tuff Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 That sounds awesome. I will be happy just to hear from any of them... I think if I could land an interview, I would make a much better impression than my numbers. Good luck with your interview
tuff Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 Thank you so much!!!! I am keeping my fingers crossed for everyone!!!!!!!
prospecting Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 (edited) Congrats to Tuff and Laocoon! Chances are you've already been accepted and the Professors just want to meet you to be sure that you are the candidate they think you are. I have met a few graduate students who have been kicked out of their respective g&g graduate programs because they turned out to be lackadaisical, lazy, disinterested, half-hearted. Actually knew a masters candidate who would be drunk at a bar by late afternoon; needless to say he got kicked out without a recommendation letter and without department support in helping find him a job. In any case - my guess is that it will be an especially tough application season because of the oil and gas downturn; jobs are being cut left and right, and people must've figured nows the best time to go to graduate school. Recent graduates who are unemployed, and who initially had no interest in graduate school are now left without a choice. There were many signs back in November that O&G was in for a slow, and many must have picked up on those signs. If this continues on, the next application season will be all the more competitive. So while it is more competitive than in previous years, please don't think it is you. There are many external circumstances, such as funding, which are beyond our control that dictates who gets in and who doesn't. That being said, I am a little surprised Geomex with full funding available hasn't been picked up yet. Keep your chin up everyone. Its not over until its over. Edited January 24, 2015 by prospecting laocoön and tuff 2
sjoh197 Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 Yeah, the O&G downturn is making it far more difficult for the students like myself and others here that planned from the start to go to grad school and are now competing with people who are applying as a somewhat second thought.
columbia09 Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 Apparently there are only 4 TA positions and over 100 applicants that applied to VT This is going to be painful but my POI confirmed that my application wasn't reviewed yet
jamesy1116 Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 Apparently there are only 4 TA positions and over 100 applicants that applied to VT This is going to be painful but my POI confirmed that my application wasn't reviewed yet Welp
dirtychai Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 (edited) Undergrad Institution: Big Research Oriented University, top tier reputation.Major(s): Earth ScienceMinor(s): Environmental Systems, SociologyGPA in Major: 3.6Overall GPA: 3.1, upper divs = 3.6Position in Class: In major, near top. In whole school, somewhere average (not bad)Type of Student: Domestic femaleGRE Scores (revised/old version):Q: 158V: 153W: 3.5Research Experience: 1.5 years of research experience, paper in the works, one conference publication Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Scholarships for socioeconomically disadvantaged, first generation students, also deans list a couple timesPertinent Activities or Jobs: Teaching Assistant in geology, Research assistant in seismology, paleontology, geochemAny Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: was homeless and still went to college and graduated with honors? Special Bonus Points: female, minority, finishing up MS thesis at top tier institution with research that is relevant to the POIs I have contacted (same as undergrad)Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: one of my LORs has personal ties with one of the schools I am applying to and knows the chair of the dept. Other LORs are respected in their fields Applying to Where:OSU Corvallis- Geology - Petrology/Geochemistry - rejected!U of O - Geology - Petrology/Geochemistry Edited January 24, 2015 by dirtychai
teddybrosevelt Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 Sorry to hear about OSU dirtychai! Did you apply to work with their VIPER program?
ellen_ai Posted January 25, 2015 Posted January 25, 2015 Hi, guys. I'm getting really freaked out now that I heard NOTHING from the schools I applied to Undergrad Institution: Big Research Oriented University in China.Major(s): Environmental Science (in Earth Science department) Minor(s):GPA in Major: Overall GPA:3.91/4.3Position in Class:1/11Type of Student: International femaleGRE Scores (revised/old version):Q: 169V: 165W: 4.0Research Experience: 1.5 years of research experience in eco-geology and paleoclimate at home institution in China, a bit of work in environmental policy during an exchange semester, 2 months physical oceanography/geomicrobiology in MITAwards/Honors/Recognitions: 2 times Chinese National Scholarship and a top tier scholarship from a business foundationPertinent Activities or Jobs: research assistantAny Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Special Bonus Points: not any that I can think of...Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: LOR from my advisor in MIT, not sure what she wrote about me... One third author paper subscribed to PNAS and got rejected, but when I submitted my application it was still under review so in my SOP I described it as under reviewApplying to Where:PhD: Stanford EESS Princeton Geoscience UCSB Geoscience UNC-Chapel Hill Marine Science Brown geoscience UT Austin geoscience Columbia Lamount-Doherty My research interest mostly lies in paleoclimate. I tried to contact the faculty I want to work with, and only heard back from UNC, Brown and Columbia. The UNC professor said there's plenty of opportunity for my research interest and encouraged me to apply. The Columbia faculty said he does not have funding at the moment but encouraged me to apply (...) and I visited the lab at Brown this summer during my time at MIT, but the professor was on a sampling trip and I talked with two PhD students. I also applied to MEM at Yale FES and Duke Nicholas School and a master at Utrecht University. I got accepted to Utrecht and is now working on a thesis to apply for Utrecht scholarship. Many of my friends around are receiving interview notices or already got offers and I heard nothing from any US school I applied to and I'm really freaking out. So please any advice? Should I try to contact the someone to ask or just wait?
