Advice: if anyone wants to know much of anything about applying to graduate school in different topics, what type of books and internet resources are out there, or even really basic questions, well... I've done a lot of research over the past couple of years, and have just been through the process. I know a lot of others here on the Rack are in or have been in graduate school, and can comment as well.
Support: right now I'm in the waiting stage to hear back on applications, and it's killing me. I thought there were a couple of other applicants, so perhaps we can complain together. Also, next year I'm sure I'll have TAing, classes, and the like to ask advice and rant about. Others should join in, since misery loves company. Posted by pfresh85 (Member # 8085) on :
I'm waiting to hear back about applications as well, although I don't really plan on going to grad school anymore.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
*waves* I'm applying to grad school in the fall, and I feel totally lost. I want to get my Masters in Public Policy, but I don't know much more than that. And I'm supposed to have areas I want to focus on and professors I'm interested in doing research with! I'm just glad I finally figured out what I want to do.
I'm confused about everything related to graduate school. So even the most basic advice would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by pfresh85 (Member # 8085) on :
As far as professors in areas you are interested in, the only advice I can offer is check the list of faculty and staff at the various schools you are applying to. Most times they will give you some list of what the professor is focusing on and what they might have written. You can check those out for a starting point. Also it's probably a good idea to talk to a grad student in your field at that school to get some idea for how it is. How you find one though can be tricky.
Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :
What were you applying for, pfresh, and why have you decided to not attend?
Well, considering that you're already on lj, blacwolve, I would suggest you subscribe to the community "applyingtograd," and see if they have any MPP's in residence (be sure to do a search of back-threads). I guess the biggest first question to ask is "why do you want to go to grad school in subject X?" What will you get out of it? Is it for the intellectual learning (a noble endeavor, but one that hurts the pocketbook)? Is it for future career plans (as I would suspect with a MPP)? After you answer that question, you can start thinking about the subfields and particular departments you are interested in researching, and all the other logistics like the GRE. The first couple chapters of Getting What You Came For: The Smart Student's Guide to Earning an M.A. or a Ph.D. by Robert Peters, one of the best books on graduate school, should lead you through these questions (although I'd be very interested in hearing your answer as well). There's also another book in my school's library (whose title slips my mind), which gives brief, but very good introductions to what graduate school is all about for all of the humanities/social science fields. I'll find that tomorrow and list the title.
Public policy is in some ways very similar to my field of economics (altho easier on the math). My summer research adviser got his ph.d from Chicago's Public Policy program, and now works as an economist.
Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
I can give both advice and support. I'm waiting to hear back from PhD programs, and am about to finish my MA in May. I've been through the whole application process one full time and another half, so I'm full of support. As far as advice goes, well... I'll do what I can. I mostly know about applications for the Humanities, but one never knows.
TAing blows, most of the time. The most depressing thing is reading horrible paper after horrible paper, as I'm sure I'll be doing this coming weekend - the class has their first paper due Thursday.
Also, just keep in mind the motto of graduate school: "Work Harder, Play Harder." Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :
What are you applying for, Carrie, and what are you currently in (field-wise)? Is an MA prior to a Ph.D common in your field? We just jump right into the Ph.D in economics.
I'm lucky in that, should I get a TAship (fellowship or research assistant would always be better, of course), I'll probably be able to deal with most of the grading through scantrons and short problems that have right answers. I'm a philosophy major as well, and wince at some of the comments that come from Intro students (and even advanced students). Grading papers cannot be fun.
I wasn't expecting to hear back from programs until very late Feb or even as late as mid-March, but a few departments have been pretty early this year (Caltech, Ohio State, Minnesota, etc). That just makes it twice as worse, since I now feel like I need to check my email every few minutes.
Posted by pfresh85 (Member # 8085) on :
I am applying for Ph.D. programs in History. Why have I decided against it? Well for one, I am really uncertain about teaching history (which is what I would probably have to do with a Ph.D.). I'd hate to spend all that time on this degree and then realize at the end of it that I hate teaching. Another thing is the fact that I don't feel like I can take much more history. My whole time in college I've felt like I'm not learning anything from my professors or my peers really. Everything I'm learning is because I'm reading required texts and then going off and reading other things related (via various tangents and the like). I have a feeling Ph.D. work is going to be fairly similar and I just feel like I have better things to do with myself and my time. Who knows though. Maybe I'll change my mind between now and when I have to make a decision about this.
Posted by HollowEarth (Member # 2586) on :
Assume most stuff on a professor's website is either inaccurate or outdated. Send an email to them or one of their grad students. Better: ask on a visit weekend.
You shouldn't go to a school where zero or one person you really want to work for is. Two is the minimum.
Be prepared for everything to take longer and be harder than you think it should be. Doesn't matter if you've done similar stuff before.
I've been told that the first 3 or so years are the worst, I'm not yet sure that I believe them.
I would assume anything that isn't a physical science is probably different.
Chemistry Phd, currently 1.5 years in.
Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
I'm currently in an MA program in Classics (Greek Philology) and applying to PhD programs in the same. Most programs incorporate the MA into the PhD track, making the latter take about 7 years; for those of us who were slightly deficient straight out of undergrad (I didn't have enough Latin), there are a number of terminal MA programs to help us shore up our deficiencies and then we progress to the PhD program.
I got my first rejection email last Thursday night - my first thought the next morning was Thank the Gods I was drunk when I got that, or I would have been way more upset by it...
Sometimes grading papers is a great time. I had a few excellent writers last semester. My (anticipated) problem this semester comes from the subject matter: I'm TAing a class on Homer, and that's my primary research interest. I have a feeling I'm going to need to hold back.
Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :
Choose one sacrifice: Mind, body, soul. Pick wisely!
Posted by Celaeno (Member # 8562) on :
I'm here for the camaraderie.
In the fall I'll be applying to law schools (I already took the LSAT and have letters of recommendation secured), but I've been thinking lately that I really want a Masters in either Public Policy or Economics. I'd probably apply for the program for my second year of law school, but right now the thought of all the extra research is stressing me out.
I get the feeling that I'll be frequenting this thread if it keeps going for a while.
Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
Don't settle on a school just because it's close. Move, if you have to. I am disappointed that I went to get my English masters without looking around for other options, like a school that offered an English masters with an emphasis in creative writing.
