IncretinEffect33

I would say for rolling admissions there is definitely an advantage. I applied at one school where I was in the first group of interviewing students, and they told us that we were at an advantage. Basically the earlier your application is in the earlier they invite you to interview, and with rolling admissions, they started accepting us that following Monday. If they had enough people commit early on, you could have people interviewing later on (late February or March) for spots that actually no longer existed because they couldn't accept anyone else after having enough people commit. For other schools, though, I don't think it matters as much. I interviewed at a couple of places that had multiple interview weekends but didn't decide on acceptances until after everyone had interviewed. I also had interviews where it was only one weekend for all recruits, so it didn't matter at all. For these, I believe they wait until all applications are in and review them all before extending invitations for interviews. At least that's my experience! A majority of program websites will tell you how the process works, and if not, you could always ask if you're really curious.

I actually live around here currently, and am very happy with it. Extremely walkable (Metcalfe's, Copps, Whole Foods [all great grocery stores], Target, Macy's, movie theater, restaurants, etc.) but also a quiet area. There are weekend farmer's markets at the DMV and Hilldale mall, which is nice, and there are buses that run down Sheboygan about every 5-10 minutes during the day that go straight down University Avenue past the hospital to campus. Also, unlike apartments closer to campus, the Sheboygan apartment complexes don't adhere to the August 15th move-in date, so it is easier to get a place at a more flexible time. One thing I like about the area is that there is plenty of parking (included in my current apartment), which is the complete opposite of campus apartments, where you have to pay an inordinate monthly amount to find a place to park your car (which I would recommend having in Madison). The place I live in right now has heat, water, cable TV, and internet all included, and I pay only $502.50/month... needless to say I'll be a bit bummed when I move out this summer. I'd definitely recommend checking out the area!

This was generally what I sent to those schools I declined offers at: Dear _______, I'd like to thank you, along with everyone I had contact with during my application and interview process for the _______ Program at _________. I had a very positive experience with the university, and am sure it would undoubtedly be a great place to complete one's graduate work. I have, however, decided to attend another university that I feel is a better fit for me, and thus I cannot accept my offer of admission at __________. Thank you very much for the opportunity. Sincerely, IncretinEffect33 Something nice and straight to the point. No need to explain why you didn't choose them, or that they were your top second choice, etc. etc. They'll probably actually want you to fill out a small form/survey about the process, and that will ask you where you are attending, as well as what was good and bad about the whole process, so you'll get to give your thoughts that way. At least the schools where I declined asked me to do that. Congrats on your acceptances, and good luck with your decision!

For breakfast, Mickies Dairy Bar is a must, if you haven't gone there already. Also the Sunroom Cafe on State. DLUX has great sweet potato fries with sriracha mayo. Ha Long Bay on Willy Street is a favorite, along with Bunky's Cafe on Atwood. I also recommend you go to Greenbush Bar on Regent. Tipsy Cow right off the square is likewise pretty tasty, and has a fun trivia night. If you want to go a little further out, The Free House Pub and Villa Dolce in Middleton are nice places as well. I could continue, but I'll refrain for now... Madison has lots of great spots!

I also am going to be likely heading to New Haven to attend Yale's BBS PhD program. I've leisurely begun to look at apartment options and have seen that a lot are available in the Wooster Square area. Anyone have any input on the safety/reputation of this area? I know that a lot of graduate students live in the East Rock area too, so I'm looking into apartments in that area as well. Also, if there are any areas of the city that you would recommend definitely not living in, that would be very helpful to know!

Heading to Yale MMPP! Hello fellow Yalies!

I got a couple of emails last Friday letting me know I was accepted, and said that I'll be receiving an official letter through snail mail. I interviewed 1/31 - so it definitely took them a while! If it helps, I was interviewing with people from the molecular & cellular pathology department.

I agree. I'd take it to mean that you're on the "top" portion of the wait list, or you'll be one of the first people to be accepted off of the list.

Congrats!! See you there in the fall!

Acceptance to Yale BBS MMPP track! Seriously beyond excited - world's greatest birthday gift!! I will be accepting and heading to New Haven in the fall! I hope to see some of you there! *wanders off to buy Yale merchandise*

Good to know! I know a girl who got an offer there already but within the biochemistry & biophysics interest (different from myself) and it has really been freaking me out. I'll just continue waiting!

If you're still looking, UW-Madison does a bacteriology MS program, and the application deadline is June 1st. Good luck with your KGI interview, I'm sure it'll be great!

Just received the official email about an hour ago.

Awesome! Congrats!! What did you think of WashU compared to Columbia and UCSF?

Congrats!! Maybe I'll see you at WashU in the fall!

I visited January 23-25, and I received a phone call from one of the faculty members I interviewed with there. She said that I'll receive an email tomorrow with official details.

Accepted to WashU DBBS - MCB track!!! Yahoooo! A total top choice after visiting St. Louis!

Not the same school, but when I interviewed at WUSTL, they actually didn't tell me who I would be interviewing with until the day before I arrived (Wednesday). But you could always make a quick call/email to the program coordinator!

I just had mine this past weekend as well. They told us while we were there that they would get together after our interviews and let us know "yes or no" today, which I was actually surprised about the fast turn-around. But also grateful, since I'm sure it would be torture waiting too long! No idea what the normal turn-around time is, though. Good luck in hearing soon, and in hearing good news!

Thank you! It feels great to know that no matter what, I'll be heading to grad school next fall. And that apparently, I can't be that bad at interviewing! Looks like it's about time for everyone on the GC forums to start getting their good news too!

Accepted to Vanderbilt IGP!!!! So, so ecstatic - such a great program that they sold immensely well during the interview weekend. If anyone is heading there for an interview and has questions about the weekend in general, feel free to PM me!

That sounds like something out of a nightmare. Except not completely, because, congrats! You got an interview at Hopkins! Hopefully they're understanding about it. It probably has happened to someone before, and it's not long after the date, so at least it's not like you found it in February and are frantically emailing or something. I have hope it will turn out alright!

Well, I'm figuring that the more places I interview, the better chances I have of getting into at least one! Optimization! That's counting on my ability to prepare appropriately for each one. It's gonna be tough, though. Luckily, I'm out of school and working full-time, so this IS my homework! I'm not sure I'd be able accept them all if I were still in school! Maybe I'll see you at Duke - which weekend are you heading there?

This genius was! Kidding. Sorry, I couldn't resist that one. I'm hardly a genius... I did get an interview, but I see that people with more publications than I got rejected. I'm guessing it has to do with LoRs, a solid SoP, and if they feel that your research interests match with their program. When speaking with professors, I have heard that often very qualified students don't get offers of admission because they don't have the right "fit" for the school. That's not to say that those students aren't awesome researchers, though. To me it seems very hit and miss, and probably just depends on if the person perusing your application happens to like it. I'm sorry to hear about all the rejections, I know that sinking feeling.. but don't worry! If WashU doesn't want to make use of your talents, you're better off at another school anyway!