jaxzwolf

Chin up Tiglath! I know what you're going through, but have hope! It isn't over until you've received the last rejection, and we're just getting started this year. I'm sure there are good things waiting for all of us in the future. This may be your year-- keep on keeping on, and you may receive that prized spot yet!

Paper cuts on your lips? Not worth the risk.

Almost sounds like a weird sort of fortune cookie.

It's a long shot, I know, but I actually have a friend who got accepted to a math PhD program in June! She was on a wait list and for some weird reason the timing worked out to the point where someone withdrew from the program in May and they decided to go ahead and fill the slot. So it can happen very late in the game, but as others here have said, typically you'll hear by the first week in April for admits, later sometimes for rejections.

Not from what I've heard, although I could be wrong. My undergraduate advisers, current grad students in EEB programs, and prospective grad advisers have all said more or less the same thing-- admissions committees/potential advisers don't expect you to have a specific research plan in place, but you should have ideas about the types of research questions that really interest you. Typically, your first one or two years in an EEB program are for coursework and narrowing down research topics until you have a fully-formulated research plan. A large part of graduate school in EEB should be learning how to put together your research ideas and find appropriate methods/analyses to answer your questions. Professors will, however, want to learn about your research interests, and the types of questions that drive you to pursue an advanced degree. They don't expect you to be specific (e.g. "I want to study the ________ of __________ in Western Foreign Country using the methods developed by ___________ and analyses A. B. and C."). From what I understand, it's more important for them to see the types of questions that interest you in general (e.g. "I'm interested in the evolution of communication among social insects" or "I'd be interested in studying the evolution of sex-linked traits in _________"). If you can take your general ideas and show the department how their ongoing research aligns with your interests, you'll probably be okay. That's not to say that you'll be at a disadvantage if you do have a detailed research plan in place, but that (from what I've heard) you shouldn't be at a disadvantage if you don't.

I agree with both newms and LJK-- it's certainly a good sign, but it doesn't guarantee acceptance. I received an interview invite earlier this year, with reimbursed travel, and they asked me to make a list of 4 or 5 professors I'd be interested in meeting with while there. I found out the department is interviewing around 50 candidates for 10-16 spots, so although I'm taking it as a positive sign that I've passed the first cut, I know I'm not out of the woods yet. Every program is different, and perhaps yours is interviewing fewer candidates, or perhaps they've chosen their admits (including you) but want to make sure you're a good fit by having you out to visit before they make their final decision. Nonetheless, unless you have a definitive acceptance letter in your hand, I'd treat every visit like and interview and go in prepared. After all, the better prepared you are, and the more knowledgeable you are about the program, the better chance you'll have at impressing them and getting the acceptance letter!

Let me start off by saying I have not yet received an acceptance, but I already celebrated (sort of). My mom was in town last night and asked me to go out to dinner with her. We went to a nearby restaurant we'd heard good things about, and had a fantastic time. We also indulged by ordering appetizers and desert, which is something we never do. The food was INCREDIBLE (goat cheese and figs, anyone?), but the place was far fancier (and more expensive) than we'd known. I offered to split the cost with her, but she declined, saying "I'll pay. Just call it an early celebration for you getting accepted somewhere." Then, when the check came and she saw the final tally, her eyebrows shot up and, as she signed the credit card receipt, said, "You damn well better get in!" ...Moms... In all seriousness, though, I will probably: Reread the notification to make sure it says I'm admitted.Reread it again to make absolute sure.Reread it a third time to make sure I'm not missing anything.Look frantically for an associated funding offer to make sure they're not asking me to pay my own way.If 1-4 check out, frantically try to think of a creative way to tell my mom.Immediately fail at thinking of something creative, and end up just calling her.Try not to get frustrated when she says, "There. Do you feel better now?" instead of squealing with excitement.Indulge in something sweet/fattening/greasy/delicious.Immediately start worrying about when I'll hear back from other schools. That sounds about right. But who knows what will really happen! I think it would be interesting for posters to come back after they do receive their first acceptance and tell us what really happened with their celebrations!

