Jocko

Thanks Igetstuffdunn, I hate this forum because it obsesses me, but I really appreciate the support of you guys. I will be a grown-up and call tomorrow.

Thanks for the kind words, shortstack. I'm afraid of the grad coordinator-- seriously-- so I am hesitant to call. I guess I could make someone do it for me, but that seems a bit too cowardly. So, I choose to suffer in silence ( well not silence-- actually I probably bring it up every 30 seconds). I'm glad I don't really have to listen to myself...

I hate the whole "fit" idea-- so many people change their minds after they are admitted anyway. One of my favorite professors at UW-Madison was the chair of grad admissions for a few years ( and I've heard various versions of this), he said: once you get to the top 50 applicants you might as well draw numbers, because they are all qualified and interesting. So, it comes down to luck-- at least a lot of it does. Unfortunately, I feel pretty unlucky. I have a bad feeling about Irvine. After hearing that there was initial interest, I emailed the department a few times ( because of lost materials and incorrect test information) and have not heard back at all. I'm afraid they are not responding anymore because they decided on rejection. This whole thing is driving me crazy. The application status still lists an LOR as missing, even though I know it was sent. I'm too scared to call the department cause I don't want to hear bad news. Any thoughts?

BowTiesAreCool, Did you get an email from the department or the grad school asking for your hard copy transcripts?

I saw another rejection from Minnesota--English is misspelled, however. But I'm still "Awaiting Program Decision"

Ooops--I actually read the post. You guys are math geniuses! I had a 99 in verbal but like a 56 in math. Granted I didn't study at all. I was under the impression nothing mattered but the verbal! Am I wrong here? I don't think the subject test matters much, either. If they are looking for well rounded, I'm screwed

I'm so confused. What do you mean you got a 98? On the GRE? I had a 169. Am I on the wrong topic?

Well, good job on the interview! I have nothing. Nada. I'm just awaitin'.

This is ridiculous. Two different notifications-- then nothing. Anyone have a status change?

I know! MN started sending out notification as well. One rejection and one admission (which might be a mistake cause it says they received an email to check the status, which seems weird for an acceptance. This was on Friday, and since then...silence. I might call later this week. Just need to get my courage up....

I know. I can't decide if this site is good or bad. I was sure I was rejected when I saw the list about "decision made". Now, I don't know again. And for all we know the posters aren't giving us accurate results either-- not that they are lying, but they could just be mistaken. Added to that is how representative these posts are, etc...Yet, even knowing all of this, I still keep compulsively checking this site. As for MN, I doubt they will contact anyone this weekend. We will probably find out next week. I might do an ( anonymous call) if I don't hear soon. I'll post the results if I do call them; I haven't made up my mind.

Maybe. But why would you check? I mean, if I were rejected, it's not like I would check the results to make sure I entered everything correctly. I'd probably avoid looking at it, actually. This might be wishful thinking. Two rejections make my situation look much better than one rejection and one acceptance. Who knows? Before this year it looks like they never sent out rejections before acceptances and now it seems like they must be doing just that.

Like I said on another thread--i wonder if the acceptance was a mistake? It is weird UMN sent an email to check app status as a means of accepting. It seems more likely the person just hit the wrong button and it should have been a reject. Just an idea...

I thought I already posted this, so if it is a repeat, sorry. Semicolon: How did you know about Feb 1 @ MN? I am also wondering if the acceptance I saw on the survey-listed as Minnesota, no university--was a mistake because in "comments" it read: "email to check website," which seems like an odd method of accepting-- at least for MN, as they have always previously called or emailed ( according to the survey). I am still at "Awaiting program decision" Let me know your status.

Semi colon, I saw one acceptance as wel ( It is under Minnesota, without the university) What is going on with your status? How did you know about Feb. 1 as the notification date. Keep me updated!

I'm sorry MariElizabeth. But it looks like there was an acceptance as well? I'm still waiting. Probably all weekend....

I still see " Awaiting program decision." How about you?

I can't even go there Kamisha/Switters. I would be incredibly pleased to meet you at Irvine, however. And my pups does put his nose on the window sometimes, but right now it is too cold!!! We try and stay away from windows here in MN. Most of the dirt is on the outside (or maybe I'm just telling myself that to make me feel better). I'd let a bear chew on my arm if it meant I could go to Irvine--at least for a few minutes.

alright--I' m going to read this before I post to avoid what happened above. I realize this is shaping up to be my blog, rather than a real post. I did want to mention, however, I noticed the Irvine pattern is to notify everyone around the same time. The recent years seem to indicate acceptances are made on the same day ( although the survey obviously does not have all the available data). I am so obsessive...

wow- I meant it,s and their. I am embarrassing myself...

I knew I could count on you, Kamishsha! I noticed the spread on the results survey, and it does look like it will be between Feb 10-20. Its just that they were making such a big deal out of the Jan 21st meeting date. Maybe they are one of the schools who wait for the graduate school to make an official ruling before they notify? Or else Jan 21st was just the first of there meetings. Who knows? But thanks for the support. On the plus side, you are the only one to post so far, so maybe there aren't as many applicants as we thought?

Aha! That makes much more sense. Still, the first poster did have a 310, right? 168+142=310. What I hate is that the math is so much more difficult than it used to be. I took both tests. By the old scoring method I had a 780 V and a 660 Q. This time I had a 169V and a 153Q--so while my verbal was pretty much the same, evidently my math skills seriously slipped. To be fair, I didn't study for the last test at all. But still…I looked way more intelligent in 2006. Although it IS possible I am regressing. My patience level right now is equivalent to that of a 3 year old.

Dont' worry BowTies Are Cool, It is sad I'm even noticing typo's--just evidence of my neuroticism. Anyway, I often post on my tablet, and I've made my share of mistakes. Sorry if it sounded snarky. I'm in a dark place….

Hello, I tried posting on the Applicant's thread and there wasn't much of a response--except for Kamisha (and her alter ego), which I appreciate. Since I'm pretty sure I'm crazy and obsessed (if there is even a difference) I thought I'd try a separate forum. I don't want to repeat my experience with Irvine again, suffice it to say I had one communication that indicated interest and now it is a blank wall of silence. Plus, they somehow lost half my materials, and so everything is late. I think they are still considering me, but this whole thing is driving me nuts. If anyone has any info on Irvine, I'd love to hear it. I can run in analytical circles with the tiniest bit of information, so bring it on! (I, too, have an alter ego--it is Dirty_Window. Not only do I have terrible user names--my dog and the state of my bedroom window--I keep forgetting which password I use. I'm hopeless).

I would definitely go with professor as a term of address, but "salutations" is way overboard. And while I agree that you should ERR ( air, really? The English language is crying, my future PhD.) on the side of caution, to me that means being respectful and being yourself. I would start with a simple "Professor X" or " Dear Professor X"; certainly answer the questions, but also express your excitement at attending his program ( or even the prospect of working with him) and your appreciation for the time he is taking in evaluating your candidacy. "Fit" is a big buzzword in grad acceptance decisions. If I were you, I would emphasize and show the ways in which you are a good "fit" (and use that word") for this particular program. Good Luck! PS If you really want to make the effort, analyze the Prof's writing style. If he uses ellipses and dashes and semi- colons ( most do) then put them in. For some reason excess punctuation = intelligence. I've picked up the habit. And for your own good--Proofread!!