Funding Is All You Need: Getting into Grad School by Hacking the NSF GRFP

Funding Is All You Need: Getting into Grad School by Hacking the NSF GRFP(lesswrong.com)

2 points by hapanin 3 years ago | 2 comments

Umm not to be a wet blanket, but you're EXCEPTIONALLY well qualified.

I'm not downplaying your achievement, it's incredible that you've done everything that you have including getting the grant.

The only caveat being that you didn't have a network. I think that's what doing a masters programme is for... developing a network, that will lead you to an advisor and hence a "formal" PhD programme.

I don't have a PhD, but I would love to go back to school and get one. Been rejected 4 times now so I guess my time is running out or already has.

I love that options like this exist, in your searches have you found something for Canadian citizens/PR holders (I'm not a US citizen so this method won't work)?

hapanin 3 years ago | |

This is the most flattering wet blanked I've been smothered with, so I'll take it. As Douglas Adams has pointed out, there is a distinction between the qualifications to perform and the qualifications to be selected.

The only Fellowship I know of that funds US grad school applicants but also allows PR would be the Hertz Fellowship[1]. It permits "gap year" students, so depends whether that applies to you. I think Hertz is significantly more competitive than GRFP.

[1] https://www.hertzfoundation.org/the-fellowship/eligibility-b...