oldlady

For additional thoughts, you may want to check out this I started a while back in The Lobby...

Congrats on the interview! Definitely bring a copy of all of the things you listed, and perhaps (?) create a reading list for the lit course (with several alternatives), but I wouldn't create a full mock-up syllabus. The department may have specific requirements for the course, and you want to come across as flexible, able to adapt to what the department needs. Good luck!

Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional. Pray for acceptance -- there is room for all of us (even conservatives).

Quite the contrary. A GPA on a resume communicates lack of experience, that you have nothing else of which to be proud. One's ability to achieve high grades in this environment of grade inflation doesn't resonate for employers. I concur.

Speaking of God, there is holiness in seeking out commonalities with others, rather than differences.

I find it surprising that some of you who would choose to take your husband's name would do so in order to protect his feelings or to avoid other people's confusion. One's name is part of one's own identity and, IMHO, it's very important to look inward before making such a major change to one's self.

I like it! Although it might also work for your stripper name (should you need a stripper name, that is)...

So June is turning out to be a scary month! During the first two weeks of the month, I'll be finishing two online classes -- Statistics and Business Applications of Calculus -- and also starting a month-long course in Econometrics (ends June 30). Gazoinks!

What about Professor Poco-Puffs?

So, as far as I know, the only old lady on gradcafe older than I was waytooold, and she's no longer with us -- not dead, just no longer on gradcafe ! And I can't speak for the young'uns, but I think the (ahem) more mature students are often people of the scariest kind of enthusiasm (I speak from self-awareness, of course) because we are SO THRILLED to be going back to school! (I've already apologized to my department's grad student coordinator for behaving like an overeager puppy!)

Nothing wrong with enjoying Atlanta in August --

If you have had any personal contact with anyone in the program (prof, admissions coordinator,etc.), I would e-mail that person. If not, then take the name you found listed. Your e-mail should just be a few sentences, for example: Subject: Checking In Dear So-and-so, I am writing to inquire about the status of my application for Fall 2010 admission into the ____ department. (The next sentence explains why you want to know now -- e.g. perhaps you are being asked to let another school know of your decision to attend, or you're anticipating changes in housing plans next month, or you're just so excited about their program, or ...) I will be leaving (my current school) at the end of the month and I am now making arrangements for the summer. I would appreciate your letting me know the Admission Committee's timetable and when I might hear from you regarding my candidacy. Thanks in advance for your earliest reply. Kind regards, Summerbreeze Good luck!

I kept my maiden name and I'm glad I did. Some people get confused, but it's less of an issue today because so many women keep their maiden names. When people refer to me as "Mrs. (husband's last name)", it doesn't bother me -- sometimes, people refer to him as "Mr. (my last name)"!

Yes to both! Let it go and move on...

FWIW: Did you reach out to specific profs or the application coordinators before/during the application process?Were your LORs from profs well-known in your field or somehow connected to the schools to which you applied? These questions speak to the fact that personal connections to a program can often be the difference between an acceptance and the wait-list. The schools to which you applied -- were they reaches for you? If yes, then wait-lists are not bad at all. And, other times, it truly is random. If there are two equally competitive applicants, and one is from the same hometown as an adcomm member, that may be enough to sway the vote.

Don't know what it's like in CS, but I'd talk to the Career Services offices at the schools. When I got my MBA, companies from all over the country (as well as internationally) recruited at my school, both for summer internships and for post-graduation jobs. School location, as it related to jobs, wasn't really an issue. FWIW, I chose my program based on what I determined to be the highest value of the degree over the *long* term. Remember, you'll be an alum for way longer than you'll be a student...

Right back at you -- be well.

I received one e-mail from the PhD coordinator for the division in mid-April. There are 12 in my cohort, spread across five departments. So I took Jae B.'s advice and e-mailed everyone a few days ago, just to introduce myself and say hi. I've recieved several replies thus far, one from someone who will also be in my department (yea, because I think there are only two of us). The diversity is impressive -- I hope to learn a lot from these people.