monday_tree

gosh, sorry i thought since they were two seperate forums... :blush: So, no one going to austin huh? ok then...

Hi! I'm from India and want to get in touch with Indians who are either at the University of Texas at Austin or will be going there this year. Please get in touch!! :D

Hello, I have been admitted to the Microbiology Department at the University of Texas at Austin and also the Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics Department at the University of Maryland at College Park. I need to make a decision between them by the 15th and I'm finding that a little hard. Austin is offering me slightly more money and have also waived the TA/RA duties for the first year, but maryland seems to have a better research fit.At maryland I will have to undertake TA duties. I am interested in Virology and Microbial pathogenesis. Does anyone know about these two programs in these two universities? Anything that might help me with my decision? Is doing TA duties in the first year really that tough? My other questions are rather general. First, since I need to take a decision by the 15th, how late can i respond( ie. late 15th, early 15th, late 14th) Do I call them or e-mail them? Whats the usual procedure? And once I have comitted to a particular University, how binding is it? :o

well hello sorry about crashing the thread but I am getting a little desperate!! Hyped-congratulations of Northwestern...they did finally ding me...none of usual platitudes either...if your going to ruin someone's day at least do it gently Northwestern!! Here is my problem- and i would really really appreciate any help or words of wisdom I have been admitted to the Microbiology department at the University of Texas at Austin and also the CBMG program at the University of Maryland at college park. The Money at Austin is better than that at Maryland and I wouldn't have to teach for the first year, which i would at Maryland. Besides that, my interests lie in Virology and Microbial pathogenesis. As you know, decisions need to be made by the 15th and the clock is a-ticking! what are your reactions to these two schools? do you know anything about them or about the programs? also, how late can i inform them of my decision? ( late 15th...early 14th...?) And my two bits to the original post, Congratulations man!! I honestly don't think you can go very wrong with either school. If you are already in NY and want to stay, ( and i can't say i blame you...) then hurray sackler!! Cornell is superb too though. the thing about rankings when you get to schools of such high calibre is that its just splitting hairs. they are both superb and you need to consider other factors into your decison.

Gosh thats just unfair. Hi, I have also applied to various Biomedical programs. I did apply to Northwestern (IGP though, not IBiS) and they told me that they will send me some notification by the 1st. Something tells me its a rejection. :o Yes, I'm one of those nasty silent people who has been reading posts and never replying...heh heh. Forgive me I'm a little shy:D Here is the thing. I really think you should take Columbia. SERIOUSLY. I mean come on...its Columbia. New York seems to have some pretty good research going on. Plus its new york. If your thinking the cost of living will be high, i believe it is, but we are young now and can starve now.:p Columbia is INCREDIBLY hard to get into specially for PhD programs,and with all due respect, Wisconsin at madison isn't all that selective( compared to Columbia) and Northwestern isn't as well known for its Biosciences. ( Everyone i tell about Northwestern sort of goes...Management? you want to do management? ahem. ) So anyways, do post your final decision!