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Five years off after high school, graduated undergrad at 26, 1 year off after undergrad, 1 year in a masters program before switching to the 'right' one, two years there. Should I be accepted I'll have just turned 31. I actually think age isn't a big factor. In education (my field) there were 50-somethings with full careers working on Ed.Ds and Ph.Ds, as well as 22-24 year olds in the same program. I was slightly on the higher end, but not significantly so. Every age and type of background offers something. In response to PanicMode, I don't think schools intend to mold individuals. That seems cynical. I like to think if you find the right program/POI, then you're okay. Best of luck to you...and in agreement with a previous post, the field you're in dramatically alters the average age, such as education. Not many principals returning for doctorates who are in their 20s.

Hi All, Has anyone heard something back from Pitt? If so, what programs? I interviewed on Jan. 17, no word yet, and nothing up in the results. Thanks!

Thanks for the feedback. I have a feeling my department will move rather quickly as well, though I understand how different programs are. Namely, that you've gone past Physics and Bio 101 It sounds like you've gotten in somewhere (Penn?)...great school, congratulations! I wish you the best, and thanks for your well wishes! My expectation is pretty similar. Good luck to you, and I hope the results turn out well.

Hi All, I interviewed on 1/17 for a Ph.D. position in a school of ed. It was a quick turnaround, as the apps were due on 1/15 (I was contacted the next day). The adcom was meeting the day AFTER my interview (1/18, a Friday) and continuing on into last week. I recognize it's been a short time, but is there a typical post-interview waiting period to hear back one way or another? If it helps any, the interview went well, and I was told my POI would be in contact with 'hard' dates when he could. Waiting sucks, but I'm curious if anyone has a rough idea from experience/multiple experiences. This is my first interview. (Monday mornings are awesome until the only email I get is spam. And then it's just...Monday). Thanks, and good luck to all who are in the waiting period!

There's an expression I love: "don't look for zebras in New York." Because there are no zebras. And as Freud says, "sometimes a cigar is just a cigar." I think it's safe to say that there are no zebras in those notifications, and that you should take them at face value: acceptance. Congrats

Sociology Definition: 1. The study of development, structure, and the functioning of human society [apparently also the devolution of civil communication) 2. The study of social problems [interpersonal communication included?] I'm no sociologist, but I love that you guys are studying social problems. The future is bright. But...there's such a dearth of social problems on this thread! What is there to study?? Ah, the bitter battles of a humanities field. Intense stuff. Is anyone else amused by the rancor? This is like two Hallmark executives divorcing their wives because their Valentine's cards only had three bunnies, not four. THEY WANTED FOUR BUNNIES!!!! Get it straight. I would love to see some Psych comments...this is so ripe for analysis.

I'm applying to a related field...my POI has an HDFS doctorate. He emailed me the day after the app due date and I spoke with him for almost an hour via phone the following day (yay?), the day before the adcom met for the first time (Friday). Nervous as f#ck that I will or will not get in (both are scary). If you want to PM me I'd be happy to share some more details. I looked at quite a few HDFS programs, probably the same ones you did.

That is pretty helpful info, though it sounds a bit different from the 'chat' I'll have. The POI never made mention of a pre-interview interview, rather emphasizing the informality of the talk and the fact it would take about 15 minutes, and that he wanted to talk a bit before the adcom meeting. The timing seems to indicate what Bearcat1 said...he's gathering some general info to take in as ammo. I'm guessing he'll ask about potential gaps in my app (ha) and research alignment, potential funding and assistantship concerns. I'm not sure what will happen, but it seems a decision will be made early next week at the first adcom meeting, rather than after a formal interview. I'll see, I guess. If someone thinks I'm way off base, let me know...

Thanks for the positive feedback, much appreciated I hope the 'chat' is pretty simple, and like you said will serve to clarify some questions he might have. I'm kind of shocked he got back to me so quickly...I'm quite excited, but unsure exactly what will happen. Hopefully it leads someone positive!

