foreverfree

@ghkchris It is for many of them--of course for some schools you can tell from the results pages

LOL!

Congrats to everyone who heard from Cornell. Not many early acceptances this year...still waiting on NW and MIT. The days are going by so slowly...it's killing me!

I felt like I had made a mistake by not contacting professors, but I hinted strongly in my SOP who I was interested in working with (by talking about the fields, e.g. plasmonics or low-dimensional electronic systems or whatever). So far seems to be working in my favor, got an email yesterday from an Applied Phys. professor whose lab was my top choice at the school. still..I guess now I'll never know if I could have prevented any rejections I might get. I think some schools, especially ones with larger departments like UIUC, are less likely to look for fit as they are to care about credentials, but other schools require that you basically be chosen by a professor.

Just to add my voice..haven't heard any final decisions yet but I have been contacted by at least one of my applied physics departments. 3.96 GPA, 1510 GRE (800 Q), didn't take the subject test because many of my schools don't even recommend it. Will post my acceptances when they (hopefully) come.

Thanks for sharing--actually this is one of the reasons I might be less likely to go there if accepted, but as their research aligns perfectly with my interests I wanted to apply. They're obviously a great school but things like this scare me...they seem to have a bit of a reputation for things like this.

agreed!!

Haven't heard from anywhere yet besides UIUC. Like I said, decided to skip UCSB, though now I'm wishing I had applied just so I could maybe have heard from somewhere else by now just waiting to see who I hear from next. Here's what I can glean from the results for my schools, if anyone is interested: Stanford MSE - Last week of Jan/First week of Feb (One year was as early as Jan 22, usually around Feb 1) MIT - Seems to have a few early Jan but nobody has said they heard this year. Mostly late Jan/Early feb. In previous years as late as second week of Feb. for main group. Seems to accept a few in March as well. Crossing my fingers and hoping they haven't already sent out. Northwestern - Late Jan/Early Feb. Last year had some on jan 30/31 and some feb 11/12. Usually by phone. A few interviews? (maybe more for international students?) JHU - Not really enough info. Maybe late first or second week of feb, also many in march. I think they do some interviews. They probably get quite a few applications since their fee is free for US applicants (protip for those applying next year, a great program to apply to with no risk).

@msr420, looks like around Feb 10. You should check the admissions page: http://thegradcafe.com/survey/index.php?q=mit+eecs

One person got in Feb. 2 last year...it's still pretty early. A couple people in march 2008...though that's a long time ago. Seems like a lot of schools let in a bunch of people early, and then some have a second round a week or two later, and then in march they let in a few more along with all the rejections..

they're decent but not top 20. depends if there's someone doing research you're interested in.

Princeton doesn't have a real materials program, though I do believe they have an emphasis in Mech E. Your GPA and quant GRE are a bit low for top 5 and 10 programs...if the rest of your app is strong you have a shot, but you'd probably need good recs or something else to offset your mediocre numbers. Research experience alone might not do it IMO. If you could up your gre quant a few points (to 160+) you might have a good shot. Not that I think the GRE is especially important, but if you don't have a 3.6ish GPA it can show that you are still a serious candidate with strong academic credentials. Disclaimer: I'm not an expert, and don't let anyone tell you you're not good enough. it's just one opinion. You might have something else going for you that schools will like, or i could just be flat out wrong

^this is correct. I had misinterpreted the email I received from ETS since I only ever took the GRE once. In any case for engineering, quant is obviously more important...for a master's program, a 163/150 shouldn't keep you out, but it won't get you in. Then again, a 168/168 might not get you in either. it'll just come down to whether or not the rest of the app is good. Here is the relevant portion of the email I got last july:

you can send scores from one or the other (i think they let you choose for an extra fee ) but you cannot mix and match (e.g. say you got 600V, 700M the first time and 550V, 800M the second time, you couldn't send 600V, 800M). I think it might be free to send only the most recent score, but i'd have to check.

haha...you're ambitious, i'm just crazy perhaps

wow that's ambitious--I would try to visit as many as possible but given my schedule and how far away most of my schools are I'll probably be limited to 3-ish.

it really depends where i get in...no matter what I'm gonna force myself to go to at least 2. So much travelling though and of course that's assuming i get in at two places how about you?

@ChemPhys: I think they give out a fair amount...maybe 20? glad we're all hearing from some places. I'm just hoping for early admissions everywhere. (obviously would be just as happy to get in late but the waiting is killing me!)

yeah i was I wouldn't worry too much about UCSB--last year it looks like they sent out most of their acceptances at the end of january. If you got into UIUC you have a great shot at UCSB...I was going to apply there myself but I decided they didn't have enough faculty doing research in my field. At this point just glad to be in somewhere good

i dun' really know--they seem to try to get through them really fast. I've seen in past years that some people got responses before the deadline. i applied on dec. 19th I think if it helps anyone. I know they tend to send out another round of acceptances later in january and a few late ones as well. glad to see some other people are applying in mse as well...seems like there aren't too many of us on here

yup, it's nice that they try to get them out early.

that is so nice that the admin corrected the essay for you In a few of my earlier essays there was a small typo that none of my editors caught but I'm hoping it won't make the difference between an admit and a rejection. It probably won't.

go everyone!

Same here, though I figure if I don't get accepted I'll just look for a job. That being said, I'm pretty sure somewhere will want me, right!? But not being able to plan yet is driving me crazy. I'm looking at houses in all the places I could be in as well but not knowing is disappointing because I'm super excited for grad school and to move on with my life.

Well, they can't expect you to accept until you've had a chance to visit your prospective schools (usually in March after acceptances). I'm sure they'd love to know earlier, but they have to give you time, usually to April 1 or April 15 I believe, just like for undergrad. Maybe just tell them you received and will strongly consider the offer? Congrats! Just out of curiosity where did you hear from so early? I've been waiting with bated breath