MadScience

I can really only speak from my personal experience in my field (Immunology/Medical Sciences/Chemistry) but I have seen PhDs take as little as 4 years to as many as 10 years, it all depends. I have found this usually has a lot to do with the POI and what their personal graduation requirements are. For example, I've seen some POIs require a certain number of publications to graduate and whenever you achieve that is when you can finish (usually 3-5 publications). That means you could graduate in 4 years or 8 depending on how long that takes. I've also seen some add on to that requirement the need for these publications to be in particular top journals. Some POIs have the vague requirement of "when I feel you are independent and ready to go out into the world." I've also seen people take 5+ years to graduate when their project is just not working, so if it's possible to come up with a project you think can be accomplished in less than 5 years - of course, I'm not sure how one could know that in advance, but avoiding over the top, unlikely to succeed projects might be a good idea here, no matter how fun they sound . When I started my MS, I had a fun, unlikely to succeed project and a back up project for if it failed. Let's just say, I was lucky to have the back up! And of course, it can add years to your studies if you don't put in enough time during the week. Also, I would talk to the POI/department about funding sources (TA/RA/etc). Some programs require you to TA the entire length of your degree while others only require 1-3 semesters of TAing before putting you on an RA. You definitely want to do the second option (if you have the option) since TAing takes up a considerable amount of time each week and can cut useful research time out. Just my two cents! Hope it helps!

Oh my, I love this! And definitely not because I have done the exact same thing or anything :shifty eyes: You gotta love Excel spreadsheets

No clue what's going on with Duke. I still haven't heard anything and I applied in early November.

I don't see any problem with it - I certainly did it! Just word it in a way that doesn't make you sound desperate or impatient. I basically said something like this: Dear So-and-so, I am writing to inquire about the status of my application to the chemistry graduate program and was wondering if you could help? With visitation weekends approaching I am trying to coordinate my travel arrangements, however, as X University is my top choice I do not want to make any arrangements before knowing my application status. Thank you for your time...yada yada yada One school sent me an acceptance the following day and the other just never responded.

This, is excellent advice.

Wow I'm losing it. Noticed my email count had increased by one, had a heart attack. Checked it, and it's an ad for Chili's. Come on UNC! Rip the bandage off already so I can begin my descent into despair!

When I applied for my MS degree a few years ago, I had a similarly horrific experience. The program deadline was May 30th and I applied extremely early, in December. In January, I get an email from the admissions coordinator (who I later find out had a reputation for being just awful) saying that everything is in, they are just waiting on my subject test score. I was livid - the website stated that no subject test was required, and so I had cancelled my scheduled exam back in November. The PhD program didn't even require the subject test! I told her this and she was extremely nasty, told me if I had emailed her sooner she would've told me. WELL I did email her earlier, back in November before I cancelled my exam to double check the program requirements, and she told me only the general GRE was required. So I cancelled. The next subject GRE wasn't offered until April. So I had to wait to take the exam. After I took the exam, she emailed me in May to say they were just waiting to receive my scores before they could send my file to the committee. Once they had my scores they took FOREVER to get back to me. Keep in mind, I did not live anywhere near this school so would need to make moving arrangements. It was June and I was still waiting!! Fed up, I emailed her to see what was going on. She tells me "oh, we think you're better suited for the PhD program so we sent your materials over to that committee instead." Um WHAT? SO MAD! If I wanted to do a PhD, I would've applied for that program!!! So I told her to send it back ASAP. A few weeks later I get an acceptance contingent upon me finding a lab that will let me join (no rotations in the MS program, you need a POI before you start). AHH! I had a few weeks to find someone and still needed to figure out where to live and all that. I literally emailed and called 100 Professors to find a lab before I got a "yes". Now here's the real kicker - I was talking to my cohort (6 students including me) and found out only one other student (who also applied very early) and I had to take the subject test GRE! So what happened was this evil woman made a mistake early on, told me and the other student the subject test was required, found out later on she was wrong, told the other 4 students who applied in April (before the subject test I had to take) that it wasn't required, and was too full of herself to confess it wasn't true and send my application onto the committee in April with the other students! This was only the beginning of my issues with her, URGH! So glad that's over!! I swear, they do it to torture us.

I'm sorry Kthstyk I have a feeling I'll be getting my rejection email today too. What time did they email you? Congrats on your acceptances to VA Tech and UMD-CP btw!

From my experience, it depends. Sometimes the student is cut off without funding, and sometimes their funding is extended. I would say it is based a lot on the situation. For instance, if someone has not graduated by 5 years because of laziness and lack of commitment, they will probably be cut off, possibly even forced to graduate with a MS (this happened to a colleague of mine). However, if this person is on good terms with their committee, is a hard worker, but is just not having luck getting their experiments to work (it happens) then they will most likely be funded for at least a year or two more. I would definitely ask them what their stance is on this to find out.

That makes me feel better. I hope those who've been accepted and don't intend to go decline soon! I am waiting to hear from UNC before I know for sure which schools I'll be visiting. Good luck to everyone that's waiting!

I hope! I was just basing this off of the results page trends - last year, they had sent out all acceptances (except one) in January and then all the rejections rolled out on February 15th (this Friday!). Although, the year before they were sending out acceptances up to February 25th.

Does anyone know if UNC is still rolling out acceptances, or is it safe to say that no news is bad news at this point?

