ssynny

Totally true. Why go to grad school to learn more if you think you know everything? Personality is also important. If they seem difficult to work with, most PIs don't have the time to deal with such problems.

How many more schools do you have left?? Don't give up hope!

That's awesome! Congrats!

Loll sounds like New England! But some warm weather would be nice... my boss is at an ice cores meeting at UCI and he was surfing earlier today... it's -6F here

UW atmospheric science update: my POI told me that some acceptances have been sent out, so now theyre going through their list of maybes. He said most of us should be hearing back within the next 2 weeks. Woot!

My top choice is just south of LA, but I think I would miss the snow. I attend the second snowiest school in the country and I'd miss my hair freezing on the walk to campus

Congrats!! I hope the funding package is nice

Haha bring it!

Of course! Its magic

Ahhh. Well, looks like I wasn't invited if it's the same with atmospheric science lol. Congrats to those who were!

Q: will I hear back from schools this week? A: outlook good Q: will I get acceptances this week? A: better not tell you now Q: will I hear back from my top choice this week? A: it is certain Q: will I get into my top choice? A: very doubtful FML.

Ahh blunt, but so true. Best of luck to all us hopeful sloppy seconds

Washington or wisconsin? I never know haha

It's been pretty quiet lately.... is this the calm before the storm?!

If you haven't been rejected yet and know that your schools have been reviewing apps for a while, I wouldnt take the lack of notice as a bad thing. You were probably not a top choice for the schools, but you also weren't a bad fit. There's still all of march, so don't give up hope! But its not a bad idea to find a good plan b if you dont get accepted

Have a 2.84 now, will graduate with just under a 3 (about 2.95). I have research experience and good letters. I just took on a hard double major my freshman year and that screwed me over. I've been doing fine the past 2 years, so lets hope thats good enough for phd programs. We'll see in the coming weeks

I'm interested in analytical atmospheric chemistry, specifically mechanisms, and applied to the schools I found with similar research (4...). Unfortunately they are all really good schools, my favorite being UCI. I say unfortunately because my gpa is crap. I have a 2.84 now and will graduate with a 2.95. I took on wayyyy too much my first 3 semesters trying to double major in environmental chemistry and japanese with a minor in chemistry while working 30 hrs a week in a research lab. Anyone who has tried to double major with science and a language probably knows this was really ambitious. Either way, I learned my lesson and switched the Japanese major to a minor. Since then, my grades have been much better. The last 2 years I've maintained a 3.3 (not amazing, but nothing wrong with a B+!) and my major gpa is now a 3.3 too. I do have a nice upward trend even with the harder classes I've taken, but I know this isn't enough for most schools. I worked in a lab for 2 years studying neuroscience pathways/mechanisms, did summer research at WHOI, and now work in an ice cores lab with one of the leading researchers in the field. I will also be conducting field work in Greenland this summer, so I have a good amount of research experience. I think my rec letters are also pretty good: one from well known atmospheric chemist (my boss), one from a chemistry professor who really liked me, and one from the director of my summer program who is an administrator at NOAA. They spoke highly of my abilities. One last thing, I'm not sure if it matters, but I also attend a highly ranked school listed as a "new ivy-league" and well known for research. That said, I still have no idea if I have a chance. I have been shut out of so many great opportunities due to my low cumulative gpa. I just wish they can realize I made a mistake and have learned from it. I have not been rejected from anywhere yet, but I also haven't been accepted. No interviews either. Do you think I have a chance at UCI, WashU, Stony Brook, or CU Boulder (my boss did his postdoc there)?? A bit on UCI: I have been in pretty good contact with my first choice guy. As soon as my application was submitted, he looked for it and inquired further about my gpa. I emailed him again on Friday and he said the committee was concerned about my low gpa and asked if I had any comments on it since they need a good reason to admit anyone under a 3.0. I explained my situation and attached my resume and he said they were going to discuss my case further. This school is the perfect fit for me, so I pray they can see I've learned from my mistake 3 years ago. Thanks for reading this and I encourage all comments, nice or harsh

This is great advice! ( tried to upvote, but my finger accidentally pressed down on the tablet. Sorry! . ) You really should try and get some more info.

It kind of seems like there's a second question here. Are you more interested in a masters degree or PhD? If you go for a PhD, you can expect a ton of work and a busy schedule from both schools. I recommend taking a step back from just looking at the name of the schools and focusing on which school best reflects your scientific goals. Good luck!

Totally no harm in emailing him! But as the first post said, definitely don't make it seem like you've already decided to accept. Thanking them for the offer and a simple inquiry about future goals will help to maintain good relations. Congrats on the acceptance and good luck!!

Yeah I'm generally not an obsessive person, but this is just such a life changing decision. How can I not be freaking out haha. I tried to post a picture of the cat but I use this on my phone and don't know how. He's a black Siamese cutie pie who's actually wicked needy. It's such a good distraction! I recommend it

I am so glad you thought it through and are thinking positively. I wish you all the best!!

I've seriously turned into a mess haha. My body is so cruel and its latest way of dealing with the stress is every night having me dream about getting rejections and acceptances. They just feel so real that it's like a form of cruel and unusual punishment. I just got a a cat so hopefully that will hold me over :3

Oh wow... I wish they were more personable with rejections. But at least you have other offers!!