hiroshiman

I have lived in Ft. Collins for 11 of my 30 years. It is a fantastic place to be and you will love it here. Housing prices are reasonable, as well, especially if you find the right roommates (significantly more expensive if you need to live alone). For a 3 bedroom, you can find a college house shit-hole for $1000/month, and a decent place slightly further from campus with a yard and garden for $1500/month. If you are into outdoor activities - hiking, rock climbing, backpacking, snowshoeing, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, camping - then you have access to the best America has to offer.

Don't live in Longmont. Boulder housing can be a bit pricey, but Boulder is one of the most interesting and beautiful cities in the country. Also, if you are at all interested in outdoor activities (hiking, rock climbing, backpacking, mountain biking) you have incredibly easy access. If you're not interested in any of those activities, you should become interested. Longmont is boring and pointless, and public transportation between the two cities is not as convenient as one might expect. Housing can be found - unless you are rich, you're not going to live in a fabulous house by yourslef. You will need roommates, possibly several of them. That's just how it is because of the price of housing in Boulder. I used to live on Goss, and that is a fantastic location.

I have committed to Northwestern 100% and have received the official financial award letter. There are apparently 2 of us entering their program this fall, and my stress has receded to unrecognizable levels now that I know where I'm headed. What an intense process this whole application process was - now for the hard part!

Sunny - I don't envy you in your wait. Good luck.

I'm going for historical musicology and chose the school based on the overall reputation of the music program as well as a strong fit with the faculty based on my research interests. Chicago being such an amazing and vibrant city put it over the top. I'm leaning towards finding an apartment in Rogers Park. Its much cheaper than Evanston and I'd rather be in the city in any case. What are everyone's plans for housing?

Hi there. I've officially accepted my offer, and will be going to Northwestern this Fall!

I'll just add that boulder is gorgeous and a phenomenal place to live, albeit expensive.

Thanks guys! I should mention that this is my second time through the application process (previously applied to NW for fall 2011).

Really excited about Northwestern - the faculty are a fantastic fit for me, great financial package, and it was my top choice.

I got into Northwestern, holy shit. It was my top choice and my second time applying. I am over the moon.

And big congrats to the McGill acceptance!

Got my first acceptance today - from CU Boulder. Nice to know that whatever happens, this year won't be a shutout.

I'm supposed to hear from NW this week and I am on pins and needles.

Yeah, but think about how many dozens of applicants would love to be in that #3 spot.

Yes indeed, big congrats on Columbia! I'm a big Walter Frisch fan and I hear he's amazing to work with, if you get the chance.

I'm surprised at the myriad threads on attire. It's an important event, look nice.

I don't think that website tells you anything about how a professor is "ranked." If that is what you are using to make your choice, it is a mistake.

Just turned 30! Took 4 years off between undergrad and Master's, got the Master's at 28. A new decade seems to be the perfect time to begin a PhD program.

I just got an email from northwestern graduate admissions and my heart skipped a beat. It was just a survey to rate my visit.

I interviewed individually with 6 professors at a recent interview, and emailed all of them yesterday. I pointed directly to certain topics that came up in the interviews, and thanked them for inviting me to campus. I've already heard back from 3 of them, one of whom has said she will support my admission (yay!) - I say go for it. Can't hurt (unless you say something ridiculous in the email, that is).

I'll have to wait TWO WEEKS to hear back from Northwestern after the on campus interview. Maybe it'll take less time? This is even more grueling than waiting to hear about interviews/admissions. Especially since after the visit, I really want to go there.

I just attended a weekend like this, but there are still only 2 spots for 4 of us there for my degree program. So I'd say it's pretty important.

Done with the northwestern interview. I've really enjoyed my time here and have a very positive impression of the faculty and program. The 6 interviews were more like informal conversations based around my research interests as opposed to intense grilling. There are 4 musicologists here for 2 spots. I feel like my interviews went really well but everyone here is intelligent and qualified as well, so we'll see.

Wow, sorry to hear that.

I think it is a friendly, courteous email from Cornell to let you guys know not to worry, that they are still in the process of sorting through applicants. Some may have thought they had been forgotten or unofficially wait-listed, but now you know they are still looking. CP3 - I don't believe this year is an anomaly, there is always a prodigious supply of competitive applicants.