fromeurope

As a fellow European, this is so true! I had one recommender from the American system (although originally from Britain) and two from Europe, and I heard later from my recommender (at a university to which I applied) that her colleague who had read my file had commented on my other two references "I'm sure they think 'X' is smart, but they don't seem really enthusiastic" or sth like that. It's just a cultural thing. One just has to hope that they make allowances for it. On the flip-side, one of my other recommenders told me about looking through post-doc apps for my home-home uni, and having to "filter" through the gushing and unrealistic praise overflowing the recs from American professors.

I sent my WS on A4 sheets, 1.15 spaced, 11 pt font, ~20 000 words. I would advise against that. The day I realized that the US standard is 12 pt double-spaced... Well, cue panic. Not sure what this did to me at the places that rejected me, but apparently, there are places willing to look past even transgressions of this magnitude. But again. I was ignorant. Don't be. The A4 vs the other thing I didn't even know about until now. Fascinating.

All I can say is that Rutgers have been amazing in helping me out in every respect, be it in quickly answering my inquiries or simpply just providing proper information and documentation from the very beginning. I imagine that without this support, it would have been nightmarish to sort out the visa and other such stuff. There's like a week-long international orientation program too, before the term starts. So, I realize that this does not help you. But I just had to respond since I'm so happy with the way I've been treated so far. I also realize that your post is a month old.

You should've signed it in blood. That'd make you stand out for real! And it is, after all, a compact, is it not?

I accepted my offer early! Like in the beginning of March. Although, it was pretty much a no-brainer...

There are no words. I think you're last post might be the worst. The situation is not of your doing, and the way you seem to have been treated by some people! No words.

My I-20 took some 35 days to arrive -- I was just about to pay for my school to express mail me a new copy when it finally did. Although, I suspect that it was lost in the mail for a bit, since I've received other materials in 10 days or so... But at any rate, if you're not getting it, and you're worrying, do pay for them to express it. (I'm in Europe.)

Sorry.

Top 20 vs top 25? That's almost negligible! If you had said only a top... say 50 or something, it'd have made more sense. If a top 20 program (i.e. the 15-20 range) provides you with a shot at these kinds of job, I don't see how a top 25 (20-25) somehow categorically wouldn't. Perhaps you're at a slight institutional disadvantage, but surely, "serious setback" is a bit strong?

I already voted you up to 0 [before you posted this]. Alas, someone else must have voted you down since.

This is the position we all should have applied for!

I put my FB account through my e-mail account, so if you'll allow it, we can do some mutual stalking...

I see in your signature that you've gone from "pretty sure" to committed.

This is so hard! The other parts of the application are sort of quantifiable, but the WS and SOP are inscrutable across the field of candidates. Since you have no idea what kind of writing samples other people have produced, it is hard to really gauge the competetiveness of your own. As a result, you come to doubt it. How could you not?

You've probably seen this thread -- if not, have a look. I wasn't at the Open House either, so I can't help you much more than pointing you there. If you choose Rutgers though, feel free to contact me (I've accepted their offer).