mooseundsquirrel

Some schools do, yes. Or individual faculty members will set up interviews to check out prospective students, either in person or over the phone or skype.

Well, those school generally have admission rates in the 10-15% range, though it varies year to year. UWashington admitted fewer than 10% of Earth and Space Science applicants this year. I think that with a strong math/quantitative background to match a strong GRE (and good rec letters, etc.), you'd probably be 'competitive' just about anywhere. I can't speak to astronomy programs, as I'm a geo person, but I think you'd not be shut out of anywhere from the get-go. A poor GPA, while not great, certainly won't keep you out of most programs - and faculty will probably like to see that you've turned things around and are now serious about your education and ultimate goals. The most important factor, in all honestly, is research fit. If your interests and goals match with a department and advisor, you've won half the battle. I just went through the admission process, and I was accepted and rejected from schools all across the spectrum in terms of 'rank'. But I can honestly say that the places where I was accepted were those that I felt the best about, the ones where I knew faculty were doing exactly what I hope to do and where the department supported my type of research, and where's I'd developed a good rapport with faculty members. The schools where I didn't get in were, by and large, the places where I felt like I was stretching my SOP to fit the department. All that said, the schools you mention receive an enormous number of applicants each year, and it is in many ways complete luck of the draw. If there are faculty you think you'd like to work with, start contacting them. Set up informal chats via skype or phone, find out what they're up to or if they have any advice - or slots/funding for students opening up (this is, sadly, the determining factor for the majority). Then take it from there.

So, I've been admitted to two schools, both of which I'm really excited about. The only catch is that, while one has already offered funding, the other is waiting to see if money will work out. The first school is pressuring me to make a decision asap, but I'd feel a bit irresponsible making such a huge choice without knowing all of my options. So, first, I guess I'm wondering if it would be ok to word an email to the (funded) POI like this: ...Thank you very much again. I have interviews set up with a few other universities this coming week, and while I still consider your program to be at the very top of my list, I would also like to wait until I have all of the details from each school before making a final choice. (I anticipate this happening within the next week or so.) And, secondly, to the other ($ as yet unknown) POI like this: ...I just wanted to get in touch to see if there had been any change in my status regarding funding. I'm still very interested in the program, but have been offered admission to two other universities that are eager for me to inform them of my final decision. Please let me know if there's any additional information I can provide. Thanks very much again. I guess I just don't want to seem too curt or blase about it all - I really am very excited about both opportunities, and a final decision between the two would be very tough.

I'm sort of in the same boat - I have two almost-acceptances (one to the dream school), but each POI is still trying to ail down funding. Dream school guarantees five years of funding across the board to those they admit, so I figure I wouldn't need to worry much after the initial funds were tracked down. I'm just sitting on pins and needles for a while longer, I guess!

Thanks so much again for the advice - and yeah, I figured I could naturally contact his lab members to ask questions, but I just felt like it would be a nice way to telegraph my interest. Plus, while I'd never ask anything inappropriate, I figure getting 'permission' to grill his group is always a plus So! It turns out that it wasn't much of an interview at all - rather, the POI checked in/said hi, then said that he really wants me in his lab, and that if he can find the funding, I'm in. I honestly felt like this school was well beyond my reach, so I'm definitely in the mindset of 'it's an honor just to be nominated', but the possibility of actually attending is really exciting! Now I just have to hope that the money side works itself out....

I've gotten two unofficial acceptances from POIs so far, both contingent on whether the Prof. gets funding. And the funding situation at each school will be sorted within the next 3 weeks or so. I'm so excited to have gotten in, but if I can't attend due to a simple budget shortfall? Daaaaannnnngggg. Go March Go.

No reason that had anything to do with the school - it seems like a wonderful program. I simply didn't get enough funding in the end to convince myself attending would be a smart move. It worked out for the best, though - I'm taking a slightly different route this year in applying to more hard science programs, and I'm really glad I did!

Thanks so much for the insights. Believe me, I know how important a visit is, and if there were any way I could make it I would, but its just physically impossible within the next week or so (which is the visit window offered). Le sigh. I do plan to ask the POI if I can speak with any of their current lab group students so that I can get a better feel for the department and the way things run. I also plan to ask about ongoing research, if anything new has come up or if something has changed, and to share my own ideas or ways to spin some of their current research avenues. The more I think about it, the more I realize this conversation probably is about judging my fit within the dept and (especially) the group, which is pretty intimidating. But hey, very exciting that I'm being considered, so matter what! And your blog looks great - thanks so much for sharing!

So, last fall I contacted a Prof. whose research I'm really excited about. He got in touch and we had an informal phone chat for about an hour. We talked about my interests and background, his research, possible research opportunities, etc. I haven't heard anything since (other than quick responses to a few of my questions), but last week got an email asking of I could come out to visit so that we could meet and I could get a feel for the dept. This is pretty much the worst possible timing imaginable, and its completely impossible for me to visit right now, but we are going to have another phone chat later this week instead. I guess I'm just wondering what sorts of things he may want to ask? This is an über-competitive/prestigious program that I'm honestly amazed to be in the running for, and I want to show that I'm as excited by the department as I am. But since we've already spoken at length in the past, I guess I'm not certain just what we'll be covering, or what he may still be curious about (other than reading me for pure fit/personality, which is terrifying!). Any thoughts or advice on what may be coming?

Congrats on your acceptances! I got in to SNRE last year, though I didn't end up going. You may want to get in touch with the grad secretary to confirm that funding info is on the way - last year they included funding information with acceptance notices, and if you did not have anything detailed in your packet or online, you could safely assume you were not going to get funding. They may be doing things differently this year, though, so I would definitely ask! Congrats again!

So, earlier today I got an email from a Prof. at one of my schools, asking if I'd be interested in his research/up for a phone interview, etc. Fantastic! The answer is a big yes, but I'm a little hesitant as to how to reply. (This is Prof 1.) I've been in touch with another Prof. at this same uni (Prof 2.), and we've talked on the phone a few times about his research. I haven't heard anything from him since a bit before the app deadline (I haven't gotten in touch for fear of seeming desperate), but I have no idea if he's aware Prof. 1 has made an overture, or if Prof. 1 has spoken with Prof. 2 about me or the other applicants. So...how do I do this? I definitely want to speak with Prof.1, but I feel a bit weird about just pretending Prof. 2 never happened (esp if Prof.2 is still interested in me). Any thoughts? Has anyone else had this happen?

So, what are your opinions on contacting departments about decisions or expected timelines? I've been pretty hesitant to make contact yet, just because I don't want to seem desperate or annoying. That said, it's getting to the point where I'd happily trade a little bit of cred to have some sort of definite knowledge one way or another (especially for programs whose deadlines were early Jan). Have any of you contacted a department or two? Do you feel comfortable doing it, or is it not worth it?

Guh. So, it turns out that while I've been accepted to at least one school, my potential advisor is still waiting to hear whether his (and my) project is getting funded. No funding would mean a no go for me, so we'll see what happens there. Nice to get in, at least. I applied to UW's oceanography program as well, but haven't heard anything one way or another. How did you hear your app was 'on hold'?

I just got my first acceptance! It's also the first update I've gotten from any school - what a relief! I just checked my status online and the website now reads 'accepted'. I sent a quick note to the dept. to ask if this was the real deal/when might I hear more, etc. If ever there was a time for ice cream and a 'Community' marathon, this is it. Huzzah!

*crickets*