GeoDUDE!

You will not succeed in an unfunded PhD program; I wouldn't even pay for a masters degree. Most people who haven't been in graduate school have no idea how hard it is emitonally without the finacial strain. I think it is unethical of graduate departments to offer an unfunded PhD position as it sets its students up for failure: any such department could not be considered good at all. What is weak about your application? Can a masters program improve those weaknesses ? Are the masters programs thesis based ? What about applying again next year? Paying for graduate school that isnt med school IMO is a big mistake.

Tons of Earth Science news today... guys get ready for the tundra of results it seems.

I'm actually going a week from today! There is no "official" recruitment day, but the individual POIs fly out their prospective students. Are you excited to visit ???

Would you guys email them back? lol I've never been on an official waitlist.

I just got an email from WashU saying I was waitlisted..... does that mean I am high on the list??? I have never heard of an offical waitlist from an earth science grad school..

I haven't seen anything from caltech. yay... another geodynamics!

Just tell him you are still interested, and want to wait about before making any decisions.

While I don't think you suggesting this, people seem to think that adcomms want to reject people; Especially in PhD programs they want as many as they can possibly teach. This is especially true in the sciences; Its just that there are very real time and mostly money constraints. Adcomms arent the enemy, the people cutting NSF's budget is.

Strange that acceptance can happen without funding... was this MS or PhD ??? CU is a strong program... its almost unheard of to get a PhD admission without funding from a department like that.

Thank them for the offer, and let them know that you have some decisions to make. They will understand because they have been in the same situation you have.

you have until april 15th at most places. Most places will also pay for you to come and visit so they do not expect a decision before then. If you applied for a masters degree that may not be the case. IT really depends on what kind of funding you have; but most people abide by the april 15th deadline. If you have no funding there shouldnt even be a deadline except registration.

what else would it be used for ?

So i've spent 2 years in an area that makes me absolutely miserable (carbondale, IL). I would say that it matters to me a lot, and thus I am not staying here for my PhD. I think it all depends on the person. I happen to frequent bars (1,2 times a week) and enjoy having all of the luxeries of bigger cities. Also the people around you are important, and it does change from area to area.

My fastest was 12 days.

It's a very good department (SOEST always has a huge party at AGU). The people i've met have been nice, thats all I know about it. Who do you want to work with there?

I dont know... I applied to 15 and got into 1; at top 5/Ivy league school in the field. The one I got in I ended up calling him seeing if he took on a student. Call, don't email. Show initiative.

it all depends. Sometimes professors are waiting to get grants before they give an invitation to visit..... it's very hard to tell either way.

email them

I think that UMD and UM are both going to be a stretch for you, but everywhere else should be do able imo. That verbal score should be dispelled by a strong statement of purpose: it really depends on fit and if they want to take on a international students.

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I strongly disagree with this statement; If you really did have such a good connection they have not forgotten about you. Contacting them like this will come off as pandering. Just suck it up and wait it out.

probably the usual TA/RA/GA. Usually if they dont mention funding you will not be getting it, so contact your POI there.

Nope... a bit disappointed that that means i probably wont get in; but my POIs there funding was dependent on a grant. I actually know someone who did their MS there so its not that weird...

Most programs reject people that are not admittable, interview top candidates and then go on from there. IE, if you havent been rejected you still have a chance, but it is probably not likely that you will get in if you havent already gotten an interview when others have. Strange things happen, maybe you are 2nd or 3rd on a professors list and they are just waiting for their top choice. good luck