Minnesotan

Rising makes the same point I would, and I'm sorry I allowed this thread to go so far off course. The point of the conversation was to debate where the cutoff point was, not to argue about whether or not there should be a cutoff point, or to contest the validity of standardized testing. Regardless what we decide, schools who feel they need a cutoff point will use one. The argument (a rather hotly contested one at times, as you can see running through the history of this thread) is moot, and only causes more animosity on a forum filled with highly frustrated people. But, yes, I do maintain that the person to whom I responded was attempting to throw his or her resume around. We're all smart people - being highly educated and successful does not establish a de facto position of authority here. And, honestly, if you hang around grad students and grad student forums enough, you will notice how many people think that their resumes give them the right to talk down to people. I do take offense at that, and I won't hesitate to put mean people in their place. But I think it is clear to most people that Cauldron was not merely arguing his point; he could have done that without telling us how great his undergraduate education was ("top-rated," says he), how many languages he speaks, or whether or not he did a bang-up job on the quantitative, despite not having taken a math course in five years.

Okay, so Social Sciences it is. Unless there are incredibly strong objections to this, too, I'll leave it here from now on. As this is the only Health Science thread, I am happy to keep it in the general area, now that we've at least settled on a discipline.

Okay, so Life Sciences may have been a bad call. I hadn't had my coffee. Where do you guys want this one put? I'm trying to keep the general forums as clutter-free as possible. How does the Gov. forum sound? (If you pm me again you'll get faster results, as I only browse this forum a couple of times per week.)

You probably have a shot at top schools, if you take the advice of the respondants above. One thing I would advise, though, is to send out a wide variety of apps. Some to dream schools, some to solid programs, and a couple to backup schools in cities you would like to live. You want to cover all bases.

I will return a professor's call day or night, holiday or not, M-F, 24/7/365, if it means I'm accepted. haha Do you hear that, universe? My ringer is on!

Canada created an extra, completely useless, holiday this year to make sure there is a bank/government holiday every month of the year, whether it's needed or not. Family Day, I think they named it. Sheesh!

I think I just learn languages better the old-fashioned way. Besides, they always eat up so much of my summer, when I should be doing independent research, or (gasp!) enjoying myself a little. I feel, after rushing through a bachelor's degree in three years, then writing an MA thesis, that I've been at it non-stop for five years. I really need to refresh my third language this summer, or I would just take the time off to play video games and drink beer.

I'm going to move this thread over to the Life Sciences forum. I'll leave a shadow topic up, so nobody loses this discussion.

The person who invented summer language courses needs to be strangled. I'll be taking my third one this year. bleh! My advice would be to think of the programs as complete packages. While it's true that a top 20 beats a top 120 in rigor and educational effectiveness in most cases, can you live without funding for a year? Does this mean you'll have to work a FT job while going to grad school (not suggeted)? Can you see yourself living in the area of either of these schools for 4-8 years? Is there someone who you want to work with who is interested in your project? Will you have thorough advising and support from the department, or are you on your own? More importantly, if you have questions, I would ask the admissions secretaries. They are great sources of information, and you want to make your decision with eyes wide open.

Unfortunately, that would take a lot more time than they want to spend on these things. As it is, I'm betting the dub's English gets 400+ grad apps per year. Imagine finding something nice to say to everyone! Anyway, I'm sorry you guys got the axe. It looks like a cool program, but there are other fishies in the sea.

It's likely the same idiots who call Madison UWM. That's Milwaukee, r-tards!

While I see your point, I really wanted the program that rejected me. =(

What sucks the most is when the rejection to your top choice program is the only thing you've heard so far. Ugh!

I didn't apply, but there has been a lot of Michigan talk at the LJ community. As for the grad materials, I would take the easy (and unhelpful) way out and say it's the whole package that matters. We've had some heated debates here about the importance of various aspects of an application, especially GPA and GRE scores. What it seems like to me is that the GPA and GRE get your foot in the door, or at least prevent you from getting clear-cut with the other deadwood in the initial screening process. Once that's done, then I am betting the statement (and your fit, which this should address), writing sample, and recommendations are much more important. The thing is, this is not a consistent or explicable process from day one. To say "x is always more important than y" is to invite the universe to prove you wrong. Obviously the overall strong applicant, who fits well with the program and a specific advisor, is going to do well. From there, who knows? The process often feels like a crap shoot. I would write more, but my green tea has for some reason developed a fishy flavor, and I need to go brew something else. I really hope my gf didn't wash this cup with something nasty.

Ooh! Tough one. Are they putting you up at a hotel, one of their empty dorms, or on a grad student's couch? This might affect the situation. Honestly, I would bet people leave on Saturday, but I wouldn't bet much. *edit: Again, the best thing to do is call them.

I wonder what the grad schools would do in this situation - probably whatever is best for them, right? Honestly, if you know you aren't going to attend their program, you might as well let them know. That way, they can at least avoid some of the expense of putting you up for the weekend (for no reason).

I'll take acceptances on Saturdays, Sundays, Presidents' Days - you name it! Just send me some. =)

The university in question should be paying your way. Check out the itinerary they send you - it should give you all the information you need. If one hasn't been sent your way, I would give the admissions secretary a ring.

I'd think of it like a queue. If enough people take care of their stuff in a timely manner (i.e. accept offers elsewhere), you'll get in before the window closes. =)

I moved this one over to The Bank, since the first question was about finance.

Yeah. All I've seen is one rejection (and no acceptances) so far. It's too early to throw in the towel, quite yet! (Although I really, really hope it's better than two years ago, when I didn't get my first acceptance until the middle of March!)

I think my smiley faces must be broken. Everyone thinks I'm trying to be mean when I'm taking the piss out of someone. From now on, Minnesotan's smileys = I'm giving you hell, and you probably deserve half of it.

If they leave a message and you don't reply, then that could hurt your app (depending on the circumstances). If they don't leave a message, I sincerely doubt they'd expect anything out of you. I wouldn't worry. Really.

Yeah. I didn't apply to UCLA, so the rejectionbots at 2am PST on a Saturday don't scare me!

Your score, coupled with your post, show me you have a very high opinion of yourself, and that you don't study for tests - likely because you think they're pointless, and you're too smart to be judged on objective (*sneer*) criteria, like the hoi polloi. So, no, I don't think you belong in grad school (but you'll likely get in at an Ivy), if these assumptions are true. If you're just trying to make your case by handing me your resume, I think there's a more humble way to go about it. But heaven forbid someone tries to introduce a concept like humility into a grad school forum. =)