NeuroMedic

Hey all, I was in your exact place this time last year. A few words of advice as applications are due, and you hit that dreaded "Submit" button. 1) Breath. Once the application is in, there is nothing you can do to improve it. Second guessing yourself, asking "What if?" questions constantly, agonizing about how you worded something in your personal statement, it does nothing but increase anxiety, with no good way to end it. 2) Find something fun to do! Whether alone or with friends, distractions are golden. 3) If anxiety is catching up with you, find a confidant to disclose to. Internalizing these feeling will just drive you crazy. 4) Look forward to all the exciting places you will (yes, will) be visiting. Interviews, while exhausting, are also exhilarating, and an excellent chance to talk with others who share your passion for science. Best of luck all. A grand adventure awaits!

I'll be attending UCLA as well! PhD in Neuroscience. Housing is the next step... Oh the joys of finding somewhere affordable in Los Angeles.

Expenses was by far one of the biggest concerns of mine, and one of my main concerns about UCLA (it still is, actually). However, talking with the current students during the interviews, it seems that LA is affordable on the stipend. I won't be living in Beverly Hills, but it's doable. At another program that I was accepted, current students have actually been able to afford a mortgage. Like Pasteltomato said, it shouldn't be the most influential matter, but it definitely isn't something to wave off and ignore.

I didn't apply to Stanford, but looking at the results search it looks like most people are still waiting.

I looked at the application process as a chance to explore new places to live, and potentially go outside of my comfort zone. After all, the time you spend in grad school is finite, so it is an excellent opportunity to head to a new location. The bay area and Chicago are both wonderful places to live, with plenty to do!

Well, decision has been made. UCLA, here I come!

Congrats on being done with this whole process! Looks like you may have had a hard choice.

Anyone else coming out to UCLA this weekend? I get in about noon.

First acceptance at UNM! Woo!

Anyone else out there going to be in Denver tomorrow? I get in about 2:30. Looking forward to it!

No worries, looking at results from previous years they are kind of late in sending out interview notifications. Congrats on all your interviews! Looks like you have a busy couple of months ahead.

Has anyone heard from USC in general, and the PIBBS program specifically?

First, congrats on being accepted to a program! When in doubt, you can always ask the faculty contact/admissions committee person you have been corresponding with, and make sure you aren't making promises you may not keep. Just based off the sound of "Recruitment Day", it sounds like the kind of thing where they bring you in, wine and dine you, let you see the facilities, and interact with current students, so you are more likely to accept their offer. Most programs don't require a firm decision until April.

My understanding is a lot of programs send out interview invites in waves, so they may well continue into next week and throughout January. It sucks to be kept waiting. Also, unfortunately, it looks like a decent number of programs wait to send out rejections until late Feb/early March (ugh)... Congrats on the interviews though!

Hey all, Just found out about this site, and I am happy to hear about everyone in the same boat as me! I've heard from 4 of 12 schools (dear lord, those applications got rough after a while), but I'm happy to have 4 interviews lined up! It looks like a few of you will be in Denver early February, and I look forward to meeting you! I'll be in Albuquerque the week before, and at UCLA later on in February. Good luck to everyone!