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Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 3:55 pm
by Alistar
Please inform others about the admission/rejection news you will/have receive/d from different Astronomy graduate programs in 2009.

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 4:00 pm
by Alistar
I (and some others in this forum) received an admission from UT Austin two days ago.

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 4:03 pm
by Ren
How is this differrent from this thread?

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 4:09 pm
by Alistar
I guess its title is more precise and have the date on it; so probably easier to find for others.

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 4:32 pm
by Ren
Alistar wrote:I (and some others in this forum) received an admission from UT Austin two days ago.
by the way, congrats! and please consider posting your profile in the profile thread.

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 6:14 pm
by Helio
congrats Ren... btw if you get into IMPRES Garching go there.... the research institute has so much more money then most US schools :D

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 6:45 pm
by pqortic
I dunno why universities announce the astronomy results earlier than physics. even in schools that programs are joint and with the same deadline.

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 6:52 pm
by Helio
emperial wrote:I dunno why universities announce the astronomy results earlier than physics. even in schools that programs are joint and with the same deadline.
less applicants, therefore, less work, therefore, quicker answers, simple as that

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 7:33 pm
by Alistar
Helio wrote:congrats Ren... btw if you get into IMPRES Garching go there.... the research institute has so much more money then most US schools :D
I am sure Garching is a great place for research. But I am not sure about their PhD program(in comparison to top US schools). Their program is only for 3 years and if you look at former students, they remain there for their post doc in the best cases. In addition the salary is not that much(given the fact Munich is an expensive city)

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 7:43 pm
by Helio
Alistar wrote:
Helio wrote:congrats Ren... btw if you get into IMPRES Garching go there.... the research institute has so much more money then most US schools :D
I am sure Garching is a great place for research. But I am not sure about their PhD program(in comparison to top US schools). Their program is only for 3 years and if you look at former students, they remain there for their post doc in the best cases. In addition the salary is not that much(given the fact Munich is an expensive city)
that depends where in Munich you live (I have worked at the MPI for Physics)... I know people who got housing with sub-300 euro rent. I dunno i find the environment a bit more relaxed and conducive to research because you might not have to teach.

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:20 pm
by Fritz.Zwicky
Hey dude,

you are just confusing everybody by starting a new thread about astronomy admissions. Cease and desist, otherwise even Jan Oort will not help you.

Fritz "Now You Are Just Pissing Me Off" Zwicky

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:44 pm
by nathan12343
Fritz.Zwicky wrote:Hey dude,

you are just confusing everybody by starting a new thread about astronomy admissions. Cease and desist, otherwise even Jan Oort will not help you.

Fritz "Now You Are Just Pissing Me Off" Zwicky
Thankfully, Gerard Kuiper is much more forgiving.

Keep the thread, it has a better title.

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 10:17 pm
by Alistar
Just to share some info:
based on the last year data(this and this), the first news from Arizona and Princeton were coming around early Feb(actually, Arizona people told me I should expect it by the end of Jan, this year) and the first results from Harvard around the midst of Feb.

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 6:31 pm
by astrophysicist2b
I applied to IMPRS Heidelberg, but it's not very high on my list at this point (I would've applied to Garching too, but was thinking the deadline was Dec. 15th and not the 1st). Heidelberg is a very nice city, and the grad students seemed happy, but my thoughts on the IMPRS program after I visited there this summer were that 1. a degree in 3 years seems really short, 2. the stipend isn't much, 3. I wouldn't want to have my research advisor set in stone from the moment I started, and 4. I think it's harder to get a US postdoc after finishing (although I guess everything depends on who you work with). I've heard Garching is pretty boring from people who have been there though; not close enough to Munich to go there regularly.

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 6:46 pm
by Alistar
astrophysicist2b wrote:I applied to IMPRS Heidelberg, but it's not very high on my list at this point (I would've applied to Garching too, but was thinking the deadline was Dec. 15th and not the 1st). Heidelberg is a very nice city, and the grad students seemed happy, but my thoughts on the IMPRS program after I visited there this summer were that 1. a degree in 3 years seems really short, 2. the stipend isn't much, 3. I wouldn't want to have my research advisor set in stone from the moment I started, and 4. I think it's harder to get a US postdoc after finishing (although I guess everything depends on who you work with). I've heard Garching is pretty boring from people who have been there though; not close enough to Munich to go there regularly.
I also applied for IMPRS but for the Garching one and I think they were accepting applications even by the end of last year!
Anyway I have the same concerns that you mentioned about IMPRS except I dont have any problem to work with someone I like, form the first day.
As you said their program is only for 3 years and you can imagine how big is the difference between a 4 or 5 years program and this 3 years one; most of PhD students who finished their PhD work with 4-5 first author papers in normal 4-5 years programs, publish 3-4 of them in the last one or two years of their work which makes the 4th and 5th years very important, if you are going to get a good post doc.
I followed the passed IMPRS students and found out they usually were able to stay in Garching in the best cases(probably to finish their works!)
I have also a few friends there, whom are not satisfied with the payment!

