<p>New_User, I had to do the exact same thing.. (at first I was thinking OHSU - OHio State University? but that didn't sound right).
Caldwa, I'd go with UCSD. They are very strong in the sciences, and you can't beat San Diego weather!</p>
<p>Its funny that you too did not know what OHSU is. OHSU= oregon health science university. They actually do have a few big research strengths. If you are in this area everyone will know it. One example is electrophysiology (neuroscience). On the electrophysiology floor of the NIH neuroscience building I am in, it seems like every other person is an OHSU grad. So if you wanted to electrophysiology, it would be a good place to attend grad school. I am in a different type of neuroscience lab and everyone still knows OHSU. I think that it just really depends on the research area.</p>
<p>I think that UCSD, on the other hand, is reputable in most areas of science.</p>
<p>That's funny, Masta_ace, I thought the exact same thing...OHio State.:)</p>
<p>Maybe my lack of knowledge comes from not being in neuroscience, or the northwest, but probably also has to do with my fear of sasquatch.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Maybe my lack of knowledge comes from not being in neuroscience, or the northwest, but probably also has to do with my fear of sasquatch.
[/quote]
Haha! ...zing!</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>One reason I am so attracted to the OHSU PMCB program is that I loved the visit (not to discredit mtlve). The graduate students all seemed to love the program and felt very supported, while the faculty were friendly and approachable. It seems like it would a comfortable environment conducive to learning and research. It also has both biochemistry and immunology, the two areas that I am most interested in. They also get lots of NIH funding (their molecular microbiology and immunology has consistently been in the top 10).</p>
<p>I enjoyed the UCSD Chem and Biochem program as well, especially the faculty. However, I would be more limited research wise - really no immunology (although the biochemistry research was neat). The big upside of UCSD is their reputation for biochemistry, and I'm trying to figure if thats enough to make me leave the northwest and my friends and family.</p>
<p>Caldwa,</p>
<p>I actually did love the visit to and they seemed to sell themselves well. It took me some time to digest the fact that there could be problems at OHSU, and I ultimately realized the severity of the problem through conversations with current staff in PMCB labs. Also note that these staff members really want me to move to Portland and they do like OHSU.</p>
<p>I did see a few isolated incidents that seemed to suggest there were some problems over my interview weekend. For instance one of my interviewers walked me across campus to meet with the next interviewer. The first PI was really nice. The second PI was really rude to here and said some things that I do not want to repeat. I do not know if we were at the same weekend, but another PI snapped at one of the presenters (a PI) about unimportant things. The students afterwards hinted to me that this type of interaction was not uncommon. Finally, I saw a few faculty student interactions that seemed to suggest problems. I was with some 5th year students, and one said hi to a guy on her committee. He definatley saw her but he completely ignored her. Another thing I noticed about OHSU that I did not see at any of my interviews was that faculty would not introduce themselves to students they did not know. At most places would talk to students they did not know and ask them what their research interests are, etc. I did not see this once at OHSU. Faculty would come up to me and say hi but they would not talk to the current students with me that they did not know. I thought that I might be overanalyzing all of these negative interactions, but I then confirmed that problems exist from current and unbiased staff.</p>
<p>Again OHSU did sell themselves really well, and it was probably one of the best interview weekends I had. However, I would be really cautious attending there since they do seem to have problems. If you know anyone that is currently there or who has spent time there, I would try to talk to them about the school. </p>
<p>It does sound like OHSU may be a better fit for your research interests. I guess you really need to figure out if you want to do immunology or not. I again would also suggest talking to unbiased people currently at each institution if you can.</p>
<p>I also interviewed at OHSU. From what I have heard from colleagues OHSU is currently having some financial problems stemming from some sort of management issues, also the program itself is going through a coordinator shift. Faculty definitely seemed to be concerned as every interviewer brought up funds in one way or another. All aspects of the PMCB program aren't bad. If you are interested in Neuro then you would most likely be working with the Vollum Institute which is world renowned and if interested in Immunology/Virology then you would be at the VGTI in Beaverton most likely. Which is at the same site that houses one of the few primate centers and does have some cool stem cell stuff going on (Grompe etc.). If your research falls into these areas I think that OHSU could be ok, however if you are into Cell/Development/Biochem or structural biology I wouldn't give it a second look whatsoever. VGTI is very far from the main campus and felt like a different school altogether. I think that the funding situation of this campus is very different from the main as well--was told that at least. Students also commented or rather complained about the lack of organization of the program as well as the irrelevant paper quals. that they were forced to endure. </p>
