discussion The Grad School Lounge

[Euterpe]

1 minute ago, Bloo said:

It’s something I’ve thought about. But I love my original username too much to change it. 
 

But congratulations on walking next weekend! That’s very exciting, sis.  

There must be a middle ground for this. 

 

Thank you! I might not be officially graduating, but I’m excited to have the experience! I didn’t walk for undergrad.

[Bloo]

30 minutes ago, Euterpe said:

There must be a middle ground for this. 

 

Thank you! I might not be officially graduating, but I’m excited to have the experience! I didn’t walk for undergrad.

Oh well congratulations! That makes it all the more exciting. Finishing a graduate degree is no trivial feat and should be celebrated. Hope you have a lovely weekend.  

[Bethenny Frankel]

I went to a grad school recruitment session today and the admissions recruiter never showed up  guess I can cross that program off my list!

Edited May 11, 2022 by Bethenny Frankel

[Ampersand13]

Been receiving a couple cute notepads and pens from my graduate school/program. So excited/nervous to start in August 

[Euterpe]

I can’t believe I have about two months left. Three and a half years part time while working full time, over 1000 clinical hours about to be under my belt, a new job, it’s all accumulating to graduating and then taking my licensing exam when I’m ready. 
 

On 5/11/2022 at 4:24 PM, Bethenny Frankel said:

I went to a grad school recruitment session today and the admissions recruiter never showed up  guess I can cross that program off my list!

Not the unprofessional.  I hope the other programs you looked at were better.

 

On 5/11/2022 at 5:10 PM, Ampersand13 said:

Been receiving a couple cute notepads and pens from my graduate school/program. So excited/nervous to start in August 

Congrats! I remember you talking about this during survivor.

[Ampersand13]

2 minutes ago, Euterpe said:

I can’t believe I have about two months left. Three and a half years part time while working full time, over 1000 clinical hours about to be under my belt, a new job, it’s all accumulating to graduating and then taking my licensing exam when I’m ready. 
 

Not the unprofessional.  I hope the other programs you looked at were better.

 

Congrats! I remember you talking about this during survivor.

 

Can’t believe it’s finally happening so soon 

[Euterpe]

9 minutes ago, Ampersand13 said:

 

Can’t believe it’s finally happening so soon 

 

It’s so odd how it goes by really slow and then suddenly fast, rinse and repeat. Are you by the school campus?

[Ampersand13]

31 minutes ago, Euterpe said:

 

It’s so odd how it goes by really slow and then suddenly fast, rinse and repeat. Are you by the school campus?

So I'm pursuing an MFA in screenwriting, but my program is done predominantly online (Emerson is the school I'm attending). They hold conferences for the screenwriters at the start of every semester but everything after is done virtually which will definitely be an adjustment for me, but I am so excited nonetheless 

[Euterpe]

10 minutes ago, Ampersand13 said:

So I'm pursuing an MFA in screenwriting, but my program is done predominantly online (Emerson is the school I'm attending). They hold conferences for the screenwriters at the start of every semester but everything after is done virtually which will definitely be an adjustment for me, but I am so excited nonetheless 

That sounds great! And I imagine those conferences are important for building bonds and networking, so it’s good they have those. It sounds exciting! A lot of good opportunities! And I hear Emerson is a good school.

[Mellark]

I just graduated from undergrad a couple of weeks ago, but I'll be taking a hiatus before starting law school or grad school whichever I find more interesting. I think the good thing is that I am graduating debt-free from undergrad, so I don't have to worry about student loan debt, thank god. Right now I am just looking for a job in the field and get an idea of the environment. I am considering law, but going to grad school won't be the safety net I think it is if I go right after. Right now, I am enjoying my summer for the first time in like... 4 years.

[Devin]

16 hours ago, Mellark said:

I just graduated from undergrad a couple of weeks ago, but I'll be taking a hiatus before starting law school or grad school whichever I find more interesting. I think the good thing is that I am graduating debt-free from undergrad, so I don't have to worry about student loan debt, thank god. Right now I am just looking for a job in the field and get an idea of the environment. I am considering law, but going to grad school won't be the safety net I think it is if I go right after. Right now, I am enjoying my summer for the first time in like... 4 years.

Congratulations and you’re doing the right thing. 
 

Spoiler

Taking a break gives yourself time and space to prioritize things and make better decision on what you like to do. Instead of breaking, I dived into grad school and basically got burnt out towards the end.

 

[Mellark]

2 hours ago, Devin said:

Congratulations and you’re doing the right thing. 
 

