woosah

I can think of at least 7 things I should be doing right now instead of surfing these forums, including revising sections of my honors thesis... Instead of blocking this site via my web browser to save me from my own lack of focus, I decided to start a new topic! So, what should YOU be doing right now??

based on what i've read in this forum, the grad school checks to verify that you're application materials are in order and that you meet university-wide requirements (e.g. minimum g.p.a). i'm waiting on official confirmation of one of my acceptances, and it's taking quite a while, so maybe there's a little more to it than that?

I know someone who was unofficially rejected from EP-ADS (phd) yesterday

Duke and WUSTL are gorgeous (visited both in the summer). I met someone who got married at WUSTL because it's so picturesque, apparently this is not all that uncommon. My undergrad institution has nice grass but it's nowhere near the level of some of the larger schools I've seen. I'll be visiting Vanderbilt this weekend, so I may have to come back and amend my answer, judging from some of the responses here

I purposely took a lighter load this semester because I knew I wouldn't be motivated to do much of anything. I only need two general ed requirements to finish my degree, I'm taking my other courses as pass/fail. Still going through the motions of honor's thesis, though I could care less about my topic these days. Weird how? I will be going to a few recruitment weekends over the next couple months, and I fully expect to be the youngest person there/the only one who hasn't completed undergrad. I've already heard from one POI that this could potentially work against me (i.e. lack of "real world" experience)

I got a similar email from a POI 10 days ago (feels like sooo much longer), still no official acceptance from the grad school. I have heard of them taking weeks, I hope that isn't the case with either one of us. "soon" is such an irritating word to me right now...

I called in December just to get a sense of when one of my programs would start notifying (info wasn't posted on the website). When asked for my name, I gave a fake one. Used a friend's phone for the call. They can't count it against you if they don't know who you are...

congrats on your interview!

my birthday's tomorrow! happy birthday to the 3 of us!!

^^this! i thought i would feel so much calmer.

I think they were probably just trying to "get at" your goals for your education, make sure you have a clear plan for where you are going next. I agree that the question is a little off-putting, but that was probably part of the point as well: can you respond to unexpected questions in a professional manner, without getting flustered or defensive? Sounds like you gave them what they were looking for. I don't think it would ruin an otherwise appealing program for me

When I get news my first thought isn't "omg, must add my results on GC!!", but I don't purposely hold off until I've informed people in "real life". I know there are people (*points to self*) who check a few times a day to see if someone has heard from their program, why torture them? Even if your'e the first to post a rejection, It's not like they know who you are...

http://forum.thegradcafe.com/forum/75-letters-of-recommendation/ I gave each one a thank you card with a personalized message

My surprise call was from a prostective advisor. Her number showed, and she insisted that I save it in case I had questions later on. I saw city/state when she called, just didn't occur to me that it might be someone from a grad program (I have family in that area). Phone interview with a different POI, her number wasn't blocked either but the call was scheduled.

These are questions I'm thinking of asking: How would you describe the dynamic of the department/lab? (collaborative vs. competitive) What is your least favorite thing about the program? Did you apply to other programs? What tipped the scales in favor of program x? At what point were you encouraged/expected to pursue your own projects? How would you describe professor __'s leadership/advising style? If you could no longer work with professor ___, who would you choose as your advisor? Where/when do grad students publish? How stable is funding? Is there a teaching requirement? Do you feel it interferes with your research time? How big is your cohort? What were your research responsibilities during your first year? Do you feel challenged/supported? I'd also ask specific questions about the kind of data available in the lab, and how students are expected to contribute before they use data for their own purposes (hope that makes sense)

Did the department's website distinguish between the admissions process for masters and PhD programs? It could be that the suggestion of contacting faculty was more geared toward PhD applicants.

tree nuts

I had a POI call out of the blue earlier this month. I was in my pajamas, eating cereal, watching Grey's Anatomy, no advance warning. I almost choked when she introduced herself...

free parking

Thanks so much for the info, looks like I'll be going too :-)

I got the same email on Friday from my POI in the EDHD program, trying to figure out the most tactful way to ask if this visit is a paid one...

left field

cat call

willy nilly

butterfly kisses