newday123

What you are going through reminds me of how I felt last semester (also my first semester of graduate school). Other people would tell me, "Don't worry. You will be fine." - not very helpful for easing my anxiety! It is definitely hard to concentrate on work when you have too much to juggle. Before I suggest that you quit your weekend job, I would like you to do a little research on temporary employment agencies in the area. I've used them in the past to find office work quickly. As we get closer to the summer months, I would recommend that you visit at least one or two of those agencies, register (bring a resume, not a CV), and tell them about your availability for work. One of them should be (at least I hope so) able to help you find temporary/temp-to-perm work during the summer and beyond. Also, if you haven't already done so, clear non-obligatory activities from your schedule (e.g. graduate student committees). Cal Newport's blog has more advice for students: http://calnewport.com/blog/ Good luck!

Why don't you wait and see what happens?

Thanks for sharing your award-winning essays! By the way, is anyone else here getting confused with all the contradictory feedback on their essays? Also, I still can't believe that GRE scores are not required this year.

You can try to e-mail professors at a nearby university about research assistantships. I tried this and finally got a paid RAship after a number of attempts. You sound like a stellar student. I've heard that Chicago has a small undergraduate population. Since you've been performing well in your classes, you probably stand out. Isn't there any professor at Chicago whom you can speak to about graduate school? Someone with whom you've interacted during office hours? Are your professors too intimidating for you to talk to? It's not too late to make connections now. I'd just be specific in your e-mails and say something like: "Professor so-and-so, I enjoyed taking your X course this past semester. If you remember, I did a paper on Y topic. I really enjoy studying Z overall and think I would enjoy graduate school. May I make an appointment to chat with you about graduate school and your research ..."

Don't feel silly. Wow, this is great stuff! I should print this and frame it. I love it when people tell stories to make their points.

Your more recent letters from professors in your MS program will probably count more than those from your undergrad institution. Do you have anyone from sociology or environmental sociology writing you a letter? A higher verbal GRE score (and thus a higher overall GRE score) will help you secure fellowships. You can find lots of study materials and support at the Test Magic forum (http://www.urch.com/forums/gre/). I'm not sure that Chicago would be a good fit for your interests. I would look up highly cited environmental sociology articles and find out who are the movers and shakers in this field and where they are currently teaching. Also include schools with a concentration in environmental sociology on your list. This past season I was admitted and waitlisted by schools that fit in terms of concentrations AND potential faculty mentors available.

I'm going there for sociology. I'm also interested in on-campus housing, either on the College Avenue campus or the Douglass campus. Does anyone here know about housing on either campus?

I would try to call up some graduate students and ask them your burning questions.

I feel your frustration since I was recently in a similar situation. I would say that if they are still dodging your questions about your waitlist/acceptance statuses, your chances of getting in are probably not so good. If they really want you, then they would have started courting you earlier so that you wouldn't accept another offer. Be prepared to make a choice among your current offers on 4/15.

Hi, everyone. Good news for those who have been waitlisted at Maryland: I've declined my offer. I visited Maryland recently. The students seemed happy and enthusiastic, and the faculty seemed approachable and supportive. They are also making the curriculum more flexible. For instance, you can tailer your second specialty exam to your interests. All in all, Maryland seemed like a good place to go to school. I hope that you're next in line! Good luck!

I very much appreciate your update. I actually got into another program that, I think, is a better fit and provides a good funding package. So I actually feel relatively okay about the non-response from UNC.

Last week I e-mailed them about my status and so far have heard nothing. Since some people have already been accepted or rejected, I think that we're on the waitlist. To those who went to the admit weekend: how was your visit and your general impression of the program?

Some people have already been notified of their acceptance or waitlist status. The open house for admitted students is on 3/31.

To the poster who received two different admissions status e-mails: Sorry about what you had to go through! Did you call the office to confirm your true status? It seems that UNC does accept people in rounds. So news can come at any time.

To the admitted applicants: are we supposed to get some sort of an official letter in the mail besides the congratulatory e-mail?

I'm guessing that there's still no news at your end? I need to find out soon so that I can arrange my travel (one more month left before decision day!). But it looks like it's not going to happen. Has any of the accepted posters here paid UNC a visit? If so, what were your impressions?

Oh, which external review group? I will PM you about the other stuff.

Sounds good! Feel free to take all the time that you need to decide. Since we last spoke, I've been accepted by another school with full funding. So I already have two schools to choose from (if you don't count MAPSS). The thing that I'm worried about is getting an acceptance from Indiana on 4/15 and needing to decide without a campus visit. That's why I am toying with the idea of visiting campus in early April.

Hi, maximus82. Welcome back! Sounds like you had a nice visit. Are the faculty members pretty accessible to students? Any idea how the cohort is shaping up? Any chance that they will go to the waitlist? I e-mailed the department weeks ago regarding my status and have yet to receive a reply.

March 31.

Hi. Are any of you going to the open house?

Me too!

Ugh, that's what I'm afraid of!

I'm sorry to hear that. How was your interview? Future applicants: for the interview, be prepared to discuss your research interests, why you're interested in Rutgers, faculty members whom you're interested in working with, etc. Also, feel free to ask any questions that you have regarding Rutgers. Basically, show that you've done your homework!

I think they're still interviewing people. I got an e-mail early this week about scheduling a call. I'm still waiting for them to call me.