Angua

I was in a similar situation - accepted without an interview to a place that wasn't my top choice, then aggressively recruited. I totally sympathize with you -- I also felt very overwhelmed and pressured, even after I asked for some time to consider their offer. Ultimately, I declined, even though I might have liked to get more information eventually. For me, part of the question was how likely this place would be to say or do something that would put them above the other places I have been accepted -- this is the question I would suggest you start by asking yourself. Consider the places you've gotten in already (I would strongly recommend setting aside places you haven't heard from officially yet, even if you interviewed already, until you hear officially). Is this place a serious contender? If, like me, you are simply unsure, you can certainly do more research, but also ask yourself: What could this place say or do that would make a difference? Focus on those things in your research, and if the answer is really "nothing," take that to heart. For me, the risk of being wrong about this question -- that is, the risk that there would actually be something that would make this place more appealing (or even equally appealing) -- was not enough to outweigh the peace of mind I got from declining the offer. From your signature, it looks like you will have some tough decisions to make no matter what. If this place is a serious contender, then it might be worth making another effort to get them to back off. Try being totally upfront -- you don't have much to lose. Tell them that you are waiting to hear back from some other schools, and you would like some time to sort out all of the information you have been given. But also keep in mind that: (1) you may be learning something valuable about them right now. If they can't respect your desire for time/space/etc., what does that suggest about how it will be to work with them? Maybe not a lot, but it's worth keeping in mind. (2) There may be other people who would be really excited about this program that they can move forward with if you decline. This is, honestly, a minor consideration as long as they are a serious possibility for you, but once you get to the point that they are more "insurance" than anything else, I'd think about it. Good luck to you. This is an overwhelming process, even when it goes very well.

Thought I would add a few questions I've gotten about my interests that might apply to others (particularly those applying to heavily interdisciplinary programs or departments): We (in X Social Department) do a lot applied work, but we also do a lot of theory-building work. Which would you say is your preferred balance of applied/theory work? [or] You've done a lot of applied work, are you open to and/or interested in more theoretical work? [or] Let me ask you the (Name of Professor in the Department)-question: what does your (applied) work tell us about the way the brain works? What is your preferred approach to research? Is it analysis of existing datasets, quantitative methods, experimental (etc.)? If you had all the resources you wanted, what's the first question you would set out to answer?

This is going to sound like totally lame advice, I'm afraid, but: try to have fun with it! If I were scheduled for that many faculty meetings, I'd do as heartshapedcookie suggests and just look over the work of those that are close matches for you (you probably already know who those people are). For the rest, think of it like a conference instead of an interview. You're meeting people in your field (roughly), and you're being given the chance to ask them what they're working on, and tell them what your interests are. Any halfway-realistic professor is going to realize that you are meeting a ton of people, and if they aren't close research matches with you, they shouldn't expect you to be well-versed in their research or their interests. What they're (probably) going to be looking for is whether you seem like a smart person that is able to discuss your own work and work in the department coherently and pleasantly. In other words: are you someone they want to be a part of the department, even if they aren't going to be doing much work directly with you? You, conversely, are looking to seek if you want these people to be your colleagues for the next 5-6 years. So try to have fun! Good luck & congrats! Edited to add: Don't forget that the students you meet have been through this process or a similar one, so they can also tell you what to expect! I've chatted with a few current students who've said things like "Professor X will ask you about your research, and probably offer you candy" or "Professor Y will probably talk sports and anything but research."

Things have not gone quite as I expected during this process, and I am now wondering if I should cancel a scheduled interview visit. The program I am thinking of cancelling on is one I don't know much about, and it is a very large interview weekend process (lots of invites, lots of logistics, sort of a "cattle call" model). They were one of the first programs to contact me, and I scheduled my visit a while ago. Based on the programs that have accepted me since then (which I haven't yet visited, and which I'm really only slightly better informed about), I have a hard time imagining that this place could compete, even if the interview goes well and they decide to admit me. I feel like I still have a lot to learn about all of the schools and programs, and part of me wants to go to the interview for that reason, but I'm starting to wonder -- should I just cancel? I'm not 100% against this school, but it seems to me that, unless something really weird happens when I visit my other top choices, it's unlikely to wind up on top. They booked my travel directly with a travel agent, so they should be able to at least get an account credit for my flight (and I'm not stuck paying for it), right? I don't want to take a spot from someone for whom this would be a number one pick, but I don't know that there's much risk of that -- their interview process is so huge that I doubt there's a waiting list for invites.

This sounds like a typical flaky professor, not an attempt at sabotage (not that it makes things all that much better right now while you're waiting!). Try to stay positive/sane!

