<p>Question - am I going to be in trouble if I'm interviewing with people far outside my field? I've been working in Drosophila chromatin biology, with a little fungal phylogenetics. One person I am interviewing with at UWashington-Seattle is in bacteriology, studying chemotaxis and environmental gene regulation.</p>
<p>I've never even had a microbiology class, so I'm a little bit scared. Is this a legitimate thing to worry about?</p>
<p>By the way, who else is going to UW-MCB this Wednesday? Or Berkeley MCB next Sunday?</p>
<p>wampa -- i wouldn't worry too much about being shy during the socializing periods. just make sure you respond when you're approached, and be enthusiastic (smile a lot!) about the program's highlights and what you want to do in your field, at your school, etc. </p>
<p>i got accepted to all my interviewing schools, and i had more than a few bumps along the way: i nodded off during one interview (the prof was waxing poetic about electrophysiology, which i have very little interest in), ditched a post-interview reception with the faculty (went to play with an elementary school classmate i hadn't seen in a decade), and had to ditch a brunch AND dinner at boston university because i was sick and jetlagged. :/</p>
If it's an after-hours thing, it's fine not to go -- it's not like they're taking attendance or anything. If you would like to go, try to find out if there will be carding involved. I was never carded at any restaurants or bars various programs had reserved, even though I definitely don't look my age.</p>
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<p>I've never even had a microbiology class, so I'm a little bit scared. Is this a legitimate thing to worry about?
You might expect to have people ask you why you're interviewing with them, but it's not unusual for people to do something in graduate school that's very different from what they did as undergraduates. Just prepare an answer to the "why did you want to interview with me" question, and don't be afraid to ask questions if you have them.</p>
<p>arcticshadow, I'm in your position and there have been evening drinking events at all three interview weekends I've attended so far. There will probably be a fair number of other grade-skippers (+ some party-poopers) in your group who also won't go to the bar, so you won't have to explain yourself or cause a scene. However, understand that being underage is really not that rare for "prospies" at good programs, despite what this forum may have led you to believe about the proportion of students with lab tech experience. Skipping a grade is a good thing: it shows you're bright (or were once), and since you probably missed 2nd grade or something, it doesn't mean you had fewer research opportunities than other straight-from-undergrad applicants. So don't be afraid to tell people you're underage if they press you to go to the bar. Besides, if you mention it then at least they won't think you're a boring homebody.</p>
<p>By the way, you <em>will</em> make an *** of yourself if you go to the bar and get carded. You likely won't be allowed through the door, not just because that's where some bars card people, but also because many recruitment programs pre-pay your drinks in the form of wrist bands (or tickets or whatever) that you receive, after displaying identification, at the entrance. Then you'll have to take a cab or walk back (and a grad student might have to accompany you), causing a giant scene. Don't be that guy.</p>
<p>As for the "Happy Hour" you mentioned, these things are held in lobbies on campus, not in bars. You won't have to display ID to get in (obviously), and you won't be forced to drink. It's just a social event with some snacks. You should definitely go if you can. In fact, due to timing and logistics, you probably won't have an option :)</p>
<p>My advice - and this holds for every event - is to make sure the grad student in charge knows if you're not going. As you're no doubt aware, s<strong>t happens, esp. to people who've been drinking in a strange city, so somebody responsible will be keeping track of your goings and/or comings. I saw one event organizer get super-</strong><strong>ed ("It's common f</strong>king courtesy, people!") when he started worrying about where some girls were, only to find out they had decided to stay home without telling him.</p>
<p>I am utterly impressed that you have become such a demagogue so expediently. It seems that everyday I gain so much insight from you, do you have a book out yet?</p>
<p>Ha...this is how I will make my millions...selling anxious students advice they could have reasoned out themselves :D I was always impressed by those college admissions guides back in high school, the ones that manage to make obvious **** ("Be a good student! lulz") sound like privileged information, to the tune of $24.95/copy...I guess there are enough insecurities to exploit at the grad level as well. Henceforth, no more free reassuring/useful advice :)</p>
<p>mcbartist -- one of your MCB brethern interviewed with us two weeks ago, did you know that? i might come and say hi at lunch, but i'm not on any of the official interview activity committees. if you've got any questions about the department, feel free to ask!</p>
<p>Hey astrina, "my MCB brethern"??? What is that supposed to mean?? I am confused. And how would I be able to identify you at lunch :) ? So for the Columbia interview, they said that the dress code is interview/business, do they mean business casual (shirt and pants) or they mean business attire (suit etc..)? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>mcbartist, i'm interviewing at columbia in a couple weeks too...so i'd be interested in the dress code (although i haven't been told many details about the weekend itself yet)</p>
<p>Sorry, I thought you were from Berkeley; their main bio program is abbreviated as "MCB" and in my long list of acronyms, I assumed you hailed from Cal as well. Guess not. :) But identifying you will be pretty easy -- there are only three of you interviewing with us on Friday. </p>
<p>Dress code during Round #1 was pretty much business suits for all the guys, ties optional. Personally, I like it when people dress up! You should see the med school kids on their interviews, THEY look totally spiffed up and awesome.</p>
<p>Hey catwoman, my interview went pretty good. I was impressed with the research and the faculty. The current students are very very helpful and they feed you at top notch restaurants on Friday and then saturday you go to a museum and more top notch food. Good luck with your interview! Let me know if you have any more questions.</p>