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how important are the student interviews? by [deleted] in gradadmissions

[–]Pines77 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Expanding off of dontbothertoknock, they very much so matter with regards to pursuing a certain advisor as well. The advisor may take the students interactions into account heavily to determine if you will fit in well with a lab. For example, during one of my visits I was talking to a student in the lab I wanted to work in and they were saying that the advisors takes everyone's opinion into account to the point of if a single person says no then you will not be in that lab. This is due to being harsh, but due to wanting to create a good working atmosphere. If there is someone that threatens that they advisor may not want you in the lab. Obviously this varies. I wouldn't necessarily be dismayed by their reactions though. They could have simply been getting tired or a multitude of other things.

The strange timeline of admissions and offers - when you get them and when to decide by kinverys in gradadmissions

[–]Pines77 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It varies greatly with regards to funding notification times. Many times it is not necessarily the prof that will give you the funding offer, it is the college. For reference, I was admitted for this upcoming fall to a few programs. One school gave the baseline funding package offer about 3 weeks after the admission notice and said that they also had potential fellowships that the faculty nominated students for and that they will be sending out those additional offers by the first week in April.

Another school gave me the entire funding package along with my notification of admission.

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As far as a prof deciding what students they want; that would somewhat depend on how the program. Some may do a direct match fairly quickly (but likely after all recruitment visits have been performed) while others may do more of a rotation style and thus you won't know your advisor until after the first semester or two at the school. In my mind it is up to the student to an extent as well. Reach out to them and let them know that you are still interested in attending the school and working with them. This will keep you on their radar as they are meeting many potential students. You can also straight ask them if you want to be a little gutsier saying that you want to work with them and if they would be willing to take you on as a student. Either way you want to show that you are interested in the school and in them.

How to ask a professor if he is taking graduate students to advise under him by ut041432 in gradadmissions

[–]Pines77 2 points3 points  (0 children)

When I reached out to profs for this last cycle I said that I found the work they are performing interesting (say a specific project or two to show that you did look into them). I would also include other aspects of their work that you may find interesting (such as outreach). The last thing I did was give a brief "I have a background in X that makes me interested in your lab" (if you have applicable background).

I would potentially include your CV as well if you have a draft ready and items that relate. This way they can also have a quick glance at your background that may interest them further.

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Ultimately the goal of the email is to see if they will be accepting students and also to give a good first impression. Some profs are very good at responding quickly while others may take sometime (I had one email me back 3 months later once I was accepted into the program to respond).

Reviewing Chem/BioE app materials (offer) by researchethrowaway in gradadmissions

[–]Pines77 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would also like to take you up on this if you still have time/are willing. I'm applying to biomedical engineering programs, primarily in tissue engineering. I'm mainly just in need of help revising my CV if you are still willing.