goldielocks

Sorry to interrupt here, but I'm hoping to solicit some advice. I'm flying out tomorrow to visit a program. Here's the thing: I'm an absolutely terrible flyer. And this will be the first time I've flown on my own. I feel like a total baby, but can anyone share advice? I should be sleeping right now but I am too nervous. :/

Chime to TMP. That would be very unusual. I'd ask the DGS, tactfully. There's no reason you should ever accept an offer without a clear picture of your funding offer.

Safferz, I'm also falling behind a bit. I am desperately trying to stay on track with my blasted thesis and I keep getting mixed up. I just keep telling myself that none of those offers will be any good if I don't graduate in May.

Happy Saturday, everyone! I think the upcoming week might be a big one.

Well, I'm sure you'll make the right decision for you. Best of luck!

Oseirus, I will miss you when this mess of a cycle is over.

Yeah, C&C, I agree. I was just a tad confused because of the rejection posted earlier this month.

Congrats to everyone who has received good news! I really thought this week would bring more excitement, but I'm guessing next week will. Does anyone have any insight into when UIC or BU will be releasing decisions? Still keeping my fingers crossed for those still waiting on good news.

Just to chime in -- I agree with what's basically being said in this thread. If you are uncertain that you'd be happy with the sort of jobs this program will lead to, do not feel pressured to accept. You can always do this again next year. You can take a year to polish every single piece of your application, and spend some time living in the "real world" (a phrase that really bothers me but I'm at a loss here). Travel? Work? Save some $? Take a course or two? Read lots and lots and lots? I think the hardest thing for many applicants to remember is that taking a year away from school is not the end of the world. I know it can feel that way but it can also be incredibly beneficial. I had to take a year away once, because I fell ill and basically had no choice. And it seemed like the worst thing in the world at the time but so much good ended up coming out of it. It's a very subjective thing and you'll receive a mix of feedback. But I can tell you, from my experience, that taking a year away to strengthen my materials/have some time to myself really helps.

Yes, definitely speak with another grad student (or several, if you can!). I'm finding this very helpful in trying to make my decision. I also find that you really need to get them to admit to what they identify as weaknesses as well as strengths. There are tactful ways to ask this, without using the word "weakness." But definitely ask them what they'd change if they could, as well as what they really like about the program. And if people (including professors) will not speak to that question... turn slowly... and walk away. (Again, the key to this is tact, but every one of my mentors has insisted on this.) I've found all of the grad students (and professors, for that matter) with whom I've spoken have been very kind, outgoing, and willing to be honest with me.

Congratulations!

If it helps, visiting days are in about two weeks, so I'm guessing that acceptances are likely all out at this point.

Congrats to all of the Penn admits, and AFB: I'm sending you good vibes. I know next year will go better for you. Best of luck!

Yes, I'd be grateful to hear about this too!

Besides the title/no title debate, today's a pretty slow day around these parts, eh? I wonder if departments are just settling back to work after the holiday yesterday? I am wondering when UIC and Boston will decide to release decisions so I can officially be done with this cycle. I know there are some of you here waiting for many more decisions... hoping this week brings some good news your way.

And you were accepted to Yale. And Brown. And USC. And UCSB. This made my heart warm and fuzzy. I have a similar story, and I'm so happy to see other first-gens succeeding. Congrats!

Just to chime in, I'm with Virmundi. I always always always use "Professor" or "Dr." The POIs at my potential institutions have corrected me and asked me to call them by their first names. Wait for them to do this, and prevent any awkward moments.

Ahhh these are all good points. Thanks TMP.

Yeah, I think that's probably the best advice I've received about this so far.

Hi again all. Just thought I'd chime back in here. I'm grappling with a difficult decision myself. When I chose my applications, I mainly looked at programs that had one or two "giants" in my subfield, whose research I really admire. There were really three schools that I was "reaching" for, I thought. Now I'm in the unreal (and I'm not complaining, trust me) situation where I have basically equal offers from two of them. I've been talking with POIs at both places, and now graduate students. Will be visiting them both (within about a week of one another), and I understand them to be very different intellectual cultures. Hopefully that means I'll have a clear preference one way or the other? I hadn't really considered that this might happen. I'm not complaining, but this is a ridiculous decision. I hadn't thought about how agonizing this part of the process could be. It's a good problem to have, I know, but agonizing all the same.

Yayyyyyyy Sandyyyyyy!!!!!!! Congrats!

Haha yes, I will definitely exercise more prudence in checking my voicemail. Between that, and finding out that one of my offers initially went to the incorrect email address (their mistake, not mine, but still alarming), I am feeling a bit paranoid today.

I love this moment in the movie.

Good morning! This is me procrastinating instead of finishing my reading.

Good night, gradcafe-ers! I think everyone should get rested up because the next week will be crazy...