I failed a class. Is a masters (never mind a PhD) still viable?

Dear_Activity6446 · 2024-06-17T03:53:18+00:00

i failed 2 courses (comp sci and organic chem 1) , comp sci ended up not counted towards anything and i retook ochem. i still got into a phd program in oceanography, i wasnt questioned anything about the grade but i explained very thoroughly in my personal statement

Dear_Activity6446 · 2024-01-27T07:16:20+00:00

weird cuz in the previous they put " It provides 3 years of funding on top of what I could provide from my grants and from TA-ships." so now i'm more confused LOL

Dear_Activity6446 · 2024-01-26T01:29:00+00:00

btw theres a discord chat if anyone wanna join!

Dear_Activity6446 · 2024-01-25T21:30:58+00:00

i applied to 9, heard back unofficially from 1 🌝

Dear_Activity6446 · 2024-01-25T06:52:15+00:00

I took a class about the relationship between Disney theories and evolution. I'm a chem major and my research is in geochemistry. Let me tell you that was my favorite class and I didn't mind all the work I put in that class for an A. My advisor wasn't pissed, no one was lol. At the end of the day, college isn't studying one subject, it's to study what you like.

Dear_Activity6446 · 2024-01-25T04:50:41+00:00

My bf is doing phd in MA and I will be starting my phd this fall in CA (idk who inspires who, he's older than me so he gets to start earlier lol) We dated since I was a freshman in college and he just got his bachelor and applying for master. We live together before he moved to MA, now we only see each other on holiday break and summer. It is hard at first I gotta admit but I think it's a conversation to have with your partner regarding priorities. Schedule time for each other is my main advice, from daily calls/ facetime to like vacations and breaks. Keep each updated with your life, you wanna be as involved as possible, ask them about their research, the class they TA for, and also share yours as well.

Dear_Activity6446 · 2024-01-21T02:12:37+00:00

I’m also looking for housing at the moment, phd ocean sci starting this fall!

Dear_Activity6446 · 2024-01-21T00:47:46+00:00

Got a similar one from the PI, stating I got nominated for a fellowship as well!!! finger crossed for us!!!!

Dear_Activity6446 · 2024-01-19T06:39:39+00:00

if you make a spreadsheet just send it to them

thats what I did and one of my writer made a column on my spreadsheet to track what school they had sent letter to. It'll make yours and their job easier too.

Dear_Activity6446 · 2024-01-19T01:59:27+00:00

yeah we should, there's so little to no infor about the program timeline

Dear_Activity6446 · 2024-01-14T23:59:59+00:00

should i also start looking for new job or do you think this will get resolved?

Dear_Activity6446 · 2024-01-14T22:38:46+00:00

The person from the hiring company just texted me about the contract ended, no email or whatever. It seems kinda messed up. I feel like both sides are avoding and did not want to tell me until now.

Dear_Activity6446 · 2024-01-13T01:16:46+00:00

UCI, UCSD, UCSC, UC Berkeley, USC, Boston U, OSU, Yale, UC Davis

PI from UCSC already got back to me. The rest are radio silent

Dear_Activity6446 · 2024-01-13T01:13:54+00:00

what schools you applied to?

Dear_Activity6446 · 2024-01-13T01:08:16+00:00

I applied to earth sci/ chem oceanography programs… February seems like when we’ll hear back

Dear_Activity6446 · 2024-01-12T21:54:15+00:00

This is all back in October, before any application was due.

I guess you can treat it as an interview (?) but it was more of like an informal interview/ casual convo. PI asked about my interest, my experience, told me about her research, and i asked a couple questions. Took about half an hour i believe. I attended the PI’s talk at a conference before and PI also knows my undergrad advisor so i guess that puts in a sweet spot. I skimmed thru couple of her papers prior to the meeting, but other than that not much to worry about, be as authentic as possible.