Hi All, My target school's application due date was yesterday (1/15), and I got an email today from my POI saying thus: "Hi _____. Thanks for applying to the __School of Ed based___ PhD program! The faculty will be meeting for our first discussion of admissions early next week. Before that I'd like to have a quick, informal phone chat with you if possible. I know it's short notice, but would you be available for a phone call tomorrow or Friday? Specifically (eastern time zone): [Time#1, Time #2]" I've not had an academic interview of any type before (thankfully I've had a couple recent phone job interviews), and I'm trying not to read into this too much...anyone have similar experiences they can share and if this is a good sign, what the between-the-lines may be? The celerity in response seems pretty positive as does the fact it's my POI but I'm extremely naive here... Also, what the heck is an informal phone chat? I've been in communication with the POI before and my SOP specifically talks about his lab and working with him (what I can add), so I assume it will have to do with research interests. Does anyone out there have experience with this type of pseudo-interview? What can I expect? I would appreciate any and all suggestions/thoughts/warnings/etc. With candor, if possible Thanks so much. First morning in awhile I'm not sure if it's the coffee making me shake... Whatever happens, man it feels good to be noticed. I'm guessing a lot of you can relate...I've had more than my share of rejections.

Point taken. The reason for applying just to one is that I had a very late, unexpected start...I was planning on applying for next year. If this doesn't work out (which it very well might not), I'll do pretty much exactly what you suggest...3-6 even. I'll have a lot more time to research places. And yes, 12 was a lot for the wallet. I'm aware I'll probably be young as a ed student in a Ph.D. program, seen that first hand in my master's. Probably more so in education than most fields. I meant more I have a better understanding now than 5-10 years ago about the process and it's unpredictability...it's a crap shoot. I appreciate your second reply...thank you. Thanks...I'm glad it came through, even after midnight with a bad cold. I hope someone sees it too, and that I've backed it up with my materials. My recs should be helpful but who knows? I really appreciate your well wishes

All good feedback, thank you. The POI studied under a big name in the field, and the department is small and intimate, so I imagine the cutthroat mentality doesn't apply...it's a good school, but not so elite that people don't help each other out. I believe there's enough research overlap with other professors that the POI has allies, at the very least. The emphasis on interdepartmental study also seems like a good sign...there isn't a isolatory nature. I come from a similar program that encourages dual advisorships in doctoral students, so the newness doesn't concern me. The inexperience, yes, but in my mind it would be exciting to start with someone...I could get in on the ground level of some great research. I asked him directly about funding, and he said there are good opportunities with teaching/research positions...I may be naive, but I think there's a common goal in the department, and young professors who have earned the right to be hired will be given every chance to succeed. Until they don't...as I have seen firsthand. But the POI is publishing frequently. To the succint commenter...I'm 30, and have had a very unorthodox 12 years. I was planning on taking a year off, but then saw this program as my significant other was researching assistant professorships in a different field (very different), and I had time to apply. I applied to 12 English Ph.D. programs years back, got pretty much nothing because I had no focus and no idea where to apply and no personalization in my PS. This is my strongest version yet, by a very long shot. It's completely devoted to the school. I know by this time in my academic career (and life) that there are a million variables. I got nothing from 12, and am much more qualified for this 1. Why not? I'm not a kid anymore. Better one strong app than 12 crap ones. That's why I applied to one and will not apply to others. Que sera sera.

Hi all, First post, long time reader of the site. I'm applying to a single Ph.D. program (psychology-based in a school of education) after receiving a master's from a top-20 school. I have direct internship experience (1 years worth, spread over two internships) and a thesis directly aligned with my POI and his ongoing research projects, and the school's program in general. I explicitly mention him and only him (along with a supporting, inter-departmental secondary POI) in my Personal Statement. I've been through the Ph.D. application process before and believe this is a very good fit, by far the best I've found. I've contacted the POI with my interests and he said they were great and encouraged me to apply (actually knows and loves my advisor's work). I have zero idea what my chances are. GRE scores seem irrelevant, as they were taken in 2008 and meet the baseline criteria (plus this is a school of ed, so I don't know if it matters especially as I've already gotten a master's). Also, GPA undergrad and grad is acceptable. No publications, but my internships were very strong. Strong recs (including the above advisor), and multiple years in teaching assistantships including in grad school. The program I'm applying to emphasizes teaching. Writing sample is my thesis, and because I'm applying to just one program the Personal Statement is completely school-specific. Anyone have an idea of acceptance rates for programs like this? It is on the lower end of the top 25 in schools of ed (I don't care about rankings), and what makes it interesting and hard to gauge is that the POI is a first year prof. Do they tend to receive less applications because they are 'unknown?' The secondary POI is also very new... Thoughts?