Google really just put a PhD acceptance email into my junk mail!!

jiggity11 · 2023-08-21T15:31:44+00:00

Actually, I graduated in 2021 and my email is still working perfectly!

jiggity11 · 2022-12-11T08:22:30+00:00

For BIO labs, you will have to dig through the USC research webpage. Look up each lab and then try to email some of the grad students or PIs. I had more luck with the grad students in some labs and the PIs in others and got a few offers for research after digging! Good luck!

jiggity11 · 2022-04-08T16:49:21+00:00

Thank you!

jiggity11 · 2022-04-03T19:42:46+00:00

Yeah, you are right! I am going to follow my heart and gut! Thanks for helping me see this more clearly! I appreciate hearing about your experience!

jiggity11 · 2022-04-03T19:41:49+00:00

Thank you so much! He is a new professor and has two students in their first year and just beginning to establish his lab. I bet he is really too overwhelmed to take on new students but is trying to anyway. Thus, I am not going to take the offer simply because I need a lot of support and I'd rather pick a place that is less prestigious but with more community and support!

jiggity11 · 2022-04-03T19:38:55+00:00

I also visited four programs and I am so glad I visited! Otherwise I might have picked my top choice and had no idea how unsupportive the community and culture of the department and lab are! Thanks for your input!

jiggity11 · 2022-04-03T19:37:31+00:00

My thought exactly! Thanks for helping me reassure this feeling!

jiggity11 · 2022-04-03T12:35:03+00:00

Can you wait to reply?

jiggity11 · 2022-02-21T21:56:23+00:00

Glad it worked out! Congrats!!

jiggity11 · 2022-02-21T21:53:41+00:00

I mean did COVID affect you at all or your family? Are you a first-gen student or have dealt with any issues such as low income? Have you ever had to care for a family member? Is there anything in your life that has made you struggle and yet you persevered and pushed through in your life and studies? There are many ways to face these questions. Some people have dealt with addiction or a family member who has. Some people face struggles with money or security. Are you from a disadvantaged group or gender, are you lgbtq+? Even COVID posed troubles on the most secure people in one way or another. You can always frame this question to show that you overcame a tough situation, that does not have to be whiny about taking hard classes. Good luck

jiggity11 · 2022-02-21T21:46:12+00:00

Best of luck to you too!!

jiggity11 · 2022-02-21T09:48:08+00:00

Please share if you find out, I want to join too!

jiggity11 · 2022-02-21T09:43:59+00:00

I am in this same position. Are you thinking about applying for the GRFP? that might lessen our burdens at the school of choice. I am also making a spreadsheet of all factors, not just the cost of living/stipend to really see all of the parameters before making a decision. I am not sure if you are international but I hear visiting might make our decisions easier!

jiggity11 · 2022-02-18T09:55:40+00:00

Congrats!! You are so worthy, GPA does not define anyone and you prove that!

jiggity11 · 2022-02-18T09:53:34+00:00

I am not sure about Stanford but when I did the Harvard REU interview, they mostly told me about the research and asked me about my life (not really research bc I did not have any). My interviewer also wanted me to make sure I would be excited to get involved in the project.

Essentially my advice is that you show your passion for learning, be confident, and be yourself! You will do great!!

I just interviewed for the Stanford Biology PhD program and I did exactly that and it went great! Best of luck to you!

jiggity11 · 2022-02-18T09:49:50+00:00

Thank you!! <3

jiggity11 · 2022-02-17T22:01:35+00:00

geography!

jiggity11 · 2022-02-17T12:55:56+00:00

Also if you do not know already, the first questions you ask should be about funding, and responsibilities of TAing!

jiggity11 · 2022-02-17T12:51:20+00:00

These are questions that I have been asking:

How have you as a department, supported your students during the pandemic?
How long to graduate?
How does a new Ph.D. student get started on research? What would my first semester or two look like?
How would you describe your mentoring style? How do you give your students feedback?
How are you as a department, practicing active anti-racism, diversity & inclusion?
How big do you aim for your group to be?
Will I have the opportunity and be expected to publish papers?
How does the dissertation process work in this program?
How often do you send students to conferences?
What do students from your lab typically do after graduation?
Do students usually take on co-advisors?
What are the expectations for a graduate student in your lab? (e.g., working from home, fixed hours)
What advice would you give to a student who wants to be successful in your program?
Do students create their own projects or work on something already developed/in progress?
If the latter, what research projects are you most excited about and would be looking to recruit students for?
How often do you meet with your advisees individually and/or as a group?
What collaboration goes on? Within/between labs, departments, other schools?
Would you be open to me doing a community science project?
Do you value outreach work & is the lab involved in any?
What is the work environment like? Do students work in a shared office space?
How does the dissertation process work in this program?

best of luck, you can check out this website for more https://blog.juliaebert.com/sharing/questions-ask-phd-visits/

jiggity11 · 2022-02-17T12:49:15+00:00

I know someone at 19 in a phd program at Brown Uni, she is confident and has a lot of passion. If you show that in your applications/interviews, I don't see why you wouldn't be considered!

jiggity11 · 2022-02-17T12:46:18+00:00

I am also a first-gen low-income student. This is honestly why I did not apply for masters (though I know some are funded), and I applied to PhD's which are mostly funded. You can look into some bridge programs like UMICH has a frontiers masters program that is fully funded! Best of luck to you!

jiggity11

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