u/realemaile

I’m an incoming 1st year PhD student in the physics program at an American university. Initially, I was interested in working in Professor A’s group, and before committing to the program I reached out to them to confirm that they have the funding to take me on as a student.

However, that was in April, and in the meantime I’ve had the chance to gain experience in an adjacent subfield that aligns much more with the work done by Professor B. I’ve realized through this new experience that I would much prefer to continue this same type of research during my PhD, and that I would prefer to work with Professor B. I’ve reached out to them and confirmed that they have funding for me to do so as well.

However, one big issue is that I verbally confirmed my interest in working with Professor A back in April (although to my knowledge they never signed the forms to make them my official advisor). What’s more, A is in the Electrical Engineering department, which admits directly to a PI’s lab instead of the program at large. Because of my initial verbal commitment, Professor A’s group denied admission of an additional PhD student in order to have the funding available for me. I feel awful about backing out now, but I’ve realized working with Professor B would be much better for me overall. How should I handle this situation?

TLDR: I informally committed to joining lab A, but before my first day I’m looking to change to lab B and I’m wondering what the etiquette surrounding that is

I’m an incoming 1st year PhD student in the physics program at an American university. Initially, I was interested in working in Professor A’s group, and before committing to the program I reached out to them to confirm that they have the funding to take me on as a student.

However, that was in April, and in the meantime I’ve had the chance to gain experience in an adjacent subfield that aligns much more with the work done by Professor B. I’ve realized through this new experience that I would much prefer to continue this same type of research during my PhD, and that I would prefer to work with Professor B. I’ve reached out to them and confirmed that they have funding for me to do so as well.

However, one big issue is that I verbally confirmed my interest in working with Professor A back in April (although to my knowledge they never signed the forms to make them my official advisor). What’s more, A is in the Electrical Engineering department, which admits directly to a PI’s lab instead of the program at large. Because of my initial verbal commitment, Professor A’s group denied admission of an additional PhD student in order to have the funding available for me. I feel awful about backing out now, but I’ve realized working with Professor B would be much better for me overall. How should I handle this situation?

TLDR: I informally committed to joining lab A, but before my first day I’m looking to change to lab B and I’m wondering what the etiquette surrounding that is

I’m a first-time renter moving to Chicago from out of state, and I signed a lease about a month ago with a move-in date of September. At the time, my girlfriend was hoping to come with me, but hadn’t found a job yet, so she didn’t sign the lease.

She’s since found a job, and we’re hoping to add her to the lease. I was just notified that to add her we’d need to pay an additional $350 administrative fee on top of the $90 application fee (I have already paid both of these fees for my initial application)

I know there probably isn’t anything I can really do to get out of paying this, but I’m just wondering whether this is normal practice? I’m kicking myself for not adding her to the lease the first time I signed, since we were pretty sure she’d come along anyway.

Hello!

My girlfriend and I are moving to Chicago soon and she’ll start a job that ends at midnight in the near north side. She has a car, but since our apartment won’t have a parking space we’re wondering whether she’d be able to commute on cta.

She’d get on at Chicago brown line (walking past Cabrini rowhomes on Chicago), transfer to the red line at Fullerton or Belmont, and get off at Granville.

How’s this commute between 12 and 1 am for a single woman? Her schedule is Friday through Monday if that matters. Is it worth it to just drive and try to find street parking? Thanks!

Moving to Chicago from out of town in September, and unfortunately I won’t have time to visit before I move. I have a friend who mentioned they’d be willing to tour in my place. Is this generally allowed?

I graduated from college last month, and I’m set to start a physics PhD program at University A (in the US) in the fall. I only ever had one research experience that I enjoyed, so I applied to a PhD program where I’d be doing exactly that.

However, this summer I’m doing a research internship at University B to try something new and save up money for grad school. After spending some time here, I’ve realized I absolutely love the lab and the work they do. It’s the same subfield as the lab I’d be in at University A, but a different type of work.

This has made me realize I’d much rather do my PhD at University B than at University A. At the very least, I probably should have taken a gap year instead of immediately applying to programs. Additionally, my long-term partner will very likely be attending a program at University B starting next year, which is halfway across the country from A (I didn’t know about this when accepting the offer from A).

Would it be a terrible idea to apply to apply to University B with the plan of leaving A with a masters? Since B is a very competitive program, would leaving my previous program significantly hamper my chances of getting in?

I’m moving soon to either Evanston or Rogers Park from the west coast, and I’m wondering if anyone has recommendations for cozy, locally owned coffee shops to hang out at in these areas or nearby. Thank you!

I’m moving soon to either Evanston or Rogers Park from the west coast, and I’m wondering if anyone has recommendations for cozy, locally owned coffee shops to hang out at in these areas or nearby. Thank you!

I’m planning on moving to Rogers Park from the west coast in a few months, and and as a serial insomniac I’m wondering which parts of the neighborhood are the best to walk around between midnight and 3 AM. Of course I always stick to well-lit paths