<p>It looks like you have a difficult decision Caldwa, I would choose by faculty research while giving considerable weight to all of these potential problems.</p>
<p>autocell and mtlve,</p>
<p>What pmcb visit weekend did you attend? My experience seems to have been very different from yours. But its good to know what other people think!</p>
<p>Caldwa,</p>
<p>I think I was at the 1st or 2nd PMCB weekend. Again I loved it as much as you while I was there. Everyone at my weekend loved the visit. I have ran across a few of the people at some of the other interviews, and a lot of them are still considering OHSU strongly. Some are considering turning down harvard and hopkins for them, so you are definately not alone in your passion for the program. It just was not a good fit for me. If I was to do this again, I would probably apply to Neuroscience instead.</p>
<p>With your interest in immunology it might be a good place. I would try to ask others about the school, and not rely completely on what we told you. If you or your colleagues do not know people at OHSU, you can try to contact recent alumni about the program. You could ask some PIs you are interested in for contacts of their prior graduate students/post docs. Some lab websites will give this information. You can probably get less biased opinions from these guys.</p>
<p>I would also try to really check out UCSD. A couple people I know have said it also has some problems. I did not interview there and I do not know which departments had problems (and if they were serious).</p>
<p>If I remember correctly there are not a lot of immuno labs at OHSU, so you probably should talk to potential advisors about funding for graduate students if you have not already. If the people you want to work with are not taking students then the decision will be a lot easier.</p>
<p>Why cant NSF post the results so I can quite checking my email/these boards so regularly????</p>
<p>Lets hope for Friday!!!</p>
<p>Friday? What happened to Thursday?! Clearly you're not an optimist.</p>
<p>snowcapk-</p>
<p>I was optimistic everyday for the last 1.5 weeks and we got nothing. Hence I am trying a little bit of pessimisum. Well anyway, doesnt it usually come out between Friday-Monday? That is why I said Friday. I probably will still regularly check today too.</p>
<p>I doubt I will actually get one, but I just want to get all of this grad school stuff finalized. I am just waiting on this and maybe news about the waitlist I am on at Yale.</p>
<p>Well back to work. My boss is probably wondering why I am always on my computer lately!</p>
<p>mtlve, is that sort of interaction (OHSU) common in grad schools? I interviewed at several programs but I don't seem to recall that kind of interaction at all. Everybody seemed happy and really wanted you there. Most of them also stressed the "interdisciplinary" nature of their programs, that labs often help rather than compete each other. Maybe I'm slow or something, I'm afraid that I might have missed these signs and choose the wrong program!</p>
<p>I've noticed several posts in this thread by people that are already part of a graduate program. I've a question for you. How early is it appropriate to contact professors and try to reserve a spot for you to rotate in? I've just accepted admission, and I'm going to try and get into some high-profile and highly-sought-after labs, and I want to know if its a good idea or just an annoyance to try and get a professor to hold a spot open for me. any ideas? suggestions?</p>
<p>Mtlve,
Well, not always Friday or Monday:</p>
<p>March 26, 2007 Monday (but posted on Fastlane March 23, Friday)
March 30, 2006 Thursday
April 8, 2005 Friday
March 18, 2004 Thursday
April 4, 2003 Friday
March 15, 2002 Friday
March 20, 2001 Tuesday
March 22, 2000 Wednesday
March 19, 1999 Friday</p>
<p>But maybe you saw over on the gradcaf</p>
<p>it depends on how the school deals with rotations. I know many schools where the department decides who rotates where (obviously the students hand in a list to say places that they would like to rotate, and I'm sure the faculty have some input). In that case, I've seen it happen that both the advisor and the grad student agree to do a rotation, but the department has other ideas. Also lots of departments have you figure out rotations after the departmental retreat so that you can hear research from bunches of faculty. At other schools, like rockefeller, it seems to be in your best interest to have a rotation set up ASAP.</p>
<p>Zarniwoop, I have contacted PI's who I would like to rotate with and most of them have responded positively. One of the more highly sought after PIs appreciated my interest in his lab so early and said he will make me a top priority over other graduate students wishing to rotate in his lab. My advice would be to go ahead and ask if they are taking rotation students for the incoming year.</p>
<p>You're welcome to contact PIs now, although you certainly don't have to. Some PIs will not want to set up rotations so far in advance, and they will tell you to come talk to them in the fall.</p>
<p>I am accepted by the IBGP (Interdisplinary Biomedical Graduate Program) at U Pittsburgh school of medicine, the biomedical program at UMass worcester and the Human and Molecular Genetics Program at BCM.</p>
<p>It's hard to make a choice. Is anyone looking at any of these program?</p>
<p>Hey guys,</p>
<p>Im torn between my offers at MD Anderson Cancer Centre, Mount Sinai and University of Pittsburgh. I am interested in Cancer Immunology. Any suggestions, plz....I am sooo confused!</p>