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The Right Choice for the Wrong Reasons

The Right Choice for the Wrong Reasons

Why I shouldn’t have chosen MIT, and why I’m glad I did

March 11, 2019 | Sarah B.

“There’s no wrong choice.” This was an oft-stated sentence from my friends and family when I was deciding between graduate programs. And okay, sure, when you have the option to attend two wonderful institutions for graduate school, there is no “wrong” answer. But there is often a “better” answer. In pursuit of the “better” answer, […]

You Are Not Alone OR I Am Here

You Are Not Alone OR I Am Here

Applying to graduate school with impostor syndrome

November 19, 2018 | Alice H.

At this time two years ago, I was considering not applying to graduate school.   That is not to say I did not want to go to graduate school. On the contrary, the better part of me wanted to go to graduate school to mentor students through teaching and research while earning the qualifications to […]

When It’s Hard to Talk

When It’s Hard to Talk

Cultivating meaningful relationships in graduate school despite social anxiety

October 26, 2018 | Anonymous St.

I walk into a meeting with my advisor. I’ve met him before, but this is our first meeting since I joined his lab. He is a leader in the field, like most professors at MIT. I feel as though I need to make a good impression: come up with a brilliant idea or at least […]

Do What You’re (Not) Good At

Do What You’re (Not) Good At

Avoiding the tendency to over-specialize in science

June 4, 2018 | Sarah B.

“What do you want to work on?”   This is one of the most expected–and sometimes dreaded–questions that prospective graduate students encounter during the interview process. Because, as they say, “it’s a trap!”   It’s not an innocent way to determine your area of interest. Rather, it’s a means to evaluate your degree of specialization. […]

In Pursuit of Riches

In Pursuit of Riches

Publications as the currency of academia

May 16, 2018 | Sarah B.

I am a poor grad student. And I don’t mean in the classic, monetary sense. (Although, let’s be real, what grad student isn’t poor?) I am ‘poor’ in the currency of academia- publications. If you’ve never experienced academia for yourself, you might not be aware of how profound and accurate that comparison is. Some people […]