There should be an college advice and support thread... I would tell all freshman to GET CAREER COUNSELING. I got it in the last few months, and I could just kick myself for not getting it when I STARTED college. So, if you're considering grad school because you just don't know what you want to do with your life, it's not too late to get career counseling now. Don't make a huge, expensive mistake by taking the wrong thing or going in the wrong direction. Your university probably offers it for cheap.
Posted by Tarrsk (Member # 332) on :
I'm just entering interview season on PhD programs in molecular and cell biology. I just got back from my first interview on Sunday, and have pretty much the rest of the month set aside for them as well. Speaking of which, it is incredibly helpful to plan ahead for the time-sink that your interviews will likely be. If you're in currently in college, schedule your classes so as to keep Thursdays and Fridays as open as possible. If you're working, make sure your employer knows that you'll be missing work consistently for a while- months in advance, if possible.
I second Katarain's advice about career counseling. PhD programs in particular should only be applied to if you know for sure that you can, at the bare minimum, stand research (something that isn't as easy to figure out as it sounds). It helps a great deal to have had actual research experience before applying, not only because it helps your application, but also because it gives you a sense of what life in research is like.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
See, I've had career counselling, and it was the most useless thing I've ever done. Apparently, I'm suited for just about every career on the face of the earth, including a few that horrify me, like engineering (note: engineering in general doesn't horrify me, just in relation to me). So it actually broadened my options rather than narrowing them.
I want to go into Public Policy because I've noticed that when I watch C-SPAN, I'm paying attention to the policies they debate more than anything else. And I spend a lot of time in my head just coming up with public policy ideas. I'm currently working on a policy proposal for personal finance classes in high school just for fun (although I'd like to do something with it once it's completed). Finally, I want to do something meaningful with my life. I want to know that the world is a better place because I've worked and lived in it.
I'm going to have to make that nicer and smoother for my personal statement, but that's pretty much the gist of it.
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
Good luck to all the applicants, though.
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
I absolutely loved being a TA. I didn't have to grade papers, though -- mostly facilitating group discussion and the occaisional lecture.
Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
I did the testing thing in career counseling, and that was pretty neat, but what was really useful was sitting down with the counselor and talking about what I liked and didn't like about previous jobs, what I would want in a job and my personality traits, etc. It helps to know those things about yourself when choosing a career. A test can't tell you everything. And it's not a magic button either. I've had 3 sessions, and I might go for a few more. It would have been amazingly useful when in college for the first time.
Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
Got my first acceptance today - feels pretty good to be in somewhere. It was via email again, but they also say that there's a letter in the snail mail, detailing whatever sort of financial aid package they're giving me.
Go Duke!
Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :
Congrats, Carrie!
That's so exciting!
Posted by Ikemook (Member # 9973) on :
I'm going to be applying to Graduate school within a year (I'm taking a year off to recouperate and earn some money), and have been asking some grad students I know for advice. Here's what they've been saying:
1. Have funding. Make sure you have the money to do the work you want to do.
2. Have a clear objective for your Masters, and have it fairly soon. Don't dawdle around on this. Once you have that objective in mind, research it, and don't take too long.
3. If you can find ways to provide your own funding, do so. Professors like students who can bring money to their projects, especially if it prevents the students from begging them for TA positions and whatnot (at least, that's what I've been told; don't know how much this applies outside of anthropology).
4. Learn a technical skill. Learn some sort of technical skill related to what you want to do, so that if you can't find a job, you at least have something to sell yourself with. This is especially important for people who want to get into academia for their career.
5. Make sure this is what you want to do. It's a helluva lot of work and very stressful. Don't do it if you aren't willing to commit to it.
6. Pick a school that will help you. Don't just pick a school to go to because it has nice scenery, or gives you the most money, or because its close. Someone else already suggested something similar to this point. If you're going for a higher degree (Masters or PhD), the education is vastly more important than the fact that the trees on campus turn red in the fall.
Hope this helps. It's all I can remember *_*
[Edited to add: And congrats to those who got accepted to their colleges!]
--David
Posted by pfresh85 (Member # 8085) on :
quote:Originally posted by Ikemook: 5. Make sure this is what you want to do. It's a helluva lot of work and very stressful. Don't do it if you aren't willing to commit to it.
This is the very reason I don't think I'm going to go to grad school, despite the fact I expect the schools I applied to to accept me. I'm not 100% certain it's what I'd want to do, and so I'd rather not commit to the time and work it entails.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
Congrats, Carrie!
Katarain, it probably would have helped if I'd had previous jobs. But I was a 19 year old freshman in college whose only previous job had been telemarketing for a few weeks, and while I was sure I didn't want to do that anymore, I couldn't narrow things down beyond that. Perhaps if I went in now, I'd do better.
I've noticed one thing about myself, in particular, that would probably narrow things down considerably. I like working on long projects, things I can put down and come back to the next day, things that take me weeks or months to do. Since every job ad I've seen has had something like, "must be able to juggle many tasks", I think my hatred of doing that would severely limit my options.
Posted by Ethics Gradient (Member # 878) on :
Routes in grad school are very dependent on subject area (obviously) but also on school and country. I'm doing a Masters at the LSE in England and the process and what they are looking for is very, very different to similar programs in the states. I'm sure Kasie can attest to that too.
There are some good books out there - the thing I would really look carefully at is advice on how to write your personal statement (and research statement if you have to do one). What schools look for in personal statements is not necessarily what you might think and it can be good to hear that from the horse's mouth. There was an excellent book I read when applying for my course but I don't recall the title, unfortunately.
Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :
*nods*
I applied to schools in the U.S. and in England; the application procedures were very different and so were the programs.
The program I was accepted to at Cambridge, for example, is much more self-directed and open-ended than the program I applied to at Georgetown. At Cambridge, they were looking for a fleshed-out, substantive research proposal that fit with a faculty member in the department and had a strong theoretical focus. Basically they expect you to build a foundation for later research on a PhD.
The Georgetown program, by contrast, was a one-year program in security studies that works more like an MBA than like a research degree. It's taught courses, with examinations, and a short paper at the end. They're long on practical experience and networking, shorter on academia, etc.
Going to Cambridge is scary because I know I'll have to be so self-driven and completely focused, but I think the challenge will leave me better off in the long run.
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
Please advise...
After I finish my MBA (in December), I'm wanting to go into another masters program (market research). Is it going to matter if I send more than three letters of recommendation? Because everyone I've asked is more than willing to write one, and I can't decide who should.
