grad_wannabe

Even if they know the answer, they're often obligated not to release information like that. The graduate schools tend to have very specific rules about that sort of thing. Don't ask your POI any questions at this point.

I haven't seen anyone else discussing this so it may be off-topic for this board, but got an interview next week at UCLA Information Studies.

I got emails this morning from two of my still-waiting-on-results schools ... only they were invitations to online seminars for OTHER programs of theirs.

Anybody heard anything from the Stanford Comm PhD? Historically we're due to hear something any MINUTE.

class act

Make sure you know your OWN research inside and out. In all the conversations I've had with POIs, they are never as interested in what I had to say about their work as I'd prepped for. They want to get to know you. Be prepared to talk about fit with the program.

Applied to Balliol! Very excited about the OII, it's unique in the whole world and I love their emphasis on pure research. Plus I would LOVE to move to the UK. Worried about funding though.

heart break

I applied to the DPhil at the Oxford Internet Institute. No response yet. I have a BA and an MS from US schools. I originally submitted at the Nov deadline, but due to a paperwork snafu got pushed back to the Jan deadline. Interviews are in March, but again I don't know yet if I've received one. May I ask after your funding options?

CONGRATS on Stanford gnuguy!!!

Autumn! You got an acceptance? CONGRATS!!!!

Well, apparently MIT HASTS sent out interview invites on Friday. I know of two people (one here on this board, one IRL) who received them. I have no idea if that was all of them, and if this means I have not been advanced to the next round. I told myself I wouldn't take it personally or get upset, but ... a little bit devastated. I wrote to their admin office to inquire but haven't heard back.

hidden treasure

Thanks so much. I haven't gotten a request ... worry now setting in ... did they happen to mention if all requests were sent out the same day?

Hi MemoryQ, can I ask when you got the MIT HASTS interview request?

I did a personal phone call to each POI when I declined two master's offers. One of those went very well, and that professor and I are still in close contact to this day.

Even my friends who are in PhD programs NOW are confused when I mention GRE prep courses, making POI connections, analytics, web sites, and interviews. "You spent the summer in a GRE course AND you paid for an online prep service? Gees I studied, like, the night before." "Why did you email all the professors months before the application was due? Wait, you VISITED? Why in the world did you do that? I didn't do that and I got in just fine." "I didn't have to interview. What do you mean you have to interview? Well, if they invite you to interview I'm sure you're already a shoe-in." "What do you mean you built a personal website and you're following your visitor analytics? I didn't do that ... is that required?"

Agreed with Vene. Imagine what you want to be doing after you finish the doctorate, what kind of career you'll want, and what kind of resume you'll need to launch that career. Plan accordingly, take positions now that will prep you to do what you want later.

cheese plate

I think it's okay at this point to contact the administrative office, but not to bother your POI.

Definitely reply! The stigma against emails to POIs is for cold, unsolicited emails. I'd reiterate what Enhydra said -- thank them, say you look forward to hearing from them. I'd also note to the POI that you're ready to supply any other materials they'd like to see, and are available any time if they'd like to speak.

Let's see...here it is: "In accordance with the Council of Graduate Schools resolution, you are expected to accept or reject this offer of admission and fellowship support by April 15, 2015." Nothing about requiring an early decision. Also just got the email outlining the recruiting weekend details! Are you going?? I am for sure!

I was definitely helped out by the deadline extension at Columbia, but historically they dont release decisions until mid-march at the earliest so it's going to be a long wait...

I had an email exchange with one of my POIs last fall. I addressed him as "Dr. X" until he wrote "you can call me Joe, all the grad students do. " WHAT?!? First-name basis, "all the grad students" AND a SMILEY FACE?!? All in one email?! I just about lost my mind. Waiting breathlessly on that application's response ...

I just had a silly one. Let's take a ride to Over-Analysis Land. The story begins thusly: someone on Academia.edu requested one of my papers. No big deal, right? People request stuff all the time.But, something seemed odd about their profile. First, they're categorized as "independent" (meaning no school association) and there's NOTHING on their profile. No followers, no papers, no pic, no cv, nothing. Plus they have exactly 1 view, so the account is brand-new ... almost like they made it up just to request this paper. Even the name is kinda fake-sounding, like "Bobby Desk." I googled the name and nothing came up. ... the only thing on their profile is a list of a half-dozen interests -- PRECISELY matching the interests of one of my POIs and also the interests I listed in my SOP for them. Like, a super-specific and not-obvious set of semi-unrelated fields. Plus, the only city from which I had a visit, the day that they requested the paper? The city where that POI works!!! [dun dun DUNNNN.] So of course I imagined that the prof has made a dummy profile so they could request the paper on the down-low. And yes, I sent it.