starofdawn

I just Googled myself and found an old, embarrassing Facebook post from 2010 on the first page. Promptly removed.

The graduate coordinator for my program sent me an email with a link + password on January 14th to check the status of my application. I believe the link is specific for engineering applicants only. The email wasn't personalized and I didn't contact anyone to ask for the link.

As I refresh the results page every 3.5 seconds, sometimes I find myself saying, "I never knew someone could get a MS/MA/PhD in that subject!" or, "I didn't know a program for ____ existed at [insert university]!" What new, unique grad programs have you discovered from looking at the results page(or looking from a school's website)?

That's so bizarre - I'd sent my GRE scores and transcripts to UC Irvine back in November, and about a week ago UCI said they hadn't received either - and so I re-submitted my GRE scores via the ETS website and my transcripts via mail. The very next day, the "missing items" list went away and said my application was under review. They must have received my GRE scores and assumed they could move along with reviewing my app before the official transcripts came in? Either way... I find it terribly bizarre that they would be so strict for materials coming in on-time when it's not completely in our control. An administrator from UCSD admitted UCSD had trouble receiving scores from ETS(and I assume other schools have had trouble as well). My official transcripts for 3 different schools were lost in the mail and I had to re-order and re-mail them. It's been the most expensive part about applying!

Jocko, did you reach out to the admission chair or did they contact you? I haven't spoken to a single administrator/PI since I started the grad app process... am I doing this wrong?

Same, turtlelover... same.

Aaaaaand a post on thegradcafe from 2012 is the second on the list!

UC Irvine is meeting today?! MEEP! Edit: Noticed earlier today that my application status changed from "under review" to "being reviewed". Wasn't sure if that meant something...

Online degrees with OSU! As in... Oregon State University.

I ask myself that same question every day! I'm totally with you - everyone else's numbers look so good. Honestly, almost everyone else's GRE/GPA scores on the results page are better than mine. Only a few times, I'll think "Holy crap, my scores are better!" I just hope and hope that those scores are above the mean. And that they don't apply to the same programs I am.

I submitted my UCLA application over a month ago (and the deadline was on December 15th) and the website still says "submitted"! But I don't think I have any reason to be concerned.

People: So... what is Materials Science/Engineering? Me: You know... it's where you learn how to make stuff... People: ... Okay.... Me: Honestly, I don't even know how to explain it.

CSU East Bay is in Hayward, right? That's not too far from the Silicon Valley! But as others have suggested, both schools are great and will meet your needs... if I were in your shoes, I might chose SJSU just because it has a better reputation. I'm not sure if potential employers will look at your resume and think, "But CSU East Bay's stats program is better...." Maybe there will be other aspects about the school that can help you decide! Like the faculty, or the layout of the school, the tuition, the school spirit...

I also think PhD students will hear first, since they need to figure out funding as well(and their applications are due earlier). From the previous years, applicants obtaining a MS in the same program as me hear back mid-February, at the earliest. I'm going to try to stop checking my email/gradcafe so often. I will probably start calling programs in March.

I think everyone will eventually get an email, but rejection emails are such low priority, it might not come until well after the acceptance letters come out. Perhaps that's how people are figuring out their rejections through calling the office. Edit: grammar

OK... who here got into MIT with a 2.63 GPA from Reed College?! Edit: Nevermind - seems like everyone erroneously received one.

Same here. It would be very masochistic to go back and search for mistakes. I will look for mistakes if I don't get in anywhere and reapply, but for now, I refresh the results page every 20 seconds.

As of now, my work experience is only slightly relevant. If I don't get in anywhere, I will probably find a job better tailored toward my career goal.... it would make me a better applicant.

Lol, honestly sometimes if I'm at a bar and I'm feeling a little tired, I'll go outside for a smoke. But it happens rarely, caffeine/nicotine/etc are highly addictive. And I'm happy to help!

Quit my job and travel!

Gah! I keep refreshing the Results page, checking email... I just try to tell myself that I probably won't hear anything for another month!

Fun science fact: chemicals with similar-ending names will have similar properties. Caffeine, nicotine, methamphetamine are all stimulants (although I definitely don't recommend meth). They all have the "-ine" ending. Not all energy drinks have caffeine... try sampling a few non-caffeine energy drinks/supplements and and see which caffeine substitute works for you. Look for ingredients with "-ine" ending. Hope this helps.

My boyfriend and I have been together for 7 years, and plan on marrying. He is very supportive of my decision to go back to graduate school, and will move with me. When I was trying to figure out where to apply, his preference for staying in California was a big factor in deciding to only apply to California schools(but not the only reason). Even if he won't like the area, I'm only obtaining a Masters degree and we would be able to move again in just a few years.

tax bracket