menachem

I was an alternate, but didn't get anything in the end

Congrats to those who won. Yeh, I'm also an alternate, but I can't imagine our chances are very high. Why would anyone turn down the first round? There are very few fellowships that pay more, and there are no obligations associated with this. Any ideas?

hmm, I didn't get any email yet. Can you just paste the link to the ratings sheets? thanks

Where can we find the ratings sheets?

me too. good luck with the nsf and ndseg....

I think you should certainly ask them. It certainly won't hurt to ask them about funding ("Oh, he asked for funding, then let's not give him, ha, ha, ha"). It will either help, or at worst you will then know where you stand. Maybe tell them how much you'd love to attend their programs have no way of paying, and ask them to consider you for financial aid.

I think that the difference between 700+ and 640, or 400+ and 360, is bigger than the difference between ten or eleven papers. So, I think if you are choosing between GRE scores and another research paper, you should go with the GREs.

They certainly won't reject if you for asking them what's going on. I'm sure they'll even be understanding, knowing that most people hear back much earlier. Why not write them an email asking about the status of your application. Here's a letter I sent to a few schools: Subject: Fall 2006 Applicant Question Dear Office of Admissions, Could you let me know the status of my application for the PhD program in _______? I have not yet heard back and I am currently making plans for the summer and next year. Thank you for your understanding and help. Sincerely, my name

By now you've probably already made your decision, but I would certainly have decided to go to place A. They two school are doing what's best for them, and you should do what's best for you. This is probably the only time in your graduate career that you'll have some control over your future; use it well. Explain to B that A was your first choice, and that they've given you a much better package. They'll understand; they deal with many of these cases every year. I'm sure some end up turning down B last second and going to A. When I was in a similar situation, the head of a large department at a top school told me that if "something really good comes from the other places, you can change your mind. It isn't nice, but what choice do you have. You don't have to worry about anyone remembering this a few years down the line at the jilted school." In the end, I heard back from my first choice, where I was waitlisted, right before I told the other place yes, but I still would have gone to choice A, even if I had already said yes to B.

I have been accepted to two programs but won't be able to visit both until the end of April. I asked both schools for an extension (till May 1st) for a decision, and both said they couldn't extend the deadline. I would really like to visit both schools before deciding where I'll study, work, and live for the next four, five years of my life. Would it be wrong to just accept both offers, then visit, and then apologize and reject an offer after having visited both places. It sounds a bit wrong, but I don't feel like there's a better alternative. Any suggestions?

You might want to contact the program about two things: 1) You could ask them when their first payments are made. 2) Perhaps explain your predicament and ask them if they might be able to advance you the first payment or payments to make your move easier. Perhaps they will be understanding; I know a friend of mine once asked a fellowship for this consideration and they were quite helpful to him. The worst that could happen is that they would say no. Good luck with your move!

I would email them and ask them about it. A few times I've had similar problems, emailed them at ndseg@asee.org, and they were always very prompt and helpful. It can't hurt and I think they would know best what's going on. Good luck.