Tritonetelephone

For personal reasons, I wish I could, but I don't think it's the best for your career, if you can avoid it. You rarely see CV's of TT professors with all 3 degrees from the same school. Universities like to hire people with academic diversity, so you run the risk of only knowing your discipline from the one, same perspective. Along the same lines, for the long run, I've heard it's good to pick a grad school that's NOT in the same area that you want to live for the rest of your life (have your career).

Link us, please That stuff is very important, so you're right to be concerned about it! These are the things I'm trying to pick up about schools during my visits. If you can't visit, get in touch with some of their current grads - they'll be honest about that stuff. Sociology as an undergraduate major is usually easier than other disciplines. As far as graduate... grades aren't your top priority so I don't know how to answer this question.

Being on a waitlist means you're still more competitive than at least 85% of the other applicants. Once you're enrolled, nobody cares. That's just one guy's opinion anyway (in the article). Don't take it to heart.

Thank you, rising star! I think you're exactly right. One of my schools even made a joke about that, asking if I'd applied to XYU perchance because he knew the grad coordinator there and wanted to start a fight with her. He was cool.

I don't understand your reasoning, but like I said, you don't have to mention a reason at all. Just emphasize your appreciation and how difficult the decision was.

I disagree. They made it clear that it wasn't required, and it was in context of a more information (which I know you couldn't have known). People on here want to know all kinds of things from schools that they're not required to disclose but would help with our "waiting it out" period, so I just kind of compared it to that. No offense, but I'm going to need more than "you never know" to be convinced that it's risky to tell them.

Thank you!! "Congrats on the acceptances"... you guys have no idea how awesome that is to hear. (This is my second year applying. Didn't do so well last year.)

They guarantee full funding for four years. They haven't said exactly how much yet, only how much the offer was last year. My other accepted schools have also offered funding - both were higher than the figure from last year, but not by too much. This is a school that I like a lot, but so are the others. So I guess you could say there's a good chance I would accept. I'll probably give up the info. Unless someone can think of some risks...

I just got this in an email from a GDS at one of my accepted schools: "It would really help us fine tune our admissions process if we know who we're competing with for you. You're under absolutely no obligation to share this information, so feel free to ignore this request." This was right after I responded to their initial admission offer, so I haven't met any of them yet. I don't really know what the harm is in telling them. I was open about where else I applied during my visit to another school, but that was before I'd really heard back from most places. Are there any risks that I don't know of? Why do they want to know, exactly?

Good point! I take it back. Also, for the OP: I don't know if you've seen this yet, but it's very similar to my experience at Delaware. It might be helpful for you, too: viewtopic.php?f=67&t=15865&start=0

DEFINITELY a wait list letter. Although if you were willing to attend without funding, they'd probably be open to it. My USC waitlist letter was really similar. Mentioned the economy, made it sound like "we really want you, but we just can't afford you." That's about as good as those letters get, really

Thank you! With full disclosure, though, I should mention that I haven't found myself in the same situation - my accepted schools have all provided some, if not full, funding for visits and my dad has agreed to cover anything extra. In fact, now that I think about it, schools usually fund visits as a recruiting effort, so it might be good to be cautious if they're not even providing a little money to try to rope you in at the start... Hope I haven't confused you now! [Edit] Ooh, I'm curious now! PM me if you feel comfortable letting me know which one. Hah! I was referring to thank-you notes too!!

They understand that they're not going to get every student who is offered admission. What they really want to know is WHY you're saying no and WHERE you're going instead (although you're not obligated to tell them either). I would say something like "Dr. X, This year, I was lucky to receive several competitive offers from stellar programs, including Michigan's PhD progam. I have given all offers of admission much thought, and I have made the very difficult decision to attend UTA this fall. Please understand that this decision has been principally financial in nature, as I understand this has been a tough year for graduate programs all over the country. I offer my most sincere gratitude for your consideration, the best of luck to your incoming cohort, and the hope that we may work together professionally at some point in the future. I will submit a formal notice of my withdrawal shortly [if they require it]" PLEASE DO NOT COPY AND PASTE THAT, ANYBODY. I can't tell you how many times at my job I've received the same wording from several people on something that is supposed to express sincerity. Really sad.

Thanks for the nod! My advice would be to go. $500-$700 is a lot, but you just can't know everything about a school without visiting. There are many "intangibles" that should weigh heavily in your decision, and you just need to be there to fully understand them. Things like... Are the grad students treated like colleagues or peons? How flexible are faculty members in terms of your research? Are you expected to fit an existing mold, or are you allowed and encouraged to pursue your own research interests? Do graduate students have a voice departmental affairs such as hiring new candidates, curriculum changes, etc.? What percentage of the faculty members are

Delaware just got a new president who is putting MUCH more focus on graduate students. He/she is making changes that will surely benefit the school's reputation. Even if they don't end up as prestigious as Chicago, your career won't suffer. Visit both if you're still confused. Then go to Delaware. FUNDING = GOOD! DEBT = BAD!

I'm in!!! One of my favorites. Is anyone else going to the recruitment event?

That is really weird. Another case of a grad school email's meaning being completely diluted by their own desperation to be polite. I would probably interpret this as a rejection, but the "at this time" really throws me off, too. And is she referring you to Dr. X as an interview/late-acceptance chance, or to find out how you can improve your app for next year?? Confusing! Keep us posted.

Sorry to hear that, dirkduck! But "less than 5"??? Holy crap, that sucks. I know last year, they said "less than 8" on my letter. But they ended up enrolling more than they intended, so I thought it might be smaller. But 5?! Jeez...

They must be more swamped than usual, I guess? Or only cared about their applicants before they saw our applications :roll:. I'm staying relatively patient. Having a few back ups already helps tremendously.

I still haven't heard either, but I haven't emailed them yet. It doesn't help that someone said rejection letters were sent to their permanent address. I just have to trust that my mom will let me know if anything arrives. Glad to hear I'm not the only one. Why do you think it's taking so long? I'm more skeptical than usual about being waitlisted. It wasn't that great a fit for me.

None whatsoever. They notified me by email on 2/29 last year. I think they're just running slower this time, like so many other programs. Maybe we'll hear next week! *Fingers crossed*

It looked to me like Indiana notified all accepted/rejected people at about the same time... I would contact them. You're probably on a WL. I don't like it one bit when schools that WL just don't notify you. I'm looking at you, UCSD! :evil:

Is anyone else still waiting on UCSD, or am I the only one?? I'm getting really impatient for the first time. The DGS never responded to the email I sent last week...

I would ask what kind of projects they're working on now and where they might want help.

Nice!! Congrats, ewurgler!