ballwera

Still haven't heard anything from anybody yet...this waiting game is getting old very fast.

I haven't really heard much at all. I know a few of my adcoms are still meeting some haven't met at all (Case).

You have good grades. Take a gap year and work as a Research Tech. and retake your GRE. I wouldn't waste time on the M.S if I were you. That gap year would also give you a chance to be debt free going into a PhD program.

Congrats!

At least that's more helpful than Ohio State! Went something like this : Me : Hi my name is Ballwera, I would like an update on my application status if possible. Admissions: You will need to do this by logging back into your application that you originally submitted. Me: Thanks for the quick reply! I've done this and my application says it pending / under review. Just wanted to check in, and see if I could get any additional info. Admissions: I apologize, I thought you meant make an update to your application. You will receive a response once your application has been viewed.

This. You could look up the P.I for the lab I'm working in and see a large chunk of change. However, this doesn't take into account the 2 - 3 postdocs we have any given time, the 3 - 4 students we have or the Research Techs, coordinators etc. etc. etc. This doesn't even get into the cost of experiments or supplies. I think it's more than reasonable to ask what the funding outlook is like and to ask if funding may be available for specific projects.

One of the programs I applied to had a priority deadline of Dec. 1st ( when my application was turned in) and an official deadline of Jan. 15th. I have yet to hear anything at all from this program, is it to early to make inquiries?

How often do you have roomies for the interviews?

That's a neat idea. Also a fun way to tell them where you are going.

Any ideas on what to get as a thank you to my letter writers? Also, should I give them out after all of my apps are complete or wait till the whole process is over?

I had a tough time even with science friends explaining what inorganic was. I always got the, "Isn't that just Gen. Chem? How could it possibly be so hard?" I did have a blast in that lab though, felt like Walter White.

Inorganic chem 2, pchem 2, analytical chem 1, behavioral genetics, plus Physics Lab...was a rough winter quarter.

Mine doesn't translate well because I was on the quarter system, but I will say this, try not to take more than 3 upper div. science courses at any one time.

Just sent them an e-mail asking for a status update. From Ohio, so hoping for the best.

Highly recommend looking for Research Tech. positions.

Yup in the same boat. I guess I need to start looking at backup plans.

Gotcha I haven't heard anything. No rejection yet, so I guess I need to stay in good spirits. Do you know how many Interview dates they have?

When did you hear back from OSU?

That's what I'm assuming as well.

Everyone I talked to was Stunned that I was applying to 8 - 9 haha. I couldn't imagine shelling out another $1000+ to apply to another dozen schools ( although if you get in, I'm sure the added cost was worth it). Also working being out of school and working fulltime, I can't spare the vacation days to possibly attend that many interviews.

How often do schools extend deadlines? One of my programs extended their deadline from Dec.15th (mine was in before thanksgiving) to January 7th. Good thing or bad thing?

Take a gap year or two and work as a research tech/assistant.

I kind of wonder if they do it on purpose. It ensures that those attended the interview show a real interest in the program.

I really wish more schools would do this. The only school I've found that does is Duke. http://gradschool.duke.edu/about/program-statistics

Got antsy and emailed the program director at Vandy. My file was reviewed during the first faculty meeting. I didn't make it for the 1st round of interviews . Apparently it will be brought back up for review again in late January when the pool is completed. Oh well, at least they didn't reject me/throw out the application?