prospecting Posted January 25, 2015 Posted January 25, 2015 Hi, guys. I'm getting really freaked out now that I heard NOTHING from the schools I applied to Undergrad Institution: Big Research Oriented University in China.Major(s): Environmental Science (in Earth Science department) Minor(s):GPA in Major: Overall GPA:3.91/4.3Position in Class:1/11Type of Student: International femaleGRE Scores (revised/old version):Q: 169V: 165W: 4.0Research Experience: 1.5 years of research experience in eco-geology and paleoclimate at home institution in China, a bit of work in environmental policy during an exchange semester, 2 months physical oceanography/geomicrobiology in MITAwards/Honors/Recognitions: 2 times Chinese National Scholarship and a top tier scholarship from a business foundationPertinent Activities or Jobs: research assistantAny Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Special Bonus Points: not any that I can think of...Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: LOR from my advisor in MIT, not sure what she wrote about me... One third author paper subscribed to PNAS and got rejected, but when I submitted my application it was still under review so in my SOP I described it as under reviewApplying to Where: PhD: Stanford EESS Princeton Geoscience UCSB Geoscience UNC-Chapel Hill Marine Science Brown geoscience UT Austin geoscience Columbia Lamount-Doherty My research interest mostly lies in paleoclimate. I tried to contact the faculty I want to work with, and only heard back from UNC, Brown and Columbia. The UNC professor said there's plenty of opportunity for my research interest and encouraged me to apply. The Columbia faculty said he does not have funding at the moment but encouraged me to apply (...) and I visited the lab at Brown this summer during my time at MIT, but the professor was on a sampling trip and I talked with two PhD students. I also applied to MEM at Yale FES and Duke Nicholas School and a master at Utrecht University. I got accepted to Utrecht and is now working on a thesis to apply for Utrecht scholarship. Many of my friends around are receiving interview notices or already got offers and I heard nothing from any US school I applied to and I'm really freaking out. So please any advice? Should I try to contact the someone to ask or just wait? I'd say to contact the department's graduate studies coordinator and ask if your application has been reviewed.
prospecting Posted January 25, 2015 Posted January 25, 2015 FYI - heard from a friend today that he received an offer letter from UT-Austin. His research focus will be on geophysics and I believe seismic interpretation/reservoir characterization...?
GeoDUDE! Posted January 25, 2015 Posted January 25, 2015 I still think its too early, and Earth Sciences doesn't do many interviews. Most acceptances are in February and march. Remember its been just a little over a week since 1/15.
sophie anne Posted January 25, 2015 Posted January 25, 2015 I know that Brown hasn't met yet. My POI said during my visit that he wouldn't have any official news for me until mid-February so I wouldn't be too worried, ellen_ai.
mars.tina Posted January 26, 2015 Posted January 26, 2015 Undergrad Institution: Top 5 school Major(s): Geology (BS), Geophysics (MS)Minor(s):GPA in Major: 3.7Overall GPA: 3.37Position in Class: AverageType of Student: domestic female, hispanicGRE Scores (revised):Q: 156V: 167W: 5.0Research Experience: two summer research fellowships, wrote a Master thesisAwards/Honors/Recognitions: Nothing national level, small scholarships here and therePertinent Activities or Jobs: Worked in oil and gas 4 yearsApplying to Where: PhD, haven't heard from anyone yet... Caltech GPS (top choice) University of Arizona UCLA UC Berkeley MIT EAPS Harvard
columbia09 Posted January 27, 2015 Posted January 27, 2015 I spoke to two people from my university that also applied to UT and they heard nothing.
