2016 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results

[gelologist]

2 hours ago, Proford said:

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!

Assuming from "both years" you mean you're doing a master's. I think they're both good MS places, UTEP probably slightly better oil & gas connections? SDSU probably good for environmental or a stop over before a phd because they have strong ties to the UCSD/Scripps geophysics program, but that's just what I can gather. Yes, definitely more expensive at SDSU though (countered by the fact that at least IMO SD is the nicer place to be), and a little shaky that they don't upfront guarantee funding for the 2nd year (though if you get residency after the first year hopefully it convinces them/makes it easier to get funded?). My $0.02, hope it helps  

[Proford]

59 minutes ago, gelologist said:

Assuming from "both years" you mean you're doing a master's. I think they're both good MS places, UTEP probably slightly better oil & gas connections? SDSU probably good for environmental or a stop over before a phd because they have strong ties to the UCSD/Scripps geophysics program, but that's just what I can gather. Yes, definitely more expensive at SDSU though (countered by the fact that at least IMO SD is the nicer place to be), and a little shaky that they don't upfront guarantee funding for the 2nd year (though if you get residency after the first year hopefully it convinces them/makes it easier to get funded?). My $0.02, hope it helps  

Thanks for the response. Yes, I will be completing an MS - sorry I forgot to mention that. Based on the conversations I've had with each school, my thesis at SDSU will be more relevant than the one at UTEP. Should I take that into consideration? My BS is actually in environmental science, so I already have a nice environmental background if I wanted find a job in that area.

[magnetite]

Posted this in the waitlist thread but haven't gotten a response. Figured I'd try here, too.

I had a call with the professor on Friday and it went very well, apart from my lack asking any meaningful questions. He started the call by telling me what I pretty much already knew--that they had done their first round of acceptances, that I was waitlisted, and would need to wait until people start either accepting or declining offers on April 15th to get an idea if I'd be accepted or not.

Then he asked about my research interests, which I described briefly, including a potential topic I'd like to investigate. That topic aligned really well with a project that the professor just gained involvement recently, which apparently was after he looked through applications. We talked a bit about how this particular area has a lot of open questions that need to be solved soon. It sounds like I might be getting an acceptance. He emailed me a bit after the phone call ended, saying he had sent a message to the admissions committee. He also told me to feel free to ask any questions that come up.

So, I've got a few questions in mind now. A few of the school's current grad students mention in their personal pages that they work with multiple professors, in some cases on fairly dissimilar studies. At this point, would it be fine for me to ask the professor if working in two separate labs would help out with funding? There's another topic I could pursue with another professor, but it's not 100% what my passion is. I'm also thinking about asking if he would recommend me taking a summer course at my original undergrad school, which I may need to do anyway.

Should I even send these questions at this point? Or just wait and see what happens? This is the only school I've heard from, with no response from four others. I'd dearly like to go to this school, so I want to do whatever I can do to maximize my chances.

[CornUltimatum]

Well, University of Nevada at Reno got back to me and they still don't have funding and it does not look good.  No professor stepped forward to sponsor me. 

I emailed my potential advisor to inquire a bit further - as he indicated I would be on a RA-ship my first year. I'll hold off a bit longer but I can't wait past the April 15th deadline. 

[Slutha]

I just logged into the Arkansas Connect system and saw that I have been admitted. I didn't get any kind of email or letter in the mail. So now I'm not sure of my next move... haven't contacted my POI from Arkansas in 4 months

[GeoDUDE!]

1 hour ago, Slutha said:

I just logged into the Arkansas Connect system and saw that I have been admitted. I didn't get any kind of email or letter in the mail. So now I'm not sure of my next move... haven't contacted my POI from Arkansas in 4 months

Ask about funding from your POI ?

[Yunix]

Still waiting for 3 waitlists decisions. 3 days to go. I'm not mad.

[gelologist]

1 hour ago, Yunix said:

 I'm not mad.

You shouldn't be, with a Columbia acceptance!

[GeoMasters2016]

On 4/9/2016 at 4:52 PM, Proford said:

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!

hey what was your stats if I may ask I applied to SDSU as well and still waiting to hear back from them :/

[magnetite]

Anyone else waiting to hear from schools?

[emmuhhs]

2 hours ago, magnetite said:

Anyone else waiting to hear from schools?

Sort of. My POI at UW still has not heard from NSF about his funding proposals so he can't make a decision yet. And CU told me that they do not have any funding but I think they're not rejecting me in case someone turns down departmental funding they can fight for. My hopes are very, very low though.

[jader]

6 hours ago, magnetite said:

Anyone else waiting to hear from schools?

Waiting for scholarship application details from Tohoku. The recent earthquake in Kumamoto might be making them go nuts (kind of wish I could go there!).

And still haven't heard from UC Davis-- not expecting much anymore.

[magnetite]

I'm wait-listed at ASU, but I had a good call with a professor there a week and a half ago. Would it be worth it to send them an email to ask about my status and to see if they heard from everyone in their first round of acceptances? Since the call I emailed the professor a few questions but haven't gotten a response.