  Reveal hidden contents

Taking a break gives yourself time and space to prioritize things and make better decision on what you like to do. Instead of breaking, I dived into grad school and basically got burnt out towards the end.

 

I can't do spoilers for some reason, but, yeah, that is my worst-case scenario. I would rather get more experience in the field before pursuing a degree I may not want in the end. By the end of undergrad, I felt exhausted and burned out that my sleep schedule was ******.

 

I know people who dropped out after grad school because they just couldn't handle it. 

Edited June 25, 2022 by Mellark

[Euterpe]

Alright, another update post. How's everyone feeling? Anyone doing a summer semester or getting ready for fall?

[R.E.M.]

On 7/19/2022 at 10:20 AM, Euterpe said:

Alright, another update post. How's everyone feeling? Anyone doing a summer semester or getting ready for fall?

Honestly this summer was trash  Did a summer seminar, worked full time, worked on my thesis proposal, and now I'm gearing up for class/data collection this Fall. I had no time off basically. Also gonna have to gear up for PhD applications it's tewwww much.

[Euterpe]

On 8/14/2022 at 8:47 AM, R.E.M. said:

Honestly this summer was trash  Did a summer seminar, worked full time, worked on my thesis proposal, and now I'm gearing up for class/data collection this Fall. I had no time off basically. Also gonna have to gear up for PhD applications it's tewwww much.

That’s a lot to do! You made it this far, and you must love the work to keep going. You’re doing a great job. Especially with PhD applications, because I’ve heard those are really intensive and grueling. Do you have an idea of how many places you’ll be applying to?

[R.E.M.]

34 minutes ago, Euterpe said:

That’s a lot to do! You made it this far, and you must love the work to keep going. You’re doing a great job. Especially with PhD applications, because I’ve heard those are really intensive and grueling. Do you have an idea of how many places you’ll be applying to?

Thank you  I appreciate your kind words and support. It's pretty brutal but I need to get over it because I'm running a 14-week therapy program for kids with down syndrome as part of my MA thesis so I'm gonna need my strength. 

 

I think like 4-5 programs? I've eliminated about 10 based on research fit, distance, and location. Is that typical? I don't know what the average number is.

[Euterpe]

1 minute ago, R.E.M. said:

Thank you  I appreciate your kind words and support. It's pretty brutal but I need to get over it because I'm running a 14-week therapy program for kids with down syndrome as part of my MA thesis so I'm gonna need my strength. 

 

I think like 4-5 programs? I've eliminated about 10 based on research fit, distance, and location. Is that typical? I don't know what the average number is.

Have you run a program before and is it group based? Sorry, I feel like I have a lot of questions.  I just know if it’s new thing or with a new demographic it can be really intimidating. I remember going from working with mostly males with psychiatric diagnoses for years to mostly females who have been through domestic violence. Always something to get used to in the field.

 

4-5 seems like a lot to me, because it must be so much stuff to get together. @Bloo might be able to give more words of wisdom as you start the process! 

[Bloo]

@R.E.M. @Euterpe

 

I applied for PhD programs 6 years ago (the way I feel ancient writing that). I applied to around 10 different programs and got offers from about half of them. It all depends on the field. But, I think the number matters less than the strategy you use when you apply. Find a few programs that aren't super competitive that you can apply for just to have some back ups. Have some mid schools. Then have some dream picks where you really spend time aiming your research statement, personal statement, etc. to cater yourself to the needs of whatever group/lab you want to join. I also recommend reaching out to the faculty members of those labs especially. As a postdoc, I see my PIs (my lab has two, which is very interesting) commonly go after students that come to them. The application process is a time-sink. But, you should be fine so long as you do the work to establish a relationship with a group you want. But, don't be presumptuous. Make sure you apply to backups as well. Apply to as many programs as you can afford (applications themselves are expensive as hell). Just make sure you're allocating your time on the applications proportional to your interest in that program/group. If a school is just a backup, submit an application with recycled materials and be done with it. Spend your time wisely.

 

That's my general advice. Oh, and the GRE generally doesn't mean anything to most departments as far I'm aware. If you're doing an LSAT, MCAT, or some other non-GRE admission test, then that's not at all the case. But the GRE doesn't seem to be of interest to most faculty I've spoken to. 

[Specter]

Hello Grad Girls!

 

If any of you have the time, I would love to hear your opinions on this. I have since deferred my offer of Admission, but still.

