tdix09

Yay! Will I see you at Interview Weekend? Are you in the area? I'm debating whether to get a hotel room or commute every day.

Still, STILL haven't heard from UPenn. Killing me! But, accepted into Rutgers!

The closest thing I see is "Check your Application" on the bottom left, which takes me to: Congratulations, tdix09! All required questions have been completed and your Application has been successfully submitted. What. Am. I. Supposed. To. Do. With. This? Also, freaking out because I can't remember if I uploaded my statement of purpose in PDF when the site very CLEARLY says not to. Dammit Penn, throw me a bone!

If anyone is interested PGSE's Admissions Blog gives an explanation for this: When you log out of checking the status of the application on the log out page there is another line saying application 2 in progress. Is that indicating that my application is being looked at by someone in the admissions office? Application 2 was a system we previously used to allow you to apply to a 2nd program (like the applicant in our first question). However, that system is no longer in use, and you are most likely seeing that message in error (just focus on the . Our office will send you an email to update you on the status of your application every time materials are received for you. Once you receive the email that says your application is complete, you know that it has then been sent to the faculty from the program to which you applied for an admissions decision.

Really? The only hourly position I recall seeing was for the student athlete tutoring position. And one more (was it college of engineering)?

Now I'm really concerned! When you log into the Penn application site, the only way I see my status is when I log out and the front page says "application status 2 - in progress" Is there somewhere else to check the status?

You have to consider the university would have been on break until after NYE. But also, I received my 'documents received" email until 1/16, and I applied on 12/17. So... give it another week or so before you truly freak like me.

Higher Education. I submitted my app on 12/17. Like, put me out of my misery already!

It's killing me cause I haven't heard back either!!! Refreshing my email everyday since early December. I've only gotten an email saying all my docs were received. No telling if its under faculty review yet.

What's the difference betweeen being paid hourly or an assistantship? In terms of how they're viewed professionally in the field?

Actually, yeah... I kinda wish I had applied for the ResLife position before the deadline.

ME! Would you believe the email went to my Trash box? I'm glad I checked! We might be classmates! *goes to look at flights for Spartan Preview Days*

I submitted my application right before Christmas so I'm not expecting to hear from them until the end of the month, at least!

OK: 4 on the writing. Acceptable I suppose. I've decided not to retake. I will just deal. But, I DO think I shouldve gone with my gut on applying to programs where I'm likely to get funding and in-state programs. Sigh. Looking at Baruch, St. John's, SUNY Binghamton (I know for sure their deadline is all the way in April)

Something like this: http://www.montclair.edu/catalog/view_requirements.php?CurriculumID=1567

I'm intrigued too - what was a turnoff about MSU?

Took GRE: 153V, 153Q, waiting on AW. I'm guessing 4.5+ as I'm a decent writer. Did meh on the issue but nailed the argument. As for my scores, theyre reflective of my study habits and practice exams (I took one around this time last year, got the same score). I also had a super stressful week (too late to reschedule) and the high-security GRE environment (if you've taken it, you know) threw me a bit. In any case, 2 of my 3 programs require GREs and I'm under both of their average scores. Should I take it over? I'm definitely going to pay for Kaplan if I do, but one of my school's deadlines is 12/15. If I retake, do I withhold my current scores or go on and submit what I have now?

Thanks for that reassurance! I plan to take it next Saturday. I've taken practice exams before - maybe i'll take one more before then.

