ScreamingHairyArmadillo

To me research interests and career goals sound different. I'm unsure about both, and made that somewhat clear, but then again my field might feel differently about such issues. I said I would be open to academic or government work in the future, and have a general idea of urban ecology for research interests. What I made sure to do is propose multiple questions to show that I can think about potential problems and research topics for future work. So that may not be helpful. But my overall advice is that even if you're unsure, you can be honest without sounding wishy-washy. If you explain what ideas you have (broadly, and maybe give a few specific topic examples) it'll show that you are at least thinking of your options in the field.

Coffee. Definitely coffee. I have 2-3 cups in the morning, 2 in afternoon, 1 in the evening...needless to say, I've also developed a terrible sleep schedule. Another neurotic tendency is to check this forum all the time. And if not this one, the "favorite" student emails thread on the Chronicle forums (mostly to dream about how I must be so much better than all of those students and my potential future as a hard-ass professor ).

Really great actually! They pretty much told me they want me in and that their school is "the perfect fit" for what I want to do (this is OSU by the way). The campus was great - I went to their Wooster satellite campus and found it quite homey and close knit, which is what I want. I also met another potential grad student who wants to do almost exactly what I want to do (!) with the same professor (!!) BUT said faculty member is new and has money for at least 2 students. She told me that she would love to have us both in order for us to learn together and collaborate. I almost hope that I don't like the other schools because I really fell in love with OSU yesterday. Ha! I have another interview next week at UMass so we'll see how that goes.

Well, I can tell you one thing about CWRU - it is very culturally diverse. You should have no problem as a foreigner, and it could even be to your advantage here. Actually, which department did you apply to? I might even know someone that's on the admissions committee (!).

Got a response finally. Looks like I'll be heading over for my first interview tomorrow. Now I have to prepare.

You should be able to use any carrier you want. However, USPS does offer expedited shipping and overnight.

After I finished my application to one of my programs, the graduate coordinator emailed me to let me know he had everything and would I like to come in for a (seemingly informal) interview before their next admissions committee meeting? Well, yes! He offered Dec. 3 or 7, I said Dec. 7 or preferably Dec. 4 if at all possible. No response for 9 days. I finally called him, and got a message saying he'd be out of his office until Dec. 3. I emailed again this past Monday and got an immediate response saying yes, I can probably come the 4th, but he'll tell me tomorrow (Tuesday) to confirm. Again, nothing, and tomorrow's Friday! I'm hoping I'll hear something by the end of today since he's finally back in his office, but seriously, what the hell? Should I call? Email? Just show up? The campus is only 1.5 hours away, so it's not like I had to buy any tickets. I did get to meet the main faculty member I want to work with on Tuesday, so I do have some connections. She seems interested in me and has money for students, but I really need to meet the graduate coordinator. This is my first major bump in the road and I don't know what to do! I've been checking my email incessantly (just did - still nothing!).

Ooo I like this thread. It will definitely be one to come back to (hopefully in high spirits!) Applied to 5 programs Competitive at: 2 Pretty good shot at: 2 Who knows!: 1 I have no real top choice - I find it makes my anxiety much lower. Plus, I have a bit of a two-body problem (not married SO is applying to grad schools in a totally different field, and I do plan on taking their acceptances into consideration of where I go unless financial aid packages are wildly different).

I'll add my reply to this thread instead of the old one...maybe enliven the conversation again. The PhD student in the lab I work in has a prominent leg tattoo (of our lab's study organism, of course) and our PI doesn't care. In fact, I also have an insect tattoo and he loves it. Granted, I think entomologists are a different breed of academics. I think it really depends on what your field is, but to me the sciences seem quite lenient when it comes to things like dress, body modifications, or hell, even personal hygiene. As long as you dress appropriately for formal meetings, interviews, conferences, etc. you should have no problem during your regular day-to-day.

Physics? You should be more than fine.

You should send more than 3 only if you have close relationships with more than 3 possible letter writers. Otherwise, a letter from a prof that doesn't really know you too well and can just say "Oh yes, they did fine in my class" will be superfluous.

My paragraphs were single spaced, with spaced lines separating the paragraphs. It's easy on the eyes and keeps things to under 2 pages. I also put my name as a header in the upper right corner. I only titled my MSU statement because they wanted it separated as Personal and Academic.

