skiby

Still waiting for the master's program at UNC....good luck

Sorry everyone for posting yet another chance-me thread (I know there's already and insane amount of them on the forums) but if anyone out there wouldn't mind reading just one more, I would appreciate your thoughts. Not that it would do a whole lot for me at this point but offer a little peace of mind while I wait out responses from programs. My main concern is Chapel Hill's City and Regional Planning program. I would like to think that I at least have a fighting chance since it's my top choice. Here are my stats: CGPA: 3.41 MGPA: 3.80 GPA Last 60 Hours: 3.60 Major: Psychology GRE: 158/150/4.5 (quant is a little below average, unfortunately...hope this doesn't hurt me too much) Experience: Undergrad thesis, 2.5 years research experience, which included running sessions independently, 1 year internship shadowing the planning inspector in my hometown (going to town council meetings, compiling departmental docs, etc), semester long internship at a small business incubator So assuming a good statement of purpose and excellent letters of rec (1 from thesis adviser, 1 from the head of the lab I conducted my research in and another from a respected professor in the psychology department whom I know very well) any idea of my chances with Chapel Hill? Again, this is more to ease my nerves (even if it is a false sense of security since nothing with grad admissions is 100% predictable)...I am interested to know what others in the planning field think. Thanks!

I do think it's worth it to email them if you haven't heard back...especially with other offers pending. There are certainly ways to email departments without bugging them incessantly, and even though most of my friends told me not to continue emailing the program I was ultimately rejected from I am glad that I did. And I agree that spending that much time in a disorganized program would probably prove to be very frustrating! Good luck and I'm sure that you will end up in the right place!

I had a bad experience with a very unprofessional program last year when I applied the first time, so I feel your pain OP. At the end of February, I had heard back from every program I applied to except for one, my top choice (of course). My second choice wanted a decision by April 1 so I emailed the head of the department that I hadn't heard from and politely mentioned that I had received other offers and was wondering about the status of my application. He answered almost immediately, saying that they were still making decisions but that upon reviewing my information they felt I was a strong candidate for their program and should wait to hear from them before I make any other decisions. That was fine, considering I had until April, so I thanked him and went on my merry way. About three weeks later, I still hadn't heard from them and time was running out to make a decision. I sent him another email, to which he responded that the program was "currently in a holding pattern." Ok....what? I requested further explanation and he only said that they were waiting to place three of us but I was still a top choice and shouldn't make any other decisions. As annoying as that was, I should have accepted my first offer, but it was out of state and making it financially possible was going to be very difficult. So I waited. The deadline to make a decision for my first offer came and went. I didn't end up hearing back from the program I had been emailing until early May...and they rejected me. This process is already draining enough without adding mind-games into the mix. All things considered, this year off allowed me to gain more experience in my field, but that isn't the point. I wish these programs would be a little more conscientious of their applicants...especially, as you mentioned, since we are paying so much money JUST TO APPLY. Ok...I'm done ranting (I'm still a the tiniest bit bitter apparently! )

"If I were on the admissions board I would let you in." Oh if only.....

I know exactly how you feel...I seem to be getting a little less sane each day. I have picked up a bunch of random hobbies with the hope that one of them will distract me enough to actually enjoy myself for five minutes anxiety free! No such luck thus far. It has been a little over a month since my first application deadline and I can't stop questioning EVERY little detail of my application. People keep telling me to relax until March, but I still feel like I am going to jump out of my skin every time I get a new email. Good luck and I hope everyone who hasn't heard starts hearing back soon! This process is definitely a test of your mental fortitude!