Angulimala

Seems like I missed something here.... now it looks like someone talking to themselves lol.

Hello all, I am new to the Biology section of the forum, I am a Ph.D. student in sociology. But I am inquiring at the behest of my SO. I was wondering what are some schools who are strong in ecology/evolutionary bio. I would like to be knowledgeable of ones that lie outside the T20 in addition to the programs in the T20. Also, how is the application process for biology. I know in sociology we had to send in a writing sample of notable length and also write a statement of purpose along with our application. Is there a comparative process for biology??? If so what artifacts do you have to send in that represent you as a focused student etc etc.... Thanks for the help in advance

Might be redundant because I have stated elsewhere, I accepted Notre Dame's offer. So stoked...

Thanks for the insight, looks like I will do the grad school housing. The international focus seems interesting. I was just more worried about getting paired up with someone who likes to "party" etc. (but having someone thats at the complete other end of the spectrum is also unfavorable too,) but its nice to see that the facility as a whole is chill. After looking into it the pricing seems relatively comparable to other apt complexes in the area, and you can't beat that walk to campus. But hopefully I do not get stuck without A/C. I'd rather have a cold apt in the winter than a hot apt in the summer/spring months... yuck. Do you know if they allow window units????

So I will be moving to South Bend next semester, I was wondering what are some decent apartment complexes in the area (besides the grad school housing) that have large student populations. I need a facilty that can provide 1 BR apartments btw. I would preferaby like it as close to campus, but I if thats not how the off campus housing culture is set up then I am fine living a couple miles away from the school. I just know from my past experience at my undergrad institution all student housing was surrounding the campus so in a sense there was a giant student ghetto EXTREMELY close to campus. So socializing and meeting people was easy, this seems to be vastly different than Notre Dame and I just want to make sure I get in a complex/neighborhood that will allow me to meet people. Additionally, if anyone has any opinions on the grad housing provided through the school I would also take that option into consideration, I just don't know how I feel about doing the whole random roommate thing again seems sooo undergrad to me, lol. It either turns out to be an amazing situation or an absolutely abysmal situation.... at least in my experiences.

I would definitely say relax. I am currently pursuing my hobbies at full force atm (Starcraft II, Magic the Gathering, reading fiction,) while occasionally brushing up on sociological literature. I am coming straight from undergrad (except for having this spring semester off) and have been doing research in my area of interests for the the past 2 years (albeit in history, but still have read relevant literature) so I do not feel that I will be a "rusty" student and therefore am not too worried about gaining some advantage in this 5-6 month period of free time. I think it would be far more beneficial in the long run to relax and enjoy hobbies/hanging out with friends during this time. Also, I plan on saving up for a big vacation over the summer since I currently have a full-time job and do not have to save too much money given that I have full funding, so being able to blow money is cool too.

I will add to what Jacib said. I felt I was at a huge disadvantage being a first generation college student and coming from a lower socioeconomic family/community (but I think once I got to the interview stage this was in my favor since first-gen Ph.D. student seem to be a minority.) Now that I am back home from undergraduate school I am the only one I know applying to grad school, and frankly I am the only one I know who even went and finished their bachelor's degree except for maybe one or two of my friends the rest went to community college for technical degrees. Also, I went to a lesser known state school that does not usually produce Ph.D. candidates so I did not recieve too much help from them other than really good letters and a couple SOP edits. I cannot stress this enough, if it was not for this forum I would not have gotten into my number 1 choice, so THANKS EVERYONE!!!

I recently got accepted in my top choice program and had an interview at anothe place literally 3 days after I recieved my acceptance. So my airfare, hotel, and all that was already paid for. Even under such short notice I still told program that wanted an interview that I was not interested anymore and that I did not want to take a potential acceptance away from someone who was 100% set on this particular school. While I felt like pulled a shit move for flaking out last second, they were actually very happy with what I did. So after that situation I totally agree that it's never really a bad thing or a bad time to withdraw application or decline offers when you are 100% sure about it. It is better than wasting people's time, and it allows for those who are interested a better shot. And thats what I think is most important about withdrawing/declining, it allows others who are interested but not in yet a better shot.

Just got accepted to Notre Dame!!!!! So stoked they were my number one choice, and the department was amazing when we visited for the interview weekend. They really take good care of their students!!!

Yeah I haven't been "officially" rejected yet, but since people have posted official wait-lists I am not investing too much hope into the idea of being accepted. Sorry for a negative opinion, I just try to be as realistic as possible with this process, no need to create any extra distress when it could be avoided.

Yes I am another, I am waiting on the edge of my seat.

Yeah I am in the same position. My theories are (1) that there are so many rejections they just haven't sent them all, or (2) we got into the MAPPS thing and well get a different rejection letter. I saw some people talk about Chicago rejections and that they didn't get invited to the MAPPs program either, so maybe that's why some of us haven't been notified. Who knows?

That's how I am trying to look at it. Still wish I had at least one acceptance prior to the interview, to make me feel a little more at ease.

Same here man, same here.

According to their stats on the graduate school website, they average around 19 offers a year for the past 5 years. Last year was their lowest with 17 offers of admissions. Judging by the posts on this forum, they ask around 20-25 to go to the visit weekend every year. I have no idea what could have caused them to cut particular candidates, like poor interviews or poor fit etc.???? But regardless, that is a pretty high number of offers in relation to how many people go to the event. At the same time you also got to factor in those who didn't make it and got interviewed on the phone/skype. http://graduateschool.nd.edu/departments-and-programs/ph-d-programs/sociology/admissions-history/