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It does. Best of luck to you

No one on here can really predict whether you will ultimately be accepted or rejected. But, it sounds like good news. Maybe they are looking to give offers to some people on the wait list, and want to make sure they're offering them to people who are still interested/have not taken up spots elsewhere.

Accept B and rescind your offer from A. Like everyone else has said, you really need to care about yourself and your career over an administrator being "angry" with you. Even if they do get angry, what's the alternative? You suck it up and join a program that had treated you as badly as you say? No. Obviously you don't want to do that. By being fearful of rescinding your offer from A you're setting yourself up to attend that institution. Why would you want to do that, given everything you've said to us? If you're really that concerned about rescinding their offer because A will "badmouth" you (which would be EXTREMELY unprofessional and reflect poorly on them, like others have said!) then accept B FIRST and after you've gotten written comfirmation rescind your acceptance from A. Simple.

It was really late at night and I was doing some homework. I had been emailing my POI back and forth a few hours beforehand, and when he replied back that last time he said "you're in! You're going to receive an email with a funding offer sometime tomorrow" etc etc. Needless to say I didn't finish my assignment.

Maybe they recommended you to another program/department or can offer you an unfunded v. a funded offer?

Accidentally posted twice... Sorry!

A lot of people on here have asked for extensions in order to make a more informed decision. You could certainly phrase it that way.

A lot of people on here have asked for extensions in order to make a more informed decision. You could certainly phrase it that way.

This varies depending on the type of program, location/cost of living, etc.

It is true that some people do a PhD and then go to medical school afterwards. However, this is a HUGE time commitment, and plans change. This is a personal decision, like everyone else has said. I think it might make more sense to do a masters or take more undergrad courses to boost your gpa than to do a PhD right now. But, you should do what is right for you. I know that Tufts offers a masters in biomedical sciences. It's a one-year program designed for people who didn't get into medical school but have good grades/MCAT scores. It has a pretty good placement record of getting students into medical school (something like 80-90%). Could think of looking into that, or programs like it if you don't like the idea of living in Boston. Keep in mind these types of programs will probably not be funded. Hope that helps with your decision.

Seconding white people with dreadlocks.

Like a previous poster I've also decided to go into psych, so I figured I'd post here. Undergrad Institution: Big state school in MA. Not sure of reputation in psych. Major(s): Biology Minor(s): Cognitive Science, English GPA in Major: 3.3 Overall GPA: 3.4 Position in Class: No idea Type of Student: Domestic, female, minority GRE Scores (revised/old version): I don't remember the numbers but I'll post percentiles. Q: 40% V: 70% W: 99% Research Experience: Two different experinces, both at my uni. One in cognitive psychology (it'll be about two years when I graduate in may) and another in neuropharmacology (about 1 year when I graduate). Two pubs in the works (probably a mid-name authorship). By the time I graduate I'll have 7 poster conference presentations and 1 oral presentation at a national biomedical conference. Applied with 5 poster conference presentations. Awards/Honors/Recognitions: honors in biology, deans list, probably graduating cum laude. Not sure if that counts. Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Writing tutor for about two years (freshman english, ESL). Something like a tutor/peer counselor for high school students taking life science AP courses. Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: I'm in a special program that specializes in training undergrad researchers/promoting minorities in science. Not sure if this helped, but it came up a lot during my interviews. Special Bonus Points: I've taken three graduate-level courses (one in programming, one in bioinformatics, one in English). One of my recommenders had friends at Brown, probably why I got an interview... Applying to Where: 2 Psychology (UC Davis, UChicago) 7 Neuroscience/Behavioral Neuro (UW, Tufts, Brown, UIC, UMass, Brandeis, Rutgers) 4 Biology/Biomedical Science w/behavioral neuro faculty (UMass Med, UIC, UMiami, UArk) Results: Interviewed: UC Davis, Brown, UIC (both programs), Brandeis, UMass Med, UArk (phone) Declined: UMiami, Rutgers, UArk (in-person) Accepted: UC Davis, Brown, UIC Neuro, Brandeis, UMass Med Rejected: UChicago, UW, Tufts

How much prior contact with POIs helped in my application process (and how incredibly receptive some were of me!). How I was rejected from many of my "safety schools" (wouldn't really call them safety because I wouldn't apply anywhere I wasn't interested in attending, but you get the point), but accepted to schools that are ranked higher, top-15. How one POI called one of my LOR writers to ask about me, my skills, etc. And, how uncomfortable I felt asking said LOR writer for details.

I don't think school A will be a wrong decision. You are very much leaning towards that program as it is. Besides, you'd be taking a risk funding wise with school B. Are the pros of the program worth that risk?

He was in Brookline for a book tour (his autobiography that came out recently). Got a signed copy, chatted with him a bit. Not the most exciting story but still really awesome! He was really funny, plus he showed me pictures of his kids.

This is definitely true, although I've heard (and been told a million times) that your research interests will tend to change while you're going through your degree. So if there are a few people who's research you like, that's pretty good. Although if you don't think you'd be happy with them as your mentor, that's another problem... Honestly I feel like you should go where you felt the most comfortable, because that's where you'll be the most productive.

Just to comment on your not wanting to live in a big city. If it's any reassurance, I've lived in MA my entire life and have been living in Boston the past four years. It is NOT a big city and you will not get that big city feel from it. Cambridge is where MIT is located and it is a really nice area to live in. Not big city like at all. I don't know a thing about Palo Alto, unfortunately... But, if you think you could live there, then I think you should go to Stanford. You sound like you've got your mind set on it. I agree w/Argon -- the heart wants what the heart wants.

This doesn't really answer your question, but I think at this point it would be okay to send emails to maybe a program coordinator inquiring about your status.

I'm under the impression that schools ranked within the top 10 tend to not have a lot of difference between them (in terms of funding, equipment, etc). Given that, I think either is prestigious enough within your field to give you some good career aspects when you graduate. So, if you prefer the research at michigan, go for michigan!

It sounds like you really have your heart set on A. You said you can pay for it out of pocket -- if that's the case I don't see why you shouldn't go! If you can get research experience through school A's MA program then that will help you to get into PhD programs. IMO you'd only be missing out on the money. But, I am not in your field, so I can't be positive.

Same.

I wouldn't stress about it. I was in a similar situation where my POI late at night told me I was accepted/would be receiving an offer and I didn't get an official offer for a little while. I think administration is just super busy and it takes time to send these things out.

I do not personally have experience with this, but, if you do decide to do something like this I advise you to be really careful in your wording, etc. You don't want to leave a bad taste in anyone's mouth!

I second this. I definitely would've taken it in the summer. Studying for GRE/taking classes at the same was a bad move (for me personally) because I got super lazy and pushed it off. I would've applied to less programs, and also ones that had research that really matched my interests (I now am more sure of what I want). I also would've emailed POIs at the universities, trying to get in touch/asking if they're taking students. I only did this for one school, but it really helped me learn a few things about my POI early in the process. So for that reason, I would've done it for the other schools as well.

Good to know, thank you!