Visit - What to expect?

[brooksja5]

For people who have already made visits, how did it go?? Did you enjoy your trip?  What went well and what didn't you like?

[iphi]

I've only done one so far, but I had kind of a problem. I really liked the program, the professors were great and the research I would be doing is ideal. However, I didn't like the city! At all. I am trying to figure out how important that is. Part of me thinks it should be ignored, but mental health is important, and grad school is LONG! Plus I've moved around so much that a minimum of 5 years in one place will be hard for me anyway, even if I started out loving the place.

[fancyfeast]

^^ Sounds like someone visited West Lafayette lol. - from an IU fan

[Nyx1801]

I am having my visit in April. I am not sure what to expect... any advice?? 

[alkylholic]

 

I've only done one so far, but I had kind of a problem. I really liked the program, the professors were great and the research I would be doing is ideal. However, I didn't like the city! At all. I am trying to figure out how important that is. Part of me thinks it should be ignored, but mental health is important, and grad school is LONG! Plus I've moved around so much that a minimum of 5 years in one place will be hard for me anyway, even if I started out loving the place. 

 

I think it's something worth considering.

 

I visited Massachusetts for MIT and Connecticut for Yale and I had a huge change of heart for similar reasons.

 

I was originally set on Yale... While I liked the faculty, I didn't like the campus, city or other people. New Haven was a dirty place to me and Yale felt rundown. The students in general did not impress me intellectually and had the stereotypical "Ivy league culture" (big surprise hah), which definitely doesn't gel with me. 

 

MIT on the other hand had an awesome campus and Cambridge was cleaner. The MIT people were more diverse, focused and just more helpful. 

 

I still haven't officially accepted offers, but I think MIT is going to be it... 

Edited March 11, 2014 by alkylholic

[caa55]

Is there any truth to the fact that the "environment" at MIT Chem is frosty/icy amongst some of the professors? Also, does anyone see some of their relatively recent losses (Nocera, Fu, Peters, etc...) as concerning?

 

I am really interested in MIT and I am reluctant to believe rumors but I figured I would ask and see if anyone knew better

Edited March 11, 2014 by caa55

[St Andrews Lynx]

Is there any truth to the fact that the "environment" at MIT Chem is frosty/icy amongst some of the professors? 

At every school there are always going to be professors with icy relations between each other. That's a product of tenure & academic life (big egos, patchy social skills, stuck in the same place together for 20-40 years). I'm sure that's true at MIT, and true anywhere else you're applying. 

 

It doesn't have to be a major problem if it's the case. Just make sure that the conflicting professors are never on your thesis committee together, and don't ever get caught in the cross-fire or dragged in. 

[prolixity]

Is there any truth to the fact that the "environment" at MIT Chem is frosty/icy amongst some of the professors? Also, does anyone see some of their relatively recent losses (Nocera, Fu, Peters, etc...) as concerning?

 

I am really interested in MIT and I am reluctant to believe rumors but I figured I would ask and see if anyone knew better

MIT is a great place to master out.  Be prepared to teach your first semester.

[loginofpscl]

Is there any truth to the fact that the "environment" at MIT Chem is frosty/icy amongst some of the professors? Also, does anyone see some of their relatively recent losses (Nocera, Fu, Peters, etc...) as concerning?

 

I am really interested in MIT and I am reluctant to believe rumors but I figured I would ask and see if anyone knew better

 

Spoke to an alumni about the poaching issue-- the perception that it's hurting Inorganic quite a bit. On the up-side, they were able to hire big talent right back (e.g. Surendranath and Dinca, who both studied under Nocera)

Edited March 14, 2014 by loginofpscl

[St Andrews Lynx]

I've only done one so far, but I had kind of a problem. I really liked the program, the professors were great and the research I would be doing is ideal. However, I didn't like the city! At all. I am trying to figure out how important that is. Part of me thinks it should be ignored, but mental health is important, and grad school is LONG! Plus I've moved around so much that a minimum of 5 years in one place will be hard for me anyway, even if I started out loving the place.

I'd say visit the other places you were admitted to. 

Another school might blow you out of the water even more than this one. Or you visit one where you kinda like the city and quite like the program and realise that's the best overall option for you. 

[iphi]

I'd say visit the other places you were admitted to. 

Another school might blow you out of the water even more than this one. Or you visit one where you kinda like the city and quite like the program and realise that's the best overall option for you. 

 

I'm probably attending the one where I didn't like the city! I visited a bunch of places and unfortunately was waitlisted at my favorite. The city I didn't like has the school which is the best academically + is offering me full funding, plus it's the best research fit.

Edited March 14, 2014 by iphi

[Chemcki]

I have to tell you April visits are really usually intense, you are going be meeting fewer fellow students (maybe feeling isolated). Professors are going to ask you questions and this is going to be like a real interview, as opposed to visiting weekends where they meet 20 something students, whatever you do and say is going to leave a strong impression which they will remember. I bet they will even remember your name.  

 

My advice:

 

1. Know your own research well. The most difficult questions are going to come from your own research. I once met this Argentine professor who questioned my resume quite a lot.

2. Be clear about your research interest (show them you are genuinely interested in their work). There are professors that will tell you you are not right for the program, but the point is for you to meet a couple profs. that you will say to them that you are really interested in their work.

Edited March 14, 2014 by Chemcki