 

https://atrl.net/forums/topic/396720-do-i-take-a-student-loan/

 

 

[Euterpe]

15 hours ago, Bloo said:

@R.E.M. @Euterpe

 

I applied for PhD programs 6 years ago (the way I feel ancient writing that). I applied to around 10 different programs and got offers from about half of them. It all depends on the field. But, I think the number matters less than the strategy you use when you apply. Find a few programs that aren't super competitive that you can apply for just to have some back ups. Have some mid schools. Then have some dream picks where you really spend time aiming your research statement, personal statement, etc. to cater yourself to the needs of whatever group/lab you want to join. I also recommend reaching out to the faculty members of those labs especially. As a postdoc, I see my PIs (my lab has two, which is very interesting) commonly go after students that come to them. The application process is a time-sink. But, you should be fine so long as you do the work to establish a relationship with a group you want. But, don't be presumptuous. Make sure you apply to backups as well. Apply to as many programs as you can afford (applications themselves are expensive as hell). Just make sure you're allocating your time on the applications proportional to your interest in that program/group. If a school is just a backup, submit an application with recycled materials and be done with it. Spend your time wisely.

 

That's my general advice. Oh, and the GRE generally doesn't mean anything to most departments as far I'm aware. If you're doing an LSAT, MCAT, or some other non-GRE admission test, then that's not at all the case. But the GRE doesn't seem to be of interest to most faculty I've spoken to. 

I think this was really insightful! And practical for what should be focused on in the process.   I hope R.E.M. is able to use it. Thanks, Bloo!

 

9 hours ago, Phantom said:

Hello Grad Girls!

 

If any of you have the time, I would love to hear your opinions on this. I have since deferred my offer of Admission, but still.

 

https://atrl.net/forums/topic/396720-do-i-take-a-student-loan/

 

 

Reading through, my main questions are what do you ultimately want to do, do you need a degree to do it, and does a prestigious place matter for the field you want to work in? I feel like the answers to those questions will help guide you in a direction that's right for you.

[Bloo]

12 hours ago, Phantom said:

Hello Grad Girls!

 

If any of you have the time, I would love to hear your opinions on this. I have since deferred my offer of Admission, but still.

 

https://atrl.net/forums/topic/396720-do-i-take-a-student-loan/

 

 

I went to a regional state school for my bachelor's degree and mid R1 state school for my PhD. I am now a postdoc researcher at a prestigious top university with one of the most famous scientists in my field. I genuinely don't think prestige means much for a bachelor's. It means more for grad school because those institutions have better-funded labs and resources to help you in your own research. At the undergrad level, I do not think amassing massive amounts of debt for prestige is worth it. Calculus I is not taught any differently at Harvard than it is at a community college. There are benefits of prestige (e.g., job fairs at elite schools have top notch companies present). But I think prestige is vastly overrated and financial wellbeing is ultimately more important.

[Specter]

18 hours ago, Euterpe said:

Reading through, my main questions are what do you ultimately want to do, do you need a degree to do it, and does a prestigious place matter for the field you want to work in? I feel like the answers to those questions will help guide you in a direction that's right for you.

I do need a degree for it I believe...but yes, these are potent questions. Thank you for this!

 

15 hours ago, Bloo said:

I went to a regional state school for my bachelor's degree and mid R1 state school for my PhD. I am now a postdoc researcher at a prestigious top university with one of the most famous scientists in my field. I genuinely don't think prestige means much for a bachelor's. It means more for grad school because those institutions have better-funded labs and resources to help you in your own research. At the undergrad level, I do not think amassing massive amounts of debt for prestige is worth it. Calculus I is not taught any differently at Harvard than it is at a community college. There are benefits of prestige (e.g., job fairs at elite schools have top notch companies present). But I think prestige is vastly overrated and financial wellbeing is ultimately more important.

Oh wow! Thank you for this! Congratulations on that, by the way.

 

And yes, where I am at I am really struggling with the concept of prestige vs financial wellbeing and really, peace of mind. 

Edited August 17, 2022 by Phantom

[Bloo]

3 hours ago, Phantom said:

Oh wow! Thank you for this! Congratulations on that, by the way.

 

And yes, where I am at I am really struggling with the concept of prestige vs financial wellbeing and really, peace of mind. This is at the grad level, by the way.

 

Gotcha. Prestige definitely is a real thing that has real perks. But, I don't think it's everything. When I was applying for PhD programs, I got accepted into NYU's program with no funding—so I'd need to take on massive loans to afford to live in downtown NYC and pay tuition. I chose not to do that and I am so grateful for that. Ultimately, your research and your ability to communicate your strengths as a researcher are the most relevant qualities. You can nurture those things at a good R1 state school. You don't need prestige for that per se. If you want to still go for the prestigious institution, that's fine. But, don't feel like you have to.