Also, oh my Lord, I am going to have two weeks to aggregate years' worth of survey data that's sitting in manilla folders collecting dust....so many folders....
-pH
Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :
I sent out four recommendations with my application for economics. None of my recommenders thought that this would be taken in poor form, although I have been warned that it is possible that the school will just take the three on top, and ignore the fourth.
I would strongly advise against sending 6, and I think 5 might be pushing it a little. If you're having trouble figuring out which ones to use, try to get recommendations that will focus on different parts of your strengths as a student and researcher. In my case, I used one from my academic adviser; she knew about my overall plans and had done a summer research project with me. I asked a professor who I had taken a lot of upper-level classes with to write one, and I also got one from the head of the department, who I had TA'ed for and taken a couple of independent studies with. Finally, I had one from a math professor to comment on my math background (very important for economics).
One thing to think about when applying to grad school is the overall worth of the different parts of the application. For economics, the ranking is roughly: recommendations, quantitative GRE score, math & stats classes and grades (and a few econ classes are important), and research experience. Everything else (like overall GPA, the verbal and analytical GRE scores, statement of purpose) you just need to not embarrass yourself on. Some schools won't even read your statement of purpose.
In English, on the other hand, the statement of purpose is very, very key. So research is important to find out what you need to focus on.
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
I've got:
My MBA director (which could maybe be important, since about 50% of my MBA might end up being independent study) The professor my assistantship is with (who is the regional director of the SBDC, which is where I do my assistantship) One of the marketing professors (who apparently thinks I'm super awesome) One of the SBDC consultants I worked for and her client, for whom I wrote what they thought was a really, really good marketing plan (I thought it kind of was...not so great, but hey)
So I got my first response from graduate schools: a rejection. From the wording of the letter though, it sounds like they didn't accept me because they wanted people who are specialized in Western US and Native American history, whereas my focus is on European and Asian history. *shrugs* I guess that's how it goes.
Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :
I haven't heard anything from any school yet, so I'm freaking out a bit.
Oh, and pH, I'd got with the first three, since the second professor can probably talk about the work you've done at SBDC.
Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
I'm still waiting on six letters. At current count, I've got one letter up on the "Wall of Shame and Rejection," and two offers of full funding.
I keep telling myself not to worry, and that I should probably focus on finishing the semester out. Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
Quick! What are phone interviews like? I've got one coming up either Monday or Tuesday evening and have no idea what to expect. My sister was tormenting me with the idea that they'll quiz me on my knowledge or - even worse - try to speak with me in Greek, but I really hope that's not the case.
Any advice?
Posted by Celaeno (Member # 8562) on :
I would assume that phone interviews aren't very much different from in-person interviews, but I've never had a phone interview. I guess I wouldn't know.
I highly doubt they would "quiz" you or try to speak to you in Greek. That just wouldn't be a fair test of your capabilities. It'll probably be more standard questions like, "Why do you think we're a good fit for you?" and "What can you contribute to our environment?"
Posted by GForce (Member # 9584) on :
anybody here looking at Hopkins?
Posted by sarahdipity (Member # 3254) on :
I have a friend in the Math PhD program there.
Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :
Carrie - I don't have any specific advice, but I bet some of your professors might, since they went through this whole grad school application thing once upon a time... I have a feeling that Celaeno's "standard questions" are more like what you'll be facing. It'd probably be a good idea to be familiar with the work of the department so that they'll know you're interested in attending.
GForce, I'm applying to Hopkins for their econ program. Haven't visited or anything, though.
In personal news, I got my first news today - a rejection from Duke. I'm not too sad about it: the department wasn't one of my favorites, I knew that they had weird history of rejections and acceptances, and they rejected some really, really good students. So I'm hoping that they thought I wouldn't attend there because I'd surely get an acceptance from somewhere better or something.
*whistle* That's my belief and I'm sticking to it.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I have heard from no one. Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
The interview today went well. The professor with whom I spoke, even though I could hardly hear him half the time, seemed impressed with my "initiative" both in the teaching and study abroad spheres. I guess that means I'm in at UT.
Hmm. Last time, I only had two options; the time before, one. This is a new experience.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I got accepted into one place, which is great. It is not the one I want to go to, though, so I'm still hoping.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Congrats, Katie. And good luck!
Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
Congratulations! Once you're in the first place, the waiting becomes a bit easer - you know you have at least one option. I have no doubt you'll get into more places, but at least now you can relax a bit.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I am happy to get accepted. It means I am not the disaster of a candidate I secretly suspect I am.
However, I really, really don't want to go there. If that is the only place I get in, I have a terrible decision to make. I want to stay in DC, so there's really only one place that matters. I applied to one tony school that I don't have the slightest chance of getting into, but in case I do get in there, I think I would accept that as well.
It seems like I'm waiting for everything right now. Waiting for schools to get back, waiting to hear back from a job application, waiting for my personal life to straighten out. It's very strange.
Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :
Katie,
I knew you had asked about schools before but didn't know where you were applying! Congrats on your acceptance, hope the DC school works out (*dying to know which one*...)
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
No secret. U of Maryland has a program where I could get a Master's in Latin at night and still keep my job. If I get funding I'll be tempted to quit and go full-time, but I've grown fond of health insurance and new shoes and paying rent, so that would be hard to do.
Posted by Shmuel (Member # 7586) on :
As a general rule, no news is good news. The first wave of rejections tends to hit mailboxes earlier... the longer the wait, the further along you've gotten toward being accepted.
Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :
That is awesome! Very exciting.
Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
Depending on the funding, you may get health insurance. I know that with TA positions (which come with full-time student positions) normally provide it.
New shoes and rent, however... well, they're another story entirely. Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :
I got my first acceptance today, after 3 rejections, so I'm feeling pretty happy. I had been really worried that one of my recommendation writers screwed me over and written something really horrible (not that I had ANY reason to suspect that).
But, as of now, I know that I can at least attend UC Davis' Econ program in the fall. It's my last-choice school, but it still has a decent program in international trade and development. I made sure that I didn't apply anywhere that, when push came to shove, I wouldn't want to attend. To future applicants: don't waste money & time on safety schools that you actually don't want to attend. It's just, well, a waste.
Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
Congrats on your acceptance!
Posted by pfresh85 (Member # 8085) on :
I got an informal note today from the head of the history department at Texas A&M saying they had accepted me. I should hear from them in a week or two about whether I will get offered a fellowship or a TAship or anything. At least I have one acceptance. Now to wait to hear from the other two schools.
Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
Well, West Coasters, I won't be joining you any time in the near future - both the schools out there to which I applied rejected me.
Meh. The Pac-10 sucks anyway. Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
I got my first PhD acceptance last week!
It's not my first choice and I'm still not sure if I'll accept it right away, but it feels really good that someone thinks I'm worth it.
Posted by pfresh85 (Member # 8085) on :
Eek, another rejection today. Rice rejected me. They emphasized several times that I was a quality candidate, but they didn't think their program matched my specific needs. Whether this is just a "stupid kid, you don't belong in our program" or a "oh, we focus on US History and this guy's intereted in European History" thing is debatable. It still sucks either way. I only have one more school I'm waiting to hear from. Hopefully I get an acceptance there so that I'd at least have options in grad schools if I decide that's what I want to do.
Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
I had the same thing today, but from Princeton. "We regret that you do not fit in our program... blah blah blah."
Bummer. Now I'm only batting .500. Three left to go - maybe I'll get one of them.
Posted by pfresh85 (Member # 8085) on :
I got my last letter, and it was a rejection. UT wouldn't even tell me why they rejected me. It was just a generic "We're sorry to inform you" letter. Blah. So basically if I want to go to graduate school, I have to go to Texas A&M. I guess it's good that I'm still leaning away from graduate school.
Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :
I've heard from everyone except John Hopkins. Got rejected from all the big names, which wasn't a surprise - undergraduates who had taken four or five more advanced math classes than I, as well as the first-year Ph.D sequence (as undergrads!), got rejected as well. *shrug*
I do have acceptances from UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, and Georgetown, though. Davis isn't funding me, but UCSC has offered a two-year fellowship with a $21K stipend followed by three years of TAing, and Georgetown is offering an $18K stipend for 5 years, without work obligations for years 1&4, plus the possibility of summer funding. So I really don't have any reason to complain. Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Aha, how useful, a grad school thread.
Does anyone have an MFA (in anything) and am I crazy to apply to one?
Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :
I don't know much about MFA's, but there's an awful lot of them on the livejournal community applyingtograd, so you might consider checking there.
What fine art are you interested in studying?
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Jhai: Stage and screen writing. EDIT: It's a lot of a long shot, and a lot of a specific field (it's all Kate Boots' fault) but I'd like to give applying a try before I explode with ideas. I have to start thinking now because applications go in this fall.
EDITED: to change "bit" to "lot".
Posted by Tarrsk (Member # 332) on :
Just finished my last grad school interview today- Harvard's MCB program. Fortunately, I've already been accepted, so it was pretty much stress-free. At this point, I think it'll be either one of the Harvard programs (MCB or BBS) or Yale's BBS program. Either way, it's another six years on the east coast fer me!
Speaking of which, Shig (or anyone else familiar with biology PhDs)- any thoughts on Grad School of Arts & Sciences programs versus medical school-affiliated programs?
Posted by sarahdipity (Member # 3254) on :
I don't know about other programs but the applicants in CS were very strong this year. We had our prospective candidate's weekend on the 2nd-4th. A lot of them had written papers and were all well prepared. And, many of them weren't getting into the really big name schools. I'm guessing if anyone is applying in CS that competition was really stiff this year.
Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :
The econ applicant pool was really strong as well - to get accepted to any of the top-20 programs you needed very good grades in a lot of upper-level math courses (real analysis I & II, topology, metric spaces, complex analysis, etc), and an 800 on the Quant sections of the GRE. People who had take the first-year Ph.D sequence while undergrads (and done well) were being rejected from places like Duke and U of Maryland.
le sigh
Maybe it's partly because the market looks to be in a bit of a downturn?
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
*sigh* I still haven't heard from Stanford. It's not looking so good at this point
Tarrsk, I don't have enough experience to know which one is better. I suppose it depends, as always, on what sort of research you're interested in. I at least want to be at a university that has a medical school, because I am interested in that sort of research (I thought for awhile about an M.D/Ph.D, but I decided all the extra work wasn't worth it if I wasn't going to practice. I may try to sneak into a few classes just for fun, though.
Posted by Tarrsk (Member # 332) on :
Don't give up yet, there's still hope. Stanford and Harvard are of a kind in that they have the monumental slowness that only a monstrous bureaucracy can provide.
I'm not yet married to any specific research topic- one of things I was looking for in grad schools was a broad range of labs I could rotate in. The main difference between med school programs and non-med school programs (or at least, the ones I'm considering) is size: the med school-affiliated BBS programs are all uniformly huge (200+ labs to choose from, and about 60 students per class year), while Harvard's MCB program is much smaller, about 35 labs total, with ~15 students per class year.
MD/PhD sounds great until you realize that you'll be in school pretty much until the day you die. Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
What's interesting about Stanford's biosciences umbrella is that there are twelve "home" programs in it -- and some seem to be affiliated with the med school, others with science/humanities. The nice thing is that I would be able to rotate in any of the labs I like (one would have to be in my home program, though).
Posted by Tarrsk (Member # 332) on :
That's what I like about the Harvard and Yale programs as well. In fact, I think there are no restrictions on rotations at all... as far as I could tell, you could do all of your rotations in programs other than the one you signed up for and nobody would care. The choice of program has more to do with the course curriculum and general structure of your graduate career than the laboratory you select, which sounds great to me. Now if only I could figure out which curriculum/structure I like more...
Posted by HollowEarth (Member # 2586) on :
Rotations?
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
You work in a lab for a term to see if you'd like to do your research there. Sort of like a test drive so that students and professors can decide if there's a good match. If I get into Stanford, I'll work in three different labs my first year.
Posted by HollowEarth (Member # 2586) on :
Hmmm, maybe its a biology thing. Seems like the joint chemical biology students do that here.
Posted by pfresh85 (Member # 8085) on :
I think I'll ask this here, rather than start a new thread. For those who are in graduate school or have been, how much freedom do you have for stuff outside of your focus/area? I'm a history major, and so my focus for graduate school would be on European history. Obviously I will have to take history classes, particularly some related to European history. I'm wondering though if I will have the opportunity to take some other stuff.
For example, I want to keep learning Japanese. My Japanese is very basic and rudimentary, and I want to get better. So I'm wondering if I can take Japanese language courses on top of my other stuff. There's some other stuff I might also want to take (like basic computer science classes) as well. Will I have the time or opportunity to do this? Or will I be stuck with just my history stuff? I've looked into my school's website a little bit, but I haven't found any concrete answer.
Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :
Some universities or programs will let you sit in on classes outside your field for little or no cost. For instance, a lot of econ students take math courses on the side to keep fresh and learn new techniques. I sincerely doubt you'll be able to get "credit" for it, though - your program is going to have a list of courses, or types of courses you can take to complete your coursework, and they're all going to be in your field of study.
Also, you may not have time to do much outside of your required coursework.
Posted by HollowEarth (Member # 2586) on :
Its going to depend a lot on what school you go to, and what your adviser thinks. The thing to do is discuss it up front. As long as you make progress on your actual degree it should be doable. But frankly, I'd be surprised if you have time for it at least the first year or so. Maybe the social science are different, but the classes eat a lot more time, then there is the teaching, and its nice to sleep now and then.
Posted by pfresh85 (Member # 8085) on :
Eh, sleep is overrated. I'll be sure to ask though when I go visit the school or whatever.
Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
This'll be one of my last updates:
I'm 99.2% sure I'll be at Duke this coming Fall. I've visited Texas and Ohio State in addition to Duke, and Duke feels right. The department is fantastic, the students are serious, there's the opportunity to pool resources with UNC (classes, libraries, facilities), and the financial package is right.
And I've never been to a private university. This should be interesting. Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
I'd just like to say that I am now a Master of Arts. I won't convocate until November, but I got the results for the KILLER LATIN EXAM OF DOOM, and I passed!!!
It's a pass/fail exam, 2 pages of Latin to be translated on sight, no dictionary or other aids allowed. We (students) spend our entire school years preparing for it and fearing it. It's the cause of panic, nightmares, ulcers, and worse.
I passed.
Granted, I only passed the MA version (the PhD version is much, much worse), but still. That fulfills my degree requirements and thus I am now considering myself "Master of Arts."
The petty matter of a 20-page paper pales in comparison.
I win at life.
Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :
Since this thread was bumped, I thought I'd add my news. I'll be attending Georgetown University in the fall for a Ph.D in economics. The professors are fantastic - all very friendly & involved. Teaching is very good - the international trade class I sat in on was simply *wonderful.* (Plus I got points with the professor by being able to tell her about a data set she was unaware of.) The incoming class is the strongest in the program's history. Everyone is going to be funded, and over half of the first-round offers were accepted. To top it off, I got a really great aid package (roughly $27k stipend + other stuff). I'm very excited about finally moving back to a coast, as well, although DC is no California. Abhi and I will be moving out in late May...
Posted by pfresh85 (Member # 8085) on :
Since everyone else is updating, I thought I would just post confirming that I'm not going to graduate school. A&M didn't make me any offers (as far as TA positions or fellowships or anything go). That means in order to go to graduate school I would have had to take out even more loans. Since I was already unsure about going, the lack of any offers was the last nail in the coffin. So yeah, I'm off to get my teaching certificate this summer and hopefully start teaching in the fall.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Yay, EL!
Congrats, Jhai.
Sounds like a well-thought-out decision, pfresh.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Wow! Congratulations, EL!
Posted by Tarrsk (Member # 332) on :
Congrats! Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
Congrats EL!
I might join this thread at this point - I'm a month or so into a PhD at ANU (the Australian National University) in International Law.
So far the PhD is fine. I'm also tutoring (for the experience and the money!) and have had two classes so far - which went well, thank goodness.
Anyone who is studying in Oxford, let me know - I have a ridiculous number of friends from Australia who are there in graduate school now.
Posted by SenojRetep (Member # 8614) on :
Just wanted to share my news; after a two year break (due to finances) I'm headed back to graduate school at MIT in the Fall. So, I'll be here for the Boston clump for many years to come.
Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
Has anyone here ever gone overseas for school? I've started looking at the University of York, and I'm wondering about other people's "international student" experiences.
Posted by Tarrsk (Member # 332) on :
Congrats, SenojRetep! What are you studying there?
Posted by sarahdipity (Member # 3254) on :
I know this thread started as a I want to go to grad school thread. But, I felt the need for Graduate School camaraderie and figured why start a new thread. It's been a really long month. *laugh* I've gotten the first rough draft of my dissertation proposal written and am hoping to defend my proposal by Oct. 1st. I've also been informed I do have to get my masters to complete my program. So now I have more paperwork to do.
I just feel the need to talk to someone else who has spent a whole day working on 3 sentences or 2 days just staring at some previous work trying to decide what it means.
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
quote:Originally posted by sarahdipity: 2 days just staring at some previous work trying to decide what it means.
That is my grad project paper thing. Really. I spend hours upon hours either driving to Baton Rouge to visit libraries that weren't eaten by storms or copying down numbers or entering numbers into computers or staring at numbers and graphs I made from numbers trying to figure out what the crap I'm looking at. Whee!
-pH
Posted by MattB (Member # 1116) on :
I turned in my proposal in May. Now I think I need to seriously redo it. But I have too much work to get to that before September, and I need to solicit some advice from folks who know more than I about the theory that I am ambitiously trying to apply even though I knew nothing about it before February.
So, yep.
Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :
I started the thread to both help people considering grad school, and as a place for current grad students to complain/discuss about their experiences. Since today was my second day of Math Camp, I guess I now fall into the second category.
Commence whining:
Man, having five hours of math lecture a day is intense. We did half of Real Analysis, a bit of Topology, most of Linear Algebra, and some basic Optimization stuff today. I'm thanking my lucky stars that I've seen most things, in one form or another, already. Some of the students have never seen any of this math, and must be completely panicked by now.
But... at least, we're 1/5 of the way done!
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
Congratulations! I'm thinking I want to go to grad school while working full time. I heard there are some programs from good schools that let you get an MBA totally online. Has anyone heard of those?
I don't really know that I want an MBA. It's just that it's a massively useful degree for an engineer to have. What I really want to do is to specialize in averting human extinction, which is huge and multidisciplined. I picture it having a lot to do with third world development, sustainable technology, energy, space colonization, and internet technology that will bring the next generation of humans into one worldwide community. So how do I get a phd in that?
Also, I see myself in an administrative role. I think my days of field work are numbered. I think I will probably end up running things, more or less. What course of study would be best for that? Anyone have any ideas?
Posted by Loren (Member # 9539) on :
Tatiana: I don't. But it sounds like an interesting field, and I'm sure there are others who can give you good advice.
