tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014068310826050589.post8933456013388611739..comments2023-03-15T03:29:41.011-05:00Comments on Scientist Rising: A leg up?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014068310826050589.post-38668208762085492482008-12-23T00:38:00.000-06:002008-12-23T00:38:00.000-06:00I had a partial advisor in undergrad. I worked on...I had a partial advisor in undergrad. I worked on a non-senior-thesis research project with him during my last semester and worked for him as a student hourly through the following summer. He didn't help me with the grad school search and application and I didn't think to ask him. He still provided me with valuable experience in how research works and how scientists interact.<BR/><BR/>I also had a summer internship that helped me decide to pursue grad school. I was part of a field study and completed a small research project in collaboration with my chosen mentor. He was a bit more helpful with professional development.<BR/><BR/>I do not think it is unfair to have a mentor guide their students through grad school applications. I had never considered the idea before. I figured everyone was pretty much on their own in applying for grad school.Jeff & Nickihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05331921781299681037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014068310826050589.post-78620694277695423342008-12-22T11:45:00.000-06:002008-12-22T11:45:00.000-06:00I still ask my undergraduate mentor for letters. ...I still ask my undergraduate mentor for letters. It doesn't hurt that this mentor is in my field and so can be a great asset /connector for me. Undergrad Mentor has definitely provided me with good support since I graduated waaay too many years ago, and I plan to continue to stay in contact.PhizzleDizzlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02036442165798690074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014068310826050589.post-86837416947249766762008-12-11T08:51:00.000-06:002008-12-11T08:51:00.000-06:00I think it depends on the mentor. I worked with t...I think it depends on the mentor. I worked with three different profs as an undergrad, and I think one of them probably would have remained active, except that he moved to a different institution. I feel a bit self-conscious about writing without a reason. (Which is totally stupid...)<BR/><BR/>On the other hand, I met my MS advisor while I was an undergrad, and he did a lot to help me through the program...or at least, a lot more than most of my friends' advisors. I think it has to do more with his disposition than anything.<BR/><BR/>I would have loved to have parents who were academics...or at the very least had finished college. I think it would have done a lot to help adjust to college. On the other hand, I don't know that it is a guarantor of success. :-)Cherishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17697201077514708901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014068310826050589.post-89200573485900208882008-12-11T08:13:00.000-06:002008-12-11T08:13:00.000-06:00I had a spectacular mentor in my undergraduate adv...I had a spectacular mentor in my undergraduate advisor. We still keep in touch. He helped me with the graduate admissions process by serving as a sounding board for me, helped me vet various schools and programs, wrote me a letter of reference, and described how to work within a campus visit. None of these conversations seemed outside of our usual relationship. I decided to go to graduate school after an experience I had with him as a mentor for an undergraduate research experience. I wouldn't describe what he did as providing me undue advantage; he provided support much like I hope my graduate school advisor will provide support when I finish my PhD.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com