Several social admits went out about two weeks ago, and invites to the Welcome Weekend for admitted students (again, for social -- I don't know if other sections are having their visits at the same time) went out at the end of last week, with an RSVP deadline of Monday.

My biggest policy push would be to send out rejections as soon as someone is no longer in the running, so that they can all move on. Clearly not going to cut it? Rejection email ASAP! Decent candidate, but looks like a bad fit? Rejection letter today! On further reflection, we're inviting a bunch of other people for interviews (and there won't be enough spots for them, so there's definitely not a spot for this other candidate!)? Rejected now!! Came out for the interview and was a total jerk / intolerable diva / just plain bad fit? Rejection email NAO! I'd be the Oprah of rejection letters. YOU get a rejection, and YOU get a rejection, and YOU GET A REJECTION!! YAAAAAAAHHHHHH!

Most of my applications were in Social Psych -- I've been accepted to the University of Michigan and the University of Minnesota Psych Departments. My OB interests lean toward JDM / group dynamics & conflict resolution, with some specific applications related to my current field (which could out me, so please forgive the coyness ). I'm also fascinated by Marketing stuff in general, but it doesn't fit very well into my other research interests -- one of the reasons a B-school really appeals to me is the chance to sit in on some of that as well. What are your interests?

It's hard to give you advice or thoughts without knowing what your concerns or priorities are. I don't know much about MSW specifically, but both of those schools are very well-respected in general. Some initial thoughts: Did you visit the programs? What did you think of the campuses? What did you think of the faculty? Philadelphia is a slightly cheaper place to live than Chicago -- how important is that to you? Where do you want to end up working? You will have an easier time networking locally or regionally near school you attend -- but, of course, you aren't limited to networking nearby. Have you looked at the course and work requirements? Which program has more interesting coursework? Which seems to have better internship/placement opportunities? Do you have a particular interest within Social Work, like forensic work or work with children? If so, is one program better designed to emphasize that area? Does one have more faculty in that area in the other? Does one have better placement in that area than the other? Are you moving with a spouse, partner, or children? How will each of these areas be for them?

Hmm. 20 minutes is pretty short for an interview, even if the professor is not a POI. It sounds like it could be speaking test, as you say. Regardless, I would recommend that you be prepared to discuss your work and interests, and to ask questions about the program. I think it's always a good idea to be ready to ask about the work of the person interviewing you -- even when that work is way outside your interests, it's important to show that you can be an interested member of the department, and that you can discuss and show interest in the work of others. Good luck to you!

Thanks for the tip -- I hadn't come across this.

Both of my admissions have been without interviews. With one, we exchanged a brief and highly non-substantive email about how seriously I was considering their program. With the other, there was complete radio silence until the admission letter. So don't give up!

I think you've got a really compelling and interesting SOP here. My biggest criticism is that I would like to see a clearer connection between the experience in Japan and your proposed field of study (especially as it relates to the specific program(s) to which you are applying). I think it's there, but it's a little bit overshadowed right now. Here are the passages I would cut: This section comes a little out of nowhere, and I don't think it adds anything to the paragraph or to the SOP as a whole. I also don't think this adds much. I would assume, based on your discussion of volunteering in Japan, that you speak some Japanese. I would also infer that you gained the skills one learns while living abroad. It's not that I think either of these sections are "bad" -- they're just where I would start cutting if I needed to trim 100 words! Good luck to you!

This may be the wrong thread for this, but what is human geography? Sounds kind of cool!

Recently annoying - psychology "jokes." In almost every new conversation I have had lately about grad school, I've gotten one of two jokes: Me: I was admitted to X Psychology program! Them: As a patient? (har. har. har.) or Me: I was admitted to X Psychology program! Them: Great, then you'll be able to fix So-And-So! (nevermind that I'm in experimental, not counseling/clinical -- that would interfere with the punchline!) Newsflash: The last 15 people I talked to made that EXACT joke. You're not as funny as you think you are.

Don't forget to reach out to your alma mater -- check in with professors (even if they don't remember you, some will be happy to talk), make an appointment (by phone, if necessary) with your old career office. Get lots of advice, and if you make a good impression, they may be able to help you find a position. Also, when I started looking, I was surprised how many different terms institutions use. Don't forget to look for "lab manager," "research associate," and "research assistant." Er, also also, be sure you are searching broadly. Look for related departments that might be hiring, like human development, early childhood labs, etc.

