Hypothesis, Methods to Test Hypothosis, Anticipated Results or Findings, Expected Significance, Broader Impacts and Literature Citations) as headers for each section or paragraph? Do you think it's ok to combine some of these things--My conclusion combines expected significance and broader impacts. Instead of writing "Methods to Test Hypothesis" I have two "Aims" that test my hypothesis and I my justification for that experiment and discuss the anticipated results or findings for each Aim within each aim section.

I think it varies based on subject. Based on the solicitation, you don't have to have a detailed proposal, you could just proposed an 'idea' of the research you want to do. In that case, I can imagine using the word 'Aims' would be appropriate.

I put 'introduction & problem' together with my objectives at the end of that section. Then I have hypothesis, methods, significance & expected results, broader impacts, and aspirations. I honestly don't think the headings make a difference as long as you're addressing the points. I've heard heading help to make your point, but I've seen essays that have no heading and they still won.

Edited November 18, 2012 by SensLu

[InquilineKea]

Can you manage your references and send reminder emails/add new references after the deadline?

Also - if I have ADD and put in "other" as a disability, do I have to list my disability as ADD when the form asks me to describe my disability, or can I put in something else?

Edited November 18, 2012 by InquilineKea

[anthro.fish]

Has anyone here received the NSF in the past for Cultural Anthropology? Also, in terms of letters of recommendation, what should I have my letter writer's focus on? I have my current undergraduate advisor, a language instructor I've had for 4 years, and a professor with whom I've done research.

Hi there Whirledpeas,

I was fortunate enough to win a NSF GRF last year for cultural anthropology. I'd be happy to help you in any way I can . . . if you'd like to Private Message me. Cheers.

[InquilineKea]

Does it matter if our citations are in alphabetical order (or any order at all)?

[dendy]

I've seen most people list them in order of appearance so they could cite them in text with a superscript number and save space.

[snowblossom2]

If it's a footnote, cite as needed; if it's a "References" space at the end, it's more professional to order alphabetically

[luce373]

If it's a footnote, cite as needed; if it's a "References" space at the end, it's more professional to order alphabetically

I think this depends on the field. In mine (chemistry), you wouldn't ever see references in alphabetical order. Since we use numbers to cite and not full in-text citations, the references are listed in the order they are cited.

I would recommend taking a look at the standards in your field. In a typical paper, how are they ordered? Then do the same.

[Eigen]

Pick one of the standard citation formats from your field, adhere to it all the way through your paper.

[synorg]

is there a way to send reminder emails to those writing reference letters (directly from the application)? i don't want them to have to sift through hundreds of emails to find the NSF letter upload link...

[SensLu]

is there a way to send reminder emails to those writing reference letters (directly from the application)? i don't want them to have to sift through hundreds of emails to find the NSF letter upload link...

I called NSF today after I added a reference, I didn't get CC'd on the email. They said they aren't cc'ing applicants anymore. If you want to send reminders you have to delete the reference and re-enter the email address.

[guttata]

I called NSF today after I added a reference, I didn't get CC'd on the email. They said they aren't cc'ing applicants anymore. If you want to send reminders you have to delete the reference and re-enter the email address.

That sounds like a good idea to me. I was a little surprised when I got the CC'd emails. Why in the world would you give the applicant access to their login info??

[SensLu]

That sounds like a good idea to me. I was a little surprised when I got the CC'd emails. Why in the world would you give the applicant access to their login info??

The EPA star grant does the same thing except they send the email to the applicant and the applicant has to send link with ID code and all to the applicant. My guess is they probably realize people can send in fake letters and they probably verify the references in some way. From my understanding, letter writers have to go through the process of getting a new password via the NSF website after they sign on using an initial password.

All this could be made easy if using the same system as online grad applications and just having a 'resend email' option

[dendy]

So they don't automatically send reminders to the recommenders? Ugh, I was hoping an official reminder from NSF would make one of my profs stop flaking out >:-[

[synorg]

wow shame on me for expecting the national science foundation to have a better way to do this than delete and re-enter recommender info

[SensLu]

So they don't automatically send reminders to the recommenders? Ugh, I was hoping an official reminder from NSF would make one of my profs stop flaking out >:-[

Yea I have a professor who is being flaky as well, that's why I added a fourth recommendation. Honestly, I don't understand, gave him over a months notice. My other letter writers including my mentor had no problem and the weird part is he wrote me a letter of recommendation before, he could just use the same letter!