Comments on: Today turned out to be totally awesome!

By: The Dateable Dork

The Dateable Dork — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:57:57 +0000

Honey and hubman – Thanks so much for the advice! I’m trying to trust my gut and get a feel for the professor/research group based on my interations with them so far, and especially on my upcoming campus visits. I’ve immediately ruled out some profs because they gave me a weird vibe, and I’m starting to fall in love with others that are friendly and down to earth. We’ll see how it goes… I still have a few months to decide.
The Dateable Dork´s last blog ..Warm revisited

By: hubman

hubman — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 01:13:45 +0000

Since you asked about choosing schools…

I have no idea what field of study you’re pursuing, but my Ph.D. is in a biological science. I knew exactly what I wanted to study and with the help of some colleagues (I was working as a research assistant at a well-known and respected gov’t lab at the time) figured out who the top people in that field where. I had an idea who, but I wanted that affirmation from my colleagues. The point is, it’s not the school, it’s the mentor/adviser that matters most. Who’s research interests (and present funding) best match your own? Who has the best professional reputation?

E-mail me (hubman38 at gmail) if you have any questions, I’d be happy to help.

Again, congratulations!
hubman´s last blog ..e[lust] #7

By: Honey

Honey — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:28:24 +0000

Oh – also ask about job placement rates (tenure track or industry depending on your interests) and time-to-degree. I’m imagining you’d get offered a multi-year financial package – what are the odds that you can finish within that time frame? Are there other opportunities for funding if your admission offer won’t carry through the entire degree?
Honey´s last blog ..How To Get A Totally Jacked Chest That Women Will Love

By: Honey

Honey — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:26:38 +0000

I think you are looking for a place that has faculty whose research interests align with yours but also where there will be the opportunity for you to be exposed to additional research interests, so you’re not pigeonholed right away.

Also look at what the current grad students are doing at each place. They’re the future of the field, AND your future colleagues, so in lots of ways they’re as important, or more so, than the professors.

Since you’re visiting places, I’d also recommend trying to get a feel for the culture of the place. Lots of PhD programs are extremely competitive and cutthroat (like other students screwing you over to get an RA or something, or faculty stealing your research and publishing it as their own). My PhD program was very collaborative and supportive, but those places seem more rare.
Honey´s last blog ..How To Get A Totally Jacked Chest That Women Will Love

By: The Dateable Dork

The Dateable Dork — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:29:52 +0000

Thank you all so much for sharing in my excitement! I was really bouncing off the walls after receiving this news. In fact, I’m still pretty bouncy a few days later. : )

If I may — do any of you PhDs out there have any advice on choosing a school? I applied to four places, and it seems that the decision is going to be a tough one.
The Dateable Dork´s last blog ..Today turned out to be totally awesome!

By: Honey

Honey — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:28:57 +0000

Congrats on your offer! More education will empower you even more, and you’ll be able to delete guys like NMP without a second thought
Honey´s last blog ..How To Get A Totally Jacked Chest That Women Will Love

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:34:25 +0000

DD, that’s awesome, like Hubman, I had the same experience in my PhD program as well. Can’t wait to hear about your grad school adventures.

By: hubman

hubman — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 12:33:18 +0000

Awesome #1 is the only way to go! (That sounds exactly the deal I had when I went for my Ph.D.)

Congratulations!!
hubman´s last blog ..Day 38- Black Box

By: M.S.

M.S. — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 07:40:29 +0000

That’s a wonderful day. Hope your Sunday keeps the cheer up!