Just accepted to Hopkins! So excited!! XD

Thanks everyone for the advice! You were all right, it was just a meaningless technicality and I'm allowed to work in any lab (assuming of course they have an opening!) regardless of division. Just thought I'd update you guys on what happened

To those that were accepted to Johns Hopkins (congrats BTW!) - Do you know when the visitation weekend is? Thanks!

It's divided into different divisions - organic, inorganic, physical, theoretical, analytical, biochemical. I have no idea if switching is allowed or not though :/ I actually put Organic as my first choice and inorganic as my second. It was one of my first apps and I was still unsure how I should apply. To explain, my background is in organic but I wanted to do inorganic research. I was kind of panicking thinking I wouldn't get in anywhere since I've been out of school for a bit and working so thought I should put organic as my first choice since it may give me a better chance of acceptance, due to my background. After my first 2 applications though, I dropped this philosophy and started applying directly to inorganic or physical chem programs since I am much more interested in these areas and it turned out to not matter. Does that make sense? My thought process was completely illogical at the time, I was definitely losing it and stressing out. Having a job you absolutely hate and wanting so badly to get out of it and get back into school can do that I guess lol

Hello! I am in a bit of an odd situation and was hoping someone could offer some advice. I was accepted at one of my top choice programs (yay!) but to a department different than the department of the POI I'd like to work with. I was accepted to the organic department and he is in the inorganic department. I have contacted the school to see what the possibility is of still joining this lab, but it's Friday and I think my head will explode without any idea of the answer until Monday Has anyone ever been in a situation like this before? Thanks!

That's like an eternity from now At least it means they're not done sending out decisions, meaning there are probably some more acceptances around the corner!

First of all, congratulations!!! Since we are in different programs, some of these may not apply, but some of the questions I have asked are (and these are to students working in the labs I am interested in joining): 1. Could you describe the lab dynamics, especially in regards to how students are guided through their initial year? This will help you to understand if you are expected to figure everything out on your own, or if maybe they will pair you with a senior member of the lab as your "go to" person for any questions you may have. It also helps you to understand if the lab is very competitive (in a bad way) or if everyone gets along and likes to help one another out. 2. How often do you consult with the PI? Is he/she very involved or more hands off? 3. Were you assigned a research project or did you choose your own? 4. What is a typical week like in your group? (this will help you understand if you are expected to be there 80+ hours a week, or if a 40-60 hour work week is more typical as long as it is productive) 5. Are there any opportunities for leadership positions (i.e., student organizations)? 6. How do you like X University? How do you like working for Dr. Y? 7. What are some fun things to do in the area? 8. What communities are the safest to live in? Do many students commute? What is parking like on campus? Those are just some ideas though to hopefully get you a better understanding of what living there and working there might be like

I just emailed their graduate coordinator. Thanks for the advice Usmivka, I hope they understand

I applied all over the place in terms of specialty areas. At Brown it was Inorganic and at Purdue it was Organic. Some schools I applied P. Chem. My main interest is renewable energy projects so I applied in whichever specialty had researchers working in that area, so it looks a little haphazard but I swear there was a method to my madness Yeah it is definitely a bummer that Purdue and Brown are on the same weekends. What other schools did you apply to? I should've put "too many" in my signature under "applied" too, haha

Hey guys! I was hoping I could get a little guidance with a situation I've gotten myself into. A few weeks ago, one of the schools I was accepted to booked a flight for me to come visit during their visiting weekend. They did this through their travel agency and paid for it themselves, so I did not have to purchase the ticket and then submit for reimbursement or anything. Since then, I've been accepted to a few other programs that I prefer over this one and at this point I honestly don't think I would choose the school I am visiting anymore. I don't want to waste their time or money on a flight but I don't know the proper way to break it to them that I have changed my mind and to ask them to cancel my flight. I am also worried they are going to lose the money for the flight but am hoping they can get refunded - does that happen? Has anyone ever been in a situation like this before? What's the proper etiquette here? I feel like an idiot for booking the flight before hearing back from other schools and I don't want to burn any bridges for any future collaborations. Help!

Congrats! I got into Brown too today, so excited!

Mom: "What are your top choices of the schools you applied to?" Me: "Well, it's a long shot but my dream choices are definitely MIT number 1, and then Harvard.." Mom: :Laughs: "You'll definitely get into MIT! No problem! Probably Harvard, but I know absolutely MIT, easy." For some reason, my mom thinks MIT is some small unknown technical college. And no matter how many times I explain to her that MIT is ranked #1 for my field and Harvard is #4, she can't believe it and will continue to tell me how MIT is a shoe in while trying to convince me that I should chose Harvard instead (assuming I end up lucky enough to have a choice between the two, not likely lol). She went so far as to say I was "too good" for MIT...oh Lord :/

Yeah, I think I would likely end up losing at this point too by a few grand. I have also heard horror stories about renters destroying the home which really makes me nervous, especially since I will be out of state and unable to drop by if needed. There's one other townhouse in my community that is trying to rent and has been listed for 5 months now with no bites, and although my unit is much larger and I could offer for a similar price without losing money, I'm still worried. Oh well, let's keep our fingers crossed that everything turns out smashingly I hope you have good luck in renting your place out and hopefully I can too! That's awesome that your area hasn't been too badly affected by the market! Wish things would start turning around here a bit faster :/ Good luck with selling and finding a new place! And only a month or two until we should all know where we're heading, so good luck with that too!