MammaD

Yup! My experience exactly.
 
 
I don't even understand this, ridiculous.
 
I have decided that to take my mind off waiting, I am going to start some sort of cleanse. Nothing excessive, I will just cut out processed foods and go to the gym 6x a week. My thinking is, if I don't get accepted I am sure I will turn to comfort foods. So the cleanse will prevent me from gaining a lot of weight
 
(I have officially lost my mind)

OK, that is a ridiculously long potential wait, but I'm glad that you still have a shot!

The person I want to work with (faculty) just got a NIH grant for $2.9M over 5 years. I am so excited for her and for our field! I want to get in even more now!

The person I want to work with (faculty) just got a NIH grant for $2.9M over 5 years. I am so excited for her and for our field! I want to get in even more now!

Thinking good thoughts for you, MammaD!
 
It really isn't over until it's over. The program you applied to might not formally reject people until first-round accepted applicants notify them with their decisions, or they might not have notified anyone yet--it is 100% possible as every program, even within the same school, functions differently and works on a different time frame.
 
In my field, we're all still waiting to hear back from the majority of schools, and some of the deadlines were back in December or early January.
 
Oh, also, I don't think you need to justify where you applied and why. It would have been a bad move to apply to programs you were only somewhat interested in or that weren't a good fit just because, and adcoms usually see through that tactic anyway. I only applied to two programs due to my very specific needs (i.e, I'm 32, married, and needed a school with a pre-req track; I'm not willing to move somewhere that doesn't appeal to me or that is far away from all of my family and friends); it would have been a waste of time and money for me to apply far and wide given my personal situation, though I knew it was risky to apply to so few schools.
 
This process is tough for everyone, even fresh-faced undergrads, but I really can't imagine going through it while raising kids and supporting a family. Kudos to you and everyone else who's done it.

I have been struggling with the same thoughts! I just submitted my applications February 1st, but it seems like months have gone by. I am trying to stay positive. My motto is... If you are applying at all, then of course you have a good chance of getting in. We aren't in denial, we are definitely smart enough, it is just a matter of fitting into the program, and being "the chosen one." I am keeping my fingers crossed for you too.

You all are wonderful. I am very thankful and hopeful for you all!

I was in this boat the first time I applied 2 years ago.  I applied for Social Psych PhD programs which take 1-2 students per professor (sometimes not even that many) so it's very competitive.  I applied to 12 schools the first time I applied and spent a lot of time researching and choosing what I thought would be a good cross-section of schools.  I got 2 phone interviews and 1 in person interview and ended up with 12 rejections. 
 
So facing the disappointment I felt since I thought I would get in (everyone always thinks you won't have a problem getting in...don't listen to everyone.  They know nothing.), I realized I had no plan B.  Luckily, I got 2 degrees in college, one in a different area, so I decided to split my job search between both fields.  In psych, I joined all of the listservs and applied to lab manager positions.  I also applied to retail or fashion jobs.  I ended up getting 2 job offers on the same day about 2 months after graduation, one as a lab manager at MIT and one as a retail manager at a department store.  Obviously, I took the job at MIT and ended up being way happier than I would have if I had convinced myself to go to the only school that interviewed me (they didn't accept me so it was a nonissue, but it wasn't a good fit for me at all anyway).  I applied again this year, to 13 schools, and was much more successful.  I got 4 phone interviews, 3 in person interviews and 2 offers with great funding at good Top-40 programs where I have a good fit.  Now my problem is trying to decide where to go.
 
Here is my advice if you are in the "didn't get in anywhere" boat:
 
1) You are not alone!  I had great experience coming out of undergrad.  Honestly, I couldn't have gotten any more than I did at my undergrad institution.  All of my letter-writers were confident, my essay was good, my grades were good, my scores were good, etc.  The fact is, there are so few spots and so many applicants that not everyone who is qualified gets in.  You are probably all qualified.  It may be the case that some of you put in more effort with your applications than others but, at the end of the day, if you didn't get in it really doesn't mean that much about you.  All it means is that some kid with a masters degree applied with your exact same credentials.  So, seriously, stop taking these rejections personally.  Obviously that's more easily said than done but you are still the smart, capable individual you were when you applied.  It's not you, it's them.  (Also, in terms of age, a lot of programs don't like to accept right out of undergrad so 25 is definitey NOT old to start a program, but it can depend on your field.  It would be rare to get an advanced business degree with no work experience, for instance.  So if you just graduated or are still in school, it is especially common to get rejected at that point.)
 
