altikr25

The length of a phd at cincy is dependent on you. It can be done in 4 with a masters, and I know someone that took 7 years to get it without one. If you have an MA I would not suggest retaking classes as you'll learn everything again your first year. 

Here's to hoping we all hear good things this week. I hope to hear from my final three applications but I am 95% sure I know my decision. I just want to have all the information before I make it! Once I do, I plan to formally accept and decline my other offers. 
Ready to move onto the next step of figuring out budget, housing, and then months of waiting to start and moving.
 

Well definitely show a major interest in biosocial criminology, and a secret of J.C. is he really likes using "R" for stat analysis. Other than that I would just be honest with him. Let him know you enjoy reading his work and you would like to help him any way possible (that's how I got in with Nedelec).  Good luck!

UPenn just got back to me, and I think all other applicants. Not accepted.  I will be going to Cincy in the fall. Hope to see some of you guys at ASC.  We should create some sort of identifier to find each other (e.g. a secret handshake or something). 

UPenn just got back to me, and I think all other applicants. Not accepted.  I will be going to Cincy in the fall. Hope to see some of you guys at ASC.  We should create some sort of identifier to find each other (e.g. a secret handshake or something). 

Along the same lines as said before, but I would add familiarizing yourself with a particular piece of recent research from the faculty member you'd like to work with. That will give you something to extra to talk about/ask questions about.

Someone mentioned to me at least year's asc that Dr. Beaver is great at helping his students obtain funding. Good luck!

My updates:
Received acceptance from U of Cincinnati Friday.
Called UPenn today and was told that decisions will go out within the next two weeks. According to threads from the past, UPenn does interviews for their candidates (some of?) so I'm not optimistic about my chances there since I haven't heard a peep from them.

Congrats on all your acceptances @zephiwho ! Your record sounds impeccable. 
I agree that it is best to not stress over something out of our control, but I do think this thread is valuable to this year and, of course, future years. I don't think discussing stresses/concerns/acceptances and excitement is bad. The thread has been nothing but uplifting, positive and friendly. No one is cutting anyone else down and there is no appearance of hard feelings when rejections or no responses are given from schools and others hear good news. 
I think as this season continues the thread will be what past years is for us, informative. I think continuing to share information of all sorts here is great! I, for one, would be disappointed if this thread lost its candidness and became a thread only focused on possibly helping next year and only directing information in that way. Perhaps a new forum thread for that specific target? 
 
Either way, I'm glad you've chimed in!! It's nice to hear a new persons perspective and to hear your good news! 

You are being totally ridiculous, as are the other self-virtuous posters on here vehemently claiming that it's wrong and despicable to rescind one's acceptance.

Are you saying that you would spend six or seven years in a place that you actually don't want to be at just because you were forced to make a decision by April 15. Until you actually do this, don't judge other people. Also note that no department will really want you to be a part of their program if you don't really want to be there. It will reflect in your work. Also note that any respectable program should have a waitlist, and why would you want to take the place of some deserving individual who wants to be at the dept more than you do.

Now this isn't to say one should accept an offer lightly. Obviously, it is only ethical to really accept an offer if you intend on going. But if unforeseeable circumstances happen, then the morally right thing to do is to rescind your acceptance. Grad school is a major commitment, and YOU SHOULDN'T LISTEN TO ANY OF THE CRAP ON HERE ABOUT YOUR ACTIONS BEING DESPICABLE OR DISGUSTING. They're legitimate and moral.

Burning bridges and being "unethical" is bad, yes...but cheating yourself out of proper options because of programs' selfish and equally unethical deadlines is worse. I say, if they don't explicitly tell you not to, take the offer and see. That is what I will be doing, as I was left with no choice but that.

They'll live.

By the way, @nerdyjilly you are NOT old, and you sound like you have a lot of other pros going for you, if you aren't confident in your GRE. Honestly, your GRE doesn't sound that horrible! I think experience is important and makes up for any cracks in GRE. 
 
How awesome! Pastry chef to Crim PhD applicant? What a cool life, I bet your daughter gets some great desserts while listening to nerdy academic talk.  

Haha so many of us... Or maybe we're just the rowdiest..

Fingers crossed for all you UC-ers.  
 

Driving, so I'll keep this short. 
Confirmed: UC applicants chosen, emails not sent yet. 

Okay well I am 30... I finished my BA last year after a career as a pastry chef and having my daughter. I've always had an interest in Criminal Justice, my first major was forensic science in 2003. My verbal was 155, I'd rather not say my quant. because I am so embarrassed. I took the test on 34th street here in NYC and there were plenty of fire engines and police sirens to hear through the earplugs I was wearing. Combined with the fluorescent lighting I suffered a horrible migraine attack. My writing was like a 4 but I think (hope) the sample I provided will take care of that. I am capable of research at John Jay, I know this because I've already done it there under the advisement of a wonderful distinguished professor. He wrote one of my letters so fingers crossed!
I graduated with a 3.86 cum, 2 majors in 3 1/2 years while raising my kid alone and working. That test is no measure of my capabilities (eye roll). I'm so glad to have a forum filled with people I can relate to. 
Right now I work at Bronx DA, working here has given me PLENTY of research ideas. 

Driving, so I'll keep this short. 
Confirmed: UC applicants chosen, emails not sent yet. 

I have heard this too. The idea is that going to a different school for at least one is that it shows you can succeed elsewhere, and not just because you were with the same faculty/people for all of it. I think also going multiple places shows you can get through applications and study under a variety of people. I don't know that it really matters, I've seen faculty who did all three at the same place just as professionally and academically successful as others. 

On a somewhat related noted: what do you guys think about getting all three degrees from the same institution (Bach, master, PhD)? I was told by one of the professors I work with that some employers (read as academia) don't like to see the same school from start to finish; I'm not sure I fully agree with that premise.  Thoughts? (Maybe it's me trying to rationalize not getting into UC!)

Hope lives on!

Freak out yesterday for nothing, accepted to UCF with full funding. 

Yeah I spoke with Dr. Sullivan, the Graduate Director. They send out email acceptances. The faculty at UC is amazing (I'm still doing research there), but FSU has some really good faculty members as well. No decision on funding yet for FSU, but I'll make it work. 

Just received acceptance from FSU through email, although my online status is still pending.
Also, received email invitation from NEU about future campus visit and meeting faculty. (Not an acceptance, but a good sign I guess.)  The email also mentioned that doctoral decisions are made in early March. 

Oh wow! I didn't submit until 12/10 so that gives me some hope back!!! Now I will be checking my e-mail like a mad woman for the next 3 days! Thanks for the update! 

Hang in there, fish. I'm sure it'll all turn out the best for you!