2016 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results

[sjoh197]

8 minutes ago, GeoDUDE! said:

Really???

 I had always thought it was private.... the more you learn! 

Yeah, there is a reason pretty much all top schools don't accept students without funding, even for masters. 

The part I didn't get was that I applied there last year for a masters and they told me that I had great lor's and a good application but they didn't have enough funding for me because they were prioritizing phd students, so I was denied.

So that was either a b.s. way to say "you suck" or I'm just a confused person lol. Because I feel like an unfunded masters is a lot different than an unfunded phd.

What is you opinion on ability to find funding after self funding for one year?

[gelologist]

2 hours ago, GeoDUDE! said:

Really???

 I had always thought it was private.... the more you learn! 

I did in fact confirm it was public before posting on the boards, you know  

 

Anyway, yeah all around a sticky situation; I was just playing Devil's Advocate and floating ideas. Hopefully things work themselves out, @sjoh197! Does your POI have *any* research money? Maybe it's not enough for an RA, but you could be a lab tech for a little while? Or even at somewhere like Rice, to stay in Houston? Doesn't hurt to ask people!

[GeoDUDE!]

2 hours ago, sjoh197 said:

What is you opinion on ability to find funding after self funding for one year?

At my masters institution, i had a friend who did this. But this was for a masters, and his advisor and he worked very hard to find funding on  campus, and he ended up doing waste management. He worked very hard to find a job, and worked very hard to stay on top. I think he is the exception to the rule. His job was also much harder than being a RA/TA.

At happy hours you will hear students complain about their jobs ect, and it will be harder to relate. Most people will be fine with this though, its just extra difficulties that don't make things ideal.

To keep it straight, if you weren't able to procure funding twice in a row, what chances when your there? This is something I would ask your POI. My bet is not much changes, other than the fact that you can write NSF grants with your POI directly. That could help, but acceptance rates for NSF grants are pretty low... not something I'd want to gamble thousands of dollars on. 

I suppose, though, if you are getting instate tuition, and you and your family can make do without you having an income (this is a personal matter), It could work out.  People spend 5k on jewelry and other things, so spending 25k for a PhD isn't such a bad thing I guess. The thing is, I wouldn't take a part time job. TAing helps you learn how to teach, so its important if you want to be an academic. RAing, well you do research. An assistantship is part of the training to become a scholar. Doing a partime job as something else seems like it would be too distracting for me. 

[zerozircon]

Do you guys have any suggestions on how to write a letter that declines an offer?

[gelologist]

1 hour ago, zerozircon said:

Do you guys have any suggestions on how to write a letter that declines an offer?

My first thought was, "no," and, "oh crap I'm going to have to do a lot of them" hah.

But I think short and simple and polite is best: "Dear Prof. X, Thanks for taking all the time to respond to emails, meet in person, and otherwise answer any questions I had about the program at Y. I was impressed by the quality of the program there and I had much fun on my visit. Still, after much thought, I've decided to accept an offer elsewhere (Univ). That said, I'm glad I had the chance to develop this professional connection: given the complementary nature of our shared research interests, I really do look forward to the prospect of collaborating together in the future! Best, zerozircon"

Thoughts?

[Slutha]

Did anyone else apply to Arkansas? They're the only one I haven't heard anything from in all the places I applied

[klippe]

Question for the current grad students -- what % of your stipend gets taken out for taxes? I am trying to prepare a budget estimate for grad school. I know not all stipends are taxed, but the ones I am looking at will be. Thanks.

[GeoDUDE!]

36 minutes ago, klippe said:

Question for the current grad students -- what % of your stipend gets taken out for taxes? I am trying to prepare a budget estimate for grad school. I know not all stipends are taxed, but the ones I am looking at will be. Thanks.

~10% but I tend to get it all back in the form of a return. 

[magnetite]

On 4/2/2016 at 9:09 PM, CornUltimatum said:

Ah look like we're in the same boat! Good luck! I suspect funding at this point hinges on what grants the professors have to support their student. 

I haven't had much contact with the professors I want to work with. I sent them both an email Friday but only one has responded. He said I have a strong application, but he doesn't have any obvious funding for what I want to do. I'm wondering if I should contact another another professor whose research is similar to my interests, if not exact.

[CornUltimatum]

I contacted mine and he told me essentially the same thing. Not a lot of funding, so it sounds like they're waiting to see what personal funding professors may be able to provide. He said he won't be making an official decision until the 15th of April. 

[CornUltimatum]

I'm getting pretty ancy since I'm still waiting to hear about funding from Reno, and the schools I'm waitlisted at may also give me an offer. 

[gelologist]

11 hours ago, magnetite said:

I haven't had much contact with the professors I want to work with. I sent them both an email Friday but only one has responded. He said I have a strong application, but he doesn't have any obvious funding for what I want to do. I'm wondering if I should contact another another professor whose research is similar to my interests, if not exact.

Have you had any good news yet this app cycle? Hope you hear something soon. Obviously funding is a big limiter. You can certainly ask them if he knows of anyone else in the dept with similar interests who's still looking for a student. I don't know that I'd go around them, though, out of courtesy; what do you say if another POI takes you, and then he finds you funding, you know?

 

5 hours ago, CornUltimatum said:

I'm getting pretty ancy since I'm still waiting to hear about funding from Reno, and the schools I'm waitlisted at may also give me an offer. 