2) Write your rejectors back, especially if you had an interview.  Find out why you were rejected (or other people were chosen), specifically.  POIs are usually happy to tell you (spoiler alert: either you don't have enough experience or other students were a better match) how you could have improved your application.  Take it seriously if you want to get in next cycle and improve that application.  Also, be nice and respond with a thank you for the consideration either way.  You don't want to burn any bridges.  You may decide to apply again, or you may decide to apply for a job there someday.  Assume nothing about your future relationship with these people other than the fact that your end should always represent you as a capable professional. 
 
3) Don't stop learning about the application process since you've done it before.  A lot of people assume that they didn't get in because someone else had better grades or scores, but it can also be because you made one of a host of fatal errors that applicants in your field make.  For instance, in psych programs, and in many mentorship model programs, you are going to want to write specific professors to see if they are taking students this year AT ALL.  If you skip this step, you may have applied to 13 schools, 7 of which you never had a chance of getting into because the person that you applied to wasn't taking students.  If you are applying for these kinds of programs, so many people do this that if you don't your application will get less consideration.  Professors seek out these specific applications when people get in touch, you bring your name to their attention.  Also, people often make a lot of mistakes in their statements.  One of these mistakes can be talking to much about your experience and not focusing enough on your fit with the program/school.  Make sure to keep getting the advice from people you trust so you can avoid these mistakes next time.
 
4) Build your resume in the meantime.  When I got rejected the first round, I was told I had 2 choices to add to my experience: apply to MA programs with late deadlines or get a lab manager or research assistant job in my field.  I chose the second route and ended up with a great job that elevated my CV a ton and provided me with a ton of wonderful experience that I used to my advantage in this cycle.  A lot of people work in unrelated fields between application seasons but if your application wasn't strong enough the first time, that isn't going to change if your job has nothing to do with your subject.  Also, a lot of places want a LOR from your boss if you have a job after school so keep in mind that you will need time to cultivate a relationship with your boss for a good rec.  I waited 2 years between applications because I wanted a whole year at my job for my writer to comment on.  Keep this is mind when you are planning for the future.
 
Overall, I really don't think I would have been happy at the last place I was waiting to hear from for Fall 2011.  The mentor would have been a bad choice, both in personality and research fit.  The program is not well respected and I would have taken it just because it was the only school that hadn't rejected me (at that point, I stress again that I was rejected from this school as well).  Instead of putting a sub-par institution on my CV, I got to add a job at MIT and will soon add a great PhD program.  (This is a good part to point out that when it comes to grad school, there are no safety schools.  You could blow every applicant out of the water in terms of education, grades and scores but if other people have a better fit, that other stuff means a lot less.)  Being rejected from all of the schools I applied to actually worked out better for me.  I did reapply to some of the same schools and my 2 acceptances are both from programs I had applied to and been rejected from previously.  I had a phone interview with one and was never taken off the waitlist and, at the other, I literally never heard anything.  So keep in mind that this next year can turn the whole thing around for you.  Schools that didn't look at your app this year may be calling you as soon as apps are in a couple years from now.  The second time around worked for me.  In the time between, I got great work experience at an impressive institution with an incredible scholar I am lucky to call my boss. 
 
Remember, you are not alone!  Rejections happen more than acceptances.  Take the next year or two to work on that CV and you will be successful. 

I've officially lost my mind. 
 
After getting two rejections from my remaining 6 schools I bent over and ripped my pants...
 
And started laughing hysterically....

Actually JUST found out 2 minutes ago thru email. I'm in!

Do these people know it's MARCH 3rd?

What on earth could the hold-up be?

Do these people know it's MARCH 3rd?

What on earth could the hold-up be?

Officially waitlisted at Columbia. At least it's some news xD Like what everyone's been saying, it's nice to just hear SOMETHING..   Sorry Mmajum, I guess we most likely won't see each other next year in person...

Sorry to hear about rejections to our PhD in public health family members.. We were all rooting for you, but remember it's not over until it's over.

On a side note, I'm returning from a U-Dub visit/interview, and I really really liked the program, even more so than when I was just reading about it on the websites. They said acceptances/rejections will be out in a week for my program. Thank you, U-dub for not keeping your applicants in extended purgatory

Awwww, right back atcha, Gael. You really brightened my day!

Lots of big dreams in this group -- I'm eager for the waiting to be over and we can cheer each other on.

My sort of OT good news: I launched my thesis research last week and it is HUGE already. It's a pretty involved questionnaire distributed via social media and it's getting a tremendous response from the study population. I'm super excited and my advisor thinks we have several options for publication and a real impact on clinical practice.

sorry to hear that Gael, you still have your Harvard acceptance which is no small feat! 

Awwww, right back atcha, Gael. You really brightened my day!

Lots of big dreams in this group -- I'm eager for the waiting to be over and we can cheer each other on.