From what I've heard, the office opens a file for you once they start receiving any material. I sent in my GRE scores and transcripts before any online apps and have had no problem.

I got a 710V/4.0AW. I'm not in the humanities, so I might not have to care as much as others, but 98th and 41st percentiles don't really fit together well. However, one of my recommenders is the prof of a scientific writing class I had, and she said I had some of the most consistently well-written articles she's ever read from a student. So the GRE can shove it.

You could think of it this way: while your profs are on a first name basis with you, they are not with your prospective schools' admissions committees (as far as you know). So you should probably keep to Prof./Dr. Lastname in your SOP. I'm on a first name basis with all my research advisors, but I referred to them as Dr. Lastname. As for the mention of how you like that profs and students are on a first name basis, maybe you could state it a different way in your SOP and avoid the problem all together. Could you just say that you enjoy the friendliness/easiness with profs? Write about how profs are receptive and set aside time with you, and maybe the first-name-calling will be implied. I also have a feeling that admissions committees with think "So what?" if you just say you all refer to each other by first name.

I would not. The committee members will know which is yours (all application materials are added to one file for an individual). However, I put my name in the header of the page just in case they have a hard copy and drop some papers.

I used the Kaplan prep book and liked it a lot. It was very straightforward and provided a good math review. I also bought a book on essential GRE words (I forget which one, but just get something with a few hundred). Also, a GRE word of the day email service is a good idea. As for practice tests, the Kaplan book provides 1 in book (which isn't like the real test) and 3 practice tests plus quizzes on the CD. Also, if you buy the book new or renew the book ID you can sign up for their online service and get more practice tests and quizzes. Not a bad investment for about $20. The PowerPrep program by ETS is obviously worth it, too. Just look on their site. (It's also free) Overall advice? Take as many practice tests as possible, starting at least 2-3 weeks before your test date.

I think you should directly state that you had been accepted previously and did not attend for financial reasons. Then go on about how your work has been so great, etc etc (as you mentioned how you've focused your work) and persuaded you to strive for the competitive institution again. Do not assume it's the same people on the committee. And I would bet they won't take out your old SOP. It's unnecessary, too. They'll know you were obviously good enough to get in before and to other places. Focus on your most current work.

I would think so. They'll get the score reports eventually. You could call the graduate admissions office just to be sure.

You should try to work it in, especially as a testament to your ability to work hard. They know your age from your application, so it's no use trying to hide it. Otherwise, you do run the risk of not being seen as mature enough for graduate school because you are so much younger than other applicants.

You can use your confirmation number if you call. Check their website for the appropriate phone number.

I haven't visited any yet, but am going to UMass in about 1 month. I've also made plans to visit OSU next January before classes since it's so close to home. The other 3 I'll wait on acceptances (or not) first. I also just realized this is in the religion section.

I took the October test. I'm not sure how often it's offered overseas. I also called in for my score cos I couldn't wait another two weeks for the results to be mailed.

Here's hoping this section livens up a bit. Where are all the biology people? Applying to Entomology MS programs, plus one PhD program as joint Organismic and Evolutionary Biology/Entomology. Subfields of study - plant/insect interactions, urban areas, biological control, and conservation. 3.72 GPA, 3.56 biology major GPA (which should be higher by the time I graduate - a lot of the bio classes are taken senior year) GRE 710V 770Q 4.0 AW GRE Biology 730 (72%) LORs from two research project advisors and one professor from a scientific writing class. Pretty much done with SOPs, just polishing and personalizing the remaining 3 to be turned in. My worries? My last LOR. My advisor is such a procrastinator, and I found out today that he turned in a recommendation late for his PhD student. I have two Dec 1 deadlines, and all they're waiting on is his letter. Another worry is burnout. This has been by far the craziest semester. Applications are consuming most of my energy, but I have multiple lab reports, two research papers, and a poster presentation coming up. I think I'm just going to black out come Christmas.

The drop-down list will include the number, so don't worry about remembering "1234" or whatever. Otherwise, just remember which school wants which! I forgot and ended up entering the department as the recipient for all of them, even though some wanted scores to be sent to the graduate school. Luckily, scores just went straight to the graduate school anyway and stayed there, so I haven't had any problems.