I'm spending this semester teaching a first-year language course and sitting in on a coupla seminars even though I've technically finished my coursework. Mostly, I'll be working on my Ph.D. Exam Reading List and starting up my dissertation proposal.
I'll probably go to Italy in the spring or summer for a few months of research and sitting in on university classes.
Grad school rocks. I could do this forever. I mean, really, I could. Which I why I really need to focus and get out of here with a Ph.D. in the next two or three years.
Posted by sarahdipity (Member # 3254) on :
MattB, why do you need to redo it? Here, you do a proposal, if you change things somewhat no one seems to care. In fact, a lot of people drastically cut back their plans. All they seem to do is convince their committee they're done.
Loren, you are either my hero...or the scariest person alive (maybe both). Or maybe you're just in your second-third year but I actually like grad school more now than I did back then.
Posted by Loren (Member # 9539) on :
quote:Loren, you are either my hero...or the scariest person alive (maybe both).
Yeah, the jury's still out on that for a lot of people.
But really, what's not to like about grad school? I don't have a wife or kids, so my (surprisingly generous) five-year fellowship allows me to live in relative comfort (if not anything resembling luxury). I spend most of my time reading, attending lectures, teaching, discussing, socializing, writing, and traveling (roughly in that order).
I didn't plan to spend this long in grad school, but I double majored and double minored as an undergrad, then spent a year working, then started a history Ph.D. program, then changed my mind after a year and decided to study literature, then did an M.A. in that, and now I'm half-way through my lit. Ph.D. So, yeah, spending this much time as a grad student wasn't the original plan, but I'm determined to enjoy where I am.
Or, as I like to put it, I'm not a perpetual grad student; I'm just in 26th grade.
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
I think taking a year off is generally a good idea.
I am experiencing severe burnout. And only one semester to go for my MBA. But...took too many classes in undergrad. And was in the honors program. And changed majors at the end of my second year and still graduated early. Then took too many 700-level classes...many as independent studies. And will be graduating early from the MBA program as well. This is my brain:
Although I am afraid of the Real World(tm). I AM IN LIMBO.
I was joking with one of my friends yesterday that we should just become professional spenders...I can be somebody's trophy wife, and he can be somebody's kept man. And we'll just fly around the world trying to find ourselves for the rest of our lives.
-pH
Posted by Loren (Member # 9539) on :
Ah, Pearce, I think your problem might be that you are taking school too seriously. In which case, a year off is always a healthy choice.
quote:I was joking with one of my friends yesterday that we should just become professional spenders...I can be somebody's trophy wife
You know, if you'd like to get some "real world" experience with this, I'm heading for a three-week Mediterranean trip this fall by myself... Posted by MattB (Member # 1116) on :
quote:MattB, why do you need to redo it? Here, you do a proposal, if you change things somewhat no one seems to care. In fact, a lot of people drastically cut back their plans. All they seem to do is convince their committee they're done.
<grin> Less for them than for me. I'm breaking some new ground in the thing, and I'm feeling now somewhat less hypnotized by the bright shiny theory that I was really enthused with in May. I've rethought some of the things I wrote, in short, and I need to have something clear enough to send out to grant committees.
Loren: I hear you. I really enjoy this, and I fear the job market. But I don't like myself much when I procrastinate, so I keep tromping forward.
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
quote:Originally posted by Loren: Ah, Pearce, I think your problem might be that you are taking school too seriously. In which case, a year off is always a healthy choice.
quote:I was joking with one of my friends yesterday that we should just become professional spenders...I can be somebody's trophy wife
You know, if you'd like to get some "real world" experience with this, I'm heading for a three-week Mediterranean trip this fall by myself...
Mail me a plane ticket, and I'm there.
-pH
Posted by Loren (Member # 9539) on :
Woo hoo!
Uh, that was for pH.
For Matt: give us a four-sentence summary of what you're working on; I'm curious! I'm probably also jealous, since none of my dissertation ideas approach the "breaking new ground" category.
And you know, I don't even really fear the job market--again, an advantage of being familyless--so much as that I just enjoy grad schooling. But, yeah, I'm too old, and I've been doing this for too long, so I'm working friskily toward finishing up soon, too.
Posted by MattB (Member # 1116) on :
Heh. I wouldn't even imagine competing for whoo-hoo inspirative potential with pH. To whom I say - burnout is entirely possible. I've resisted it to this point, but am feeling it a bit now myself. Take a year off, marry Loren, and hang out in swanky South Bend, Indiana. That'll recharge the batteries.
Loren - I want to re-visit the fundamentalist-modernist controversy of early 20th century American Protestantism, which began with lots of shouting about Biblical inerrancy and culminated with the Scopes trial and fundamentalists attempting to take over the national Baptist and Presbyterian communions, failing, and going into self-imposed exile until Roe v Wade. This has been chewed over multiple times, but almost exclusively from theological and organizational points of view. Rather, I want to get at exactly what these sorts of theological transformations meant to your average Baptist in the pew. I want to look at stuff like worship practices, definitions of 'conversion,' changing stories of origins, etc. This spring I plowed whole-on into ritual theory, anthropology, and sociology of religion; now, I'm backing up and need to cut a lot of that sort of thing out, in no small part because I'm not sure I understand it myself.
Four sentences, natch.
By the way, do you know Bryan Smith? He's telling me the Mormon contingent at Notre Dame is waning fast now that the Grow-Mason tribe is moving on.
Posted by Loren (Member # 9539) on :
You heard the man, pH. Heh. "Recharge the batteries," indeed.
Seriously, though, I've been weighing the pros and cons of traveling alone. I've traveled quite a bit, both alone and with friends, and I really like going only where I want to go and being free to make decisions for purely personal reaons.
On the other hand, it can be a lot more fun to see really cool stuff with someone else who appreciates it. I invited my close friend--a fellow Byzantinophile and the guy with whom I did Western Europe trip five or six years ago--to come to Istanbul. And while he would have absolutely loved it, he apparently thinks it's more important to stay home with his wife and baby-on-the-way. Pfft.
Maybe I'll take applications--anybody want to come see Turkey and Sicily this fall? (Pearce, yours will go right to the head of the file when I get it, of course.)
Matt, it sounds like an interesting topic, although even with my pretty broad historical and literary background, the closest I can get chronologically is American Modernist poetry. And although I'm pretty familiar with LDS, Orthodox, and Catholic stuff, I know comparatively little about Protestantism, even in its major flavors.
