RubyBright

Schools often send letters in February and March, but it varies widely. check the results page (http://thegradcafe.com/survey/index.php) and search for your program to see when letters have previously been sent.

burning fire

I love that this page has mostly turned into happy congratulations on acceptances, instead of everyone "losing their damn mind." May the happiness outweigh the uncertainty.

cherry pie

YAAAAAAY! GO, PhDREAMS!

graduate assistant

Keep your chin up, LittleChai. It's not over yet.

Don't tell me these things!

We can only wish!

over under

I heard a member of the adcom at one of my schools is going on vacation. Time to stop checking on that application every day.

worldwide web

taco salad

Maybe, maybe not. It depends on whether or not they can fairly evaluate your chances at specific universities, against specific other applicants.

I often hear that I should go to law school. As if I a.) have never thought of this myself, and their comment will surely cause a revelation or b.) have never heard it from anyone else. Clearly if I had any desire to be a lawyer, I would be applying to 3-year law programs instead of 5-year PhD programs in a completely different field.

garden dirt

Wow, that seems really late! When were admissions decisions sent out last year, according to the Gradcafe results page?

Love that emoticon. Perfectly conveys my feelings. After interview, before a decision. It was asking a question post-interview. I agree with Vincenzo. I laughed pretty hard. I hope your POI has a sense of humor, because if so, I'm sure he appreciated it.

Sure, it's a little scary to think you could easily end up at a university like that (assuming you're brilliant)... but the PhD students I know at my school are not downtrodden or mentally abused. In fact, the one working in my lab seems relatively content with his lot in life, as long as it doesn't drag on too long, and his cohort seems to largely be the same. Yes they put in long hours, and they work hard, but as far as I can tell, they're far from being destroyed. The professors are collaborative, and seem to treat their students pretty well. Maybe this less abusive model isn't a common situation, but I see it, and I know it exists.

sun god

In addition to all of the things already mentioned, the current students definitely do know more about the program than you do! Even if you don't want to be buddy-buddy, professional courtesy is a necessary life skill, and it will go a long way. Good luck!

Watson, what kind of SAT scores do you need to get a job like that?

The only people I don't mind telling me that they think I have a good chance of getting in are the current grad students. The trauma is still recent in their minds, so I figure they see my chances more clearly.

You would be getting an upvote if I had any left today.

sun room