EngineerGrad

I was told that schools put early deadlines and corner the applicants to accept them early so that they secure "good students." Idk wheter it's true or not, but sounds plausible. And departments cannot use fellowship money for other purposes... When fellowships are assigned to X, only X can use it. That's why if the OP changes his mind, it's bad for another applicant, because the department can't reassign the fellowship to another student

This topic might help you:

I would've thought about it and tried to push even more for a deadline extension... Hard to say what I would do, but if a school is pushing yourself so much to give that early of an answer is always a red flag... good schools like to send out letters at the same time, and most of them follow the April 15th deadline. I heard this from the Dean of my top choice when I visited the campus. He mentioned that OKAY schools send accepts for great applicants too early, and that's when they make these kind of decisions. If I were you, I'd be pure honest and would've said: I appreciate your offer, and am very grateful for it. However, I still have other programs to hear from, and am not able to make that early of a decision if there is a chance that I will have to change offers in the future. I am positive that if you had explained to them that you are waiting on other schools and didn't want to take the offer because it was too early, and if doing so you could potentially jeopardize the institution or another applicant, no reasonable school would have said no. I think you missed the mark because perhaps you didn't tell them why you needed more time. And if you had said that it was too early and you still haven't heard from anyone, maybe they would've understood. Grad schools need mature people who can think thorough. But since you made the commitment already, and aware of the consequences, right now I would just stick with my decision and attend that program. Afterall, you will still be funded. In academia, reputation is everything. It's from your reputation that you get students, grants, papers published, etc. Ok, your work matters too... And a lot. But these small things when you are climbing the first step of an academics career can hurt you in the future. But that's my opinion. Perhaps you don't mind, and some might tell you to stick with your guts. Best of luck, just try not to mess someone elses chance to get in because you changed your mind. It could've been you...

You committed yourself with OSU, and ditching them at this point will hurt another applicant. Since they were very clear on the guidelines and you accepted their offer, I think that if you choose to go to another school is extremely unprofessional, and will hurt another applicant who has nothing to do with you and the other school. as a prospective grad student, you should have enough integrity to not commit yourself with something you will not be able to follow. Answering your question, yes that would be a huge problem, and I would not even think about doing it...

Just kidding... Tell them what you've already accomplished. "I got in this amazing school, top x in my field, and I'm really happy." Sell yourself... Say how competitive it is etc

What up bitches i need money lol

Hi guys, So this season, I was too scared to apply straight to PhD programs, so I applied to a couple Masters programs and only one PhD. It turns out that I got into the PhD program fully funded+stipend+health insurance. It is a good school (top 35 in Electrical Engineering). I also got accepted into the 5th best engineering school in the country. But that one was only for an unfunded MS. The catch is that I have a scholarship that will be enough to pay the tuition at the top 5 school, so in the end of the day, I am funded for a top 35 PhD program and also for the top 5 MS program. At the PhD institution, I became close to my POI, visited the campus and loved it. I have never been to the top 5 MS school, don't know anyone over there, and would have to re-apply for a PhD program 2 years from now. Which one should I choose? I am conflicted :-( Help?

So today I told a "friend" that I got accepted into GA Tech, and that I was really happy. And he was like: oh, it's not as hard as people think to get into grad school... But congrats. Why would someone say something like this?!?!?!??? Do you know how much stress goes into grad apps? (He is a Junior in college )

Haha that's true! I'll have to fight to get my wisdom back!

HOLY FUCK I GOT ACCEPTED TO MY TOP CHOICE OMFGGGGGGGFGFF AHGEUQOAOXYYR4161 Tip: TAKE YOUR WISDOM TEETH OUT! I RECEIVED THREE ACCEPTANCES IN THE SPAN OF A DAY LOL

I know, right??? I haven't heard anything from my top choices until yesterday. Then got two acceptances at once! Feels really good! Good luck on yours!!

None of my schools mentioned a date to accept or reject the offer... Should I call them and ask?

