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1. Don't stress out about the GRE. It doesn't hold very much weight when compared with the rest of the application, and many people actually consider it to be a poor measure of graduate school success. 2. Don't stress out about the interview visit. The programs are trying to recruit you just as much as you are trying to impress them, so take it easy and focus on getting to know what they have to offer. 3. Apply early. Your name will more likely stick out from the crowd if your application is one of the first to arrive for the application season. 4. Only apply to schools you would actually attend. To reiterate what others have said..."there is no such thing as a safety school". Imagine each school you apply to as your only acceptance, that should help you narrow down a solid, concise list of prospective programs. 5. Have clear (as possible) research interests. Faculty seem to think very highly of students who already know what they want to study.

One way to gauge her readiness might be to ask her if she is still able to write you a letter or if you should ask someone else, with the hope that she will adamantly agree to continue to write the letter. Of course, it is possible she may prefer you get someone else if she cannot gather herself together to write it by the due date and in that case, at least you will know in plenty of time to find a back-up. You should also offer your condolences and let her know that you are not in a rush to receive it (even though you probably are) until she is feeling more capable and focused. This will not only remind her of the letter and the due date, but it will also let her know that you are giving her time to grieve. If she feels appreciative of your sympathy it may make her even more eager to write you that letter of support.

Many of them are safe, but certain blocks are not. You really have to look at individual apartments/neighborhoods. Northeast of the TMC is the museum district and it is full of fairly expensive lofts and condos. Many apartment complexes in the southeastern corner (near 288 and 610) are pretty nice and have apartment shuttles that take you to back-and-forth to the TMC. I would be careful looking at apartments between the Astrodome and Alameda Rd. though, some are rather sketchy. East of 288 is the third ward and many neighborhoods there also very sketchy. I wouldn't recommend that area for a new Houstonian. I don't know about many apartments on the west side, but if you find something in Meyerland or Bellaire there is plenty of shopping and food nearby. Check-out the online apartment reviews, they're usually pretty accurate. I hope that helps!

I posted my final decision on Facebook about a week after I was notified of the acceptance. Since I've had to move around the country several times for school/work I have friends all over the country and even all over the world that I want to keep in touch with. It's simply just not practical or possible to call all of them individually. Fortunately I received a ton of positive feedback and found everyone was incredibly excited/proud/interested in the good news. So, if someone thinks I'm conceited for informing them of my whereabouts for the next 5 years via my Facebook status, then maybe they shouldn't be considered a "friend" anyway.

Yes, Houston traffic is rough, but it probably won't be much different than what you already experience, maybe a little bit better if you plan to live in the Med Center (TMC). Most people live outside of the 610 loop, so rush hour traffic is worse on roads leading to and including 610 and 59. Yes, $900 is on-par, and actually reasonable, for a 1bdrm apartment in the TMC. Anything cheaper and you risk being in an unsafe neighborhood. Also, parking in the TMC is terrible. It's expensive and very competitive. I did not go to RIce but I've known Rice students who biked. Check with the school about parking, they may have special parking/parking rates for grad students. Oh, and be sure to lock up your bike, people WILL steal it! Rice Village has great pubs (O'Neill's and Gingerman to name a couple), coffee shops and eateries. It starts at the corner of Kirby and University blvd. There is also a fancy new HEB just north of there, a Randalls southwest of the village on Holcombe, and jogging/bike trail along the Bray's bayou that transverses the TMC. Houston has plenty of coffee shops and restaurants, you'd be sure to find a few you'll love. Apartment openings are year-round, but that may be more competitive for apartments closer to rice. Medical and professional students swipe up apartments in the TMC before each semester so if you cannot visit until late summer, you might consider using an apartment locator. They can go a look at apartments for you, plus they are free to you and will have plenty of information about specific apartments and neighborhoods.

I was sitting around a conference table with about 6 other people in a lab meeting (a very BORING lab meeting, you know, the kind where you talk about finances and administrative crap?) , so there was no where to hide. I checked my BB after I heard an email notification and sure enough, it was from the coordinator of my top choice program where I had interviewed the week prior. My heart started racing, my palms got sweaty...but I kept my cool. I figured if I read the email quickly and get it over with, no matter the outcome, I can relax and continue with my boring meeting. Of course, the email was not that straight forward, but after about 10 seconds of suspense I read the words "congratulations". I almost fell out of my seat! I had to put on my best poker face to keep from smiling for the next 20 minutes of blabbing...you know, because the meeting was THAT boring and I didn't want to give myself away. Once we finished I call my mom and told her the good news.