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 6:58 pm
by Helio
Alistar wrote:
astrophysicist2b wrote:I applied to IMPRS Heidelberg, but it's not very high on my list at this point (I would've applied to Garching too, but was thinking the deadline was Dec. 15th and not the 1st). Heidelberg is a very nice city, and the grad students seemed happy, but my thoughts on the IMPRS program after I visited there this summer were that 1. a degree in 3 years seems really short, 2. the stipend isn't much, 3. I wouldn't want to have my research advisor set in stone from the moment I started, and 4. I think it's harder to get a US postdoc after finishing (although I guess everything depends on who you work with). I've heard Garching is pretty boring from people who have been there though; not close enough to Munich to go there regularly.
I also applied for IMPRS but for the Garching one and I think they were accepting applications even by the end of last year!
Anyway I have the same concerns that you mentioned about IMPRS except I dont have any problem to work with someone I like, form the first day.
As you said their program is only for 3 years and you can imagine how big is the difference between a 4 or 5 years program and this 3 years one; most of PhD students who finished their PhD work with 4-5 first author papers in normal 4-5 years programs, publish 3-4 of them in the last one or two years of their work which makes the 4th and 5th years very important, if you are going to get a good post doc.
I followed the passed IMPRS students and found out they usually were able to stay in Garching in the best cases(probably to finish their works!)
I have also a few friends there, whom are not satisfied with the payment!
I worked that MPI in Munich itself and they never complained about the pay, where Munich is way more expensive than Heidelberg. People always seem to forget with these programs that people are supposed to have a Masters when they enter, not a Bachelor as in the US. This means the two years in the US you typically spend for taking classes and getting your masters have to be deducted from the time. It also says that if you enter with a Bachelor you will need to get a Masters first, so your funding might be a bit stretched.

I am not sure why people say Garching is so far out. All natural sciences and engineer for the TUM, the IPP, MPI Astrophysics, and MPI Quantum Optics are in Garching and the U6 takes you straight into the city, like literally into the city center. I knew people that commuted from the other end of city every day to work. This is not the US. The train ride takes maybe 30 minutes tops (into the city) and maybe 20 to the part of town where the bars are. There is nothing really to complain about, when it comes to location.

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 7:40 pm
by Alistar
Helio wrote: I worked that MPI in Munich itself and they never complained about the pay, where Munich is way more expensive than Heidelberg. People always seem to forget with these programs that people are supposed to have a Masters when they enter, not a Bachelor as in the US. This means the two years in the US you typically spend for taking classes and getting your masters have to be deducted from the time. It also says that if you enter with a Bachelor you will need to get a Masters first, so your funding might be a bit stretched.

I am not sure why people say Garching is so far out. All natural sciences and engineer for the TUM, the IPP, MPI Astrophysics, and MPI Quantum Optics are in Garching and the U6 takes you straight into the city, like literally into the city center. I knew people that commuted from the other end of city every day to work. This is not the US. The train ride takes maybe 30 minutes tops (into the city) and maybe 20 to the part of town where the bars are. There is nothing really to complain about, when it comes to location.
Good point about the master degree.
But still I think there is a big difference between 3 years program and 4-5 years program. Assuming the years you are working on your thesis research is 3 years in both cases, and you begin a totally different thing from you master work with someone else, there is still a big difference between beginning your work in the same environment as you did your master or going to a place which is totally new!
But in reality, in US graduate programs, lots of people simply continue their master work with the same adviser which is even better!

I dont have anything to say about the living costs and other things related to Munich as a city because I have not lived there! I just talked to some of my friends in the program and they told me the usual salary is less than for example what is usual in the Netherlands(by around 30%) and the costs are almost the same.

