jazzyd

Real life backup plan? (Because I did - do - have one). Something in web development, communications, and/or design.
 
Fantasy backup plan? Beyonce back up dancer.

More employable.

Am I playing this game right? 

How/Why? My undergraduate school funnels people into a particular nearby program at a larger university. Although the program is not extremely highly ranked or competitive (typically placed in the 90s on USNWR), it has regional name recognition, gives full funding (to MA and PhD students) and thus serves its graduates well. With a foreknowledge of the students from my undergraduate department who have been admitted (their grades, test scores, interests, writing abilities, graduate advisors etc.), I was certain I (as well as my professors) I would get in. Guess what. I got in (I immediately rejected the offer). Nonetheless, for my very specific situation, it was my "safety school." I don't  think there is no such thing as a safety school, but safety schools are extremely relative to one's personal situation/standing. If you have enough knowledge of a program and it's admits, etc. I think you can pretty much gauge your ability to get accepted. Trying to gauge your chances at Harvard, or UVA, or UC Berkeley etc. are far more difficult than Regional State University. Call it arrogant. Fine. It still stands that sometimes "safe schools" exist. 

you guys... it's SO EARLY. SO SO EARLY. 

Congratulations to everyone who's gotten the good news so far! I'm sure this has everyone on edge now, but there's still a lot of time yet before a good chunk of programs start notifying. Another 2-3 weeks at least I'd say. 
 
And for those who haven't heard back from schools that started notifying, take a deep breath. This train has barely even pulled out of the station. Still a lot of time to go so don't count yourself out yet at all. 
 
Everybody should have a glass of wine and relax.

I'm sure they expect it, but I wouldn't do so. You will eventually get a decisions notification from the department, either through e-mail or an e-mail telling you to check the website. If it's been a really long time, like almost April, with no word either way, than maybe maybe check up on the status of your application (and chances are if it's been that long without hearing, it's a no; some departments are rudely slow at sending rejections).

I'm sure they expect it, but I wouldn't do so. You will eventually get a decisions notification from the department, either through e-mail or an e-mail telling you to check the website. If it's been a really long time, like almost April, with no word either way, than maybe maybe check up on the status of your application (and chances are if it's been that long without hearing, it's a no; some departments are rudely slow at sending rejections).

Professor is preferred, I believe. 

Misread this as "a glass of wine and sex", so there's that... 

Congratulations to everyone who's gotten the good news so far! I'm sure this has everyone on edge now, but there's still a lot of time yet before a good chunk of programs start notifying. Another 2-3 weeks at least I'd say. 
 
And for those who haven't heard back from schools that started notifying, take a deep breath. This train has barely even pulled out of the station. Still a lot of time to go so don't count yourself out yet at all. 
 
Everybody should have a glass of wine and relax.

Congratulations to everyone who's gotten the good news so far! I'm sure this has everyone on edge now, but there's still a lot of time yet before a good chunk of programs start notifying. Another 2-3 weeks at least I'd say. 
 
And for those who haven't heard back from schools that started notifying, take a deep breath. This train has barely even pulled out of the station. Still a lot of time to go so don't count yourself out yet at all. 
 
Everybody should have a glass of wine and relax.

Congratulations to everyone who's gotten the good news so far! I'm sure this has everyone on edge now, but there's still a lot of time yet before a good chunk of programs start notifying. Another 2-3 weeks at least I'd say. 
 
And for those who haven't heard back from schools that started notifying, take a deep breath. This train has barely even pulled out of the station. Still a lot of time to go so don't count yourself out yet at all. 
 
Everybody should have a glass of wine and relax.

Congratulations to everyone who's gotten the good news so far! I'm sure this has everyone on edge now, but there's still a lot of time yet before a good chunk of programs start notifying. Another 2-3 weeks at least I'd say. 
 
And for those who haven't heard back from schools that started notifying, take a deep breath. This train has barely even pulled out of the station. Still a lot of time to go so don't count yourself out yet at all. 
 
Everybody should have a glass of wine and relax.

Congratulations to everyone who's gotten the good news so far! I'm sure this has everyone on edge now, but there's still a lot of time yet before a good chunk of programs start notifying. Another 2-3 weeks at least I'd say. 
 
And for those who haven't heard back from schools that started notifying, take a deep breath. This train has barely even pulled out of the station. Still a lot of time to go so don't count yourself out yet at all. 
 
Everybody should have a glass of wine and relax.

