Applying early . . .

[PhDEducation]

Greetings,

 

This will be my first (and hopefully) only go around in applying for doctoral programs. The problem with the stress level I have already applied to three schools, and even though I am busy working and preparing a few more applications I don't know how I can make it until March for decisions. I will be bald or grey. 

[Ankghost0912]

Hi,

finally someone who's in the same boat as me feeling wise. The stress is so high that I need distraction every 15-20 minutes from scrounging the information for any hint,any trace of information.

[windrainfireandbooks]

Same here. I am in the final semester of my MA program right now and, to allow more time to concentrate on final paper writing, I got my PhD apps out of the way early. Only problem is, I can't concentrate on paper writing anyway because I am impatient when it comes to the waiting game.

[PhDEducation]

My brain keeps telling me "hey go check the application status" the deadline hasn't even passed yet.

[TheChai]

My brain keeps telling me "hey go check the application status" the deadline hasn't even passed yet.

Exactly what's happening on my mind now.

 

And i keep thinking "what if my lab makes some big progress next month"

 

And also I just realized I made a big typo on a prof's name in all my SOPs which makes me regrets sending them in so early.

[nugget]

Exactly what's happening on my mind now.

 

And i keep thinking "what if my lab makes some big progress next month"

 

And also I just realized I made a big typo on a prof's name in all my SOPs which makes me regrets sending them in so early.

 

How did you send your SOPs? If it was submitted to an online system try to see if you can retrieve it to make alterations and correct the spelling if possible. Your apps might not get looked at until after the deadline. 

[TheChai]

How did you send your SOPs? If it was submitted to an online system try to see if you can retrieve it to make alterations and correct the spelling if possible. Your apps might not get looked at until after the deadline. 

Thanks omg I went back to all the submitted apps and was able to update 4 out of 13 of them. Thank you so much!!!

[PhDEducation]

It may also be possible to touch base with someone within the graduate department responsible for organizing the applications and have them swap it out, I had to do that on one of mine, they were extremely helpful. 

 

 

Also for one of my schools the deadline isn't until March! Hoping to have to move across the country this summer, being a planner would love to know earlier. 

Edited November 17, 2014 by PhDEducation

[TheChai]

It may also be possible to touch base with someone within the graduate department responsible for organizing the applications and have them swap it out, I had to do that on one of mine, they were extremely helpful. 

 

 

Also for one of my schools the deadline isn't until March! Hoping to have to move across the country this summer, being a planner would love to know earlier. 

Hmm. I'm scared because the admission office people will then know that i made the silly mistake -- putting important professor's name wrong and submitting without carefully checking....

[nugget]

Not necessarily. It depends on how you phrase it. Ask if they have looked at submitted applications yet. If the answer is no, tell them you want to know if they will accept a more up-to-date version of your application. For all they know, if could be a new job you want to include in your cv or some other small change.

 

Remember that submitting it before the deadline looks good on your end. So many wait until the last day to submit. You have had less time to work on it than others who haven't submitted and chances are they haven't even looked at your app yet. So I don't think it would hurt to ask and see what they say.

 

What's the worst that could happen? You may feel awkward for a moment. But I think it looks better to recognize you made a mistake and to correct it than to appear as though you did not catch your own mistake. And it will be noticed. Everyone notices when their name is misspelled.

 

Good luck!

Edited November 20, 2014 by jenste

[TheChai]

Not necessarily. It depends on how you phrase it. Ask if they have looked at submitted applications yet. If the answer is no, tell them you want to know if they will accept a more up-to-date version of your application. For all they know, if could be a new job you want to include in your cv or some other small change.

 

Remember that submitting it before the deadline looks good on your end. So many wait until the last day to submit. You have had less time to work on it than others who haven't submitted and chances are they haven't even looked at your app yet. So I don't think it would hurt to ask and see what they say.

 

What's the worst that could happen? You may feel awkward for a moment. But I think it looks better to recognize you made a mistake and to correct it than to appear as though you did not catch your own mistake. And it will be noticed. Everyone notices when their name is misspelled.

 

Good luck!

Thanks for your advice. I think I will do that for sure, and also include some update on my lab research progress, as it might help with my apps. I think I'll do that after thanksgiving break as I'll be wrapping up my semester's work. Also, one of my recommender hasn't sent out the LOR yet, so i suppose they won't look through my application until he sends it in.