MrsWizard

It really is unfortunate, but true. I get a lot of mixed reviews from professors. Some say that the GRE can be a deal breaker and some say that they don't even look at GRE scores when they review an application. This is coming from professors at top research universities. It really is a bummer. I have specialized training in the field of stem cell biology through a fully funded internship and staff position. I have presented 4 posters and done 3 oral presentations. I'm about to finish my Master's program with a 4.0; will be defending my thesis in February. Currently preparing two manuscripts for publication. All my thesis work was done at a top research university. My numbers might not be stellar, but it really doesn't say anything about my abilities. I'm not the best with multiple choice test, I'd rather be able to explain my train of thought through essay based questions. I wish there were other ways to "test" our abilities. Ok, rant over. GRE looks to be important, but not a deciding factor. Happy holidays, everyone! 

So while I am waiting for an e-mail from my first grad school I made this!! Scungilli a la Sorrentina! Can I add this to my application? lol

I am in the same boat as you. You just have to hope that someone reads your application file that can look past the numbers, and sees the person as a whole. Everyone says how they want a well rounded person to apply, and numbers don't matter, but I don't know how much of that can be true. And I am in no way discrediting those who have kept straight A's their entire career, and stellar research. They deserve these interviews, but so do we. Sometimes life gets in the way and we shouldn't be penalized for that.
 
It's still early in the game, I am sure you guys will get in somewhere!

So my info to those worried about rejections:
 
1) Don't worry. Chances are, the schools are just waiting.
 
In the worst case:
2) I'd wait till January-ish to call about your status.  Some schools send out rejections just after the interviews, some wait.  I got the waitlist for an interview the day after invites had been sent out.  The other rejections sort of varied, in how long they came after invites.
Last year, UCLA waited until July (!) to notify me that I'd been rejected - I obviously had assumed by that point, but still.
 
3) Utter worst case: It's not the end of the world if you don't get in this year. It sucks, it's one of the worst feelings ever, but you get a new take on life, you get to re-convince yourself that this is what you want to do for the rest of your lives, and you get a year to make some money.
 
I was rejected from four schools last year, even without interviews, and this year, have four invites so far!  So don't worry.  And if you have any questions, feel free to message me.
 
But honestly, and the last thing I want to leave you with - Most likely, you will still get interviews. I PROMISE, it's not too late. Just wait - good things'll come.

It happens fairly often. When you get an acceptance offer, you are generally told to reply as soon as you can so that they can free up your spot for someone else if you decide not to accept.  The schools will typically accept X number of students, expecting that some percent of X number of students will actually accept; if more people than usual turn them down, they will pull from their waitlisting pool.
 
For that reason, if you haven't heard back from them in January or February, you are most likely waitlisted.  Sometimes you can be pulled off the waitlist when too many people decline interviews.
 
I guess a better way to put it: you can be waitlisted for interviews (post-application), and waitlisted for acceptance (post-interview).

Btw, I have already gone through the stages of grieving and it's only the very beginning, lol. In my head I have switched careers 6 times, went through all of my plan B's and have given up on science to become an artist. Cheers to a meltdown!

Btw, I have already gone through the stages of grieving and it's only the very beginning, lol. In my head I have switched careers 6 times, went through all of my plan B's and have given up on science to become an artist. Cheers to a meltdown!

ERR alpha and dirtylabcoat... If we don't get in, let's start our own lab!

ERR alpha and dirtylabcoat... If we don't get in, let's start our own lab!

I am trying to stay positive, but I woke up to an empty email box again this morning. Still no word....from anywhere. Nothing like getting an ulcer for Christmas!

I am trying to stay positive, but I woke up to an empty email box again this morning. Still no word....from anywhere. Nothing like getting an ulcer for Christmas!