Nyctophile

each school's requirement for the GRE gen and/or subject test, whether there was a separate deadline (or extra materials) for financial aid/fellowship stuff, if there were any supplementary statements that the school wanted (diversity, history of economic hardship in the family, first gen college attendee, any other criteria that are applicable to some available fellowships). I also put in a few notes for each POI after I did some reading on their CV, publications, and CURRENT research interests (sometimes the faculty pages maintained by the university aren't updated frequently).

I'm sure not the only one. There were a good 15 people at the visit day I attended. You are going to be so happy with the kind faculty, the delicious weather, and the beautiful location!

When I read the topic title I busted up...it only got better when I read the post. As for your dilemma, from what I hear this is standard practice. Thankfully I scanned the posts before I finished this so yeah, what zabka and davidipse said!

Thanks! I'm thrilled for me and so proud of YOU!!

Nope, I never did. I actually just went back through my sent email to double check that the message actually got sent. I sent one to the provost, the dept. chair, AND that POI and not one has replied. I just want to know I didn't inadvertently insult any one...

LOL!! I went with Cornell. Princeton was a complete out of the blue, totally unexpected thing that happened over the weekend. We'll have to have a "meet-in-the-middle" lunch for everyone off the impostor thread next year.

I'm so happy it's finally done! Cornell here I come!!

Just declined Princeton, I'm glad someone on the waitlist will get to attend the school of their dreams!

Hi zabka, I actually didn't ask for one. I've had plenty of time to consider Cornell (although not in comparison to Princeton) so I didn't feel justified in asking for an extension.

Thanks!

That is very true and I would want to do more teaching than the one year BUT since it's not a requirement I feel like that would allow me greater flexibility in choosing when and how much to teach. Ack! one more thing to consider!

Yep, just a bit ago...it didn't seem at face value to be better than my other offer. then I spoke to a current grad student on the phone and he said that though it says five years in a combination of teaching and fellowship, in reality I'll only be required to teach one year and the rest are fellowship. I'll need to confirm with the DGS but damn...that is a LOT of research time! the biggest draw of the other program is the people, both the professors and the grad students. now I'm trying to decide between following the money or joining my people.

Mostly just that they might think you aren't as committed or serious about their school, which might as you said, sour the relationship a little. It mostly depends on the person that you're talking to anyway, some might take it as a personal affront while someone else is going to understand how stressful and overwhelming this all is and that it is an intensely personal and important decision to make. I'm pretty sure the DGS at X is of the latter category, he's been pretty amazing whenever I've needed something so far.

I just spoke to my advisor about this today. He said that it's a little risky but if the reason you're asking is a good one it could be worth it. I think it also depends on the relationship you have with the school you want to ask for an extension, if you've had a lot of contact and/or interest I think they might take it better than a place where you've barely spoken to anyone. I might need to ask for extra time too so this is definitely something that's on my mind.

I was going to say "It's me!" but then i checked the time of your message and saw the below: So, I guess: Hello! Me too! Although the relief didn't last long b/c now I'm in agonies waiting for the official offer letter. Did you already receive yours???

I was in frequent contact with a POI at one of the programs that offered me admission, emails and phone calls both. She knew that I had a couple serious reservations about the school but I was trying to find ways to work around them. After speaking to my SO and family again I decided that this school just wasn't going to allow me the same sort of experience as another program would (even though I REEEEALLY want to work with that particular POI). So I declined admission and emailed the DGS, the POI who would have been my main advisor, and her colleague who also contacted me. I haven't heard a peep over the past week. The professors at a different program I declined all responded within the same day expressing regret and thanking me. So I totally feel like I've burnt bridges with the first school. I'm also trying to calm my paranoia by remembering that they might just be freaking busy at this time of year? I don't know, I don't have advice for you, just sympathy, lol.

Sort of, heh. I've turned down most of my offers save one but I also am waiting on a wait list. Part of me wants to just accept already but part of me also wants to see what happens with the wait list. So I'm sort of mostly decided.

hahaha, you're welcome!

now I'm wondering if I met you at the Cornell visit....I don't have much info on Brown other than what is available online but I absolutely loved Cornell. The professors, the incoming cohort, and the currently grad students all blew my mind. Everyone was so friendly and wonderful and I got to meet two professors who are big in what I'm interested in. Do you have any specific misgivings or is it just that they are both great schools and having to choose between them?

Oh my goodness am I right there with you! I felt like it was in good enough shape to neglect for a bit but now...cue the abject panic.

Finally ripped the band-aid off and declined UC San Diego (fully funded w/add'l fellowship), UC Santa Cruz, and removed myself from the waitlist at Brandeis. I hope this helps someone out!

ahahahaha!! I didn't realize that picture was so big! Happy birthday anyway!!