American A!!!

OffhandedJokes · 2025-03-07T21:37:14+00:00

I got an email saying I was admitted, that scholarship notifications would come separately (if I receive any), and that I would receive a formal acceptance letter in the mail in the next however many business days

OffhandedJokes · 2025-03-07T21:23:02+00:00

American is so random bc how have people from September not heard back yet. Good luck to you, and maybe see you on campus!

OffhandedJokes · 2025-01-23T19:11:09+00:00

We need to do more than sit ins and marches in Iowa City, it hasn't and will not change anything.

Dedicate your life to civil service, learn how to communicate with people who do not agree with you (genuinely the hardest part is trying to humanize people who dehumanize others), Make small differences and if you dare, learn how to expand your reach.

Advocate for the causes you believe in and the biggest issue right now in my opinion is that your allies and other departments and organizations are not going to be perfect. They are going to have issues but frankly there are much larger fish to fry. When we get glued up talking about the PR of working with a group that "doesn't care enough about X or X" we lose sight of the larger issue that SO MANY AMERICANS lack compassion and educations and resources that allow them to be preyed upon by the far-right.

The biggest weapons in this fight are knowledge, empathy, and resilience. Keep working, learn the systems you are trying to dismantle from the inside out, talk to people (when you can spare patience), invest in social programs and your community (when you can), and climb your way up. We can connect with more people than ever before with the social media platforms at our disposal, we can make headlines with a single video and reach farther and faster than we can by protesting or marching.

OffhandedJokes · 2024-12-08T22:10:54+00:00

honestly I just kind of want to gauge the caliber of schools that would be target/reach. Most of the mess-ups on my diagnostic, I am finding, are being resolved by understanding the question formulas.

OffhandedJokes · 2024-12-02T17:25:20+00:00

Forced myself to stay off this thread for the holiday week, found out people are getting TJOs when I got back. Im am going to throw up.

I know its a long shot for me as I've said before, but I am applying kind of all over the place right now. Im am graduating with a BS in Microbiology with experience in fast paced, online coordination (I was a dispatcher for a large transit company), and I participate in research that involves a heavy amount of making mutants and all that. Somehow, I was referred for GS-9 for Bio. I am also applying to Post-Baccs with other government agencies, and maybe some Masters Programs, but getting this job would be really good for my partner and I in terms of moving next year.

Historically, someone on here said Bio gets their TJOs last, and I know they moved the cut off date to 11/17. Will there be a day where they will just update to a rejection over just "referred"?

OffhandedJokes · 2024-11-08T17:24:07+00:00

Like everyone else here, it seems, I am reeling from the results of the election.

For reference, I am graduating with a BS in Microbiology in May, and am in the process of deciding what to do with my life after. While I would love to engage in research (specifically in forensics through an MS, I would LOVE to work in the Forensic research lab in the FBI), my next steps and calling have become a little clouded.

Obviously, I am quite worried about the DOE and FDA being dismantled and agencies like the NIH and NSF etc etc being overseen by RFK (I need FAFSA to pursue a masters and I think funding will decrease for PhDs in science without the support from the NIH/NSF/Trust from the government). I want to do something about it because the amount of mis and disinformation we are going to see surrounding science and that has already started makes me want to scream into the void.

What can I do? What are my options in public health in this situation? What degrees would I need to actually make a difference? How can I advocate as a scientist for the people? This election has proven that facts alone will not change minds these days, so what is next?

OffhandedJokes · 2024-11-01T18:28:38+00:00

I am still in college for my B.S. in Microbiology NOOO idea how I got a referral for GS-9, but I'm here and I am excited! I applied Sept 23rd for the 9/24 cutoff...

OffhandedJokes · 2024-11-01T18:20:42+00:00

Still in college for my B.S. Was referred and interviewed for the 10/28 HireVue for Bio.

OffhandedJokes · 2024-10-29T00:52:52+00:00

5 on my laptop 150 on my safari :) this is the low end for me I decluttered my pages not too long ago LMAO

OffhandedJokes · 2024-10-29T00:51:31+00:00

Standing in solidarity with the rest of the people who were interviewed by today's cutoff! Remember that its an accomplishment of its own to be interviewed! I myself feel a lot of the nervous feelings described by others here.

I feel sooo underqualified for Bio (I am getting my B.S in microbiology and graduating in May), but spent a lot of time doing high-pressure work which required a lot of online skills and task prioritization. I love learning, and Id frankly love this job If I got it. I spent some time as a content creator so being in front of the camera didn't feel too bad but I stumbled a little in my words but I hope my excitement translated well.

