YaBoyAR

Same. I'll print it out and hang with my Nobel Prize one day. ;o)

Communication is invaluable. You need to open the lines of communication both between your current PI and desired advisor (your current first though). We hear it time and time again that advisor choice is essentially the most important aspect of a phd stay. If you don't like your current one, it's not too late to make the change. However, the sooner the better. As I said, you should talk to your PI about your desire to switch groups. She may be very open to letting you go immediately, or may ask that you stay and finish a current project or train someone new, she may even help you get into a new group. Even if she is pissy about it, what's she going to do? Approach her honestly and kindly about your situation. If you're already resigned to mastering out and going somewhere else, what's the worst that could happen?

Interestingly, we discussed this topic in my thesis writing class yesterday. I guess it really does depend on field/journal/etc. My professor talked about how one publication she had took LITERALLY 3 years from submission to publication. Interesting. Care to share what journal took you 7 months? I'll be sure to avoid that one when pursuing tenure at (Insert top ranked program here).

Agreed. 7 mos means something weird is happening. I had a paper in JACS go from submission to reviewed with minor edits, to acceptance, to publication in like 5 weeks. I realize that may not be the case always, but 7 mos, without some major revision happening/recommended seems really strange. Even Science would probably only take 2-3 months.

You da man!

We can share stories of our dismay over Berkeley in March because I'll be there! I'll be the cocky ginger who thinks his shit doesn't stink that's aiming to get into Stephen Buchwald or Tim Swager's group! Inorganic/Organometallics is my desired field of study though. How about you?

Thanks! I've told all the schools except for Wisconsin and MIT that I was declining their offer. But it seems likely that that's where I'll go. Congrats on your acceptances as well. Great schools!

For those interested in Berkeley: I called today and spoke with Eileen from the Chemistry Graduate Admissions office. Here's what she had to say... Her: "We have already sent out all offers that we will be making this year. Those remaining who have yet to hear will be receiving official notices soon." Me: "Okay so those who have yet to hear are definitely going to be rejections?" Her: "Rejection is such a strong word. Unfortunately with over 900 applicants, even those that are well qualified have a difficult time getting accepted." She was actually really nice about it. Cool lady. Sorry to those still waiting to hear. I hate to be the bearer of bad news. But now I'm sure of my decision. I'll be at MIT next year! Good luck everyone. Go Beavers!

Last year, according to results, Berkeley sent out final acceptances this week. If I don't hear by Friday, I'll call and let everyone know what they say.

Good answers to all. It also depends on particular focus. For example, some RSC journals that are focused on particular topics may be more well-regarded than the ACS equivalents.

Great post. Glad to get some insight from those who've already made the transition.

So far, I've contacted 3 schools and all of them responded in kind. Only one asked where I had decided to go instead. They said they liked to know for their own records. It's natural to apply to some "safety" schools as well as some "reach" schools. If you get in to the reaches, the safeties become expendable. It's not that I would never go to those schools and never wanted to in the first place. It's just, I wouldn't go to them over some others.

Lol. UMadBro? To appease the young kid -- University of Minnesota is a great institution. They are ranked in the top 25 for chemistry and have some professors that do outstanding work. They have faculty that work on many different areas of chemistry research. Many students graduate from here and go on to have very successful careers. You will gain a great deal of training at this institution. However, I notice that you have also been accepted to Illinois. They are a far superior program and would afford you boundlessly greater career prospects. I would suggest that you attend this institution above Minnesota. Good day and good luck. Or tl;dr in regards to UMinn: You got into Illinois. They're not that good. The end.

You got into Illinois. They're not that good. The end.

I've seen varying opinions. I think it depends on the event. For example, are you just touring the campus and going to a pub Friday night? Might as well dress in your normal casual attire. Are you having faculty meetings and attending presentations? Maybe look a little more presentable. However, I don't think it's necessary to wear a suit at any point (unless it's for a fancy dinner). I don't know any professors at my school that wear suits, nor do the grad students. So I won't be either. Just my 2 cents.

I also didn't receive it very quickly. So I emailed them and they emailed back with a letter containing all the info promptly. I would recommend doing the same. Not sure why they're so slow to get this done. Seeing that it seems to be happening frequently makes me think they're not especially organized. Good luck!

I started the summer before application season. Definitely ask if they're planning on accepting students. I was only interested in CalTech because of Robert Grubbs and during our correspondence he mentioned he had not yet decided whether or not to take on grad students as he is nearing the tail end of his career. As such, I chose not to apply. Just a little advice. Good luck!

I disagree. Berkeley made several offers last February. So did many other schools.

Lol. No clue man. I only know about GT because I ran into the head of the adcom committee in the coffee line. Good luck though!

For those that applied to Georgia Tech, they will begin making offers on Tuesday. Good luck!

You have an interview though and that's almost a guaranteed in! Additionally, I haven't seen many of the schools you applied to make decisions. It's still early for many schools. Keep your head up!

My application was complete at the end of October. I got the acceptance on December 30th. I also applied to inorganic. It looks to me, according to the results page, that they're still making decisions. Someone just posted today, in fact. Keep the hope alive and good luck!

I don't think they've sent out official notices yet from the admissions department. If a professor wants you, which it seems like is the case, I'm sure you'll be fine. I know one person just posted on the results that he was accepted, take that as you'd like. I, personally, think they'll be coming within the week. This is around the time they made decisions last year.

I agree. I would call. It seems to me that (not unexpectedly) most people apply to the La Jolla campus. Perhaps they are just saying, "Hey, would you consider our Florida campus instead? Barry Sharpless and Valery Fokin don't work there, but our other profs would love to have you!"

Calm down. I've been accepted and when I just checked, the same message pops up. No reason to postulate what message may one day present itself.