SmithAir747 From Canada, joined Jan 2004, 1604 posts, RR: 32 Posted (6 years 2 months 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 2177 times:
Hi you all!
For those who have been following my saga at King's College London and my life with a craniofacial syndrome, I have been applying (and interviewing) for PhD programs in craniofacial embryology research. I had interviews a couple of weeks ago in Los Angeles (with USC) and in San Francisco (with UCSF); I travelled all the way from London to California for this.
I was just informed a few minutes ago that UCSF has accepted me into their PhD program for oral & craniofacial sciences.
I am leaning heavily toward accepting their offer (which includes a stipend, tuition assistance, and other PhD funding). However, I will wait for official decisions from all the other schools to which I have applied (King's College London, USC, Utah, etc).
I just wanted to let you all know. I will keep you all updated on whether I accept this offer (very likely) and whatever other offers I get.
SmithAir747
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made... (Psalm 139:14)
Jaysit From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 5, posted (6 years 2 months 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 2158 times:
UCSF is a fantastic school for studying medicine and related medical sciences. In fact, as you probably already know, its one of the best medical schools in the country.
Superfly From Thailand, joined May 2000, 38585 posts, RR: 80 Reply 7, posted (6 years 2 months 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 2142 times:
Congrats!
You're going to be living right down the street from me. You aren't going to get any work done!
Just kidding!
Yes, UCSF is a very respected and prestigious medical institution. My ENT is at UCSF and is one of the best ENTs in the nation. I've always have had ear problems since birth.
UCSF also has a beautiful campus and is close to just about everything interesting in San Francisco.
Flyingbabydoc From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (6 years 2 months 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 2142 times:
Quoting SmithAir747 (Thread starter): I was just informed a few minutes ago that UCSF has accepted me into their PhD program for oral & craniofacial sciences.
Congratulations!!! That is great news indeed. I am very happy for you. Now....
Get yourself ready. A PhD is not light matter. I did mine in 4 years (fast-track), and in one year I had only 3 weekends free. It is a lot of hard work, but it pays off.
If you need any help or pointers, feel free to contact me anytime.
Congrats again
Alex
P.S: We operated on a rare form of brachiocephaly patient this week. Amazing results with these new reabsorbable micro-plates for the fusion osteosynthesis!
AndesSMF From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 10, posted (6 years 2 months 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 2132 times:
And 90 minutes away from me! Congratulations!
I would not be surprised if the ALL accept you. Then its just a matter of your choice. But SFO would be a good city to live in.
Quoting Flyingbabydoc (Reply 8): P.S: We operated on a rare form of brachiocephaly patient this week. Amazing results with these new reabsorbable micro-plates for the fusion osteosynthesis!
We operated on a kid with a very distorted, crooked skull this week. Very good results with the tiny plates made of self-destroying material used to screw the bone plates tight together.
Halcyon From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 13, posted (6 years 2 months 1 day ago) and read 2078 times:
Awesome job, and wherever you go I know you'll rock the socks off of them! Sounds like they're treating you well with their offer though, so I we'll see you there pretty soon.
In the USA, a PhD normally runs for 5 years on average. It starts in the fall (Sept. or Oct.).
In the first two years, you do 3 lab rotations (to find a lab in which you best fit) and some taught coursework. Then, at the end of the 2nd year, you take a qualifying exam (basically bashing out a project proposal for your research). Passing that, you start on your chosen major project in the 3rd year.
They told me at UCSF, that since I already have a strong developmental biology and craniofacial sciences background (from my education at King's College London), I could skip most of the taught coursework and start sooner on lab work, possibly as early as this July.
SmithAir747
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made... (Psalm 139:14)
Superfly From Thailand, joined May 2000, 38585 posts, RR: 80 Reply 17, posted (6 years 2 months 23 hours ago) and read 2057 times:
SmithAir747:
Getting a PHd in such a specialized area means you'll actually be able to afford to buy a house in San Francisco
with a small grass patch up front.
This is obviously something you are very passionate about. You will do very well.
Actually, I shouldn't even bother you for 5 years until you are done. I don't want to corrupt you.
Superfly From Thailand, joined May 2000, 38585 posts, RR: 80 Reply 23, posted (6 years 2 months 23 hours ago) and read 2032 times:
AndesSMF:
Nah, I read SmithAir747 as a very disciplined person. I doubt he'll get distracted while in this program.
SmithAir747:
Will this grant cover your housing?
Housing is very expensive here. A lot more expensive than Fort Wayne, Indiana.
If that is taken care of, you're all set. Food is cheap, if not cheaper than Indiana. Beer, wine, cheese, transportation as well as sex is cheaper out here too.
You wont even need a car.
You and I both will be Hoosier ex-patriots.
SmithAir747 From Canada, joined Jan 2004, 1604 posts, RR: 32 Reply 24, posted (6 years 2 months 22 hours ago) and read 2028 times:
Quoting Superfly (Reply 23): Will this grant cover your housing?
My support will include an annual stipend (salary) at a standard level for UCSF students (I don't know the exact amout for the salary though); more information will be sent to me about registration, the support funding, etc. I may also find out about housing options for students. One guy at UCSF told me there is housing near the Parnassus Street campus (UCSF Medical Center).