Your CV can also include a section on "Ongoing Projects" or "Complete Projects" where you can briefly describe the project and exactly what you did. I disagree that admission's committees don't care about unpublished work. Certainly, a manuscript that is under review is not a publication, and it won't count as a publication. But it is still the product of experience in a research setting, and it is still relevant. You mention that some apps tell you not to include "under review" papers on your CV -- make sure that they actually say not to include them on your CV. My experience was that some apps told me not to include them in the parts of the application asking about publications, but I never saw one that said they couldn't be on my CV itself. Again, don't focus on painting them as publications -- present them as projects to which you have significantly contributed. As for the hear of your problem -- were there grad students in the lab when you were doing the work? Is there someone else you can get to write an LOR about that experience? I agree that it would be best to have someone who can speak about your actual research skills -- maybe this prof isn't the only one who could? At this point, it seems like having his name on the letter wouldn't be much of a boost, anyway. Good luck!

I put subheadings on the parts of my SOP that discussed my research projects and ideas. The "flow" was the sentence before them that said something like, "To give you an idea of the projects that excite me, here are two areas I've been working on:" And then each subsection had a brief subheading. After those two sections, I picked back up into the SOP. Sometimes, like when they ask for a specific topic proposal, I think it can be more harmful to the flow to try to make it seem like you just happened to decide to shove a topic proposal in among your career plans.

I'm right there with you. I feel super fortunate that things have gone pretty well so far, but I'm starting to get really hostile about the places that I'm pretty sure just haven't bothered to reject me yet. I just want to get on with it!

I would be happy to offer advice about whether chocolate chip banana bread skills should appear on your CV, but I really think it depends on the quality. Tell you what, I'll PM you my address, and you can all send me samples. You know, for science.

Yes. I have had variations of this conversation so. many. times. For me, I can't even say for sure that I haven't heard from my top choice, because I honestly didn't have strong favorites when I applied. So my version goes: Them: Any news? Me: I got into University of X! Them: That's great, you'll love it in Cityville! Where are you going to live? Me: Erm, yeah, I've heard it's great there. I still have a while before I make a decision, though. Them: Oh. [confusion] So it's not your top choice? Me: Well, I really don't know yet. Them: Oh. [confusion] How many places are you waiting to hear back from? Me: About 15. [grumpy cat face]

I've been asked to write my own letters before (thankfully, not this time around), and I agree that it really puts you in a difficult position. Not only is it hard to write the kind of effective letter that someone else would write, but many applications will force you to sign/agree that you haven't seen the letter or had any part in writing it (as others have said, it's not that uncommon -- but it's still lousy!). I would strongly consider asking a different recommender, if you have that luxury. This one is doing you a number of disservices.

I agree with all of ridofme's great suggestions. I'd also suggest flipping the last paragraph around, so that it starts with what you learned and how you've applied it.

I think what (s)he's saying is this: if you already have a good foundation in your area of interest, one more class on your transcript won't make or break you. In other words, if you are asking which one will make your overall transcript most competitive, the answer is: it probably doesn't really matter. Here's what I would consider in making this decision: Is there a weakness in your course history or experience so far that you can fill with one of these classes? From your first post, it sounds like there isn't, but be sure that your advisers aren't really saying that they think there is a weakness you need to fill. As I said, you seem to have a solid foundation in both of your areas of interest. If you wanted to expand into say, individual differences or personality, I would suggest that you take a course on that, because you don't seem to have any yet. But you seem to have covered your interests pretty well. Will one of these courses allow you to develop your research interests -- or better yet, your completed research? This is a hard question to answer in advance, but think about how the course is structured (large lecture, small seminar?) and what it covers. I would think that a more advanced class could be better for this than a more intro class, but an exception to that would be an intro class in something that you are interested in expanding your research towards but don't have much experience in. Also consider the professor -- is the professor for one course doing work that interests you particularly? They may steer the class towards things that are more interesting as well. And even if they don't, see #3. Will one of these courses allow you to make a new or better connection with a professor in your field? You will need good letters of recommendation, obviously, but you will also benefit from knowing more faculty in your field and having them know you. They can give you advice, and they can reach out informally on your behalf. Again, a smaller and more advanced class could be better for this, but a bigger course with a professor that does research you are interested in could also be very good, as long as you take the time and effort to form a relationship. Will one of these courses make or break your GPA? This would be my last consideration, but I would still think about it. If you can do especially well in one of these courses, it could help your GPA, your in-major GPA, and your reputation with the professor who teaches it. Similarly, if you think a course will take too much of your time, or that you can't do well in it, you may want to think about how that could impact your grades and reputation. Again, this would be the last thing I would worry about -- the other factors are more important, IMHO.

First, try not to worry too much until it's actually an issue. You may be able to make interview travel work around your class schedule (several that I am aware of are on weekends, with arrival Friday night). If there is a conflict, let your professors know in the way others have suggested here. If they won't budge, you can always ask the grad programs for alternative arrangements -- think about which programs are the most important for you, and which programs you're more comfortable visiting with at an alternate time.