[F-1 interview]

Have mine soon. Everything seems to be in order. Eager to get it over and done with!

[Have you ever been accepted by top ranked programs and rejected by some that are ranked lower?]

Happened to me this application season. Rejected from lower ranked programs, and accepted at a top one. 

[What were you doing when you got accepted?]

I was watching T.V. contemplating what I should do for the next year having received five rejections. One application remained, but considering it was my top choice and they were only admitting around three people this year due to funding cutbacks, I knew I didn't stand a chance. Then it happened, an email popped up from the DGS congratulating me on acceptance to their Ph.D. program. I was completely shocked, and ridiculously happy! 

[Imagining the Committee]

Hi guys, have you read this article about the admissions process at Stanford? It was very interesting to read in detail from someone who actually participated in the process. Very glad that I found this article: http://nlp.stanford.edu/~rkarthik/DAGAP.pdf

Great read, thanks for the link!