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Biologists Need More Angle Grinders

Biologists Need More Angle Grinders

Biological science is aesthetically female

August 19, 2019 | Erika A.

I was very surprised one day to realize that I had developed a single callous on the pad of my right thumb. I can’t remember the last time I got a callous: I don’t rock climb, play an instrument, or do extreme sports. I don’t even take classes anymore, so I rarely write with a […]

How to Craft a Personal Statement

How to Craft a Personal Statement

Some practical tips and perspective

August 5, 2019 | Erika A.

There’s one part of any application that can always make you freeze: the dreaded personal statement. Writing about yourself is an exercise in embarrassment, anxiety, and existential doubt. Don’t worry; I’m here to help! Let’s get one thing out of the way first. The point of a personal statement is to bring your application package […]

Dance Fitness in Boston

Dance Fitness in Boston

Workout AND have fun!

July 8, 2019 | Erika A.

I entered graduate school as an awkward, uncoordinated person. I will leave it as a prima ballerina. Just kidding. But jokes aside, Boston has quite a few fun, unique dance fitness opportunities, and I have them to thank for making me a more coordinated, flexible, happy person. Dance fitness classes usually work like this: you […]

Get out of the Lab and See the World!

Get out of the Lab and See the World!

Why traveling – especially solo – is perfect for PhD students

June 24, 2019 | Ally H.

Last September, I anxiously stood in front of my thesis committee, waiting for them to comment on my graduation timeline. To my surprise, not only did they say I could graduate soon, but they even suggested a date — May 2019! My initial reaction was the urge to go climb a rooftop and shout the […]

Explain the MIT Undergrads to Me

Explain the MIT Undergrads to Me

There’s a totally rational reason for the madness, I promise

June 10, 2019 | Erika A.

As a newly arrived graduate student at MIT, you may have noticed that the undergrads are a bit… crazy. Don’t worry, I’m your local neighborhood undergrad-whisperer, and I’m here to help. As a current Graduate Resident Advisor (GRA) at the East Campus undergraduate dorm and a former crazy undergrad myself at Caltech, I have a […]