Undergrad years ruined by covid and the hassles brought

Who knows man. I’m a working stiff and I know some people have thrived during the pandemic, while I have really struggled. Anyways a phd is probably a bad idea

phdstudent wrote:

Will Schools consider this fiasco or am I done for?

The game is fair. Everyone has played the same game by the same rules, so your performance relative to your peers doesn't require any special consideration.

Stress?

We all were allowed to work from home, spend time on our hobbies and leisure pursuits, and received free money from the government, and you were stressed?

Jeff Albertson wrote:

Stress?

We all were allowed to work from home, spend time on our hobbies and leisure pursuits, and received free money from the government, and you were stressed?

Right.

These past two years have been a real joy.

carmine9 wrote:

Jeff Albertson wrote:

Stress?

We all were allowed to work from home, spend time on our hobbies and leisure pursuits, and received free money from the government, and you were stressed?

Right.

These past two years have been a real joy.

It’s by far been the easiest time of my life. Why don’t you stop being told how to think by Tucker Carlson and actually do something productive with your day?

Jeff Albertson wrote:

carmine9 wrote:

Right.

These past two years have been a real joy.

It’s by far been the easiest time of my life. Why don’t you stop being told how to think by Tucker Carlson and actually do something productive with your day?

Stockholm syndrome.

Schools closed. Playgrounds too. Great,

Businesses locked down and destroyed. Wonderful.

Tens of millions of people opposed to forced jabs locked out of much of society and vilified, Sweet.

Millions dead from a virus made and leaked by Big Pharma and from the jab they have foisted on us. Gets no better.

Sports shut down, theaters shut down, restaurant too. What could be better.

Stay home, see nobody, be afraid, watch TV. What a wonderful life.

I have gone to sporting events, movie theaters, and dozens of restaurants this year. I’ve spent just as much time with my family and friends as any other year. You’re believing everything the media tells you to.

No one is afraid. The virus is not affecting anyone as badly as FOX and CNN want you to think it is.

Jeff Albertson wrote:

carmine9 wrote:

Right.

These past two years have been a real joy.

It’s by far been the easiest time of my life. Why don’t you stop being told how to think by Tucker Carlson and actually do something productive with your day?

It's been easy for me and my family too but in the long run horrible for my kids and wife. What type of education have they really gotten, has their socialization been stunted?

Spending time on hobbies? Not if singing and playing music with others, team sports, or traveling are your hobbies.

[quote]Jeff Albertson wrote:

I have gone to sporting events, movie theaters, and dozens of restaurants this year.

They were all shut down for several months and are now off limits in many places unless you get the endless stream of jabs.

The virus is not s bad as we are being told.

But it is being used to remover our rights and freedom.

As an aspiring PhD student, you will benefit from attending the type of school that's enacted strict Covid protocols. Those have typically been the highly ranked schools that will get your application taken seriously.

On the other hand, you do need to figure out a way to get research experience, and that's where you need to show some initiative and ingenuity. Matching your research to your circumstances is something everyone has to do all the time.

My kid just started his graduate program. He was busy with research for the last 2 years of his undergrad degree. That's meant more code writing and simulations, and less soldering, than might have been without Covid.

Who are the PhD admissions committee going to be more interested in: students with fancy undergrad degrees (a real possibility!) or students who have done what it takes to conduct research over the last 2 years? Why not offer them both?

I realize no one will give you a useful answer.

If there are elements of your program that have been changed - use of P/F grades, lack of internship or research opportunities, etc. - your institution can and should be providing an addendum to your transcript noting changes due to Covid.

The interruptions to your program may mean you have had less opportunity to work closely with professors - but when you ask for your reference letters indicate to them that it would be helpful if they provided a paragraph about the impact on your program. As they may not know you as well from not being on campus, when you request references make sure you provide your CV, and a clear list of all your contributions and activities on and off campus, and your future research interests. These will make it easier for them to write strong letters.

Ted Williams would've been by far the best hitter in the history of baseball but spent his best years flying fighter planes over Korea. Get some perspective and then make the best of the situation you're in.

free shipping with purchases wrote:

Ted Williams would've been by far the best hitter in the history of baseball but spent his best years flying fighter planes over Korea. Get some perspective and then make the best of the situation you're in.

No doubt, and young people had a harder time too during WW2. However this doesn't negate the OP's claim that it's been difficult, saying otherwise is absurd.

It is nice, but not essential to get research experience as an undergrad. The policies allow grad students to work in the labs so you will get there eventually.

I'm sure there is plenty of reading you could do now...

phdstudent wrote:

As an aspiring PHD student, I am a bit upset that I hadn't gotten much research experience due to covid protocols, being online again next semester, and all of the stress the pandemic has created, in part due to schools being so strict about this stuff.

Will Schools consider this fiasco or am I done for?

You'll be fine. Lots of people are in the same situation and most applicants "research experience" is either meager or massively fluffed up. Even in normal times. Schools *need* grad students (to do the dirty work). Apply to a programs where you will be competitive and that support grad students, and you should be fine.

I suggest getting a real job. Too many people in academia for too long. Too many programs. Too many schools. Most of the “research” done in academia is basically “make work”. Totally useless.

crush it wrote:

I suggest getting a real job. Too many people in academia for too long. Too many programs. Too many schools. Most of the “research” done in academia is basically “make work”. Totally useless.

Bingo!

Jeff Albertson wrote:

I have gone to sporting events, movie theaters, and dozens of restaurants this year. I’ve spent just as much time with my family and friends as any other year. You’re believing everything the media tells you to.

No one is afraid. The virus is not affecting anyone as badly as FOX and CNN want you to think it is.

How does being able to go to sporting events and movie theaters alleviate the stress created by not being able to get undergraduate research experience while trying to get into a PhD program? It's almost like you're posting a bunch of stuff that is completely irrelevant to the OP's concern.