ScreamingHairyArmadillo

Definitely call the graduate school itself. They may shuttle you around on the phone, but stick with it. Also, my boyfriend had an issue with his GRE and transcript status and the only problem was that his name is so long and complicated that it got lost in the system. After 30 minutes on the phone he got his GRE scores and transcript linked to his file.

I've joined the local gym mostly to take their directed classes (and lose my application weight). Holy hell, my legs ached for 2 days! Can't wait to go back tomorrow! I'm headed for a life of field work so I need to work on my muscles and endurance.

You sound just like my boyfriend. What is it about aspiring historians who want to be scary and intimidating?

I'm swaying back and forth between academia and government. I like the aspect of conducting my own research in academia, but a job in the EPA etc. might be more pertinent to my community (and pay a helluva lot more!) My mind's open at this point.

A little horrifying - I'm not interested in making exterminating a career (not even that interested in agro-entomology either), but I'm hoping my being able to say "Yeah, I can work with bugs - I've even caught cockroaches with my bare hands" will land me a more exciting jobs than fast food for the summer.

Just letting you know I have a friend who met a history professor at the recent AHA meeting, and they said they will be reviewing applications in 2 weeks. I assume everyone likes to know every bit of information possible (esp. if you're waiting on any rogue LORs.

Well, the addition of a troll on the gradcafe might spice things up a bit in this waiting time.

Anonymous stranger, you have no idea what most people here have been through - I don't assume we've all led easy lives (though most of us have). I think you, however, feel you have a much higher right to complain about this whole process, which is very arrogant.

You'll do great in grad school! Good luck!

I received an email from the department with notification that I would get a letter from the graduate school about funding.

I have a work study job on campus (same lab I work in for my thesis). I've been here since my freshman year. However, come summer I may have no job. I've decided to stay in my hometown to avoid more moving and burn out, plus getting my license and a car. It's difficult to get a job there, so I'm compiling a list now and in two months am going to contact everyone on it. Top of the list: exterminators.

I have a short list of positives (yet I feel very positive!) -good GPA, with A's in the most relevant classes -great recommendations (I was told this by someone at a prospective school) and luckily one from an entomologist -great GRE scores (to the point where I should definitely be in the running for good money) -as weird as it is to say about oneself, a real appreciation and enthusiasm for science -3 solid research projects, 2 directed by myself (and 1 ongoing) -all of these projects have been presented at the end of the internship, but I'm taking my senior thesis to an ESA branch meeting this semester -going into a truly awesome field (urban ecology) that is becoming the New Big Thing (AFAIK) -have been told by all my recommenders and others that I already act like a grad student

I see the application stage as more equivalent to dating. You put yourself out there, some will reject you, others love you...then you get to pick from those who want you also. Then comes the commitment. And I suppose the degree is the baby?

The lab tech and PhD student in my lab both told me that it is crucially important to set aside time to work out while in grad school. It's a really good stress reliever and possibly the only time you'll have to do something other than work .

You are so lucky! Dogfish Head is yummm. As for me, I didn't even celebrate much. I just sort of stared at the computer screen and then called everyone important.

I came into college thinking I'd go into the history of science, which I would still love. However, I decided I like to do the science itself. Maybe one day I can be a Stephen Jay Gould type.

I am in a committed relationship (been together a few years, discussions on engagement) so we are trying to figure this application process out together. Our fields are very different, but we found a few schools that are both good/awesome for our own things. If not, we looked at schools in similar areas or within 2-3 hours apart. So we may or may not be able to live together. Other than that we have no specific plans until we get rejections/acceptances. It also becomes more complicated when I may end up going for a PhD in a different school - or I may not. Who knows? At this point all we can do is play it by ear.

Most???

I sent mine and had a 72nd percentile. Granted, I had a 90th percentile in the evolution and ecology section which is probably more important for my own field and focus. If your school requires it now, send it. Your score (I think) is not going to hurt your application.

I'm definitely keeping my cat. She will be my company if my boyfriend is gone (or ends up going to a separate school or is travelling...). But even as an undergrad I find her as a little source of sanity and somewhat as a practice in responsibility.

My boyfriend is contacting some professors now after applying, though he had also made a few contacts before. I don't think it's too late at all. Just say you've been reading up on more of their work over break, here's what you want to do, etc etc (well, make sure you do read a bit ).

I am thirding this suggestion. It's what I did, granted in an email so I didn't feel as pressured to not stumble over my words. But they will be used to hearing it, and one of my contacts said he expects it of all students anyway.

Haha, that's why we're applying to grad school, I suppose. I'd love to reread The Stand. As mentioned by last year's cohort, King writes incredibly well - just so entirely readable.

A revived thread, hmm? My current reads are: Genesis: The Evolution of Biology by Jan Sapp (I love love love reading about the history of science) Unscientific America: How Scientific Illiteracy Threatens Our Future by Chris Mooney and Sheril Kirshenbaum I'd like to pick up a novel after finishing one of these. I used to plow through some fantastic sci fi, but have read mostly nonfic the past few years.

Entomology, specifically urban ecology. Why? Bugs are ridiculous and make me laugh. But I need to find a way to make that a job. Lucky for me, urban ecology is sort of the hot thing right now, and insects are a fantastic thing to study in cities. No, not just cockroaches and termites, but the ecology of insects in vacant lots is pretty cool. I also like the thought of working in a city because it would be a way to reach to a lot of kids that were like me and thought there was no nature to study around home (no, I am not recreating my SOP haha). I'm a homebody and think you shouldn't feel the need to go to Africa to study the cool biology (though, damn would I love to go!)