Meep_Meep

I'm in the Developmental, Regenerative & Stem Cell program! And I don't think they have an official revisit unless we really want to revisit--but I can't miss any more classes!

Congrats to everyone making their choices! I just finally told my PI, who didn't want me to go to WashU over Columbia that I had accepted the offer at WashU and he was surprisingly supportive! Hooray, the part I was dreading is officially over! Now to just keep dreaming about moving to St. Louis--I can't wait!

Sigh, I know. It is just so hard, I'm ready to know what I'm doing for the fall!

I attend my final interview weekend tomorrow but already know I want to go elsewhere...I have already written the acceptance email for the program and am itching to hit send. I should wait until after this interview...right? It would be rude to accept my top choice before then?

I'm planning on going to WashU this fall! I'm looking forward to having my own apartment but am curious about whether most people live in studios or bigger apartments and if there are any apartment buildings that have high populations of grad students?

I think it depends on how you were contacted. I have some that I know I can just fill out an online form and leave it at that. However, there are several that the program directors have specifically asked that I email them personally as soon as I know my decision. I think it depends on the school and size of program, but they'll often specify?

Okay, I was emailed back on several, it was all very polite, wished me the best of luck, but still made me feel awkward...

You too, I really have my fingers crossed that you will get in! Keep up the hope!

To be perfectly honest, I'm hoping they don't respond at all!

Just began declining offers, this is so hard. I know the schools are used to it, but I still feel awful having to do it (especially when I have to do personal emails)

Definitely great advice!

Thanks! That makes sense, I know it is really ridiculous to be afraid of something weird like that happening, but I just don't want to chance it!

General question: When I make my choice about where I want to go, should I accept and then wait until after I hear from the school again to decline my other offers? Or is it safe to accept and decline all at once? I am just afraid of something weird happening, like I accept a program and they are full or something (which I don't think will happen, but I'm just wondering here) and that I have declined all my other offers. Any advice would be helpful, I'm planning on making my decision this week...

This website is so great, all of you have helped me feel so much more confident in my decision. Now all I have to do is stand up to my PI and tell him that I don't care that he thinks Columbia is better, I want to go to WashU!

Hi Jalish- I think they are in the process of waiting for people to turn down offers before offering more. I was one of those accepted right after the January 16 weekend and was asked to either accept or reject them by March 15. I would assume that another wave of acceptances will go out around March 15 as people turn down the offer. I got an email recently reminding me to tell them of my decision as soon as possible. I think that as much as it stinks, you should wait it out another week or so and then maybe email the coordinator again, by then they should know if they are going to send out more offers. I hope all goes well for you!

Thank you to everyone for the support, I am 99% sure that I'll be attending WashU, I am so excited

Thanks for the responses, everyone. I was and definitely still am leaning heavily toward WashU, I felt so happy there and could see myself going. I guess that I just need other people to tell me that it is okay to go with my gut feeling and that I am not going to die if I don't go to Columbia (as my PI indicates...)

I'm having a very hard time trying to figure out the best place for me between Columbia or WashU. I loved both schools when I visited, but really could see myself going to WashU. Both schools are highly ranked and have researchers I'd be interested in working with, but I prefer the city of St. Louis to New York. The thing that I want some opinions on, however, is how much does the name of the school matter? My PI keeps telling me that going to Columbia is my best bet, as they are Ivy League, have a lot of famous PIs, and a lot of name recognition. However, my advisor tells me that the training I will get at WashU is just as good if not better than at Columbia. What do you think--is the Ivy League name that important? Or will I still have a decent future if I go to WashU?

Yup

Just got an email from a school saying that they have made their admissions decisions and want to talk to me on the phone tomorrow to discuss the decision. I can't decide whether they are calling to reject me or to accept me...?

Okay, I'm okay with it being abnormal so long as others think it is also a polite idea (as long as you don't sound too much like a brown noser in the email or anything)

Is it normal/a good idea to send thank you emails (very brief) to the individuals who interviewed you? I just did that and now am afraid I shouldn't have done it?

I wish I had gotten that email! But I already sent 2 copies so maybe that's why I didn't get it...

Thanks for that! They are killing me here!