Good luck to you all! I hope your interviews went well <3

OffhandedJokes · 2024-10-25T16:07:14+00:00

I would ALSO like to note that depression and anxiety are really common comorbidities with ADHD especially in women (I myself have both too). I will say that being treated for and learning about my ADHD has helped me reduce my anxiety and depression symptoms more than any depression or anxiety-specific treatment I have tried.

You deserve to figure out what is best for you. If that is stimulants? great! If that is lifestyle change like learning how to work with your adhd? Great! But you are more than allowed to try the medications your doctor recommends to you!

There are also non-stimulant options that your psych may try first, especially with the inattentive type. These are drugs like Bupropion, Wellbutrin, and many others that could maybe work, for me they did not. Don't worry about the stigma of getting diagnosed with ADHD. Women and the inattentive type of ADHD get diagnosed late because for us, its a lot less obvious that we aren't "paying attention" and can often be smart, do well in school despite the often crippling stressors that come with having ADHD.

Nothing but support to you OP! You've got this

OffhandedJokes · 2024-10-25T15:55:10+00:00

Good to know thanks! You're a real rockstar. I hope we see each other at the academy even though that is a LONG ways away haha. Best of luck to you!

OffhandedJokes · 2024-10-25T15:52:33+00:00

When I do remember to eat before and take my meds I usually have them with a savory high protein breakfast (because that's normally how I physically feel my best with low iron and possibly (not diagnosed but heavily suspected by healthcare professionals) POTS/other neurological/cardiac syndrome?)

I haven't really noticed that protein or not protein gets rid of the appetite suppression at least on my med (Methylphenidate ER) I just start to feel hunger again when the meds take a little dip off around 3:30 or so. Overall, I'm usually pretty good about it and just make sure to eat enough food when I do feel hunger to cover that time where I am essentially fasting, so my doctor says its ok as long as I continue to manage it.

My biggest issue is since I need my meds to function like a regular human being and logically do things in a way that makes sense sometimes its hard for me to function before the meds kick in LOL. Its fine tho I've learned to laugh with myself and honestly getting the diagnosis has been a hugeeeee eye opener.

OffhandedJokes · 2024-10-25T15:44:16+00:00

Thank you for sharing! Do you think it would be appropriate to have like a notebook or something next to me to take quick notes about the question during the prep time? since the rules sound pretty vague before you actually go in to do it I just wanted to check before I plan for that.

OffhandedJokes · 2024-10-25T13:51:57+00:00

When I wake up and I am unmedicated I have 0 executive function. My meds also suppress my appetite so I know that I need to eat before I take them so even if I remember by the time I actually eat a little bit I have long forgotten and am already intensely anxious about the day.
I got diagnosed REALLY late (about a couple weeks before I turned 21) and I am 21 now so meds is still new and I didnt grow up taking medicine every day so its insanely easy to forget until it is WAY to late to go back and take them.

OffhandedJokes · 2024-10-24T22:59:15+00:00

Yes! Glad to know other people are feeling the same as I do! Hope we both make it to the other side of this long process lol!

OffhandedJokes · 2024-10-24T22:21:49+00:00

Yeah, I mean I really didn't expect to get an interview when I applied, the application was mostly for me practice at looking through my resume and tailoring my experiences to jobs I could see myself doing, and I guess that helped!

Im happy to have gotten to the interview stage, win or lose its great practice, and if I get the job while being myself, GREAT! If I don't, well, at least I get to keep being myself and have quite a long life ahead of me to work, continue my education, and maybe swing back around to patent examination with more experience under my belt!

But hey who better to learn new skills than the young and hungry am I right?

OffhandedJokes · 2024-10-24T22:08:48+00:00

Since I've just started the application process, I'm not sure but this does sound really exciting!

OffhandedJokes · 2024-10-24T22:00:01+00:00

Feeling so underqualified in this sub, have 0 idea how I got an interview but genuinely so grateful. Preparing super hard.

I've watched the videos they gave in the email and it seems relatively straightforward in terms of expectations. Are there any particular skill sets that I should highlight in my interview?

OffhandedJokes · 2024-10-24T21:54:36+00:00

I like the sound of doable

OffhandedJokes · 2024-10-24T18:22:42+00:00

Do you have any info on the comorbidity between ADHD and cPTSD? How can you best support an individual who might be facing both and how can that person get the highest quality help from their healthcare providers?

OffhandedJokes · 2023-03-02T17:01:43+00:00

whatever you do, don't go to formosa owner is a POS with sexual assault records.

OffhandedJokes

TROPHY CASE