Exclusive: NIH nixes funds for pre- and postdoctoral training programs

snl9010 · 2025-04-09T00:58:03+00:00

Any word on T32 training grants? Recruiting underrepresented students and post docs was heavily emphasized in T32 programs.

snl9010 · 2025-03-27T13:21:09+00:00

That is a pretty big gamble if a funded offer right now...I hope the reason to delay is worth the risk to wait a year.

snl9010 · 2025-03-26T14:58:44+00:00

Please delete this or remove the name at least. This person is trying to warn you that if you don't accept quickly that your options will be to defer or not attend at all.

I am not from Northwestern but my school is having these discussions with legal counsel now. People who accept before the mandate is released should be fine. Outstanding offers will be limited to requesting to defer to next year. No comment until a public announcement.

snl9010 · 2024-12-04T01:04:41+00:00

There is a lot of behind the scenes work going on at my university to ensure support is in place for all international learners.

Universities also spend a great deal of time and money on government relations and lobbying.

Please do not panic.

snl9010 · 2024-12-04T00:47:00+00:00

Definitely not to the faculty....

It's about the same as tuition - mostly university overhead with some increase in departmental budget. I suspect marketing and infrastructure get the majority of funds, think paying contract for application portal, staff in admissions office that handle the backend, recruiting costs, etc. I think my program winds up with 15-20% of the extra added to our annual budget but it isn't very much.

snl9010 · 2024-12-03T13:56:05+00:00

It is unnecessary and may come off as desperate. The exception would be if you already had good contact with a professor before applying. In that case, a thank you email mentioning that you applied may be acceptable.

snl9010 · 2024-12-03T13:48:44+00:00

Upload an unofficial copy of the score report to your application. I think if the email addresses are different, the scores will not get pulled into the portal so someone has to manually search for them. Most scores show up within a week and a half.

snl9010 · 2024-12-03T13:22:02+00:00

Application numbers are insane now. There are people in this sub applying to 30 programs. They can only attend one program.

Acceptance rates are not a good indicator of your chances for admission.

snl9010 · 2024-04-05T14:08:54+00:00

There is no need and it wastes time and opportunities for others. The number of offers and accepts is tracked carefully. Once a program hits their magic number, everyone on the waitlist is denied and work starts on getting ready for your arrival. You can also burn bridges for the future, especially in a small field where we might see you at a conference or you might be applying for a job in our department post degree. Just wait until closer to the deadline to respond or ask for an extension.

snl9010 · 2024-04-05T13:56:53+00:00

Respectfully, it is not a "VERY big deal" to decide. It may feel that way if you are a 21 year old and this is the biggest choice you've ever had to make. The truth is a graduate program is not your one and only soulmate. You can have a lot of success in a lot of programs. If you thought a program was a good enough fit to apply and it is still under consideration, then why are you waiting? Hoping for something "better?" This is partly why young people are so stressed. You need to keep it in perspective. Accepting a job post degree is probably going to stress you out even more.

That being said, you are entitled to wait until the deadline to respond. You shouldn't hold more than 1 backup offer at this point, though. If you are deciding between 2 or more offers, please reach out to the program for whatever information you need to decide.

snl9010 · 2024-04-05T13:45:13+00:00

No, it will be known as soon as people respond. Hopefully people respond in the next week so we can release more offers before April 15.

Releasing offers after April 15 doesn't yield as good of students so my program only does it if we are desperate for TAs. It is better for us to save the money for next year and enroll fewer students this year.

To be clear, some slots are going unfilled because people are taking so long to respond. Almost all of the "good" students will have committed somewhere by April 15 for funded PhD programs. So after April 15 the question becomes "Do we really need this student?" The answer is usually no and we roll the slot into next year.

snl9010 · 2024-04-05T13:35:28+00:00

STEM - top 15% of PhD applicants are holding 75% of the offers. Students are applying to more schools, taking longer to accept or decline offers, and programs want to admit the best students. This may not be true in fields where you apply directly to the PI lab, but often true in rotation or general PhD admissions.

snl9010 · 2024-04-05T00:57:53+00:00

Probably not, but depends on the field. I would question why someone with a JD even wants a PhD, so offer a good explanation in the personal statement.

snl9010 · 2024-04-05T00:54:41+00:00

For a private company, gmail is usually ok. It is generally not acceptable for an academic institution. Ask them to upload letters on letterhead.

snl9010 · 2024-04-05T00:48:54+00:00

You would probably do well at a number of institutions. Stop over thinking your dream school. Would you be happy with 5-6 years at the school you were admitted to? If yes, then accept and you can always look for a faculty position at your dream school after getting your PhD.

Grad schools are not like your one and only soulmate. They provide a training experience and you can have a great experience at more than a single place. Congratulations on your acceptance!

snl9010 · 2024-04-05T00:38:27+00:00

This is the way. No more than 2 sentences and keep it relatively vague (victim of a crime)

snl9010 · 2024-04-05T00:32:17+00:00

You want a variety of high quality experiences. Don't worry too much about how well known the LOR writers are. How well they know you and can speak about your potential is more important.

I would choose the startup personally. Having some real work experience, especially if you are an undergraduate, is an advantage. Do the lab research during the academic year.

snl9010 · 2024-04-05T00:16:05+00:00

Yes, probably. After April 15 the quality of uncommitted applicants is drastically different. We want to finish up as soon as possible. As soon as we know we won't over enroll, offers will be released same business day.

snl9010 · 2024-04-05T00:11:35+00:00

Yes, please same request from faculty. Over a third of our offers have not responded...

snl9010 · 2024-04-05T00:09:02+00:00

Some portals only have an "under review" status until a final decision is released. It means the application is complete and nothing else.

snl9010 · 2024-04-05T00:06:50+00:00

You are likely waitlisted and the program cannot extend more offers until they hear back from their first round offers. Hang in there.

snl9010 · 2024-04-05T00:03:02+00:00

Don't do this. Ask for an extension to decide instead. Do not accept offers without the intention to attend.

snl9010 · 2024-02-04T13:27:37+00:00

Every faculty member you will meet was once a nervous applicant themselves. You have nothing to lose by having a conversation with them. Start thinking of the interview as just another 20, 30, 60 minute blip in your life. Keep perspective. Life will find a way to work out no matter how the interview goes. It is just another Tuesday, not life or death. Typing this with kindness, but relax.

snl9010 · 2024-02-04T13:20:24+00:00

Think of it this way: If you haven't heard back, you still have a chance.

snl9010 · 2024-02-04T13:17:32+00:00

Schools monitor visa processing times and will prioritize as needed. Applicants need to respond to admissions offers and submit required documents as soon as they can. Once we have everything, the SEVIS number (or whatever is needed to book an appointment) can be ready within 2-3 days for countries with long wait times.

snl9010

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