You know--and I think there is a logical if not an explicit segue here--the hardest thing I'm facing is the fact that I am, by inclination, a generalist. Which I'm not ashamed of at all. The problem is that the Ph.D., I'm told, is a specialist degree. Even now, I'm not sure I have it in me to sub-divide a particular aspect of litereature so minutely that I can find a sliver of "new" material to work with. I would much rather get a general mastery of a handful of things than absolute master over a topic so specific that it has meaning--almost by definition--to nobody but myself.
I'm sure there are folks with better figurative fingers on the pulse of the LDS scene here, but there still seems to be a notably large Mormon group, at least among the grad students.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by MattB: swanky South Bend, Indiana.
O_o
Posted by MattB (Member # 1116) on :
The grad director here told us that there are two ways you can go with your dissertation - pick something nobody else has looked at before and introduce it to the world, or take on one of the huge questions ("What were the causes of the Civil War?") and demonstrate why everybody else is wrong. The second is high risk, high reward.
So, there you go.
Posted by sarahdipity (Member # 3254) on :
Wow, things are.... so different in my field. I don't even know how to begin describing the differences. Stupid computers stupid stupid stupid *wanders off babbling incoherently about applied math*
Posted by sarahdipity (Member # 3254) on :
Today I feel that the revisions to my proposal will take infinite time. For any section that I rewrite there seems to be infinite revisions. And every time we meet my advisor gives me another section to totally change or work out. So, this will just never end right?
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
::whispers softly::
Loren. Embrace your generalist-ness. Don't worry about finishing. In fact, quit school and spend all your time writing Byzantine-flavored novels for us to read.
------- I am not going to grad school. I probably should get an MBA or related degree sometime in the near future, but I'm not sure I want to.
Posted by MattB (Member # 1116) on :
Sarah - I think I have things a bit more easy because nobody really has to approve my proposal; I just have to register that it exists (through, of course, paperwork) with the grad school. My advisor read it and said, "Sounds good," and that was about it.
Which means, of course, that I'll be doing all that revision stuff when I actually try to turn in dissertation chapters.
I suppose it will end October 1, one way or the other, right?
Posted by scholar (Member # 9232) on :
I didn't kill my advisor today!!! To go through all our issues would take forever, but I was so annoyed with him (today's grievance was putting bacterial plates and chemicals on my desk- the place where I eat and play with my baby. Desks are supposed to remain "clean areas" so that you can eat and work without fear of contaminants). He came into the lab and I didn't say a single thing that I could later regret. It was really hard too. And one of the other graduate students said whatever general supplies I need, he'll give me. My boss has been refusing to order supplies for me lately which is making it really hard to do research since these things are pretty basic requirements (the nickel column for purifying a his tagged protein). On top of the minimal stuff I need to do my experiments next week, I am finally going to have disposable falcon tubes like all the other labs!!! I am so excited.
edit to add- I did tell him politely not to leave bacteria and chemicals in clean areas, so hopefully that won't be an issue in the future.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by scholar: I didn't kill my advisor today!!!
Good job! Do you realize how much paperwork is involved in getting a new advisor? Posted by scholar (Member # 9232) on :
Sadly, I actually looked into that when he was hospitalized for the fourth time in one year. It was pretty depressing.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
*suppressed chortle*
Posted by Loren (Member # 9539) on :
Oh, Zal, I've totally embraced it. In fact, right now I view grad school as my "day job" until I can support myself by writing. The advantage is that, when it's over, I'll have a Ph.D. in hand, too. Probably.
Also, I've noticed an amazing phenomenon over the past week or so--no matter how specific or specialized your Ph.D. topic is, once you start focusing on it, it starts to show up everywhere.
Posted by Javert Hugo (Member # 3980) on :
I went to my first grad class yesterday.
Holy crap, I am so in over my head. I feel like a complete fraud - I can't believe they let me sit there. I even chickened out on translating. I knew it, but not as well as those who went before and that was apparent, and I was completely psyched out. I need to do a presentation for next week, and hopefully I can redeem myself a little bit.
Also, my social life is dead. I work during the day, so homework must be done at night, and I need every bit of non-work time. I figure that the homework will take at least fifteen hours a week. That's going to be hard to fit in with work and working out and church. Looks like the social life is the one to go.
Fortunately, since I'm paying tuition out of pocket, I don't have any travel money anyway.
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
Loren: Good to hear it.
JH: As you know, it's not always apparent the first week who is actually good and who isn't, who is committed and who isn't. You'll be fine.
-------
I'm just now at a point where my wife and I may be having a social life (and frankly a part of it is with each other* -- date night is now a possibility [yay for free babysitting!].
And, of course, now I'm seriously wondering if I should start an MBA program. Yes, MBAs are overrated for some. But since I'm in higher ed PR and my MA is in comparative literature, an MBA in marketing would be a huge boost to the next step in my career (an assistant director or director-level position). My current employer would pay for part of it. My daughter is just a year away from kindergarten. And I'm still in my mid-30s. So it seems like a good time.
And I suppose if I want to start next fall, I really need to start thinking about it and planning for it now.
Ugh. I really really enjoyed college. And I was very very good at it. And I did have withdrawal symptoms for the first year after I finished. But now the thought of homework makes me shudder.
If I do do it, I'll need to find a program that really captures my interest and has less of the silly business stuff that I really don't want or need (and know about because I worked with a biz school [a pretty good one] in my last job). What I really need is a customizable MBA that combines study in market research (something that it's hard to get on-the-job training for), discourse analysis, information management (or whatever field it is that combines UI, CMS, Web communication, etc.), and the basic skills of managing a small department.
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
Zal: the field you're talking about seems to be close to HCI, Human Computer Interaction (also called Interaction Design and lots of other things).
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
Thanks, fugu. So I need to find a place that lets me combine HCI with marketing.
The idea is that if I stay in higher ed PR (and I'd prefer to), Web sites and media relations are the two big modes (there's less money for advertising and direct mail -- and usually those get outsourced anyway). And in my experience, even the marketing people that sort of understand e-communications still have a hard time relating to and working with the IT people.
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
I never thought I would have a reason to post in this thread, but after an appointment with my advisor this past Friday, she approved a request to allow me to take 18 credit hours for spring and summer, which would bring my graduation date to the end of August'08. I had no idea I was so close! I have already felt the pressures of getting a Master's. It seems like everyone in my field (nonprofit) has one (it's what the cool kids get). It would be natural for me to get it in Public Administration, but I am looking into Public Health with a concentration in Community Health.