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 7:44 pm
by Helio
Alistar wrote:
Helio wrote: I worked that MPI in Munich itself and they never complained about the pay, where Munich is way more expensive than Heidelberg. People always seem to forget with these programs that people are supposed to have a Masters when they enter, not a Bachelor as in the US. This means the two years in the US you typically spend for taking classes and getting your masters have to be deducted from the time. It also says that if you enter with a Bachelor you will need to get a Masters first, so your funding might be a bit stretched.

I am not sure why people say Garching is so far out. All natural sciences and engineer for the TUM, the IPP, MPI Astrophysics, and MPI Quantum Optics are in Garching and the U6 takes you straight into the city, like literally into the city center. I knew people that commuted from the other end of city every day to work. This is not the US. The train ride takes maybe 30 minutes tops (into the city) and maybe 20 to the part of town where the bars are. There is nothing really to complain about, when it comes to location.
Good point about the master degree.
But still I think there is a big difference between 3 years program and 4-5 years program. Assuming the years you are working on your thesis research is 3 years in both cases, and you begin a totally different thing from you master work with someone else, there is still a big difference between beginning your work in the same environment as you did your master or going to a place which is totally new!
But in reality, in US graduate programs, lots of people simply continue their master work with the same adviser which is even better!

I dont have anything to say about the living costs and other things related to Munich as a city because I have not lived there! I just talked to some of my friends in the program and they told me the usual salary is less than for example what is usual in the Netherlands(by around 30%) and the costs are almost the same.
I knew that I was just pointing out my experience that is all.

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:32 pm
by astrophysicist2b
Just heard from IMPRS Heidelberg; I have to visit in a few weeks for interviews. Even though I'm somewhat concerned about the length of program, post-doc prospects, and having an advisor going in, my present advisor pointed out that I may meet people who I can collaborate with later, even if I don't end up going there. I'd at least like to spend a year in Germany at some point...

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:15 pm
by nathan12343
I just received an e-mail from UC Santa Cruz astronomy, I'm apparently on their 'short list' and they will be conducting an interview with me on skype sometime in the next week.

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:28 pm
by Alistar
nathan12343 wrote:I just received an e-mail from UC Santa Cruz astronomy, I'm apparently on their 'short list' and they will be conducting an interview with me on skype sometime in the next week.
Congratz Nathan and best wishes for you in the interview. I received the same email 3 hours ago...

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:45 pm
by nathan12343
Alistar wrote:
nathan12343 wrote:I just received an e-mail from UC Santa Cruz astronomy, I'm apparently on their 'short list' and they will be conducting an interview with me on skype sometime in the next week.
Congratz Nathan and best wishes for you in the interview. I received the same email 3 hours ago...

You too, kind of nervous about this, though it's certainly nice to hear back from at least one school.

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:36 pm
by Ren
congrats guys!
what do you mean by short list? short list for admission?? It's not a wait list is it?

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:37 pm
by bosem
nathan12343 wrote:
Alistar wrote:
nathan12343 wrote:I just received an e-mail from UC Santa Cruz astronomy, I'm apparently on their 'short list' and they will be conducting an interview with me on skype sometime in the next week.
Congratz Nathan and best wishes for you in the interview. I received the same email 3 hours ago...

You too, kind of nervous about this, though it's certainly nice to hear back from at least one school.
Hey nathan12343 and Alistar,
Congrats! Did you guys apply for the TASC graduate student program? Did you apply to the astronomy or the physics department?

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:40 pm
by nathan12343
bosem wrote: Hey nathan12343 and Alistar,
Congrats! Did you guys apply for the TASC graduate student program? Did you apply to the astronomy or the physics department?

Did not apply to the TASC program, and this is the astronomy department.
Ren wrote:congrats guys!
what do you mean by short list? short list for admission?? It's not a wait list is it?
This is a short list for admission, not a wait list.

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:05 am
by astrophysicist2b
I just got the Santa Cruz email too... I think I'm more nervous about a Skype interview than I would be for one in person.

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:35 am
by dustdevil
Congrats guys!

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:52 am
by Helio
astrophysicist2b wrote:I just got the Santa Cruz email too... I think I'm more nervous about a Skype interview than I would be for one in person.

webcam anyone? I use skype every day it is good quality... just think of it as a phone interview

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:25 am
by nathan12343
Does anyone have any advice for these interviews? Is it more of a formality than anything?