I keep a blog... I've been doing poorly at updating over the past few months, but I chalk that up to not a lot going on. Except me being nervous about applications, of course. http://the-wild-life.blogspot.com/

I applied to three of the same schools; the other five were different. This was based on several factors: one school I applied to last year I became disenchanted with during the application process when I found the department and POI to be uncommunicative and a little rude. A second professor made the decision to take a two-year long sabbatic, and the other two to which I did not reapply were accepting students last year but for funding and space issues were not accepting students this year. Many of the five new schools I chose this year were schools I was interested in last year but did not apply to because the professors I wanted to work with weren't accepting applicants then; this time around, those same individuals are. After a lot of digging, I found a couple new schools/POIs to pursue. As for the three schools to which I'm reapplying-- Last year, after receiving my final rejection letters and giving it some time, I sent emails to the professors whose programs I knew I'd reapply to work in. The emails all looked something like this: Dear Professor, I wanted to let you know that, although I did not gain admission to (program) this year, I am still strongly interested in your and your student's ongoing research. [More info here about why I like their program.] I would still very much like the opportunity to work in your lab, and I plan on reapplying for admission in the fall. Also, if a technician position in your lab becomes available at any time during the coming year, I would be interested in applying for the position. Sincerely, jax All three individuals responded very positively to this email-- I was not asking "why didn't I get in?" or complaining or bemoaning my situation, I was simply reaffirming my interest in their work. All three encouraged me to reapply, and I even ended up having a lengthy phone conversation with one individual wherein I received a lot of helpful tips about how to word my SOP to best stand out for the admissions committee at the school. One of the three professors even admitted to me that he had to apply multiple times before he was accepted, too! I think professors understand how difficult it can be-- after all, they're responsible for sifting through hundreds of applicants each year and are usually only able to admit one or two students. I'm not sure, but I would hope that they might look favorably upon repeat applicants, especially if someone has continued to work on their credentials and make themselves more appealing candidates. It shows that you really do want to go to their school. I was nervous at first about it being awkward, but I didn't have any trouble at all, and I definitely don't regret contacting those professors again or reapplying to their labs. Now I just have to hope that one of them will actually pick me this year!

I'll give it a shot: I used to play bassoonI played ice hockey in collegeI love video games and toys. Seriously. I got an Iron Man figurine for Christmas and squealed like an 8 year-old. And I'm a girl.I can tell you if any food item has either Splenda or gelatin in it-- I can taste both.I've been a vegetarian for almost 9 yearsI won a grant in high school to build an outdoor sculptural piece, which was displayed in front of city hall for a yearI barrel race competitively

Acronyms ftw!

I really appreciate all the responses this topic has received. It's comforting to know you're not alone, and it seems as if many of us second-time applicants have benefited from an additional year or two before giving the application process another shot. Same here-- my research interests became much more tailored over the course of this last year, and it really showed when I revised my SOP. Not only was I able to give committees a few project ideas, I was able to more clearly show how my previous experiences informed my current research interests, and how the things I've been doing have prepared me to undertake specific research projects. I also had a much better opportunity to really thoroughly narrow down my choice of school/POIs, and to make sure I communicated with every POI in some fashion before applying. It's not something I had time to do the first time I applied, and I'm hoping that extra communication will give me an edge when committees/professors begin to review applications. My references more or less said the same thing-- they were all wondering how I managed to get overlooked the first time. The more I've revised my SOP and really critically looked at my applications this past year, however, the more I've agreed with admissions. I see where I would be a good candidate, but I can also see now what I was lacking, and I know it's gone a long was to strengthen my overall application. I just assumed my references would act on my behalf again, though I did check with them early in the fall to make sure they were still willing. I know two of three individuals edited their letters to take into account some of the things I've been doing in the last 12 months. The other, I'm not sure about... I would be nervous sending the exact same application letter along for two reasons 1.) If letters are being sent to the same schools you applied to before, there's a chance (albeit small, depending on the number of applicants they receive each year), that the letter will be recognized. 2.) If you've been improving your credentials (e.g. working on publications, doing field-relevant work or internships, taking courses, etc.) you'll want your application to reflect that, and it shouldn't be too hard for your references to work something in to what they've already written to reflect your continued interest in and work toward being accepted to grad school. This is a tough question. Last year I had high hopes when I started, but by the middle of February I was sure I wasn't going to be accepted anywhere. I feel much better about my applications overall this year. I think this year I'm a much stronger and more compelling applicant, and part of me can't see now why I wouldn't be accepted. For that reason alone (as illogical as it may be) I think I'd have a hard time trying again. I have a couple backup plans this time around, although neither or them are terribly serious. I suppose I'll just wait and see how crushed I feel this time if I don't get in anywhere. If I deal with another 8 rejections and after all that there's any part of me that still wants to give grad school a try, I'll definitely slog through the whole application process again. After all-- by the time I do end up getting accepted somewhere I'll be more than ready to make the most of the opportunity.

