braaaaaiinnns

Since no one else has offered a similar perspective yet, I want any low-income readers to know that it's possible! My FAFSA EFC has been <$15 each year of college so I qualify for almost every need-based waiver/grant under the sun. So far it has cost me about $225 from registering for the GRE and ordering one score report. I was out of the state and couldn't get a GRE fee waiver in time to take the test but it took me only one short visit to my financial aid office to get the waiver and another short visit to get letters written for application fee waiver requests for different schools. You can get them for the subject tests too. I also only applied to 5 schools so I only had to order one report, if any...I can't remember if it was 4 or 5 free at the time you take the test. My school also doesn't charge to mail transcripts if you request them to be sent via snail mail and if you request under a certain amount per day. Theoretically if I was more prepared I could be where I am without spending a single dollar. The only thing I'm concerned about now is not being reimbursed the full amount of travel expenses for interviews. (Super relieved to hear that I shouldn't buy a suit as I'd look overdressed anyways) If costs are a huge issue and barrier for you, there may still be hope! Make sure you look into the different fee waiver request requirements for your programs and the GRE far in advance and hopefully you can take advantage of them!

University of Maryland (GPiLS-PiN): 1/30-2/1 or 2/6-2/8 Michigan State University: 1/22-1/25 VCU (BSDP): 1/16-1/18 (many later dates available) UNC (BBSP): 1/23-25 Texas Austin: 2/20-23 UCLA: 2/8-10 UCSF: 2/14-15, 2/28-3/1(no bias for students on either weekend) UVA: 1/16-18 Vanderbilt (IGP): 1/9-11 (other dates unknown but available) UC Irvine: 1/23-25 From Websites: Stanford: 2/26-3/2 UCSD: 3/5-7 ^^I added two programs I knew from noting down the weekend they have listed on their websites. Not sure if you only wanted dates from programs that have already sent out invitations, but feel free to include/exclude them in the next copy/paste.

Whoa. Rejections before sending out invites? That seems a little brutal. Good luck with the rest of your schools, you seem to be having a great streak of interviews otherwise, though!!

Anyone know what the status is on UCLA invites? I know some happened over the weekend, but I'm hoping there's going to be another round of invites sent out. Did they specify a deadline to RSVP or anything?

Perhaps. I go to a pretty big school and usually our advisers are peer advisers meaning they are other students. The culture is usually pretty casual too, my professors usually sign emails with first names. I don't know the whole story, like whether or not the professor introduced herself and if so, what title was used. I just work with a lot of first year students and I know an intimidating experience, albeit for their own good, can really scare them from asking for help again. My main point was suggesting to let students know the proper protocol in a way that wouldn't prevent them from seeking assistance in the future.

My roommate didn't know that her new academic adviser had a PhD since some don't. I think she was erring on the side of caution. By bringing up this anecdote I didn't mean to justify my roommate's actions but rather bring the perspective of the naive student. My roommate now (whether warranted or not) prefers to meet with other advisers for one reason or another.

I definitely agree with all of the responses saying it's the right thing to do if not for yourself, for them. However, I also think it's important to phrase carefully. My roommate addressed an email to her new academic adviser with "Dear Ms. So-and-so" instead of "Dear Dr. So-and-so" and got a response that came off as rude and condescending. The adviser seemed offended that she was not being treated with respect rather than educating my roommate on etiquette for future (possibly more important) emails. This way your students won't misinterpret your efforts to help them.

Oops! I just got an email from UCSF notifying me that I didn't upload a transcript before submitting my application. Looks like they have already begun sorting through apps. I'm just glad they let me know instead of throwing my application out. I'm not even sure how I let that slip through the cracks!

Hey everyone! I'm hoping to get my last two apps out today just in time for thanksgiving. just thought i'd introduce myself!