sjoh197

I applied last year to 4 places with a 2.8 and unfortunately didn't get in... but I also only had 1 semester of research, a really bad SOP now that I look back on it, and I had only been a transfer into my program for 1 semester as well. And I'm super glad I didn't get in because I didn't really know what I wanted anyways. This year I got my gpa up to a 3.04, so I am no longer in the sub-3.0 group. But I still feel pretty close. lol.

As long as the adcom can't see how many times I've checked my application status on their portal.... long before results have ever been given... I think I will be ok.

UH has a similar enrollment stat... but the fact that they only admitted 20% last year has me pretty worried.

I am not in your field at all... but since you seem unsure if your qualifications are going to be enough, I would call/email and talk with the departments of uni's you are wanting to apply to. They will be able to answer your question about their requirements much better than we can. And it's what they are there for.

And I have to go to the dentist in the morning... my stress levels are escalating beyond compare. lol

@The Interdisciplinarian We are currently tied to my partner's job... which is wonderful. But if I don't get into this grad program, the market for my field here is shitty. I am really hoping that if I don't get in I don't end up resenting moving here with him. At least he bought me a kitty.

Congrats... I don't have an academia.edu profile either... but I do keep having "anonymous" profile views on my linkedin. I can't see anything about them though, so they really could be anybody. Also, I've had at least one same anonymous viewer look at my profile multiple times because my number stats don't change, but the date looked at does. Stop looking at my page dammit

Went to a grill out yesterday... And despite the hosts providing plenty of "safe food" for me... Meat, veggies, almond crackers... I still managed to pick up something I shouldn't have and now I am sick. Bleh. Out of curiosity, has anyone else heard of this Pride and Prejudice and Zombies shit coming out?

its great... But you got to give it a few episodes before you start to get it.

Well, I spent the last 2 days editing 300 pictures of a parking garage :/ I used hrblock efile this year and didn't have to pay anything. Turbo tax only lets you file free up to 35,000 or something and hrblock lets you go up to 67,000 or something like that.

rock hound

Yesterday in a text conversation with my mom... I sent a text that said "Integrals are where it's at." It was at that moment that I was able to perfectly summarize my small social life and lame interests.

All politicians bite. It will actually really depend on what part of America you are going to, as to what kind of people will be there. I think a lot of international people (not necessarily students) don't always realize just how large and diverse America is. They all see us as fat, bumbling, gun loving, burger eating, idiots. But The north, south, midwest, west coast... very different mindsets and people. Silicon valley and the chicago ghetto are very different. I live in Houston right now... and a lot of people think "Texas" = guns, cows, religious conservatives, etc. But it's actually really liberal here. Lots of diversity, decent sized LGBTQ (add whatever other letters are there now) community, etc. Some Americans do indeed bite.... but there are also a lot of friendly open minded ones.

I also used Barron's 6 GRE practice test book. It was extremely similar to the actual GRE. I felt like it prepared me pretty well. Was pretty cheap, like $12. A good thing to add to your arsenal in my opinion.

@columbia09 When you said " I applied to work with about 11 professors and 5 already got back saying they can't take students because of funding or they just aren't looking for students at all " I'm guessing you meant that you contacted 11 people, not that you actually applied to work with them right? As in... including them on your SOP and such

Usually when I tell people that I had a colonoscopy at 19 to sort out my dietary issues.... that usually shuts up the criticizers.... and if it doesn't, I just start describing said procedure and the misery that goes with it.

For me the gluten free is pretty easy... it's the fact that I can't have any alcohol sugars or alcohol itself. That's when things get tricky.

So I have tried at least 20 different waffle/pancake recipes over the years and my favorite is actually the boxed buttermilk waffle mix at trader joes (trader joes brand). I have a whole pinterest page of awesome recipes, including these super delicious cinnamon sugar donut muffins.

I'm going to make GF Belgian waffles and put a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on top for dessert tonight. Mmmm

@GeoMex I saw that.... good for them It's still been awfully slow here for geology info. Maybe I'm just agonizing because I know I have another month before I hear anything lol.

So I have my first pseudo "professional" photo shoot in like 2 hours... and what am I taking pictures of.... a parking garage. At least if I don't get into grad school I can tour the world taking pictures of unfinished parking garages.

Ha... yeah, mine is still at "application received" on one portal and "complete" on the other.

Ugh.... taxes. FML

I think having a small professional journal to write notes in is a great idea. Just don't write while people are talking directly to you lol.

As in "decisions on the interviewing have not been made" or "acceptance decisions have not been made"? Because it is common that if you are not chosen for an interview, you will have a significantly smaller chance of being accepted in general.