ShiningInShadows

My theory on the difference between 5 and 6 is knowledge. Not knowledge about the test but personal or experiential knowledge. That and it's more about the "analytical" than the "writing" at this point. I ended up with a 5.5 on the AW. I know I had every rule about writing the ETS study guide throws at you in my head and everything I picked up from my boss over the course of getting papers published. At the end of the day though, I figured there's only so much I could prepare for since I wouldn't know the topics would be, and when I got there I found ways to connect the topics to things I know about (i.e. my current specialization). Once I did that, crap just flowed out of me like a sewer pipe. The other half of it is the analytical part. Think the old quote about all the monkeys with typewriters remaking Shakespeare. Are you really generating anything relevant on the fly, or are you saying very little in a very elaborate way? AND, can you frame it in a coherant manner? In short, there's a program out there called "Habits of Mind," stop me if you've heard it before. Our department integrates it into our curriculum and it's supposed to be 16 habits of effective leaders, or something to that extent. One of these habits is "responding with awe and wonderment," or something to that extent (I don't do this part of the program so I'm really winging it here). I figure that making the ETS people "respond with awe and wonderment" is the goal here (read: blow their $&*#ing minds out).

I applied to three schools. I know, that probably sounds like I'm under-applying, but I've been working professionally for almost 5 years with a MA and I've already specialized it down pretty tightly so that limits my relevent POIs. Two have unofficially rejected me, and my last one (and top choice at that) was suppose to meet to make decisions last Friday. I work from home on Fridays so needless to say I got little done and I'm not feeling very productive in my office today. It's like every tick of the clock is cartoonishly loud. I take comfort in the fact I still have my current well paying job if this doesn't work out.

I would TOTALLY do this if I were in your shoes (assuming I had the financial resources), esp if I got into another program. Then again, I come from a long line of lunatic vindictive nutbars, so probably best to not listen to me. All in all, sorry to hear this happened.

I'm used to being on the other side of the waiting game, so I figure I don't know what I don't know and an acceptance is an acceptance.

I don't mean to sound apathetic, but who cares if your classmates notice you weren't at the visitation day?

Perhaps, sadism?

Wow. Wow wow WOW! That's an AMAZING story... congratulations!!!

One option is to look at what kinds of presentations they do at conferences (assuming they do). It's not a sure-fire guide, but I know the conferences I go to it usually takes a certain calliber of respect (popularity) to end up doing those. It's a good question, I wouldn't know myself if not for having someone who has a foot in the door on these things (my current boss is very well connected).

Acceptance means going broke for a few years and getting out of academia before I'm 35. Rejection means I get to take a trip to Vegas this fall.

Rejected: University of Arizona and University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Got one more that hasn't made their decisions yet though!

I know how you feel. My first choice hasn't made it's decisions yet (expect to hear next week actually) and the others didn't work out, but at least hearing back can give a sense of closure to it all, and now moving on can start. I'm always surprised by the amount of people who AREN'T prepared to not get accepted this year.

It's unfortunate that your parents reacted that way. Coming from a very blue-collar family I got that programming drilled into me at a young age, that the goal of college is to make money, and I honestly didn't think I was really accomplishing anything until I had a decent job. Even then, I would do research on the side of a couple supervisors and after I started getting published all my father could ask was why I wasn't getting paid for it. A couple years later I'm getting paid to travel around the country and now I'm actually getting offered pre-conference presentation slots (which have a ton of perks), I think it's settling in for my family what the longer term benefits are. I obviously don't know your situation (or much about genetics program for that matter) but if you could afford to work for your professor that could look good if you need to reapply next year.

What are you hoping to gain from this contact? Is this about maintaining a good relationship with the person in question, preparing yourself for the upcoming semester, wanting to show your continued interest, or something else altogether? I agree reading up on research is a good idea but it might be worth asking directly if there is anything he would recommend you do in the meantime, particularly if this is an issue of preparation.

Agreed, it should be fine, provided it isn't too casual looking (eg so tight it shows off the undergarments or shows of the midsection).

I'm on my first round of applications. I did my initial contacts in mid-August IIRC, and I think only one responded. I did (successful) follow-ups in September, late September I think, mainly because I knew most of them would be at a conference I was presenting at in October and wanted to get on their radars prior to this so I could meet in person.