My sort of OT good news: I launched my thesis research last week and it is HUGE already. It's a pretty involved questionnaire distributed via social media and it's getting a tremendous response from the study population. I'm super excited and my advisor thinks we have several options for publication and a real impact on clinical practice.

I'm in a little different situation with regard to funding. I served 17 years in the military and after this semester will have 3 years of education benefit left (tuition + a housing stipend). Plus, I'm older, we've been smart (read: saved like fanatics while our friends bought gadgets and cars) with finances, and the move would actually save us money because the housing market there is better (less expensive) than here. So, I might have to get a job if I get into the one program I have yet to hear from without any stipend, but we're prepared to make anything work. My kids and I have health insurance through my husband -- it's not great care, but it's serving our needs and I'm thankful for it.

In my case, there aren't many schools where I could really dig into my research interests while also contributing clinically, so if I don't get into UNC (I only applied to 2 programs, both there), I'll consider another path entirely toward what I will do with the rest of my life.

It sounds like a lot of the feedback you will need / get will be virtual (over email, etc) -- I'm not sure why a pregnancy would impact your advisor's ability to respond to you, except for perhaps the weeks right when she has the baby.  She isn't falling off the face of the planet... but maybe that's just my perspective.  My sister-in-law had a baby in August, and a friend just had her baby in mid-February -- they are quicker back to their computer than anything else, so I could see this actually as a benefit to you.  It would be prudent to at least have the conversation to find out if she plans to return to her position after whatever amount of appropriate time and continue to advise you with a possible December finishing date.  Other than that, if you end up keeping your advisor and finishing on schedule, just try to email her whatever you need to get you through a few weeks during that time in mid-summer.  

Hey charlieferrusi--I' not sure any one can give you a real answer but from your description it sounds like you have a good chance and congrats on your acceptances so far!

It's also very doable. If I can, I'd guess anyone can. The GRE seems to be less about the math you'll actually ever use and more about mastering the GRE way of assessing and solving problems. Get a good workbook, spend the time, and learn the "tricks." You'll get the score you need (if you don't end up getting accepted this go-round!).

I graduated from undergrad in 1995 and never took the GRE (or a math class other than Intro to Biostats) before taking the GRE back in June. Talk about nerve-wracking! I spent some time studying, though -- my program indicated "successful applicants typically score at or above the 70th percentile" so I essentially willed myself to get at least that.

I had an aha moment this morning while watching the news... We're all mostly relying on federal research and/or training grants to pay for our tuition and stipends. Most of that funding is currently on the chopping block with the sequestration. Next Friday is the deadline for sorting out the federal budget. I have a feeling some programs are trying to delay some decisions until they have a better sense of funding (which is pretty much what JHSPH told me about my spot on the waitlist).
 
I really don't know why my brain is just now processing that. We've been on edge about grant funding in my research group for months, and have been worried about the sequestration.

you're going to regret it in the morning

MammaD, I'm sorry to hear about that, but best of luck for MCH! I really hope you get it!
 
mpheels, congrats on the South Carolina acceptance! Can that 1 percentile difference be re-negotiated? Plus there's always hope for other grants... Anyways, just bask in your acceptance
 
*waves to the 6 guests online currently creeping on us.* Come on in and join the conversation, we don't bite

This is very similar to my story  I'm just graduating this Spring with my bachelors -- I have 5 different universities on  my transcript.  I'll be 39 when I grad and I'm applying to MSW programs for this fall.  Husband is in the Air Force, and I've been an off and on civilian DOD employee throughout the moves.
 
My husband was going to retire this summer, when we got orders to the base where we originally met.  All my family is there, and I would love for my son to experience what it is like to have grandparents close by.  We had decided he was going to retire so that I could apply to any and all programs I had ever dreamed of.  However, the idea of him getting his full pay for the two years while I was in grad school won over and we decided to go ahead and take the orders instead of retire.  He had to move this November, so I stayed behind to graduate and let our son finish out the school year.  Oh. And sell the house   It has certainly been an adventure.
 
Bless my husband's heart, he wants to career change so badly.  Even with that, we're both glad we'll have full pay for 2 years haha.  I knew I'd be reducing my chances when I would be geographically limiting myself, but it was a chance I decided to take.
 
I am eager to hear back for all the reasons you listed.  I'm patient, I just don't like being in limbo.  I also can't hate the journey I've been on, as I didn't even truly know about the career field I'm going into until I'd experienced it  
 
It is great to hear all the stories of people moving on despite their hardships -- truly I think most people in the world are in this boat rather than the, "I know exactly what I'm doing from the age of 5" category.  You guys rock and it makes me proud to be non-traditional and going back to school