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:58 am
by Alistar
nathan12343 wrote:Does anyone have any advice for these interviews? Is it more of a formality than anything?
I dont think they are going to ask you the answer of some detailed scientific problems. I think the best thing to do is to be yourself and present your background and interests good enough to make your case bold.

BTW, it seems IMPRS-Garching is organizing its workshop-interview on 2-4 March, this year ;)

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:20 pm
by valkyrie
Another Santa Cruz email, this morning! :)

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:59 pm
by astrophysicist2b
I've heard the Santa Cruz interview is to make sure you're competent before they make the final decisions (both scientifically and socially). They've apparently had people they've accepted and then really regretted the decision upon meeting them in person, so this is supposed to cut down on such situations.

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:23 pm
by quantumstringfield
astrophysicist2b wrote:I've heard the Santa Cruz interview is to make sure you're competent before they make the final decisions (both scientifically and socially).
Whatever do you mean socially? Do I detect a hint of snobbery or prejudice in the application process?

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:36 pm
by PoincareSection
quantumstringfield wrote:
astrophysicist2b wrote:I've heard the Santa Cruz interview is to make sure you're competent before they make the final decisions (both scientifically and socially).
Whatever do you mean socially? Do I detect a hint of snobbery or prejudice in the application process?
No, they want to make sure you're affable and not withdrawn and/or a stereotypical socially inept physicist. They want to be sure they can work with you over the next several years.

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 5:52 pm
by Helio
Congrats on the michigan one....

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 11:27 am
by rohit
Whats wrong with being withdrawn and/or a stereotypical socially inept physicist ? Dirac was one. So am I. Though I'm no Dirac. Far from it. :wink:

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:51 pm
by nathan12343
I have my interview with UCSC in about 10 minutes, I'll update this post when it's over. REALLY nervous....

No reason to be nervous, it went great, really like a conversation, not like a formal scary interview.

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 6:29 pm
by bosem
Fingers crossed. I am looking forward to the details. Post up a transcript of your interview, please.

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:01 pm
by abeboparebop
bosem wrote:Fingers crossed. I am looking forward to the details. Post up a transcript of your interview, please.
haha...

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:05 pm
by Fritz.Zwicky
bosem wrote:Fingers crossed. I am looking forward to the details. Post up a transcript of your interview, please.
You can't use the same lines, that would be plagiarism. Unless the Princeton dude allows you to do that, it is all a game after all, just make sure you don't get caught.

Fritz "astronomy professor" Zwicky

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:34 pm
by nathan12343
bosem wrote:Fingers crossed. I am looking forward to the details. Post up a transcript of your interview, please.
No, even if I had a transcript I'd still say no.

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 12:01 am
by dustdevil
When I read that I thought he was joking. :shock:

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 1:06 am
by astrophysicist2b
I had the same experience as Nathan with Santa Cruz; had to talk about my research (and let them talk about it), ask a few questions about the program, and clarify a few details in my application. Not at all scary. I couldn't get the skype video to work so that I could see them, so it was a rather interesting conversation with my computer screen.

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:01 pm
by bosem
nathan12343 wrote:
bosem wrote:Fingers crossed. I am looking forward to the details. Post up a transcript of your interview, please.
No, even if I had a transcript I'd still say no.
Oh you broke my heart! :(

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 4:10 pm
by nathan12343
bosem wrote:
nathan12343 wrote:
bosem wrote:Fingers crossed. I am looking forward to the details. Post up a transcript of your interview, please.
No, even if I had a transcript I'd still say no.
Oh you broke my heart! :(

Sorry?

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 4:31 pm
by evilclaw2321
Do most schools do interviews? I was under the impression that that didn't happen much anymore.

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 4:35 pm
by nathan12343
I don't think so, I was surprised when Santa Cruz e-mailed me about it.

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 5:10 pm
by Alistar
I am also done with UCSC interview. They told me the final results would be known by one week or so.
No matter what would be the result, I really enjoyed it. I think other schools should do the same.
evilclaw2321 wrote:Do most schools do interviews? I was under the impression that that didn't happen much anymore.
In Europe its a part of usual procedure to accept PhD students. They also ask for a short presentation in addition to a general interview. But as far as I know it is not common in US, though some schools are doing that. Especially for international students to make sure they have the minimum of communication abilities.

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 6:33 pm
by Synthesize
The University of Washington called this morning. I'm in!

Re: Astro admission news 2009

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 6:35 pm
by Unnatural Log
I got an acceptance from Arizona planetary sciences today! Not quite astro, but close enough.