When I was doing my "How to do this" research about applying, a lot of sources out there were from people who didn't get accepted until their 3rd time applying. It might even be worth asking anyone you've had positive contact with how you could improve your profile when applying again. Out of the three schools I applied to (I'm already highly specialized so it wasn't like there were a ton of good fits for me), one I have a good relationship already with my POI (they haven't sent out acceptances yet) and one of my rejections offerred to do just this for me if I don't get in when I thanked him and told him I was interested in reapplying next year if I go for round 2.

The director of clinical training asked if my POI had "recruited" me (her word not mine, which she did not). I knew she was advocating for me but this seemed a little strong. At least one student knew about me via my POI as well. This all seemed very positive and hopefully it will translate into goodness in the faculty's decision making.

I had a pricey new somethin-somethin I was keeping in mind to get myself if I get accepted, but with some probable upcoming law changes needed to get that purchased sooner than later. Trying to buy my pricey interests while I'm still making decent money and have something else lined up.

A small update... I picked up a bottle of pinot noir before heading over to the social. It seemed to be extremely well received by the hosting professor and really broke the ice between us as we hadn't formally met yet.

I suppose it depends on the program. My #1 choice isn't doing any interviews until Monday.

Thank you all for the input. It's going to be 10 people interviewing for this program, so that plus however many grad students and professors arrive. They didn't give us any more info than when/where it is happening, which is why I'm so unsure of the etiquette is for this. I actually like the idea of bringing something local from where I'm from, however where I am currently doesn't represent where I'm "from" as I identify it, and about the only things local to where I am right now is maple syrup and cow manure. Fortunately I'll have a rental car and some time between the day at the school and the get together, so I'm thinking if I were to get something that didn't require refrigeration I could pick it up the night before when I arrive and just leave it on the back seat.

So I got the itinerary for my first/so-far-only interview day, and there is a get together afterwards at one of the professor's houses. What's the etique on bringing something for the host? I would typically bring a bottle of wine if not a pot-luck situation, but then again I don't want to come off as negative on the spectrum of brown-noser to alcoholic. Also, I'm very comfortable in suits but should I dress more casual for this? Any thoughts?

I was worried about this going into it, given that writing is my strength but the lack of knowledge about the topic was daunting. My understanding from my preparations is that this is as much about your ability to formulate and analyze arguments as it is about the actual ability to write well (i.e. grammar). I have to agree with the above in that sense, even if the SOP isn't revised by others (mine sure wasn't) it's probably assumed to be well tailored and refined. However, given zb13's comment I have no idea how this score gets weighed against thoroughly prepared writing samples. It's my hope as someone returning after a few years out of school this gives me a strength to capitalize on (score 5.5 on this) as compared to the very academic knowledge that has been long since forgotten despite my best attempts to rekindle it going into both the general and subject tests.

It's funny, as I've been reading through this thread I've been thinking about all the doubts that I've had over the last couple months. Could my previous GPA be better? Of course! But there's no regret there as I've been out of school for over four years (nine years since undergrad). Nothing I can do about that now so I can make up for it in other ways. Could my GRE scores be better? Of course! I study and prepped probably more for than ever in my life, save maybe my comp exams during my Master's program. I know I'm awful at multiple choice tests but I can't complain about my writing score of 5.5. Could I have applied to more schools? Of course! But I did apply to the programs which best match the specialty I've been in for the last four years professionally, have faculty that I think I'll work well with, and are in areas I think I could be happy living in for the next few years. The population I specialize in is pretty specific, too, so it isn't like there are tons of options. Could I have published more? Actually, probably not. There are good but limited research opportunities for me at the moment, but I've done enough to be on first-name bases with a lot of leaders in my specialty. So here I sit, mid-March, with financial plans if I do get accepted and job stability if I don't. One rejection, one limbo, and interviewing at my first choice next week. I've strategized out the interview day as much as possible, all I need to decide at this point is if I should go with the charcoal or beige suits. I've gotten so frustrated with regrets over past failures despite what others have said is adequate (or even excessive) planning and preparation. I've been trying to grasp the concept of doing everything "right" and still failing, I think for the first time I actually get that, actually get that in my heart, so if anything if I fail to be accepted this year I have a hell of a lot of work done for next year.

I wish I had a chance to read the full article, I can't help but wonder if they say anything about the "who you know" factor.