Dedi

I've done this with a POI that I worked for last summer. He might have been my strongest letter--not just because of the content but the fact that it showed that we had research and personal fit. If you want to go about this, I would suggest building up the rapport again (which shouldn't be too hard if they remember you) with the intent of working with them in the future. Then it shouldn't feel so awkward to ask them for a LOR. I personally don't see ethical issues with this, but my POI is cross-appointed with the department I'm applying for and therefore the admissions committee might not even know him. If the POI is the graduate admissions director, I might see issues.

FWIW: I only applied to institutions that had a PI that I established a rapport with (meaning that I had successful phone conversations with them). I did not ask directly about funding either--if PIs can't fund you, they cannot take in grad students. So I just asked if they were taking in students. I just feel weird mentioning a PI that I did not talk to beforehand.

I have the same issue. However, when I went to a large research university for a summer, it didn't seem to be a crippling issue. In fact, the people that I worked with felt that I was more than qualified to be there. The point I'm getting at is that the specific topic or even how formal the research experience does not seem to be an issue; what's most important are the underlying skills that you learned in the process. Those things are transferable to any university. The rest is not impossible to learn.

Gee, so high maintenance (kidding!) Have you made a list of what you absolutely need for a weekend? I would definitely start with that. Keep in mind that a quart is 32 oz, and you have 12 one-ounce containers. You should be fine (and have some extra space). There are some ways to "cut corners." For example, you can buy a little container of 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner. If there are things that you don't use daily (e.g. face wash for me is used weekly) you might want to use it the night/day before the trip so you do not have to carry it along. In my experience, TSA asks if you have any liquids and they put the bag through a scanner/xray machine/whatever it is. As for meds, I'm in the same boat as you. I would rather be safe than sorry and keep them in original containers. If you happen to have some empty labeled containers, you can put the right number of meds in those. Just my two cents.

I like the idea regarding the spread sheet. I'm planning on wearing a nice (but conservative) dress with leggings and boots. Either that or a full length skirt with a nice blouse. I don't have dress pants and I'm not going to get a pair to use for only one day... I really have no idea what I'm supposed to wear. My POI said that the point of the recruitment day/interviews is to determine fit with faculty and if I really want to be part of this program. It's not a test. I'll wait until I get the official invite (hopefully will get it in January) to figure out attire.

At the interview stage, as I've heard, the numbers game isn't as prominent. It's about fit. Just be yourself, relax, and things will fall where they fall. You want to leave a good impression, yet you don't want to be fake. Also, you are evaluating the program as much as they school is evaluating you. You're going to be there for the next 5-6 years; you can afford to be a little picky. I don't think you need to worry about doing anything extra because I think that you're at an even playing field at this point. Everyone has their confidence boosters--I'd suggest you find something to at least distract you in between interviews. I usually play some 60's tunes and I'm set to go.

I'm thinking of an incentive system--the more letters my recommenders send in, the more expensive the gift. I'd start with a ~10 dollar gift + a card for the first letter and add 5 dollars for each additional letter. I keep having dreams of my interviews. Right now, they are neutral dreams--last night I dreamed that I was trying to put a lab coat back into the POI's lab during the interviews, but I forgot my access card. So I had to use the doorbell. Then the POI's grad students came out and it was a lovely reunion. That's all I remember.

Still doesn't feel real, haha. It will probably start feeling real as my interview approaches (exactly a month from today). I'm still kind of in denial that I'm approaching graduation quickly.

This helps a lot, thanks! I'm glad it's one on one meetings rather than a group. I do better one on one. I feel better prepared.

That sounds like fun! I'm looking forward to my one interview weekend I have a question for people that have been to these interviews: Is it anything like a job interview where you have a designated time and it's you vs. the committee? I feel I'm missing something essential about these interviews when my POI talks about it. I have a feeling it's much more casual than that...

Mine only sent one email regarding applying for graduate housing. I kind of like that they don't spam my inbox..

It might be a good idea to contact the other schools you haven't heard from and let them know the update. I haven't been in this situation, so I'm not sure sure the protocol for doing this.

There's not much for me to be waiting for (besides for some reference letters for UBC's app). The freak-outs and rational moments come in cycles. Right now I'm feeling pretty rational. Just keeping myself occupied (mostly drawing). I also have a January course that will keep me busy before my interview. That also means I get to socialize with our lab rats. That always makes me feel better.

I'm glad that people share the same sediment. I'm starting to think that I might not be able to afford to apply for uWaterloo if I have to pay for the hotel at Toronto. With the way things are panning out, I may be only be finishing applications for U of T. Not ideal, but I kind of figured that would happen. If I get rejected to both programs, I'll have to find an alternative and apply again next year. Not sure how I feel about it.

You may find this thread useful:

I've considered doing some animal behavior field research. Get myself out of the area and travel a bit. I think that would be very rejuvenating for me. I've been so caught up in the technological world--there's more to life than that.

I think my parents are hoping that I'll forget about this whole grad school business and look for a job in the area. They don't ask much about it, nor do they assure me that I will get in. They weren't even all that enthusiastic when I told them about recruitment day. Anyone had to deal with parents that don't want you to "leave the nest," so to speak? I'm not home a whole lot because of university, but I am reachable (3 hour drive). Going to a different country complicates things a bit.

I'm in the realm of animal behavior, so I get to hear about my extended family's pet problems and ask me to explain their behavior. Or people ask if I'm going to be the next dog whisperer (do not like Cesar Milan, by the way, so this drives me up a wall). When I explain animal welfare, they assume PETA (also do not like). My parents think I study animal "stereotypes." It goes on and on.

I'm sorry to hear that! I hope that things will work out in the end.

I don't want to say what I've done and give people the impression that I recommend it for everyone, but... I had severe depression (with psychotic features) since high school. It was a big barrier because I ended up in the hospital every two months because of overwhelming suicidal thoughts. I've also had two W's on my transcript to save my GPA from plummeting more than it was. However, I've been in remission for almost 2 years and went from a 2.75 GPA to a 3.52. I expect that it will near 3.6 by the time I graduate. My grades shot up and have been keep a decent trend since (nothing less than 3.5 per semester for 4 semesters now). Anyways, I told my POI about this (in general; I left out details) after a year of corresponding with him and working in his lab during the summer. I felt that I proved myself to be a competent individual despite a previous struggle. I knew I couldn't hide weekly appointments from him. He took it surprisingly well and found no major issue with this. I left the admissions committee out of it--they don't know me and I feel that it's something that only the POI needs to be concerned about. Everyone's situation is a little different.

Unofficial invite to University of Toronto's psychology recruitment weekend from POI. So relieved right now.

So, got the unofficial invite for recruitment weekend for University of Toronto from my POI. So relieved right now.

Good advice! I've always thought about doing field research (definitely different than working in a lab). I was never sure when I'd ever have the opportunity. However, you're right--if things don't pan out this year I might pursue that dream of doing some animal behavior field research. Another option I've thought of is an internship for new graduates...

I understand that you are upset, but I'd wait at least a week before deciding to do anything harsh. Give time to collect yourself and reassess the situation. Rejections happen to the best of us. Easier said than done, I know. But really, you don't want to set up a bad reputation for yourself. Just my two cents.