I'm more or less the exact opposite-- I've always called professors by their first names. It was expected at my undergrad, and I've since carried that with me. It seems more normal to me now to do so. HOWEVER, when I begin communicating with a PhD/MD/DVM for the first time I ALWAYS refer to the individual in question as "Dr.", in email or otherwise. In emails, if the person responds by signing first name only, I'll start addressing him/her by first name. If they sign first and last name, last name only, initials, etc. (pretty much anything other than just their first name) I'll continue to address them as "Dr." until they explicitly state otherwise. Even if I've been calling someone by his or her first name in email correspondence, I will refer to that individual as "Dr." in phone conversations or when meeting in person. Typically, they'll state right away, "Please, just call me (first name)." If not, better safe than sorry-- stick with "Dr." until you're sure it's okay with them. Some people get really weird about their titles.

That's a bold move, Damian, and I hope it pays off for you! Prospective advisers are likely to appreciate it for its straight-forward nature and brevity. Honestly, last year, I came so close to submitting this to every school. Kind of wish I would have, in retrospect: "Dear (University of Interest), I'm so adjective, I verb nouns. Sincerely, jaxzwolf"

*examines transcript* "Not bad." *looks at CV* "Decent amount of experience." *reading SOP* "Hmm, let's take a look at these research ideas. Already being studied, already being studied, way off-base, logistically impossible, and, let's see, impossible to get permitting for this last one. Huh... I was really looking for a student with a better grasp on reality." *trash*

Just wondering how many other people on this forum are in the same boat-- I applied to PhD programs (7) in the biological sciences last year and was summarily rejected from each. I reapplied to PhD programs (8) this fall. It seems most biological science applicants start hearing back on admissions decisions between mid-January and mid-February, and although I haven't started obsessively checking my email yet, I'm nearing the 'constantly thinking about applications' phase. I'm trying to stay positive this time round. I received an invite for an interview at one of my top-choice schools, and even though interviews aren't synonymous with acceptance, it's much farther along than I ever got last year. (I am, however, nervous, as they're interviewing 50 candidates for 10-16 spots.) So-- how many of you out there are submitting/waiting on applications for a second, third, etc. time? I wonder how common it is to be rejected in the first go-round but accepted in the second. How many people really do end up applying more than once? I think it would also be interesting to hear what you've done with your failed application year, if you've had any neat experiences, how you've felt you've grown, etc. There may very well be first-time applicants on this forum who end up facing a failed application year of their own. Might be encouraging to others to read positive stories about how we've spent our time and how an extra year off has been beneficial. I, for example, had the opportunity to work on a horse ranch. Not my ideal career choice, but I learned to rope cattle and barrel race, and those are two things I definitely never thought I'd do, and I've had a lot of fun learning about they western/rodeo culture! I also did a bit of traveling and had the opportunity to participate in some really neat research this winter. I definitely would have preferred to have started grad school this past fall, but I've done a lot of stuff this past year I never would have had the chance to do otherwise.