[Specter]

1 hour ago, Bloo said:

Gotcha. Prestige definitely is a real thing that has real perks. But, I don't think it's everything. When I was applying for PhD programs, I got accepted into NYU's program with no funding—so I'd need to take on massive loans to afford to live in downtown NYC and pay tuition. I chose not to do that and I am so grateful for that. Ultimately, your research and your ability to communicate your strengths as a researcher are the most relevant qualities. You can nurture those things at a good R1 state school. You don't need prestige for that per se. If you want to still go for the prestigious institution, that's fine. But, don't feel like you have to.

Thank you for this!

 

And yeah. NYU in that situation would have been expensive af...

 

The school I got into is I think somewhat comparable, but trades off International reputation for perhaps not being "super" known in the US. However, I think the loan might be in USD...(if I take one that is)

 

I have a lot of pressure from a few sources saying I *should* just go ahead with it, and maybe even apply to American top schools (the funding for which would be a nightmare, even bigger one than this for sure) mostly on the prestige front. It's annoying, because I know better than to fall in this "trap", but still....

[R.E.M.]

On 8/15/2022 at 7:21 PM, Euterpe said:

Have you run a program before and is it group based? Sorry, I feel like I have a lot of questions.  I just know if it’s new thing or with a new demographic it can be really intimidating. I remember going from working with mostly males with psychiatric diagnoses for years to mostly females who have been through domestic violence. Always something to get used to in the field.

 

4-5 seems like a lot to me, because it must be so much stuff to get together. @Bloo might be able to give more words of wisdom as you start the process! 

I haven't so I'm a little nervous  I just don't know what to expect. The intervention itself isn't new but it's been tested with mostly white families so we've adapted it to see whether it can also benefit black families. It's not group based which means it's going to be a ton of work to schedule everyone. The good thing is my advisor is a clinical neuropsychologist who will recruit some of her PhD students to help out. 

 

I'd love to hear about your work too! What are you studying?

 

On 8/15/2022 at 9:23 PM, Bloo said:

@R.E.M. @Euterpe

 

I applied for PhD programs 6 years ago (the way I feel ancient writing that). I applied to around 10 different programs and got offers from about half of them. It all depends on the field. But, I think the number matters less than the strategy you use when you apply. Find a few programs that aren't super competitive that you can apply for just to have some back ups. Have some mid schools. Then have some dream picks where you really spend time aiming your research statement, personal statement, etc. to cater yourself to the needs of whatever group/lab you want to join. I also recommend reaching out to the faculty members of those labs especially. As a postdoc, I see my PIs (my lab has two, which is very interesting) commonly go after students that come to them. The application process is a time-sink. But, you should be fine so long as you do the work to establish a relationship with a group you want. But, don't be presumptuous. Make sure you apply to backups as well. Apply to as many programs as you can afford (applications themselves are expensive as hell). Just make sure you're allocating your time on the applications proportional to your interest in that program/group. If a school is just a backup, submit an application with recycled materials and be done with it. Spend your time wisely.

 

That's my general advice. Oh, and the GRE generally doesn't mean anything to most departments as far I'm aware. If you're doing an LSAT, MCAT, or some other non-GRE admission test, then that's not at all the case. But the GRE doesn't seem to be of interest to most faculty I've spoken to. 

Thank you king  the way you always come through.

 

10 programs sounds extremely time-intensive and, as you noted, expensive. From what I've heard, it's not uncommon to spend upwards of $2,000 on application fees alone for one application cycle. Fortunately in Canada, we have a lot less options for graduate school than in the States so by design, there's a limit to the number of programs I can apply to. 

 

I started contacting faculty in April (rookie mistake) and while some answered right away, a TON ignored me. If I could add on to the pointers you've suggested for future applicants/lurkers in the grad school thread, send out emails late August/early September. Most faculty members are either a. on vacation and won't reply to your email b. don't know if they can accept students that early on (they usually find out in the Fall).

 

Just as an aside, are the GREs still a thing in the U.S.? I know it's hard to generalize, but in Canada most schools have waived them. People couldn't take the GREs because of COVID in 2020 so they were "temporarily" suspended but have since been waive completely (though there are exceptions). Did you have to take the GREs? I've heard horror stories but you're also a brain so you probably killed it