SLPgradstudent

Can you send the letter back along with a nice handwritten note saying how much you like the program and want to go to the school? Maybe mention that you've enjoyed taking your prereqs there?

I get that.  I was so happy when I got waitlisted for my 2nd choice school.  I hope you get in!  I would definitely contact them to express a continued interest in their program.  They'll want to know who has already accepted elsewhere and who is still wanting to attend their program I would think.

Just heard back from UWEC and I got waitlisted, but I'm just happy it's not a rejection and that they didn't forget about me!!

I was just doing my daily status check online and saw that I had gotten in to a safety school at the end of January...
I work from home and one day a few weeks later I got a push notification on my phone and saw an email with the subject line "Admission Decision: Con..." when it cut off. I scrambled to my email and saw that the rest of it read, as it looked, "Congratulations!" I was pretty pumped since this is a highly ranked program and the better version of the safety that I had been accepted to earlier.
Afterwards, I was curious and checked the status page for my top choice school and saw that after months of nothing (it was my earliest deadline too), my status had changed to "Accepted" and the page had a new set of "Congratulations!" and accepted information. This particular program isn't all that popular or selective, but it's at a good, nationally recognized school that I didn't think I'd be able to get into—especially coming from a small, no-name undergrad. I never cry from happiness, but I certainly did then. I went and hugged my dog and told her the good news. Then I composed myself and texted my sister who was at work but immediately called me back to confirm; I couldn't contain myself during the conversation. She seemed just as surprised as I was. I definitely didn't get any more work done that day.
The next day, I was back to work when I got another email on my phone. It was an acceptance to another top program at an even higher ranked school that I thought would be even harder to get into. I was all cried out from the day before, but I think I was more shocked than anything anyway.

I'll bet she forgot it was March already.    If the email said late March, that would be consistent with what she maybe meant to say.

Yeah, I hear ya.  I did most of my number crunching before hand.  It wasn't hard, given that I only applied to two schools: one public, one private.  Even if I got funding for the private school, it would still be more expensive than the public school unfunded.  Luckily, I got into my preferred school!
In the end, I think it has to be a gut decision.  Once you have all the information available, what feels right?

@SLPgradstudent Congratulations! Wish you the very best

Just over two weeks ago I was here on this thread, feeling sure that I would not get into either of the programs I applied to, and that I had failed terribly.
Now, I've accepted admission to my 1st choice school, I'm getting married in 4 months, and I got a great pre-wedding haircut/style today.  I'm loving life!  I say this not to encourage envy, but to remind you that this may soon be you!  At least the accepted into grad school part! 

Congrats, that's crazy! As if the stress of grad school applications wasn't enough

Wow! CONGRATS!!!

@SLPgradstudent My best friend is getting married and asked me to be her MOH. We're working on centerpieces. I think she regrets abandoning her plan to elope! That is to say, good luck with the wedding planning and very best wishes. Wedding mode goes by fast! 

Just remember... admissions is not statistics. They aren't choosing names out of a hat

JUST GOT AN OFFER!!!!!!!! I am in tears! 

oh my god i am a prize idiot.
I was nominated for a fellowship - one of the criteria for the fellowship is acceptance into the doctoral program.
I'M ACCEPTED SOMEWHERE!!!!!!!

Congratulations @Cat_Robutt!!!  I'm so happy for you!  *Happy Dance!*  You'll be my neighbor, I'm in MD.  
It's the best feeling in the world when you get accepted to your top choice program, isn't it?  After all the hard work and waiting, it feels so good.  I'm so excited to start this fall!!!
Good luck to @Neist, and everyone else who's still waiting to hear back from their top choice schools!

Congratulations @Cat_Robutt!!!  I'm so happy for you!  *Happy Dance!*  You'll be my neighbor, I'm in MD.  
It's the best feeling in the world when you get accepted to your top choice program, isn't it?  After all the hard work and waiting, it feels so good.  I'm so excited to start this fall!!!
Good luck to @Neist, and everyone else who's still waiting to hear back from their top choice schools!

Damn girl I love your hair! I'm with @SLPgradstudent I am not a makeup person. Occasionally I'll wear it for interviews and big events but day to day - no way. Too much effort with gymming daily and swimming. Not too sure about grad school attire in the US now, because at my current school it's totally fine to wear gym kit (and I do, regularly). Even lecturers bum around in sweats and hoodies and beanies (yes seriously). Yet I hear you gotta look put together day to day in most US programs. Yikes. I mean if I'm in jeans and uggs I've made an effort....sorry getting side-tracked, procrastinating a huge piece of coursework.

I don't have great pictures yet, but I took this one while I was drying it and it makes me look way emo-er than I could ever possibly achieve in real life.  And here is a selfie I took at work this morning with it styled: I usually wear significantly more makeup but I got home from my 13 hour hair appointment at roughly 5AM and had to be at work at 9AM, so I was sleeping and not doing my makeup. 

