I'm starting graduate school in the fall: yay! I need to learn an entirely new set of norms around interviews, resumes, etc: oh no! I have a meeting set up with the head of a research institute where I'd LOVE to work there while I'm studying. What do I say? What's OK to ask for?
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posted by blandcamp
on May 13, 2013 -
3 answers
Science grad school application filter: I have informally (but explicitly) accepted a graduate assistant position (in conservation biology) at my current undergraduate institution. I am now having second thoughts and am wondering what, if anything, I should do about it. Help me, Hive Mind! I don't know what to do!
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 28, 2012 -
8 answers
What goes on an academic CV, especially when one doesn't exactly have a huge academic history to draw from?
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posted by Scientist
on Oct 11, 2012 -
7 answers
I'm planning to ask for job advice on behalf of my partner, from my future graduate advisor, because my partner's interested in a job opening at my future graduate school. Totally acceptable / useful thing to do, or a horrible violation of academic etiquette?
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posted by pants
on Jul 6, 2012 -
17 answers
I'm a PhD student, and I'd like to do more academic networking over email. How does this work, and what should the emails sound like?
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posted by anonymous
on May 16, 2012 -
14 answers
I am currently working on a Ph.D. but may have an opportunity to enter my field early. Is there a way I can drop out without burning bridges? When should I speak with my adviser about it?
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posted by anonymous
on May 2, 2012 -
12 answers
I'm halfway through a PhD program in the humanities, but I'm almost positive I want to quit academia after I get my degree. What are my best options?
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posted by derrinyet
on Feb 12, 2012 -
18 answers
Looking for advice on possible careers post-grad school with earth sciences training.
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posted by anonymous
on Jul 9, 2011 -
6 answers
What is an appropriate gift to give one's advisor after filing a PhD dissertation and graduating?
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posted by k8t
on Jun 7, 2011 -
23 answers
I'd like to start a clinical psychology doctoral program in 2012. I wasn't a Psych major. How do I prepare?
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posted by jander03
on Mar 18, 2011 -
12 answers
My boyfriend is on the academic job market this year, and (surprise) it's not going too well. How do I support him?
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posted by anonymous
on Jan 29, 2011 -
20 answers
Information about leaving grad school and getting a job in a different field. Help me figure out how to get my foot in the door. Long background and question follows.
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posted by anonymous
on Dec 28, 2010 -
3 answers
Wannabe grad student demonstrates that grad school is probably a bad idea by asking you to hold her hand.
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posted by Kutsuwamushi
on Sep 3, 2010 -
22 answers
Fellow English (and other language) lit graduate students: recommend me what you think is the best
online source for getting up to speed on either common terminology or current trends in the discipline.
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posted by anonymous
on Jul 15, 2010 -
3 answers
Academics: how can I be more excited about selecting a dissertation topic and writing the dissertation?
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posted by anonymous
on Jul 7, 2010 -
33 answers
How have you reconciled failure vs. quitting? How have you managed to pick up the pieces of your most passionate undertaking after dropping it? Is the desire to reinvent myself and undertake a new passion/direction just a mechanism to hide the pain of giving up?
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posted by Gaeacon
on Nov 24, 2009 -
7 answers
I want to develop a strong technical background in environmental issues, but don't want to leave the social sciences - my first passion and the thing in which I know I have actual talent - behind. What are some grad programs that will suit me?
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posted by geneva uswazi
on Aug 24, 2009 -
7 answers
I'm in a humanities field and I will likely need to learn multiple languages. As a Master's student, I'm scheduled to take around 3-4 courses each semester, with much of my second year devoted to research and writing a master's dissertation. My question concerns foreign language prep....when is the optimal time to do that? Do I travel abroad this summer and shore up on what I know? Or do I take care of the problem during my first few semesters? What are the pros and cons of traveling abroad vis a vis taking care of the problem domestically (e.g., either at my school or some other program in the states, unaffiliated with my school)?
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posted by Genco_Olive_Oil
on Apr 8, 2009 -
8 answers
Hey all, I'm an incoming master's student with plans to apply to my institution's PhD program after my master's. As the first person in my family to go to college (let alone graduate school), I am quite green in many respects. What I'm really worried about is the professor(s) I want to work with in the future--how do I go about developing a professional relationship with them? I'm afraid of creating a negative impression about myself if I keep badgering them during office hours and blatantly trying to ingratiate myself with them. Also, any advice you could give me would be really helpful--especially with regards to a master's student in the humanities field. What should be my main focus and what common errors should I avoid?
posted by Genco_Olive_Oil
on Mar 28, 2009 -
12 answers
If you're a grad student or academic, how do you read new articles and books? Do you take notes/marginalia? Do you read some parts systematically and skim/ignore the rest? Read each piece multiple times? Do you find you learn more from reading than from talking with others or attending presentations? Please indicate what field you're in.
posted by shivohum
on Mar 3, 2009 -
22 answers
Posting this for my sister. She is in a MSW program at a small private college, and wants to transfer to larger state college.
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posted by everichon
on Nov 8, 2007 -
5 answers
Is it weird to ask a university professor if you can audit his/her class without officially enrolling in the university as an auditor ... and, as part of the arrangement, asking the professor if you can submit papers and have them graded and evaluated?
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posted by jayder
on Aug 8, 2007 -
43 answers
I am a college sophomore who will be applying to graduate school in history from a somewhat mediocre university, and I need help with a course of action to follow in order to improve my chances of getting accepted. Much
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posted by nasreddin
on Dec 1, 2006 -
20 answers
Academic writer's block: tips, strategies, experiences, psychology for dealing with it?
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posted by RogerB
on Sep 27, 2006 -
19 answers
