Reatha

Despite my lack of hope, I was accepted to Syracuse with a TA fellowship this morning!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe this is a good omen for the 2 applications I'm still waiting to hear from!!!! Good news comes in threes right??? Lol

I feel this is something you need to hear, even though its not something I like spreading. I have been told for a long time that I should go on to be a doctor, and in light of this I applied to medical school during my senior year. After interviewing I came to a realization, that it would be a relief if I did not get into medical school. It was at this point that I realized this is what everyone wanted for me, but not what I wanted for me. When the offer came a few months later, I couldn't accept it. My dad kind of understood, my mom thought I was crazy and was practically hysterical. In the mean time I had decided that i wanted to go for my PhD. The summer after I had a research internship, but when it ran out in August I found that I was unemployed I moved back in with my parents and ended up in a sort of limbo while my friends moved on with their lives. I went from future med student to unemployed engineer just like that. During this time I applied to grad school, and eventually found a job 4 months later. I received a full time job offer with promotional potential and an internship at the same time. Since I knew that I wanted to go to grad school I turned down the job offer and took the internship. Right now, it doesn't look like I will be accepted to grad school (I've been rejected from 6 programs and are waiting on 3). I've turned down so many opportunities for this, but even so I believe I made the right decision. I know this is what I want and hope to reapply next year, if what I expect to happen comes to happen. With that I conclude, if its not right, then its not right. I don't regret turning down the offers I had because that would have been a decision I would have regretted. Make the decision that's right for you, and it won't always be the easy one.

I've been rejected from 6 schools and I'm still waiting on 3. I"m trying to stay positive about the remaining ones but I interviewed with one four weeks ago and believe if it was good news I would have heard something by now. I keep telling myself it only takes one as well and will reapply next year if that's what it takes. Good luck with your last one!!!

So I called Pitt today, and the worst thing that could have happened came to past.... They are doing another interview weekend and do not have any new information for me.. So I'm in exactly the same place, or got the one answer I didn't plan for... Damn universe, I guess you win this round... But you'll have to give me an answer eventually, good or bad

Honestly, in the grand scheme of things, what does a year mean?? There is something to be said for going for what you want. And I understand that sometimes it gets discouraging know, but if this is what you want, don't be discouraged. Its a lot to put yourself through but if this is what you want don't be discouraged. With 6 rejections in hand the best coping mechanism i've heard is to make a list of all the things you can do this year by not going to grad school and then reapply. I'm going to take a trip to Scotland if I don't get in. And then its not so bad, its just a matter of perspective, you know?

That's totally a positive sign. let us know what happens!!

I'm at four.... And yes it is rather painful. Especially when your told by a school expect a decision by today. You call today and they're interviewing another group of students.... Don't know what to think of this..

I interviewed with my top choice about a month ago. If you where a top applicant then you got in immedietly, otherwise you waited until the end of the interviews which I thought there was only one more. Nope called today and they are doing another weekend.... Bottom line, its not over till its over and not hearing anything doesn't mean rejection at this point.

Which is rather my point. We don't live in an idealistic world where you can just go and do what you want because the opportunity presents itself. And that extents to career and personal goals. My parents are stuggling under a lot of debt right now and I don't want to put myself in the same position they're in. And yes, the finacial decisions we make now (like going for an unfunded PhD) DO have a significant impact on your future and honestly it doesn't always just work out.

Well didn't get the call. But their waiting period officaly expires tomorrow so I'll call them. At this point I'm hoping they'll tell me I was wait listed instead of rejected. Wishes of good luck and I'll let you know what happens!!! And I guess if I was rejected... time to start planning for next year.

I wish that I had actually been a little more concerned about my application cycle. I really expected I would get in somewhere, but now that the rejection letters are coming in, I think I was overconfident. If I don't get in I'll reapply with work experience and a much more cautious approach.

I have been told time and time again, that especially in the sciences, I should not go to grad school without finacial support. And the arguments make sense. Your conducting research in someone's lab to better their reputation and further their career as well as your own. You should not be working in their lab for free. So yes, in the absence of any financial support I would say no. Most anyone will say you should have at least some kind of funding. Furthermore, the salary of a PhD doesn't justify that kind of debt, especially that late in your life. And honestly the earning potential isn't that much increased with a PhD, it just opens up the things you can do. Having work experience actually increases your salary more. And yes I want to do work I'm interested in, but living in America isn't free and the money does matter. I'm hoping to get a PhD because I want to do research as a career and if that means I need to wait and strengthen my applications before going so I do get funding then that's what I'll do

That's awesome!!! congrats

Last day I could possibly hear a good thing from my top school.... Nervous...

Anything to please the admissions gods right? lol