I haven't heard anything from CU Boulder's geosciences department, or the oceanography departments at Washington and Hawaii. All my hope hinges on ASU, I think.

[Slutha]

I signed with a school that offered a TA spot. Was waiting to hear back from UL-Lafayette about funding, but am I right in assuming it's too late now that I've signed and accepted a TA spot at another school? Even if UL offered funding, say in 3 days, what would be my options?

I'm pretty satisfied with the school I signed with, just curious

[georosh]

I'm still waiting to hear from University of Western Ontario. I don't know if schools in Canada abide by the "April 15th agreement"; probably not. I've been accepted to NCSU, so I'm not tooooo concerned. But if anyone has heard from them please let me know! I've only seen Geophysics acceptances from them so far. I'm straight Geology.

 

[TakeruK]

3 hours ago, georosh said:

I'm still waiting to hear from University of Western Ontario. I don't know if schools in Canada abide by the "April 15th agreement"; probably not. I've been accepted to NCSU, so I'm not tooooo concerned. But if anyone has heard from them please let me know! I've only seen Geophysics acceptances from them so far. I'm straight Geology.

Most schools don't follow the April 15 thing. A small number of schools that generally compete with US schools will do so, but most faculty at Canadian schools don't even know about April 15 thing.

[Idigholes]

11 hours ago, georosh said:

I'm still waiting to hear from University of Western Ontario. I don't know if schools in Canada abide by the "April 15th agreement"; probably not. I've been accepted to NCSU, so I'm not tooooo concerned. But if anyone has heard from them please let me know! I've only seen Geophysics acceptances from them so far. I'm straight Geology.

 

Hey there - I heard from them in March (accepted, PhD geology/planetary). I think they're running a bit behind this year with admissions; you haven't been rejected yet, so don't lose hope!

[zerozircon]

On 4/19/2016 at 3:57 PM, Slutha said:

I signed with a school that offered a TA spot. Was waiting to hear back from UL-Lafayette about funding, but am I right in assuming it's too late now that I've signed and accepted a TA spot at another school? Even if UL offered funding, say in 3 days, what would be my options?

I'm pretty satisfied with the school I signed with, just curious

If you've signed, then you have to go. Best of luck!

[GeoDUDE!]

On 4/19/2016 at 0:57 PM, Slutha said:

I signed with a school that offered a TA spot. Was waiting to hear back from UL-Lafayette about funding, but am I right in assuming it's too late now that I've signed and accepted a TA spot at another school? Even if UL offered funding, say in 3 days, what would be my options?

I'm pretty satisfied with the school I signed with, just curious

 

2 hours ago, zerozircon said:

If you've signed, then you have to go. Best of luck!

 

This isn't true. You can ask the school to release you. It's a bit bad taste, but no school wants a student who would rather (and can) go somewhere else. They will likely release you, however, it will probably burn some bridges. Sometimes its worth it: say your dream school/advisor randomly gets funding late into season and offers you a spot, you should try and go. 

While these are "legal" documents, they'd be hard pressed to claim any damages if you decided not to go. However, the other department would likely not accept you without you being released. 

[sjoh197]

Hard prepping for my mountain adventure in 2 weeks... 

Twice a day stair steppin it at full tilt and resistance with my backpack on. I think I'm getting there. Lol. 

Anyone else got any fun adventures coming up soon?

[magnetite]

Finally got rejected from CU-Boulder.

I'm going to South Padre Island with my girlfriend the weekend after I graduate. I imagine I'll be doing a lot of drinking and reflecting while watching the waves crash against the shore. At this point, the wait-list at Arizona State seems to be the only chance I have. But I haven't heard anything from them in weeks and I've got absolutely no leverage. Maybe I'll resign myself to my fate of teaching high school and start the drinking early.

 

 

 

[Slutha]

Received an email from the University of Arkansas having 50 applicants this year and only 4 positions to fill. Last year they had 30 applicants. I wonder how many of the applicants were laid off in the past year 

[Different_Name_111!!!]

On April 21, 2016 at 2:32 PM, sjoh197 said:

Anyone else got any fun adventures coming up soon?

Yes!  I'm hiking for fun twice a week in the Cascades until I move for grad school.  The two hikes I am most excited about: Kendall Katwalk Trail and Mailbox Peak (:  

Are you prepping for field work or a fun trip @sjoh197?

[sjoh197]

10 hours ago, SickSlickensides said:

Yes!  I'm hiking for fun twice a week in the Cascades until I move for grad school.  The two hikes I am most excited about: Kendall Katwalk Trail and Mailbox Peak (:  

Are you prepping for field work or a fun trip @sjoh197?

Fun trip. My father wanted to hike to machu picchu and doesn't really have anyone who likes to backpack/camp/crap in the woods (I guess like is a strong word on the last one) So he's been taking me on all his hiking trips.

We'll be going over the salkantay pass on a 5 day 37 mile trip. Wouldn't be so bad if it weren't over 15000 ft lol.

[magnetite]

@sjoh197 Did you ever hear about funding at UH? Last I heard you were accepted but still didn't know if you'd be able to attend.