sfrie

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!

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

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!

So, I finally made a decision everyone. I'm officially going to be a grad student at Stanford University!!! 

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!

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!

I agree with this point. Every single interview I went to had at least one interviewer who had not read my application before they met me. I assume this was done on purpose (not b/c the professor was too lazy) but after you get to the interview, no one cares about your paper stats, but rather who you are as a person and your passion/enthusiasm for not only being AT the school you're interviewing at, but also for the field in general.
 
Addressing acetycholine directly, I remember a thread earlier in the season where you rubbed a lot of people the wrong way, and from that thread I formed an impression that you're very self-centered. Your first impression to the people you interviewed with may have come across in a negative light and it could be something to work on. As someone recommended earlier in the thread, it may be a good idea to schedule a mock interview with someone you don't know personally and get feedback from them. If you've been through 6 interviews and haven't gotten a single acceptance, then there is something about the interview that rubbed adcoms the wrong way.

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.

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!

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!

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.