sophie anne Posted January 27, 2015 Posted January 27, 2015 Did anyone here apply to Boulder? Yes. I believe that the adcom should be finishing their first pass at the files this week, and they will then be reviewed by your POI/potential advisor. (per an email from my POI)
bethileptic Posted January 27, 2015 Posted January 27, 2015 Undergrad Institution: UC Irvine (you would have found out because I am applying there for grad as well, anyways ) Major(s): Earth System Science w/ concentration is Hydrology and Terrestrial EcosystemsMinor(s): GPA in Major: 3.893Overall GPA: 3.495Position in Class: No idea, and no way to find outType of Student: domestic, white, femaleGRE Scores (revised/old version):Q: 159 (wish that was higher)V: 170W: 5.5Research Experience: 1+ year with climate model output data on storms; presented results at AGU poster session last year and writing manuscript now. Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's List for a few quarters?Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Internship with county government office in water quality planningAny Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Not really :/Special Bonus Points: Three potential PIs came to my poster presentation at AGU; met with them all outside AGU as well.Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: C's and B's in math and physics classes :/ real bummer there. Taking math courses (DE last semester, Linear Algebra right now) at my old community college (I was a transfer) to try to improve this... B in DE >< I want to mention that this is all pretty well-explained in my statements, though, so hopefully that helps? Applying to Where: UC Irvine - Earth System Science PhD - Physical climate/climate change/climate modeling (I know it's weird to go to the same school for grad, but I really fell in love with the department while doing research) UC Davis - Atmospheric Science PhD - Computational geosciences/mesoscale meteorology/bio- and micrometeorology - Also applied for the CCWAS IGERT - Invited to visit! UC Santa Cruz - Earth and Planetary Science PhD - Climate change/clouds UC Los Angeles - Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences PhD - Dust emission and cycling/climate modeling/climate change GeoDUDE! 1
GeoDUDE! Posted January 27, 2015 Posted January 27, 2015 (edited) bethileptic I don't think its weird in your case since UC Irvine is one of the finest departments in atmospheric science. Good luck! Let me know if you have any questions about Davis (though you applied to a different department). Edited January 27, 2015 by GeoDUDE!
prospecting Posted January 27, 2015 Posted January 27, 2015 Don't departments tend to reject candidates from attending graduate studies at where they did their UG? of the five people I knew who applied to their department, only one ever got accepted but his POI has a ton of money and clout. All the best though! Its kinda quiet in this thread...
teddybrosevelt Posted January 27, 2015 Posted January 27, 2015 It is quiet! I suppose once news starts coming in from programs it will liven up. I know many programs prefer their UG students to complete a graduate degree elsewhere, while some smaller departments (master's terminal) sometimes prefer recruiting their UG students to complete a master's due to their familiarity with the program. I would imagine the research, and experience matter more to a future employer, right?
prospecting Posted January 27, 2015 Posted January 27, 2015 I spoke to two people from my university that also applied to UT and they heard nothing. Most offer letters would have been sent out by mid-Feb, and despite this I believe UT holds out on sending rejection letters out till May. It is quiet! I suppose once news starts coming in from programs it will liven up. I know many programs prefer their UG students to complete a graduate degree elsewhere, while some smaller departments (master's terminal) sometimes prefer recruiting their UG students to complete a master's due to their familiarity with the program. I would imagine the research, and experience matter more to a future employer, right? Yup and the graduate department wants diversity and so promotes accepting students from different educational backgrounds.
Crucial BBQ Posted January 27, 2015 Posted January 27, 2015 Don't departments tend to reject candidates from attending graduate studies at where they did their UG? of the five people I knew who applied to their department, only one ever got accepted but his POI has a ton of money and clout. Typically, yes and usually for reasons of nepotism. Also, considering that in academia one never knows where they will find jobs, or how often they may have to move, it is generally seen as a good "learning experience" to attend graduate school elsewhere. Of course this is not the case across the board; some do attend both undergrad and grad school at the same institution. The more competitive the program the least likely this will happen, though.
columbia09 Posted January 27, 2015 Posted January 27, 2015 Most offer letters would have been sent out by mid-Feb, and despite this I believe UT holds out on sending rejection letters out till May. Oh really ? That sucks but the other two people I talked to have good credentials also so I'm not that worried yet.
bethileptic Posted January 27, 2015 Posted January 27, 2015 UCI's ESS department has taken UG students within it in the past, so I hold out hope. As far as nepotism goes, my research adviser has already told me he likely does not have funding for another grad student, so it probably would not be him I could work with. I did not build up a relationship with anyone else, really (I did not plan on grad school until very recently, and I am a very shy person) so... it would honestly probably be someone I don't know. Which is fine! There is a ton of awesome research going on there, and I would love to be a part of any of it. I know it's unusual, I know it's often discouraged -- but I would kick myself if I didn't at least try. We'll see!
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