iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns

up/down vote quotas are established randomly.

Snark doesn't scare me. I've got the swagger to shrug it off.

Human decisions are never truly random. People are intentional creatures we do things with intentions. Do we always know these intentions? No. Do we always act in the best possible way to achieve intentions? No.

CONGRATS to the Louisville admit!

Ha! Look at that silly typo. That's what I get for updating while at my desk job!

I agree. Talking about it helps. I like talking. and trust me - I obsess! I just do it in a different way. I check out program reading lists, I read those books, I check out program grads, I read their abstracts. Do I always finish the books? Do I always read as much as I think I should? Naw... but I have to find time for Doctor Who, cooking, eating, drinking, and mindlessly killing zombies on PS3.

Air on the side of formal. Let them dictate the relationship (i.e. when to use first name). example- Salutations Professor Pond, To briefly answer your question, yes it is bigger on the inside. Thank you for the concern and thank you for contacting me about this. I hope you have a really wonderful semester. Regards, Rory

It makes for great conversation.

Ha! Lots of nots. Three nots. I hope I make up for it with at least three "yes" letters/emails/calls. I did shoot for the moon - I applied to some great programs. But I took the names out of my signature because I'm really great myself. I don't want to be just another applicant to UT Austin. I don't want to be "the guy who applied at 3 places I applied and 4 places I've never heard of". Besides I just sort of got tired of all the name-dropping. (nothing y'all do) but around friend. All of this, "did you apply here? and here? and here?" and "Miami Ohio? isn't that a small school?" So with that said - MY PROJECTED RESULTS: I bet I get into a 2 places that I'm super happy with and I bet they're super happy to have me. I bet I get denied at 2 places that I really would have loved. I bet a have a tough choice between the 2 acceptances come April. I bet I don't hear back from 1 until May.

Should be asking: Things you're curious about / can't find out online. Perhaps someone else will be able to offer more advice but I think I'd keep it simple. if you have a rapport perhaps ask for some suggestions of places to see when you do a campus visit.

Yay, jobs for grads!

I didn't apply anywhere that I didn't think I couldn't get into.

I presume you're talking about Miami of Ohio. I did more than consider it - I applied! It's on them now to do more than consider me. Hearing you mention the high priority bit is nice. I mentioned the flexibility to teach more than comp classes in my SOP. Hear that Miami? I'd like to park my big blue police box somewhere down in Oxford.

Spoke too soon. 1 school didn't get my GRE.

Shucks I just got an email from a Uni... I forgot to send my official scores. DAMN! own worst enemy... I sent the official scores and an email. Such Is Life.

My prophetic professor claims: You'll get in somewhere and they'll be lucky to have you.

Don't. Don't suffer. Don't submit to doubts. The difference between 15 and 16 pages (1 page for all you non-maths folks) is not going to break you as a scholar. And it certainly won't break you as a brilliant and wonderfully-human person. I understand your need for some form of metric, measuring sticks are reassuring. But you're building something that has never been built before. You have the tools (writing skills). You have the materials (research). So what if your porch looks a little different than mine? I bet it's a really great porch.

I can't say for sure - but things look good. Speak to your passion for CS in your SOP. I hope you get everything you want.

The Dalek in me says, "substantiate!" Entitle... that is a word I do not like. I can't stand how it is thrown around as an insult to the people who need a handout. I can't stand how presumptuous it is to just make the assertion that someone feels "entitled" to something. Please, please, please don't toss that word around. People were upset and wrote some comments - they were grieving, let em. Can we agree not to assume that folks feel entitled? please? And the bit about the accepted folks learning rejection later in life - You just don't know. I reckon that there is atleast 1 accepted student who has dealt with rejection already - be it cultural, social, economical, whatever. Children are abandoned by parents, society, or peers every day. And some of them end up at top schools. Soooooo - just don't assume they haven't dealt with rejection and don't assume they feel entitled.. just give them a pat on the back and wish them one love. Admissions is a crazy beast.

Thanks for the advice. I've cast a wide net - including Louisville... had a bit of a letter mix-up but the folks in KY were wicked awesome. ---- Y'all, My stuff is in. What a relief! I can finally stop stressing about letters and transcripts and start addressing the big question: what should I watch on netflix?

Congrats! (Handshakes, back slaps, applause)

Wait... is this the hard part? All my letters made it. All my transcripts made it. My card didn't bounce. I feel relieved that it's not on my anymore.

No fewer words than it takes to make the introduction cogent. No more words than it takes to make the introduction cogent. You're probably a super intelligent person; write the introduction and re-read it, does it make sense? is it too long? * I am in no way qualified to give you this advice; take it with a grain of salt.

Conflicting "up-vote" distribution from me. Marxian's advice is solid. However, Loric's advice rings true too; my Personal Statement was a relatively plain prose with a touch of daftness.

Salutations, I can't offer the advice you're looking for but I can offer a hearty welcome.