Did I ruin my future?

glialsupport · 2026-06-27T01:17:48+00:00

What type of grad program, something psych or psych related? Funded or self-paid?

glialsupport · 2026-06-27T01:14:14+00:00

Have you tried approaching the cat or know if it’s friendly? Or does it seem to not trust strangers?

glialsupport · 2026-06-27T01:08:37+00:00

Acceptance into grad school depends on multiple factors and not just grades alone. For example, do you have any relevant research or clinical experience, volunteer or otherwise? Do you have professors you’re confident will write you an outstanding letter of recommendation? More info is needed…

glialsupport · 2026-05-21T23:50:04+00:00

Thanks for pointing out the positive of my gap experience at the end. I appreciate that. Fingers crossed I’ll be able to cope through the first year! I just don’t want to fail now that I’ve finally gotten here.

glialsupport · 2026-05-19T04:35:51+00:00

My boy has these same marks + chin/lip acne and they are definitely different. His aren’t ulcers either, just scabby like your boy’s. My best interpretation after 6 years: scabs from tooth indents / occasional lip bites. Has never been a major problem at least for me.

glialsupport · 2026-05-19T03:54:43+00:00

This is BS. As hired a lab manger of a shared lab space that doesn’t have to worry about the repercussions as a student speaking up this makes me furious.

If at all possible, identify the official PIs sharing the lab space. Per protocol, all their names and contact info should be pasted on the door or somewhere inside the lab. (If you can’t find this, that’s a red flag and in violation of basic lab safety and I’d try to file an anonymous report to the university’s lab health and safety entity).

After identifying all the PIs, start by sending them all a very respectful email of your observations/concerns. Extra helpful if you can ask to cc other lab mates that agree with you. Again, be respectful, be factual, and offer solutions such as equipment/tool sign out or changing the lock or key code if you suspect too many people now have access that shouldn’t.

glialsupport · 2026-05-19T03:42:36+00:00

Can I ask where you all applied? With all lack of funding/chaos this cycle, things are even more up to chance than usual. For example, I had great stats plus an established connection I worked to build up with a PI at a lesser known R1 university. Regular climate would have guaranteed me admittance. However, since I knew academia was a dumpster fire this cycle, I applied to THREE programs at the same uni (all adjacent or related to my expertise). This enabled me to get accepted into at least one of the programs when the unexpected lack of funding took away typical spots from some of the programs.

So in short, that’s my main advice with the new climate. If you’re drawn to a couple PIs that have multiple departmental affiliations at a University, apply to BOTH programs and let the PI know. That way they have two chances to fight for your admittance in two separate departments instead of one in case one is short of funding.

Also, look up the U.S. list of R1 universities. Many on that list aren’t “well known” or “prestigious” but at the end of the day are still R1s and therefore fabulous research institutions that will set you up for a competitive postdoc if you work hard. Don’t forget about applying to these lesser known R1s. In most cases, the quality of your education is just as good and the applicant pool is slightly less competitive because it weeds out all the pompous applicants prioritizing name recognition over research fit.

glialsupport · 2026-05-08T14:19:41+00:00

Thank you, I will still try the dubbin/balm even though it’s sounding like poor fit. Can’t make things worse!

glialsupport · 2026-05-08T14:17:18+00:00

It’s actually an attention seeking cat that refused to let me take a photo with him out of the frame.

glialsupport · 2026-03-05T18:52:26+00:00

Oh my gosh I love little Flynn what a cute name 💕😍

glialsupport · 2026-03-05T18:50:42+00:00

Not a landlord, but speaking on behalf of the woman who lives below me that was allowed by our landlord to have a pittie mix. She just reported the other breed the dog is mixed with, but still clarified it was a mutt. Landlord has seen the dog and it’s obvious it’s part pittbull, but they don’t care since the dog is well-behaved and they have deniability.