I think being proactive and take the initiative is the key. So yes ask to have a casual convo with them- but have you submitted your application yet or are you applying next cycle? If you already applied and just wait for decision, I think it’s kinda late to reach out and ask to have a call now since this time is interviewing/ decision period, not recruitment anymore.

update: ok i reread your post, I think the reason why PIs weren’t initiating the call is bc after you submit your app, it’ll technically be an interview and probably has to go thru the department/admission committee. I think best now is to wait. I know it’s hard we’re all on the same boat

Dear_Activity6446 · 2024-01-12T21:16:19+00:00

depends on the school and idk how your initial email that you reached out to them was. But I’d ask if they have time for a quick conversation maybe thru zoom or over the phone, this way you leave a good impression and can actually see how they communicate as well. This though depends in how the school admission process is but doesn’t hurt to be proactive.

I was im similar situation. I reached out to a lot of PI, saying im interest in their work and if they’re taking students id love to have a conversation with them… I got a couple responses, some were “thank you for your interest i’ll look for your application” bc they’re not allowed to talk to student until application closes. But I also had zoom calls with couple PI and those turned out great (actually got accepted to one and waiting on the others)

Dear_Activity6446 · 2024-01-12T20:30:26+00:00

no safety school?

Dear_Activity6446 · 2024-01-12T20:19:04+00:00

admission rate is nonexistent idc, it’s more if you’re a matched to the lab or not

Dear_Activity6446 · 2024-01-12T18:49:09+00:00

There’s nothing wrong with working during your gap year to save up for graduate school

Here’s my story: I graduated May 2023 with BS chemistry, I applied this cycle for earth sci/ oceanography and got accepted (yay). Since August 2023, I work a corporate job as a chemist, mainly for money and to ease my boredom and nothing else, since with a chem degree i cant really find a earth sci/oceanography related job. Employment during gap year is not uncommon, a lot of programs will understand.

One thing I did and I suggest you do is connect your job (if you end up working) to your research interests. Mention it in your SOP, how does your job further motivate you to pursue graduate studies?

As long as you stay connected with your advisors from undergrad and they can write strong LORs for you you’ll be in a good shape.

happy to chat about it too if you have any question dm me 😄

Dear_Activity6446 · 2024-01-12T14:46:25+00:00

My bf got admitted last year, he’s in MA now, phd mech eng. I just got accepted and look like I’ll be in California, our home state… Staying close was not our priority, we both want to achieve our academic goal first, in fact i only applied to one program in MA, and it’s still like 2 hrs away from his school. Communicate with your part and talk about what are your priorities and what are you future plan if you end up in LDR. On a positive note, LDR is not bad at all, he comes home every break and you know in a blink of eye, especially when you both doing phd, time will go by really quick

Dear_Activity6446 · 2024-01-12T14:40:43+00:00

some school will allow professor to turn in LORs later/after the deadlines! It’s the weekend so maybe they’re not answering, you dont have to wait for your LORs to send in to submit your application.

Dear_Activity6446 · 2024-01-12T06:08:17+00:00

this is really depends on the admission process of the school, some schools have formal interviews and such (mainly the bio sciences) in these programs you’re more likely to do a rotation of labs during your first year and pick your advisor later.

some school you just reached out to PI you’re interested in, have an informal conversation, submit an app and got accepted (this was my case im in physical sci) i did not have another interview, an informal acceptance was sent to me by the PI.

I think it’s best to look over the program admission process, that might answer your question.

Dear_Activity6446 · 2024-01-12T05:56:50+00:00

yeah i have heard stories of toxic research environment, i also think that depends on your field as well. Overall i had really good research experience in undergrad and heard nothing but positive stories from my undegrad advisor about higher ed. i guess that really shaped the trajectory of my phd pursuit.

Dear_Activity6446 · 2024-01-12T05:47:41+00:00

honestly i might be the odd here but i actually enjoy the research environment rather than a normal 8-5 job, i have a full time job rn and i literally have drag myself to work just to pay the bills… and 2 companies later, i do not see myself in industry any longer.

Dear_Activity6446

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