Congratulations to everyone who's gotten the good news so far! I'm sure this has everyone on edge now, but there's still a lot of time yet before a good chunk of programs start notifying. Another 2-3 weeks at least I'd say. 
 
And for those who haven't heard back from schools that started notifying, take a deep breath. This train has barely even pulled out of the station. Still a lot of time to go so don't count yourself out yet at all. 
 
Everybody should have a glass of wine and relax.

Just got my official call from the DGS at OSU this morning! Now I'm officially beyond excited . I definitely think I'll be attending the Open House.

You'd think, but that's how messed up GC is in a way. Obviously, getting the first acceptance was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, but after one you start to get... greedy? Or maybe just hopeful? Like, "if X school wanted me, surely I have a better shot than I previously thought at school W, Y, Z"? Which is no way necessarily the case at all.
 
Checking gradcafe everyday prevented me from fully appreciating the acceptances I did get. Because no matter what program you get into, someone's going to be getting into another program that rejected you. And its much different seeing it posted by someone in a thread or up on the results page than just knowing in the back of your mind that a program filled their slots with other people. I was even at a point during the process when I considered reapplying the next season, this was after I had multiple acceptances from quality programs across the country. Thankfully some very stern but benevolent members gave me the reality check needed.
 
Applying to grad school, man... it'll drive you cuckoo. 

You'd think, but that's how messed up GC is in a way. Obviously, getting the first acceptance was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, but after one you start to get... greedy? Or maybe just hopeful? Like, "if X school wanted me, surely I have a better shot than I previously thought at school W, Y, Z"? Which is no way necessarily the case at all.
 
Checking gradcafe everyday prevented me from fully appreciating the acceptances I did get. Because no matter what program you get into, someone's going to be getting into another program that rejected you. And its much different seeing it posted by someone in a thread or up on the results page than just knowing in the back of your mind that a program filled their slots with other people. I was even at a point during the process when I considered reapplying the next season, this was after I had multiple acceptances from quality programs across the country. Thankfully some very stern but benevolent members gave me the reality check needed.
 
Applying to grad school, man... it'll drive you cuckoo. 

You'd think, but that's how messed up GC is in a way. Obviously, getting the first acceptance was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, but after one you start to get... greedy? Or maybe just hopeful? Like, "if X school wanted me, surely I have a better shot than I previously thought at school W, Y, Z"? Which is no way necessarily the case at all.
 
Checking gradcafe everyday prevented me from fully appreciating the acceptances I did get. Because no matter what program you get into, someone's going to be getting into another program that rejected you. And its much different seeing it posted by someone in a thread or up on the results page than just knowing in the back of your mind that a program filled their slots with other people. I was even at a point during the process when I considered reapplying the next season, this was after I had multiple acceptances from quality programs across the country. Thankfully some very stern but benevolent members gave me the reality check needed.
 
Applying to grad school, man... it'll drive you cuckoo. 

Ahhhhhhhh!
 
So I'm hoping this isn't some random glitch because I haven't gotten an email or phone call or letter or anything yet, but a little while ago, I took a random glance at the results board and saw a few posts from people saying they'd been accepted at Ohio State. So I just checked my own page on the app status site and it says, "Congratulations - you have been offered admission!"
 
Ahhhhhhhh! *flails Kermit-style*

100 days until my final exams. I have all sorts of questions and considerations about finishing up gifts for profs, staying in touch, announcements, party, etc but I’d hate to ruin the moment with trivial questions.

Woo. 100!

What programs did you apply to? If you applied to a good range already, I think it's unlikely that throwing in more at this point will help. Especially since fit is of the utmost importance.

I wish someone would pay me in PhD recruitment events...
 

Programs that are more about the numbers I'm guessing can move through applications faster and thus notify their applicants earlier. Chemistry, Biology, Psychology programs are much more likely to have hard cut-offs right off the bat as far as evaluating applications. If a program gets 500 applications and can eliminate 250 of them based on GRE score alone, they're already well ahead of English. Also, don't deadlines for the sciences at least tend to be a bit earlier?
 
 
It's not surprising at all. It's not even halfway through January! Classes have resumed here since we're on the quarter system, but I know a lot of universities are still on break and will be for the next two or three weeks. If you're resigned to checking the Results Search page - still I advise, stay away if you can! - you can look at past years and see that mid-Jan is the very earliest (so next week sometime), with early February being really when the madness starts. 
 
Good luck everyone! I'm sure your applications are wonderful!

Done with all 13 applications!  And not dead!