ReadytoStart

Agreed.

I am holding up fairly well thanks to Zumba, my sister, and the occasional binge session. Luckily, I didn't tell any of my friends that I was applying and my performance at work hasn't went down to much. Ohhh will I be glad to hear back from my schools by the beginning of March (inshallah).

I agree with you completely! And what really bothers me is when an applicant in this forum shares the happy little conv they had with an adcom member that didn't bother to return my email!!!!!!!

Just curious no need to cover anything. If that was the case I wouldn't even post this question. I always wondered this, because I believe adcoms are very close with each other (confs, benchmarking studies..etc). I am just wondering if backdoor conversations occur occasionally with each other about common applicants...

I have always wondered this. Like for example say you apply to University A and get in, would University A share this information with other schools they know you applied to? Conversely, if University A finds something suspicious in your profile would they warn other schools you applied to? Completely unethical I know, but I wonder how much conversation occurs across school lines about our applications. Any "insider" information on this topic would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks! This information calms my nerves some. My hope is that admissions committees love to surprise their most promising applicants with acceptances instead of bothering them with interviews;)

I have been mostly lurking on this forum but now I am in dire need of information that will calm my nerves and provide hope:) You all provide great advice so I am looking forward to reading your comments. I applied to a few PhD programs for admission Fall of 2010 and most of the departments are releasing decision by the beginning of March. None of the programs I applied to advised that interviews were required but some people on this forum have said they have been contacted by these departments for interviews. SO my question is if the department has not reached out to an applicant at all at this point does that mean rejection?

The comments are the best part. It is also good to know that each individual's GRE, GPA, and LORs are used as cutoff measurements (at least in astronomy). http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2009/01/16/things-the-grad-admissions-committee-does-not-wish-to-see/#comment-59739

Good read. Make sure to read the comments from Julianne and Mark who are apart of the adcom. http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2009/01/19/letters-of-recommendation-assorted-observations/