sfrie

I can relate to this. I love the lab and adviser I picked but I can't help but think about everything I gave up at the other university I was seriously considering. I've always been the one who leaves home, but now I'm sticking around for the next 5+ years and it's very strange for me. I'm sure it will get better once the school year actually starts, but I can't help but feel regret about not starting over in a new city.

As a contrast to everyone else, I don't know that your GRE scores are all that important. While of course they can be improved, and it can't hurt to retake, I had very similar scores (165V; 155Q; 4W) and got into every school I applied to. I think research experience and showing that you can follow through on projects (either with a publication or presentation/award at a conference) is by far what matters most. Also, it really helps to reach out beforehand to potential PIs and get them to pull for you with admissions (though this definitely depends on the types of programs you're applying for). Sounds like you're off to a great start for your next year's applications. Good luck!

Just accepted Davis!!! I'm from the Sacramento area and currently working in a lab at UCD, so I might be able to answer questions if anyone is curious about anything

I am in literally the same position (but my UT and WashU are UC Davis and UChicago). I think I'm going to pick Davis because grad school is about your long term research potential rather then your short-term excitement of a new place with better money. If you think you will be most productive at UT and you love it, I think you have your answer. As long as you have enough funding to do what you need to, the research matters more. None of us are choosing to go to grad school for how lucrative it is

E/VG, G/VG, VG/VG Not awarded, but very positive feedback. I didn't have high expectations since I wrote it in a week without any guidance whatsoever. Guess they thought my proposed project was a little too ambitious for my prior experience in the field. Though I assumed the point of grad school is to broaden your skills and research techniques and build on what you already know.... At least I have two more chances! Huge congrats to the winners. It's a massive accomplishment.

Thank you all so much for the input. I think based on what all of you have logically stated, my decision is pretty clear here. Looks like I'll likely be attending UC Davis, I just might need a few days to wrap my head around it before actually hitting the accept button. I really appreciate all of your help!

Hi everyone, I've written about this before in another feed, but I'm still struggling with the decision and I figure more opinions can't hurt. I'm basically choosing between a lab/adviser I fit with better and a school/location that I prefer and I'm unbelievably stuck. Both programs are amazing and pretty much on par with each other for my field of study, so I can't go wrong. Everyone I've talked to in my field says it's a no-brainer and I should pick the adviser at UC Davis, but I don't know that I want to spend my 20s in Davis. Thank you so much for any help you guys can offer. This community has been an amazing help through out this entire process and I wish you all the best! UChicago: Pros Better location Higher stipend Fewer teaching requirements Field Museum Fieldwork possibilities More integrated department Cons Adviser not AS productive, but still considered good Very small lab UC Davis: Pros Adviser is very well known and highly regarded in my field Work in lab currently and love the environment/adviser Alumni of this lab almost always get TT positions (this lab has pretty much spawned a dynasty) Better fit with my research interests Larger department and lab Cons Location (not a big fan of small towns) Lower stipend More teaching Ridiculously close to where I grew up

I can't speak to the programs, but I did my undergrad at UW and loved my time there. Beautiful campus, beautiful city, tons of outdoorsy activities, etc. I purposely didn't apply there for grad school or I would have been so tempted to go back to Seattle. Let me know if you have any questions about the area/school. I'm happy to help out!

I just had interviews this past weekend at UNC Chapel Hill, but Ecology departments seem to be weirdly late compared to everybody else.

FoggyAnhinga-- Sorry to hear you didn't make it into your top choice, but your signature says you've already been acceptance to one program. Just take solace in the fact that it's no long a question of if you're going to graduate school, it's now where. You've already made it past the worst part!

I did my undergrad at UW in the SAFS department and I didn't notice that many unhappy grad students (at least from the undergrad perspective, might have been different than my impressions though). There were, however, quite a few funding issues that might present some difficulties. Still, not to make you guys feel bad for not getting accepted, but I loved my time there. Sorry you guys didn't get in, but I'm sure you'll all get into awesome schools. Just participating in this board mean you guys care about your grad school decisions wayyyy more than a lot of people I know and I'm sure the admissions committee will be able to tell.

I think (maybe) LSU also has a rolling admission system. Don't quote me on that though... Pretty sure Oregon State does as well.

Not sure what all departments you guys applied for at UNC, but I was just invited to a recruitment weekend on March 30th. All hope is not yet lost for those of you who haven't heard back, I really just think they're holding out until after that weekend to respond to everyone.

Thank you everyone for the amazing advice. You all are incredible and I really appreciate the help with this decision. I did my undergrad in the pacific northwest, so I'm hoping for some actual weather again. I think I am leaning towards UChicago, but it's hard to let go of the opportunity to study under the well respected adviser in Davis. Who knew the most difficult part of this process would be the actual decision and not the applications/interviews?? Best of luck with your Davis application, Crucial BBQ!

Thanks for the advice Cruical BBQ. I'm from Sacramento so I may be a little sick of the sun by now. clupantz, I applied to ecology

Whew! I'm not the only with an impossible decision after an unexpectedly successful application season. How do I decide?! I've narrowed it down to two schools and I'm so tempted to just flip a coin and leave it up to the graduate school gods.

Thank you shadowclaw Actually, I'm wondering if any of you could offer insight into my decision. While I realize I'm in a great position and am fortunate to have the luxury of making this choice, I feel a bit stuck in deciding between two incredible programs: UC Davis and UChicago. I'm currently working in the lab I would join at UC Davis and the adviser has a great reputation within the field, plus I know we get along very well. On the other hand, I'm really not sure I want to live in Davis for 6+ years and I think UChicago has better resources (the Field Museum, etc.). Has anyone heard anything helpful about either of the programs/any advice to offer?

Congrats, Rivers! I just found out I got into my two top choice programs and I have zero idea which to pick. I wish a graduate school sorting hat existed.

I know this has been asked before, but anyone hear anything from UC Davis ecology yet? It's getting pretty late, but I'm pretty sure they STILL haven't sent out any replies (good or bad) this year. Just trying to assuage the paranoia at the moment.

katsharki-- I went and did the same thing even though I know better than to get my hopes up. And it was even for a school I wasn't originally going to apply to! These interviews are about to be a bit nerve wracking.

I'm the one that heard back from UNC's EEOB program. My POI emailed me yesterday to let me know I was accepted into the program (without an interview?) and nominated for a fellowship! I'm not quite sure how that works to be honest but I'm very excited since it's my first acceptance. Although I can't attend, I was invited to their recruitment weekend which begins on Feb 27th. Your POIs might just be taking longer to get back to you with results. Best of luck to everyone!

kinkajou -- I'm almost positive invitations have already gone out for UC Davis's pop bio group, but I know ecology is running quite a bit behind this year due to some administration changes, so I don't think there have been any updates for them yet. I don't know anything about animal behavior so I can't help there.

For anyone who's interested, I just called UNC-Chapel Hill to check on the status of my application and they said they will be sending out invitations this week (possibly spilling over into next week as well). There is still hope!

FoggyAnhinga--I had a very similar experience at all of my schools I applied to and have yet to hear back about my applications from most of them. I wouldn't worry much, depending on the school, professors generally have a range of influence/involvement with admissions decisions, so they're likely waiting to hear back just as you are. I had one POI contact me about a week ago and tell me the adcom was about to start meeting, but I haven't heard anything since. The waiting sucks but there is not much else to do these days. If you're really concerned you can always send your POI a quick email asking if they've heard any updates, but they would likely have contacted you if they had. Best of luck!

Have people been hearing back from EEB programs yet? I have no updates from any of my schools and am a bit concerned by the lack of responses.