@jsparks63: I considered using a base statement and tweaking, but my statement is one big "PENN PLEASE PICK ME" advertisement. I need to buckle down on the other schools. @jbums: I'm a city girl through and through - all the midwest is one big town to us who haven't lived elsewhere. The only experience I have with a "college town" is visiting Amherst College the past couple summers. Really pretty and quaint, but not sure if two years of it is for me. Also, I just looked up SUNY Binghamton - totally off the radar but instantly became infatuated with their faculty and curriculum, and it's my best bet in attending school for free as it's in-state and a public school. Lastly, I'm late 20s, so I feel like I'll be on the high end of the age spectrum. :/

Hi guys - it's been a minute. Where are we all with applying, getting recs, GRE, etc? Me: I've been giving more thought to location. Yes, I want to leave NYC but realizing I could be happy staying in the Northeast. My school list is somewhat the same: I scrapped Michigan. Didn't feel any pull to it aside from name/reputation. Penn is still tops - my personal statement practically screams "take me pleeeeeeease!" Michigan State still on the list, though it feels further and further away. I like the state school feel but worry about feeling too old to be there I wish I felt a connection to schools in the DC/DMV area but nada (looked at GW for a minute, quickly scrapped it. Looked at Maryland - I see they recently restructured their HE program and has a really small cohort). Perhaps I will look at summer assistantships in that area as I would really love to live there. Ohio State is on my list but their application seems very strenuous, plus... it's Columbus. Just as unfathomable as Lansing. They DO seem aligned with my interests though. Added Rutgers to my list, for closeness (family is on east coast) and generally good reviews from peers and former boss who works in the field. Still would love to get a NY school on my list for the sake of in-state tuition. Recs: Still havent gotten a hold of my UG advisor, and I'm letting it go. But, got 2 recommenders in the works (current and former managers) and have 2 more I want to get on top of, one of which works in higher ed. Lastly, still havent taken GRE. I've dropped the ball hard. Can't bring myself to give Kaplan my money for prep. I think I could do pretty average without prep (I've studied on my own, not heavily, but enough to be familiar with what i'm getting into). I need to do it soon as my closest deadline is 12/1 (OSU) and 12/15 (Rutgers). Your turn!

For those of you applying to 3+ schools, how are you managing getting recs for your applications? I'm wondering how many one person is willing to write, even if they are tweaking their letter to be program-specific. I already have one rec who specifically said she will only write for her alma mater. Don't know why not my other schools, but I'll take it. does asking for a rec imply they will write for all your programs?

@hesadork: that list is perfect! I purposely want to get out of NYC/Northeast because I've been here my entire life. I have been looking for a way to narrow down my list, but now I'm worried I've narrowed down too much (I'm strongly applying for MSU and UPenn, and kinda wishy-washy on Mich) and should add maybe another East coast school to my list (on my original list: UCONN, University of Maryland-College Park). As for staying in NYC, the only school I had was Baruch, but I feel like that would limit me to staying here professionally. I have very little interest (right now) being in the south or west. Considering Michigan is far enough!

Exactly what I mean. I could pick a SUNY school or attend CUNY for pennies in comparison as an in-state resident. They have reputations but not for HESA.

I'm trying to not have a dream school, but it's SO hard! how many programs to apply is best? At one point I was considering just one, then up to 9, now down to 3, maybe 4. also, is there merit in applying to "backup" schools? In the horrific chance I strike out, would adding at least one "safety" make sense? Or am I wasting time/money on settling?

That I understand. Let me clarify: is the Preview Weekend the chance for the program to convince/wine-and-dine us into choosing them as much as it is for us to convince them to hire us into an assistantship? At that point (specifically for U of M and MSU, schools I am also applying to like JBums, and at UPenn) they've already admitted me, so worst case scenario is: a. I'm not impressed and I decide not to attend b. I'm impressed but don't get accepted for any assistantships On another note, should you mention other programs you are applying to during this weekend? I wouldn't voluntarily give this info up, but do faculty/staff ask in conversation, or in the application somewhere? I bet some schools want to know what theyre competing with. Lastly, is it logical to think that programs accept the desired # of candidates they want for their cohort (with a waitlist to fill spaces where candidates drop off) and have enough assistantships for each candidate to be placed in one? I get really nervous about, you know, not getting one. I imagine if you are accepted into a program, you are probably qualified/a good fit for at least one on campus.