I went to visit the office of grad studies today and apparently, the deadline for the application is April 1! How in the world am I going to prepare and take the GREs in time. Things are happening too fast!
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
From what I understand, an MPH is a very good idea. Good luck!
Posted by Tarrsk (Member # 332) on :
I keep reading "HCI" as "hydrochloric acid," which has made the last couple of posts pretty entertaining. Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
Good news! Apparently, GRE test scores are only required for international students. Posted by sarahdipity (Member # 3254) on :
I think I might be close to getting my proposal done. In my program we have to write a document outlying the current work done on our dissertation and what we propose to do to finish the dissertation. My document is currently 45 pages + references.
I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But, it's been a very difficult week. I am almost to the point that I can no longer stomach reading this draft anymore. I'm also starting to fee incredibly jealous of other members of our group that are getting research done. I just need to keep reminding myself that this is currently the major hurdle between me and graduation.
Posted by scholar (Member # 9232) on :
Good luck sarahdipity. Our proposals were limited to ten pages- to teach us to be brief and concise.
Posted by jedikink (Member # 11097) on :
What are good Creative Writing MFA programs in and around LA?
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
Depends. What genres and forms are you most interested in writing -- and -- how do you plan on making a living?
Posted by JonHecht (Member # 9712) on :
Oh god, that must be horrible.
Posted by scholar (Member # 9232) on :
One of my friends knew another lab had someone doing the exact same research as her. The other lab finished writing the paper first, but my friend submitted the paper to a journal with a faster turnaround and so she ended up winning.
Posted by jedikink (Member # 11097) on :
I am really trying to focus on fiction, but I like the idea of the cross-genre MFA.
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
But what kind of fiction? What markets would you sell to?
Most (not all -- but most) MFA programs are really good at spitting out a few MFAs that will go on to teach in other MFA programs (and maybe publish a few books along the way), very few that will be able to live off of their writing, and many that have to take full-time jobs in other fields and maybe go on to publish a few stories, novels or essays.
So the question remains: how do you intend to support yourself?
Whether or not an MFA will be of use depends greatly on what markets you will be going after.
Posted by jedikink (Member # 11097) on :
Really, I write no particular genres; I write what pops in my head. The recurring themes, however, are Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA, and various types I don't really know how to classify other than Literary. I'm also do a lot of film/screenwriting. I really don't plan on "supporting" myself with the stuff I write. I would like to teach, but that's not the reason I want an MFA. I'm realist about the programs and know that they won't make me better, and I plan on having a "real job" other wise. I do, however, want to go on to learn more about the craft and the philosophy behind it, and was hoping an MFA would do just that.
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
If that's the case, then you'd be better off just spending that time writing and that money (or a lot less of that money) going to workshops and conferences.
I can't think of any MFA programs that are at all supportive of speculative and/or young adult fiction.
Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :
Just had my first midterm in graduate school. Class is Probability & Statistics, test was open-book, open-note, two hours for four problems.
Nobody finished, and at least one students left the classroom in tears.
Ahhh, graduate school.
Posted by sarahdipity (Member # 3254) on :
My proposal defense is tomorrow at 10am. I don't know what I can do to prep more. If I just stay calm the talk will go fine....but right now I'm so nervous.
Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :
Good luck! Remember that it's unlikely that your adviser would have let you schedule the proposal defense if you weren't ready. And, while I don't know your department or field, it's rare indeed that students are ever kicked out because of a bad proposal - at worst, they'll just make you extensive revision.
Posted by HollowEarth (Member # 2586) on :
Good Luck!
Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
Good luck!!
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Good luck! Posted by sarahdipity (Member # 3254) on :
Yay! I think it went well. I mean, nothing unexpected got brought up. I have work to do but that's why it's a proposal not a dissertation defense. Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :
Awesome - glad to hear it went well. Now you only have, what, two or three years to work? Better get cracking. Posted by MattB (Member # 1116) on :
Well played, Sarah. Orals of any kind are nerve-racking.
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
Congrats! It's always nice when there are no curve balls.
I did an oral exam for my MA. It involved a lot of reading and synthesizing of the works I read, but it sure beat the endless hall of revisions that would have been me trying to write a thesis.
Posted by sarahdipity (Member # 3254) on :
Oh I'm planning on graduating in about a year. I'm actually trying to get done by August. But it all just depends on how things go.
Posted by scholar (Member # 9232) on :
Taking this thread as an opportunity to rant. We just got an e-mail from our departmental student gov with suggestions for getting rid of super seniors (grad students who have been here for over 6 years). They are things like eliminate committee meeting, cut departmental funding, cut departmental funding for grad students that just happen to be in their lab, no masters awarded afer 5 years (the school policy is after your quals, you get a masters but our department is the exception to that rule). The underlying assumption is that people are here because they are lazy. The fact that advisors sometimes screw grad students is completely absent. Some of the advisors give phds over essentially nothing (worked 4 years, here you go) wheras others are nitpicky jerks who won't be satisfied by anything. Some advisors make their students train undergrads all day (my second year, my boss went away for the summer and left me in charge after bringing in four new people who knew nothing about research, I didn't do anything on my project that summer cause I was too busy taking care of everyone else). I am also annoyed that the student gov is buying into this idea. They are supposed to be defending us to faculty (of course, all the older grad students don't do student gov cause we are trying to graduate and so dropped everything extra). I am so annoyed with these people! I just want me degree and to get out and never look back.
Posted by Jaiden (Member # 2099) on :
Does anybody know a good source for equivalent marks across various countries? (North America and Europe mainly) And how to figure out one's GPA from %grades? Everywhere I look seems to be different for % grades into GPA Thanks!
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
Are you conveying the information to a specific institution? If so, use their standards. If not (such as being for a resume), I might use the following:
First, determine the equivalent letter grade. For simplicity, I would say ignore +'s and -'s, so 90 - 100 is an A, 80 - 89 is a B, 70 to 79 is a C, 60 to 69 is a D, and anything less is an F. Of course, this is completely unfair to you if your percentage grades were graded harder than they would be in the US.
Then, an A is 4.0, a B is 3.0, a C is 2.0, a D is 1.0, and an F is 0.0. Average them to get your GPA. Weight each in the average by how many credits/hours/whatever it was.
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I'll be sure to ask though when I go visit the school or whatever.
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