katcherintherye

Hey! So I'm a graduate student who just began this fall and I feel as though I can at least answer some of your questions! 1. I think the city is great. Then again, I'm from a small town so I'm used to the atmosphere. There always seems to be something going on, though, which is nice! And there's a decent bar scene in downtown Champaign to keep yourself entertained. I haven't had much time/money to try out any local restaurants, so I can only tell you that the grocery store situation is good as well - there are plenty of options, from big box grocery stores (i.e. Walmart, Meijer, etc) to smaller, local, and even specialty grocery stores. 2. If it's just you, I recommend sticking to the outer perimeter of campus, but try to find something on or close to a bus line (Check out cumtd.com to find out more about the buses). If money isn't a concern, then you will be able to fork over some cash for a parking pass (~$600) for your car - otherwise, the bus system is good enough to get you where you need to go. I live in Champaign and I love it - I am walking distance to downtown and right off of a major bus route. But I do know a lot of graduate students live in Urbana, as well. I think it really depends on what you can afford. 3. The people seem nice. I haven't had any issues yet. We're in the midwest, which is known for it's small-town charm and friendly people. 4. I'm 25 and I'm in the middle range of most of the people I know - however, that's because most of the people I know are new graduate students, as well. There are plenty of graduate students (therefore your age range) at this university, but there is also a very large undergraduate population. You will learn that there are undergrad hangouts and grad/young adult hangouts, so there is very little to worry about in terms of finding people around your age to associate with. 5. You will be about 2.5-3 hours drive to downtown Chicago, so it is definitely do-able in terms of a weekend getaway. Let me know if you have any other questions! And good luck!

I just accepted my offer today - Neuroscience PhD - so I will be there!

Pop Rocks

I've only gone to one interview so far so I have nothing to compare my experience to, but I definitely see the importance of getting along with other people - at least for mental health maintenance in the future. I really got along with a lot of people at the first interview I've been to, and I now know that is something I am going to be cognizant of when I am interviewing at other locations. I think, for some people, it is an important aspect of fit to consider, but it may not be as important as other factors - I guess it really depends on the person. Overall, I think it will fit into how I will decide on a location if I end up with multiple offers. You are not alone in considering it as an important factor!

I'm waiting to hear from BU GPN, as well. A few people posted a while back (the last week of January) in the results that they received interview invites, but I haven't heard/seen anything from anyone since. Their interview dates are Mar 2nd/3rd, as far as I know, so if they are extending invites I would assume it would be soon. I've seen a lot of results from Boston, just not GPN but other programs, so I'm hopeful that we'll hear something in the next week or so. If anyone knows any different, that would be awesome to hear.

Who else is going to Illinois (UIUC) next week? Looking at the schedule makes it much more real!

LOLLLL I DO THIS, TOO! Oh... I got a recruitment email from them but didn't apply. But if I did, I would have already known about my acceptance. So bad. so so so bad. So many people in X programs have been getting acceptances already. Am I not hearing anything because I'm being rejected? Should I reach out to my POI? Silly, silly, silly.

It is still early in the day. Don't give up quite yet! I am telling myself that a.) they have snow. the school is closed. so I may hear from them tomorrow and b.) wait until the end of the week. Don't give up hope!

floor mop

I got rejected by one, therefore I'll be rejected by all. True story.

I am waiting on BU GPN, as well. Congrats on the other invite!

I sure hope so. Waiting hear back from them and one other school.