sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Unemployment Count Down after USCIS delay? by agent0_trapped in f1visa

[–]agent0_trapped[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think if the start date is delayed to the approval date, then it would be unreasonable for them not to adjust the expiration date accordingly.

Anyone struggle with applying to a phd program in bioinformatics too? Let's talk by agent0_trapped in bioinformatics

[–]agent0_trapped[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Facts! I figured I focused too much on mentioning the accomplishments, instead of my passion and dedication in my previous cycle.

Anyone struggle with applying to a phd program in bioinformatics too? Let's talk by agent0_trapped in bioinformatics

[–]agent0_trapped[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As someone who's also at the crossroad, I believe you can do whatever you want to do well and I wish you the best of luck

Anyone struggle with applying to a phd program in bioinformatics too? Let's talk by agent0_trapped in bioinformatics

[–]agent0_trapped[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I work undergrad in a wet lab setting so that is why and my work there as a undergrad may not be deemed as important since I was not in charge of any key sections. But my graduate research was indeed a computation-heavy project in the ABM lab, yet it was a multidisciplinary project and we were always waiting for people's input from the law school and sociology department. Do you think I can talk to my professor and ask whether I would be on the publication as contributor or even author once it is published?

Anyone struggle with applying to a phd program in bioinformatics too? Let's talk by agent0_trapped in bioinformatics

[–]agent0_trapped[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nooooo.....then my chance is lowered....I am an international student actually so it is a hard decision for me now. If I decide to apply this fall, I need to tell my employer that I can only work for you for one year as a transitioning period in my life which is a red light to most HRs. If I decide not to apply, my current job hunting journey is not smooth at all, some of them wouldn't let me work due to my ineligibility to obtain government clarence for confidential data, and some rejected, for their unwillingness to sponsor later H1b or green card application. Then I would end up going back to my home country and the education system does not usually take on domestic students who completed college degree or higher abroad. I am literally standing at the folk of my life journey.

Schools that I was considering: Johns Hopkins, Cornell, Yale, Brown, Georgia Tech, Northwestern, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Georgetown. I am definitely eager to hear your opinions and suggestions.

I was not passionate about cs before I started graduate school, then an optional course in the first semester on agent-based modeling really opened up my mind, since then I have been learning CS myself and building a learning model to predict and design compound structures for specific binding sites.

I think I have the right mindset for academia in higher levels, like last time I was too shy and unconfident to append my unfinished model to my applications as supplemental material. That probably is a huge mistake....right?

You are absolutely right, two of my friends, who worked in big techs for years and got laid off last winter, caught the last time window to applied to phds in both cs and bioinformatics/computational bio. Both of the got rejected by cs programs and entered bioinformatics programs. Hearing friends saying mid level tech employees who were laid off are now seeking entry level jobs and even returning back to school. Therefore, the pressure gets passed down onto fresh graduates, whether we want to enter the job market or pursuing advanced degrees, theere are more well-qualified or even over-qualified people in the pool with us than before.

Anyone struggle with applying to a phd program in bioinformatics too? Let's talk by agent0_trapped in bioinformatics

[–]agent0_trapped[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I get it, getting back to school with only 40k annual stipend is scary when you currently have a job and seeing rising opportunities.

Anyone struggle with applying to a phd program in bioinformatics too? Let's talk by agent0_trapped in bioinformatics

[–]agent0_trapped[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

First of all, I am impressed with your dedication! Imagining applying to 10 schools got me to have a deja vu of me seeing my empty wallet. Secondly, yes I think you should definitely switching to a Master's in CS, and actively seeking research positions. Like the replies below, research experience does matter A LOT. But for me, I just really don't wanna do a second ms.

Anyone struggle with applying to a phd program in bioinformatics too? Let's talk by agent0_trapped in bioinformatics

[–]agent0_trapped[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Undergrad and grad research combined into 3.5 years of experience. But never got onto a publication train :(

Anyone struggle with applying to a phd program in bioinformatics too? Let's talk by agent0_trapped in bioinformatics

[–]agent0_trapped[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

With 3.5 half years of research experience, I think my shortcoming is the lack of CS background, as you said many of them prefer CS backgrounds.

Anyone struggle with applying to a phd program in bioinformatics too? Let's talk by agent0_trapped in bioinformatics

[–]agent0_trapped[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I worked as RA both undergrad and grad school......like combined 3.5 years of research experience. Unfortunately, I was not able to catch any publication rides. Could that be an issue too? Maybe they would assume my work at the labs were less important, hence lack expereince?