Eek, sorry, still holding on to money and not sure if I'll accept/decline yet :| fingers crossed someone else comes through with your UNR money soon; it's a cool place!

[CornUltimatum]

I have a full funding offer from Oklahoma State I am seriously considering and just got a funded offer an hour ago from New Mexico Tech! So currently I'm in a great position. 

I called UNR earlier today and it seems as though the official graduate advisor (who does the money things) is out of the country this week. I won't hear anything until next week, I think. 

 

I thought I had a deadline this week but it was a typo. So currently it's fine. As for UNR I am thinking about sending my potential advisor who I would be researching with an email - since at least one year should be an RA-ship (due to how the project will be funded) he should be able to give me a bit of insight on funding I think. 

Edited April 7, 2016 by CornUltimatum

[magnetite]

Thanks, @geologist! I just have three rejections so far, with decisions still to come from five schools including Arizona State. The other professor there responded earlier saying we should talk. I've got a phone call scheduled with him on Friday afternoon, so hopefully it'll go well!

And congrats again, @CornUltimatum. Turning out to be a very good cycle for you!

[ETRXRock]

8 hours ago, magnetite said:

Thanks, @geologist! I just have three rejections so far, with decisions still to come from five schools including Arizona State. The other professor there responded earlier saying we should talk. I've got a phone call scheduled with him on Friday afternoon, so hopefully it'll go well!

And congrats again, @CornUltimatum. Turning out to be a very good cycle for you!

Is the professor you have a phone called scheduled for is with ASU? If so, that is what happened to me. I got a phone called scheduled and they let me know the good news hoping you get the same as it would be nice to know a new fellow grad in the program!

[Miner 49er]

On 2/18/2016 at 2:44 PM, DrZoidberg said:

Sorry for being a bit nosey, I was just wondering where/how you heard PO was only taking one student? 

So apparently, they admitted 6 students for PO. Somehow they later figured out a way to pool money from MIT

[magnetite]

@ETRXRock Yeah, it's a professor at ASU, but one I haven't had much contact with. His research is exactly what I want to do. I've been counting down the seconds until tomorrow.

[ETRXRock]

17 minutes ago, magnetite said:

@ETRXRock Yeah, it's a professor at ASU, but one I haven't had much contact with. His research is exactly what I want to do. I've been counting down the seconds until tomorrow.

I could not sleep the days up until my phone call and now I cannot sleep because I got accepted hahaha. The professor called me and discussed a project. I said yes! Looks like you are on the same path as me. I really hope you get good news. I was worried about my call but my husband said if they take the time to call you, then it will be good news

[Windmills]

Has anyone else gotten an email from UT's Jackson School with the subject "JSG Profile Created" saying "A Jackson School of Geosciences profile has been created for you. Please login to the profile administration application using the URL below to add more information to your profile"? Funny thing is, I haven't even committed to the program yet.

[GeoMasters2016]

Hey Y'all

One school offering me to do Masters in hydrogeology with no funding.....and possibly instruct classes

Or... stay at my current university with the geography program to do Masters in fluvial and arid geomorphology with a high chance to teach physical geography courses and some funding.

Ultimately, I want a PhD in geology after to be a professor.... but I think I would be okay with a physical geography/geomorphology.

Any ideas what I should do :)?

[CornUltimatum]

6 hours ago, GeoMasters2016 said:

Hey Y'all

One school offering me to do Masters in hydrogeology with no funding.....and possibly instruct classes

Or... stay at my current university with the geography program to do Masters in fluvial and arid geomorphology with a high chance to teach physical geography courses and some funding.

Ultimately, I want a PhD in geology after to be a professor.... but I think I would be okay with a physical geography/geomorphology.

Any ideas what I should do :)?

That's weird that one school wants you as a TA but isn't offering you a TAship package. 

 

I would go where the money is. After your bachelor's you can only take out unsubsidized loans and it gets crazy expensive. If you're going for a PhD it would be sometime before you can pay it back! So the interest would be crazy. 

[zerozircon]

8 hours ago, Windmills said:

Has anyone else gotten an email from UT's Jackson School with the subject "JSG Profile Created" saying "A Jackson School of Geosciences profile has been created for you. Please login to the profile administration application using the URL below to add more information to your profile"? Funny thing is, I haven't even committed to the program yet.

I did too, and I declined their offer a few days ago...

[DrZoidberg]

@Miner 49er Thanks! 

[GeoDUDE!]

9 hours ago, GeoMasters2016 said:

Hey Y'all

One school offering me to do Masters in hydrogeology with no funding.....and possibly instruct classes

Or... stay at my current university with the geography program to do Masters in fluvial and arid geomorphology with a high chance to teach physical geography courses and some funding.

Ultimately, I want a PhD in geology after to be a professor.... but I think I would be okay with a physical geography/geomorphology.

Any ideas what I should do :)?

If you want to go into a phd program you should apply to those?

I would not go into any program without funding. 

[Proford]

Hi guys, I am looking for anyone's opinion or knowledge about these two schools: University of Texas at El Paso and San Diego State University.

UT El Paso has accepted me with funding both years. San Diego State has accepted me with funding the first year, and likely the second year as well. After considering the higher cost of living, I think it will be more expensive to attend SDSU than UTEP.

The quality of education and networking opportunities for a job after graduation are two important things I need to consider here. I would appreciate any information anyone can share. Thanks!