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So, I've made the next step on the Plan! pathway, and talked to the current director of the broad-based multi-departmental biology grad studies program (it serves as a gateway program to all of the graduate bio departments) and while the talk was very brief, it was highly informative.
Basically, the school's grad administration will grant me credit for one year of pre-candidacy, based on my possession of a Masters degree. I'll have to go through another year of pre-candidacy, and then two of post-candidacy; that's at a minimum. The administration requires that my department-of-choice attests that I satisfy class curriculum requirements and that it certifies that I have passed their version of preliminary exams--the admin doesn't mandate what that form that test takes, or even how rigorous. Oh, and that I successfully defend my thesis at the end of that time.
So, the next step is to talk to the current grad program coordinator for my department-of-choice (Microbiology and Immunology, for those of you keeping track) and see what the department will let me get away with. Eventually, that'll require a grad transcript (oh, joy; at least I've got the benefit that UC is a 'better' (read 'tougher') school than UM) and a formal application--if the department has a slot for me.
This makes me breathe a little more easily, and yet feel a little more frustrated. It appears that I won't have to pay the $14K up front as a 'transfer' grad student (or however they classify me), and that my mental ballpark of three years will work out. However, if someone in the grad student committee of the department feels like giving me a rough time, I get to take some serious prelims. Again. Bugger.
Well, nothing for it but ask the next round of questions.
Basically, the school's grad administration will grant me credit for one year of pre-candidacy, based on my possession of a Masters degree. I'll have to go through another year of pre-candidacy, and then two of post-candidacy; that's at a minimum. The administration requires that my department-of-choice attests that I satisfy class curriculum requirements and that it certifies that I have passed their version of preliminary exams--the admin doesn't mandate what that form that test takes, or even how rigorous. Oh, and that I successfully defend my thesis at the end of that time.
So, the next step is to talk to the current grad program coordinator for my department-of-choice (Microbiology and Immunology, for those of you keeping track) and see what the department will let me get away with. Eventually, that'll require a grad transcript (oh, joy; at least I've got the benefit that UC is a 'better' (read 'tougher') school than UM) and a formal application--if the department has a slot for me.
This makes me breathe a little more easily, and yet feel a little more frustrated. It appears that I won't have to pay the $14K up front as a 'transfer' grad student (or however they classify me), and that my mental ballpark of three years will work out. However, if someone in the grad student committee of the department feels like giving me a rough time, I get to take some serious prelims. Again. Bugger.
Well, nothing for it but ask the next round of questions.
