RubyBright

caffeinated beverage

Not always, but it does seem to happen a lot, especially if schools fund your tuition instead of waiving it. It's cheaper to fund an in-state applicant than an out-of-state one.

counseling services

I think I'd prefer chocolate, if it's all the same. I hear you on that. I was the very first one to post information on one of my programs, going all the way back to when the results started in 2006. Trust me, I checked!

I'm afraid to report that I have been more obsessive about results checking since coming to GradCafe, as it encourages the madness and keeps the matter always at the forefront of my mind.

last dance

Twelve Sisters

personal problem

I'm sure it's different for every kind of program (and school), but mine do admissions committees in the individual departments... so all I would like to know is when they think the ad coms might meet to start looking at apps. They're meeting tomorrow? Awesome. They're meeting the first week of March? Well, okay. It makes a difference for how I handle communications with other schools, and how often I check my apps. But the information can be pretty hard to come by. I completely appreciate the time and effort that goes into application review; when possible, I just think it would be nice to have at least a ballpark on when the process begins.

cat's eye

The weekends never came so fast as when I didn't really want them to arrive. Now anxiously awaiting Monday, and another week of possible decision days...

Maybe we should gather together everyone who applied to a certain school, and have them draw straws to see who should call and ask about when decisions are being made.

In the interest of anyone else reading this thread in a similar situation, I will mention that it's useful to keep an interview if at all possible for a different reason: networking. Even if it's just a phone/Skype interview, it can help establish professional connections that may help you out down the line.

Grad school applications. Misery Fun for the whole family!

world map

chicken legs

I find the noise in public settings to be very distracting, because it's all novel noise. I prefer to listen to music I'm very familiar with if I'm working out in public. It blocks the chatter and noise, and produces a much lower cognitive load. That said, I use earbuds because they're easier to carry around.

I don't about "really good", but definitely a good sign, at least. They wouldn't bother to have someone call you unless they were interested. Good luck!

wild child

If you're not sure how to proceed, try asking them what they think about the program. If they like it, they'll probably have a lot to say, and you can base questions off of what they tell you.

Or try asking how many students typically receive teaching assistantships versus research ones, or fellowships, and how these things are decided.

Just hang in there. You may have to wait a while as they slowly hear back from students who have chosen a different school, but as long as you're high on the list, you definitely have a decent chance.

We're all in the same boat, just with different variations. I hope things work out for you.

I'm starting to consider when I can call schools to ask about decisions while sounding like a reasonable, curious human being instead of a desperate applicant.

I feel like the only one here who is more likely to buy myself a consolation gift than a reward - if I'm accepted, I'll be looking at five more years where every penny counts, instead of an increased income at a gainful job. Too practical?