Eyetea

Oh most definitely (he calls it a 'brain fart' moment), he even offered to call so that we could discuss some of the issues why i didn't want to go there..and after that conversation- i must admit they're back in the mix...

being from Northeastern Indiana with lake effect snow, wintry weather is the least of my worries- living close to the beach will be new. Any ideas of affordable areas for grad housing- no car so will probably start of within a region that is reasonable accessible by public transit...

Any body with info on Kingston RI?

Not worth the hustle...

I am in a similar situation to the OP. My PI just recently decided to leave academia and none of the other profs here are a good research fit. After speaking with the chair and DGS, they both advised me to apply elsewhere. As already mentioned above, this is important because it gives a lot of credence to your application to go elsewhere. I have had to re-apply, but I feel it is more important to have a fulfilling graduate education. It is not an easy decision to make, but it is very rewarding in the end...

At my undergrad, my research advisor was on an admissions committee and I saw first-hand just how bad he felt turning away applicants who he thought would thrive well in the program. I know we're all invested, but as you jjduval said, not everyone can get in- sometimes its a matter of who impressed the eye first/most.

I understand how rude it might seem if you get a rejection email with one sentence. What I do not get is the gripe with the whole 'impersonal email' that is common on the results page. Is the graduate coordinator supposed write a personal email to each of the 100+ rejected applicants? Sometimes, another rejected applicant from the same program will post an excerpt from the email that sounds very courteous. Oh well, maybe it's just the waiting that's making me whiny...

After receiving my admission e-mail in glee, I forwarded it to my friend saying that even though I was excited about getting in, I would probably not go there. But instead of actually forwarding it to the friend, I replied back to the POI!

I had a similar experience, contacted the department and tol;d me not to worry about it since it is a pretty common situatuion.

I know I may receive quite some heat for saying this- but i think I like the '100 words' option. SOP's sometimes can create a false illusion. I'm a clear and concise kind of person. But hey, I'm a physical scientist!

I also agree that 18 yrs ago is way back and may not be indicative of the person you are now. I say, dwell on the current.

I'm also looking applying to P-chem programs- molecular spectroscopy, environmental chemistry and electroanalytical chemistry, to be precise.

If you have research experience, dwell on th e positives. After all, they are not only interested in test takers.

I sent a cover letter to one of the programs that I was applying to which required one. I got a quick response from a professor interested in me and I got an admission decision in two weeks! So if they say so, and it improves your chances, DO IT!

I know the feeling, It's as if at times what you've done is not enough. But I guess its just the mind playing games on you. The whole application process brings out an inherent fear in each one of us, rejection. And the fact that rejection could be based on variables and figures beyond our control does not make it any better!