Well, due to the current economic crisis places all over the country are going to be like this. Luckily, you are doing bio-chemical-medical type research which is usually well funded. NIH and NSF funding numbers used to be ~16%, but now they are moving back down to 5-6%. This means everyone is going to be competing for money and many state governments (California especially) are going to be hit with huge budget shortfalls. State run Universities are going to go hit irregardless. You'll see more cuts after state taxes for 2008 are in.
You're lucky that you have a lot of experience in the lab as an undergrad going into grad school. I would ignore the advice you're hearing and find someone, somewhere that's doing research you find exciting. Contact them to find out more and odds are strong that you can join their group.
When you're an undergrad, the name of your institution means something (Oh, you went to MIT?) Throw all that out the window when you get to grad school. Your advisor and his/her reputation is far more important than the name on the diploma. Your advisor can introduce you to colleagues, your advisor can get you published, etc. Having been through the process myself and being attached to an academic institution right now I have plenty of opinions on the matter. Just email me if you want to hear them.
Heck, I even have some friends who are Professors looking for grad students. ;)
(no subject)
Date: 2009-01-23 06:28 am (UTC)You're lucky that you have a lot of experience in the lab as an undergrad going into grad school. I would ignore the advice you're hearing and find someone, somewhere that's doing research you find exciting. Contact them to find out more and odds are strong that you can join their group.
When you're an undergrad, the name of your institution means something (Oh, you went to MIT?) Throw all that out the window when you get to grad school. Your advisor and his/her reputation is far more important than the name on the diploma. Your advisor can introduce you to colleagues, your advisor can get you published, etc. Having been through the process myself and being attached to an academic institution right now I have plenty of opinions on the matter. Just email me if you want to hear them.
Heck, I even have some friends who are Professors looking for grad students. ;)