SmithAir747
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made... (Psalm 139:14)
25 Superfly: ...and that's where you want to be. You are walking distance to everything. Your classes, clinics as well as many great places to eat, drink, Golden
26 AndesSMF: I know, but I'll doubt he won't be up for some fun in the city. And you are the perfect guy to show him around. You know that even a good walk in the
27 Superfly: Is she nearby? Does she look like your cousin you've been telling me about?
28 SmithAir747: I did some more looking on the UCSF website, on their housing page. UCSF has its own dedicated student apartment housing, located in several areas--P
29 AndesSMF: Married last year, expecting first child in November. No, she's white and blonde, with a big butt.
30 AirCop: I'll second this, used to love the UCSF ad's that had a doctor dressed up like a ice hockey goalie, to point out that UCSF has no sports programs. My
31 AeroWesty: Congrats! Being accepted into a school as prestigious as UCSF is quite an accomplishment. If you accept, you'll have the bonus of living in one of the
32 Luv2fly: Congratulations that is real good news and I could not be happier for you.
33 ScarletHarlot: Yay Francis! What wonderful news! Keep us posted on your decision.
34 TedTAce: Congratulations!! This is an incredible achievement!!
35 DL021: Well done....I'm very proud of you as this took some serious effort and balls travelling all that way to get what you want. Let me know how it turns o
36 BNE: Congrats; was this university your top choice.
37 Allstarflyer: Congrats, as you have a long, but, I'm sure, profitable road ahead. Getting a PhD will be a great honor and achievement. All the best in your efforts
38 Superfly: Try to get in to the Aldea housing complex. For years, I lived 2 blocks from there. That has to be the nicest university housing complex I have ever
39 SmithAir747: Thanks for your advice! I am already leaning toward those two (Aldea or Parnassus), with Mission Bay as an alternative. SmithAir747
40 AndesSMF: You see, Fly? I bet that if he does end up in SFO he will rely on you to be somewhat of a guide.
41 Superfly: I don't want to lead SmithAir747 to a lifestyle of Hedonistic, sin and fornication. I don't want to distract him.
42 AndesSMF: We should ask him, maybe that is what he wants. But I know what you are saying. What I was mostly referring to is that you had suggested something th
43 Carmenlu15: Congratulations! That is definitely a great achievement Whatever decision you make, I wish you the best of luck! - Carmen
44 Foppishbum: Congrats! I'm so jealous !!! I'm working towards becoming a Pediatrician but it seems VERY EXTREMELY impossible. I took the MCAT, worked, and research
45 SmithAir747: Actually now it's AT&T Park! I was there April 4, on the second night of the Giants' opening-week series against the Padres. The Giants got trounced
46 SmithAir747: I went down that same road as you, back in 1999-2002! I shadowed doctors for a whole summer, I applied to medical schools all over the USA, Ireland,
47 SmithAir747: Yes, I still plan to attend the ZRH meet! I have a night reserved at the Ibis airport hotel. I haven't booked my flight yet--because I don't quite kn
48 AndesSMF: (First of all, what I will say next in no way is meant to insult anyone) The only difference between a winner and a loser is that a winner never quits
49 Foppishbum: Thanks for the encouragement. . .it really means a lot to me. I'm actually a behavior consultant for autistic children at a company based in Sacramen
50 AndesSMF: Small world, is Cliff Serin(?) still there? Maybe you'll be next on the list of people to congratulate.
51 SmithAir747: I've done some more looking: Aldea is a complex that attracts mostly couples and families, and is unfurnished. It was built in 1999 and features 1- a
52 Mir: Congratulations! All the best to you. -Mir
53 ACB777: I'm a first year science student at UBC, and I would like to know more about future programs in science. If you don't mind telling me, what are your s
54 Jacobin777: Congrats for getting into UCSF... ...You will only be living 45-60 minutes away from me.. ... ...my colleague (who himself is a PhD in physiology) te
55 SmithAir747: Here are my stats: Undergraduate GPA: 3.14 (Purdue University, BS Biology 1998) Graduate GPA: 3.06 (Purdue University, MS Biology 2001) GRE General T
56 RNOcommctr: Congratulations, SmithAir! I don't know anthing about the program you been accepted into, but I know UCSF's transplant program is top-notch... my wife
57 ANCFlyer: I don't know how I managed to miss this thread . . . . My sincerest congratulations! It's not often that someone gets to do something for a profession
58 SmithAir747: UPDATE I just got a second offer this morning (my 32nd birthday, incidentally). This one came from USC in Los Angeles. (I had interviewed at both USC
59 Rammstein: Congratulations and happy birthday!!!
60 Superfly: SmithAir747: Happy birthday man! You are like the 13th person I know with an April 25th birthday. Come to UCSF! USC is ok if you don't mind living in
61 Flyingbabydoc: Happy Birthday Frances!! As for your PhD, UCSF is much more prolific in terms of scientific production than UCS, just check Pubmed to confirm that. T
62 Superfly: ...and if for no other reason, better campus, better location and better city.
64 Flyingbabydoc: I also completely agree with you on that one. FAR better campus and city! Alex
65 ScarletHarlot: Congratulations, Francis, and a very happy 32nd birthday to you!
66 Foppishbum: I'm not sure 'bout that. Somehow that name sounds very familiar but I'm not exactly sure if he's still at MIND. I'm working on it Cheers, foppish bum
67 SmithAir747: UPDATE... I have made a decision on which offer (USC-Los Angeles or UCSF) to accept: I have accepted the offer from UCSF in San Francisco. They gave m
68 Mdsh00: That's awsome, congrats! Maybe you can make some connections with the medicine department and hook me up with a residency.
69 ScarletHarlot: Yay Francis! Good for you. Looking forward to your TRs!
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