Two words: Burn Notice

I decided to visit a few schools early this fall to meet with prospective advisers before applications were even available at some schools. When I got back from the trip (at the end of September, before I'd applied anywhere, of course) I had people asking me, "How was your trip? Did you get accepted anywhere?" *headdesk*

I don't think you're being a jerk, but I do think it's a little unfair to assume that my credentials need changing/improving without knowing anything specific about my background. I can't fault you of course, since this is a public forum and I choose not to share that type of information, but there are reasons behind my decision to visit schools-- this isn't a whim, and it's not something I would put the time, effort, and finances into doing if I didn't think it was going to help in some form. No prospective adviser has assured me that a visit will guarantee acceptance, but seeing as how making a campus visit has been a primary (and sometimes singular) suggestion from prospective advisers for improving my chances at admission (as opposed to getting additional research experience, etc.), it's obviously well-regarded and beneficial for candidates in my field, and thus something I've decided to pursue. I was simply looking for tips on visiting campuses and meeting with prospective advisers.

I understand that there's quite a bit of difference between pre- and post-acceptance visits. Last year, I applied to seven schools and was rejected across the board-- no opportunity for campus visits provided, for obvious reasons. I attended (and presented at) a national conference over the summer. I did meet a couple of the advisers with which I have an interest in working, but not all of them were able to attend. When asking professors for advice at the conference, and after contacting several of the professors into whose labs I was not accepted (to let them know about my continued interest in their work and my intent to reapply next year), their responses were all the same-- "Come visit if you have the opportunity," "Try and visit in the fall before you apply," "Come to campus and meet with prospective advisers in person." It's advice that's been reiterated by my undergraduate advisers and a lot of the reading I've done. I realize that it would be much preferable to wait until after I'm accepted and have my expenses paid and professors trying to convince me to choose their school, but that's not going to do me any good if I don't get accepted in the first place. After scrutinizing my CV, credentials, and applications from last year, it was clear to me that really the only thing I could do to make a discernible difference in my chances of acceptance for this year is to meet with prospective advisers face-to-face to convince them that I'm worth taking on. The idea isn't so much to make sure if a school is right for me, but rather to discuss potential research opportunities with prospective advisers and give myself that little extra bit of leverage when it comes time for them to review stacks of faceless applications and try and pick who they accept. And although it will hurt for a little while, I'm willing to spend the money making the trip if that's what it takes to get me a spot in someone's lab.

I'm visiting before applying. I've almost worked it out now to spend one full day at each campus and a day and a half or two days at a couple. I don't think I can afford to take enough time off work to spend two days at each campus, and travel distances between campuses are, in some cases, a half to a full day's travel apart using public transportation.

I plan on making a trip to visit potential schools in about a month's time. I plan on meeting with prospective advisers and their labs, if possible, all of whom I've been in communication with for at least a few weeks. All of the schools I'm looking to visit are in fairly close proximity with one another, and I plan on largely utilizing public transportation to travel between campuses. My question is, how much time should I budget to spend at each school? I'm taking time off work, and I'll be paying for transportation and hotel costs, along with food, so ideally, the less time spent away from work-- not making money while simultaneously spending it-- the better. Will a single day be sufficient if the primary goal is to meet prospective advisers face-to-face? I'll obviously also be planning on doing campus tours and hopefully speaking with a current grad student or two. Is there any reason to spend more time at each school? What other things should I look into seeing/doing/etc. while visiting? Any tips for these types of visits or meetings with professors? I'm really just trying to make my trip as economical and efficient as possible. It seems little overwhelming right now, particularly because there's no telling whether I'll be able to meet with certain professors on certain days. But there really isn't any way for me to schedule meetings first and plan the trip later. It would end up being a logistical nightmare. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hi all, Just wondering if any of you were planning on attending the American Society of Mammalogist's Conference this June in Wyoming. I'm set to go but don't know anyone else that's going to be there. After all, all the cool kids go to ESA, right?