I called all my schools and got good news from all of them, but one. I don't understand why people are so scared to call the program... If you want to check your status, get the damn phone and call them

I GOT INTO USC OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!! I was crying of pain because of my wisdom teeth surgery :-(((((((((((((((((( and then BOOM AN EMAIL

Absolutely! This is the best time to introduce yourself. Also, ask him/her what class he/she's teaching in the fall.

My third acceptance came in today, when I was getting ready for my wisdom teeth surgery... I'm in the dentist's office right now and am freaking out

You can indeed do europe by train. And that's actually an amazing and cheap way to do it. That's what I might do this summer! There are unlimited train tickets around 500$ that you can use for a month. I am looking into this one: http://www.eurail.com/eurail-passes/global-pass And you don't need to speak anything... You can always mime hehehe

Well it depends... First time I did UK in 2 weeks. Second time I did France and UK in 3 weeks: Paris, Versailles, London, Cambridge, and Oxford. I had a credit card for emergency, but since I didn't have much money, I budgeted 35 euros a day and would take 35€ every morning from my money. UK yeah, they spoke english hehe. In France they did not... I know french, so I did not have any trouble getting around. French people don't really appreciate being asked questions in english... And I mostly visited at that time... Museums, parks, fairs etc. Last time, I was in Europe for 8 weeks. I took a 6-week intensive intermediate german course at Freie Universität, in Berlin. I lived in a student dorm with 5 roommates and it was just amazing! The best experience I've ever had in Europe. In germany credit cards are a joke... No one accepts it. Legit no one. So I approached the same way I did a couple years back. I exchanged all my money in the US and would assess it in a daily basis. My budget this time was 40€/day and that gave me enough room to travel in the weekends to different countries and enjoy Berlin. My bf was studying in Madrid, so we met in Paris and it was super cool. He also visited me in Berlin. Berlin is really cheap for food... 10€ a week was enough to buy groceries. The city is amazing, everyone is very young. And all of them spoke very good english, which I didn't really appreciate since I was there to polish my german. My grandpa gave me the german course (he is german, so he wants us all to know proper german). The rest I paid on my own. Air ticket+spending money was around 3k usd. But hey, I was there for 2 months! My tip is: don't go to germany (particularly Berlin) thinking that you will use credit card like you use in the US. In berlin, they use cash and a little bit of eurodebit....

I travaled on my own numerous times. First time I was 16 and went to France and UK. Last time was last year: Germany, France, Switzerland, and Italy. It is great, the down side is that all of your pictures will consist of selfies and landscapes hehe

No need to say where you are going. Just say that you were offered an exceptional package and that you believe it is the right thing to attend the other school. I wouldn't cite names. I would thank for the offer and opportunity and try not to burn bridges

Hi guys, so this is what happened to me: Last year before I started applying for grad programs, I thought I wasn't good enough for a PhD right after my undergrad (which I am completing in may 2014). So I decided to apply to only one PhD program, in the best school of my state. I visited the school and felt in absolute love with the program, faculty, funding opportunities, etc. So I came back home positive that I would attend the PhD program of such institution. However, yesterday, I received an acceptance from a ver top-top school in my field and I was chocked. I applied just so that I could tell myself later that I at least tried. I was accepted for an M.S. at this top school, and now I am really indecisive on where to attend. Any suggestions? Funded PhD at a top 30 or an M.S. + Research Assistantship at a top 3? My biggest fear is that 2 years doing research + MS at a top 3 would not be enough time to complete the thesis. My possible advisor at the MS institution is amazing and she invited me to work in his lab in the fall, if I decide to go there. My possible PhD advisor at the top 30 institution is also amazing -- he basically invented my field of research 30 years ago, and every respected article about the topic cites him. Ahhhhhhh

Virginia Tech is next week

I am 20, graduating with my BS in may, but I left home for college when I was 16. I paid my rent, food and tuition ever since. As a graduation gift, my grandma gave me a brand new car (i didn't ask for it, and might be moving to boston for grad school). I was the one who created the car insurance thread because I thought the rates were insanely high. But well, i come from a dysfuntional family, so I didn't have an alternative rather than sucking it up and doing it. I still eat cereal for lunch though :-)

BERKELEY. That's all I have to say

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