I just got accepted into my top choice school!!!! I'm moving to Pennsylvania in the Fall! Thank you all for keeping me sane during this process. Finally, after several years of trying to get into a PhD program, I finally have. 

I've officially been accepted to all 12 schools I applied for.
 
On the results search, I said something on the order of "Step 1 of success: have vagina"
So now I am referred to as "the vagina below".
COOL

You're in a very fortunate position to not have undergraduate loans. As is normal for most professional master's programs, there's limited funding. We had one TA position that 25 of us were vying for. In my program, almost everyone is paying with loans obtained through FAFSA then the graduate plus loans, and then working. Grad Plus loans are fine, but they do have a slightly higher interest rate. I wouldn't put them on the same level as private loans at all. Quite a few people in my program still rely on their parents for spending money or rent or tuition (which hey, if you come from a family that can do that for you, that's great). Bar-tending and waitressing can bring in a lot of money as well. I try to pay for tuition and rent through loans, and then work enough to cover the rest of my expenses and bills. if you can work a lot this summer before your grad program begins, definitely do so and try to save so that you have money to live off of during your program, or at least the first year.
Apply for scholarships as well, and be on top of it. Many of them may not be available until you actually begin your program. I unfortunately didn't apply for a lot of scholarships that just had a deadline, but there's some coming up I won't miss. The nice thing about a grad program is you really get to know your professors and clinical supervisors, so it's not too hard to find letters of rec.

@gingin6789 okay so travelling that much is super tiring! Make sure you stay well hydrated on the plane, in the airport, everywhere!! 
Seconding the rolling your clothes advice, it really saves a lot of space. I buy shampoo/conditioner where I end up but that's because I have super thick hair and hotel sized hair products barely wash 1/10th of my hair. You'll be amazed at how versatile clothes can be, but make sure you travel in comfy clothes and shoes you don't mind walking a long way in.
In airports I always have my headphones on and tend to just settle down and find a place to read my book as it keeps me calm. Packing wise, you'll need undies, PJs (if you wear them), smart clothes, travel clothes, make up if you wear it, smaller versions of your toiletries and one or two very comfy pairs of shoes. When I was travelling I took 2 pairs of shoes (trainers and flip flops), 3 t-shirts, 2 pairs of shorts, 2 dresses, 1 pair of jeans, about 10 bikinis (I have a problem), one hoody and one pair of summer PJs and one pair of winter PJs. That was for 18 months (yeah I pack light). For school visits, I'd throw in a booklet/notepad/ipad type thing where you can jot down your thoughts of people and places at the end of the day. This is really helpful a bit later on! Also water (you can never go wrong with too much water), snacks (I have food issues so always bring my own food, on planes too), tissues and lip balm are all pretty much immediately to hand. 
If you want any specific tips let me know! I am a master traveller

I am a very frequent traveler... at least compared to many. I assume you will be flying?
I agree with raaawr, get the full size carry on and pack lighter. Also... if it is a full flight, small regional jet, or you just don't want more hassle... you can plane side check the bag for free and they will send it straight on to your destination just like a checked bag... but without the fee. 
Rolling you clothes, rather than traditional folding, will keep more of your clothing from getting wrinkled. Wear comfy clothes on a plane... try shoes without laces, no belt, and no jewelry is best and fastest. 
Wear one headphone at the airport with music playing softly. If someone tries to swipe your phone from you pocket/ bag it will disconnect the jack and you will know immediately. 

Are you using a study program (PowerPrep, Magoosh, Manhattan Prep, etc.)?  It's hard to recommend something without knowing what you're doing already, but if you are looking for something, I would recommend Manhattan Prep.  You can buy individual study books or take a class.  The study books come with 6 tests each, and when you take a test, it tells you what kinds of questions you missed (Ex. number properties, positives and negatives, etc).  You can then go back to review those specific concepts, which I thought the books cover pretty well.  Studying on your own without a prep course can be less expensive in the short term, but you probably won't see the jump in your score that you're looking for.  I think Magoosh guarantees a 5 point increase, or your money back.
If you really can't afford to invest in a program, check out this forum if you haven't already.
 
There are so many options for studying.  Choose one or two and stick with it.  Studying for the GRE takes time and effort.  Your score won't improve in a week or two.  I would say give it at least 3-4 months of solid studying.
 

Sorry to bump this, but I felt like it might help people out now that acceptances are being sent.  To those fortunate enough to have choices or just wanting to know what is ahead first hand reviews would be really helpful at this time. 
 
I am personally interested in: Northern Arizona University, Fresno state, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, University of Kansas--Lawrence, and Loma Linda University.  Things like teaching style, closeness of students and school/life balance would be great to know from former students.  
Feel free to post about your experience at any University you loved and want to recommend people attend or vice versa.