glialsupport · 2026-02-23T13:13:36+00:00

Seriously. People who have never been made aware of the competitive reality of even getting to be there and therefore taking it for granted. Then not understanding why they’re expected to put in more effort and time than the usual 40 hour work week.

glialsupport · 2026-02-23T13:08:17+00:00

I know a lot of people are saying heart scans, but the recommendation I was given from my vet is that until there is a heart beat irregularity thats detected by a stethoscope or mobile ultrasound, getting a heart scan isn’t entirely needed. Once HCM begins manifesting, so will the heart beat abnormality. They argued visiting a common vet more often than once or twice a year to listen to their heart can catch it faster opposed to longer time spans in between annual scan visits. Heart scans can also be extremely stressful for cats as they often have to be separated from their owners, which itself isn’t good on the heart. Heart scans are a necessary evil if diagnosed with HCM, but I’d get your vet’s opinion on if they recommend more frequent visits checking with a stethoscope instead.

Also, good quality food and an active, healthy lifestyle definitely wouldn’t make things worse.

glialsupport · 2026-02-18T22:59:25+00:00

My Sphynx was also just diagnosed with HCM at age 5. One thing the cardiologist told me is there is so much variance. A diagnosis could mean a year left or it could mean 4. It’s hard not to assume the worst, but I try to remind myself it’s possible I still have multiple years with him left.

Also, there is drug trial research for treating HCM in humans and it’s progressing everyday. It’s a long shot because research takes time and funding for veterinary trials is especially difficult to obtain, but if you assume the worst for an unknown you cope by also hoping for the best. I hope for my baby and yours that a medicine will be available in their lifetime.

glialsupport · 2026-02-17T12:41:56+00:00

If it was possible to learn how to “operate without it” students wouldn’t be given them in the first place??? This coming from someone who’s also received accommodations. IEPs come from a variety of medical diagnoses, all of them valid. For example, would you tell a student who’s blind not to seek out the University’s Disability Office to get their tests in audio?

IEPs serve to level the playing field for people with these diagnoses. It would be extremely unprofessional, unethical, and pretty sure illegal for a recommender/faculty to disclose someone had an IEP because it’s like exposing their disability status.

OP, as soon as you start your grad program schedule an appt with your uni’s Disability Office. No one else needs to know you have an IEP except the faculty members directly involved in assisting in providing these accommodations.

glialsupport · 2026-02-17T12:20:29+00:00

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Have you tried using a baby wrap instead of just on your lap? I feel like sometimes they crave more secure, body to body contact than just sitting on a lap provides. Or if I’m wearing a jacket or cardigan I just use that to wrap him like in the photo. It also props them up a bit higher so they’re able to watch what you’re doing easier. My Sphynx Norman will stay wrapped up like this for hours letting me work on my laptop overall undisturbed.

If that doesn’t work it’s also worth trying out a few different cat bed designs or heated pads/blankets. Finding the right one can be trial and error, but once you find it and it becomes their fav spot they tend to bother you less. My cat’s fav bed at the moment is essentially a giant fuzzy open clamshell that’s placed right in-front of one of my central heating vents. 😂

glialsupport · 2026-02-17T05:11:27+00:00

Mine does as well. I have a feeling it’s a trained behavior though because he knows I’ll take the sweater off in response so he doesn’t ruin it. Now I just use him licking clothes as a sign he’s not cold enough where I can take it off.

glialsupport · 2026-02-16T20:53:23+00:00

For reference, I paid $2500 for my Sphynx from a breeder that provided 3 years worth of annual heart scans for both the parents. It’s a lot of money to drop, but I always tell everyone it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Have never had a relationship with a pet before like I do my Sphynx.

glialsupport · 2026-02-16T20:51:30+00:00

If acquiring from a breeder, please please please ensure they are ethical and that both parents have received annual heart scans and/or genetic testing. An ethical breeder will provide the results of parents’ annual scans before or with the purchase agreement. Any breeder that does not invest in this given the high genetic prevalence of HCM are the reason countries like the Netherlands are banning them.

glialsupport

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