hippyscientist

Thanks, Fuzzy. That helps me feel less awful about it. I will be seeing both advisors that I applied to and won't be working with at conferences so I want to make sure the rejection is pleasant and professional.

I haven't actually rejected them yet. It's awful because I'm rejecting a school ranked ~5th for a school ranked 1st - it's not like there's a MASSIVE difference between them, it's just that the 1st ranked school has EVERYTHING I EVER WANTED! Lol. I pretty much told the school I'm rejecting that I'll go there as I honestly never thought I'd get into Penn State. But everything happens for a reason.

Ugh declining offers is so horrible. I know I'm opening a spot for someone else but this PI has been so invested in me and I honestly thought I'd be going there until I got into my first choice school earlier this week. I feel bad but I gotta do what's best for me!

Just a quick one - any one seen the Lions Gate apartments? I've been recommended to live there by a student in the department, just wondered if anyone else had seen them/lived there too.

@Neist congratulations on deciding! I was in a similar boat, I got an email last night telling me that I've been awarded a scholarship and funding at the first university that accepted me. However, I'll will be headed to Penn State as well - I'd be stupid not to!! The area is beautiful, I just want to get a car sorted pretty much as soon as I arrive so I can get out of the town when needed. At the minute I'm trying to figure out what classes I want to take outside my main department - it's a toss-up between engineering and computer science. I guess that's a conversation to be had with my PI - who is awesome. He's so excited to have me on board it's amazing. I feel so much love from the department already haha.

@fuzzylogician thanks for weighing in. It was actually a recommendation of a grad student in the department who currently lives in the building and has checked out the apartment, so I'm not too concerned about the scam side of things, but it's definitely something to keep in mind for others who might have the same dilemma.

I've found an awesome apartment - it's within budget, pretty much all set, great location and predominantly excellent reviews online (with a few pissed off people too so I feel they're genuine reviews). I know that places in the town go really quickly so I want to reserve the place, but I don't have my visa yet, and it will be a while before I do. The leasing agents have asked only for the evidence from my school that my funding is 2.5x the rent (which it is! yay!), and I have that. Is it really stupid of me to sign the lease without having my visa?

That sounds positive katpillow. It's clear that your passion is coming through to those at Northwestern or UMichigan. Best of luck and keep us updated

AWESOME! Thank you Beer/wine needed come August!!

I was looking at toftrees!! But I need a roommate. Sorry, one more question, where did you find your roommate? I'm a little bit cautious of finding one off craigslist!

Where did you find it? I'm looking online now and finding it really tough to find places that aren't rented or that I'll be able to sign a lease on from the UK

@rhombusbombus sounds awesome! Yay fellow penn stater I've just sent back my official acceptance of their offer.

@rhombusbombus I'm going to send an email to the PIs, just because they've been in touch quite a lot and I think it's only courteous. And hopefully, we will be able to mingle at conferences. I really want to maximise the contacts I've made during this process, so I'd drop them a quick email to say "I was so pleased to receive the offer of admission, but feel that this isn't the best fit for me. I hope we can still be friends!" but a bit more professional like haha.

Hi guys! I'll be coming to State College in the fall (it's gunna be a while before the novelty I can say that wears off). Starting to look at housing now, I'd be keen to go into a 2-bed with someone for a number of reasons. Is there any dedicated website Penn State has to hook you up with roommates? Unfortunately I'm not going to be able to get to PSU until August so it's going to be a long-distance hunt. Any updated places to absolutely stay away from? I'm not opposed to a few undergrads but really not up for loud parties every night - I like my sleep. Any info would be great! I've contacted my department too, but I'd really like to live with someone outside of that.

Wow thank you all for the congratulations! I'm so so happy, and still kinda in shock. Best of luck to everyone still waiting to hear. It's painful and stressful but it happens for a reason. Now excuse me while I go to have celebratory wine.

ummm...oh my god. oh my god. I got accepted to my top choice with full funding & moving costs. oh my god. The #1 school in the world for what I want to do wants me. is this real?

This is what I want! That looks awesome!! I went brunette for the first time in years about 4 months ago and I really want pale blue hair but I think I might do oil slick for a bit first, then go nice and pastel for summer proper.

Congrats!! @FoxAndChicken enjoy your visit! Navy and pink is always a winner - it's what I used to wear when I had pink hair. I've been thinking about dipping into the "oil slick" hair trend...just need to find a decent colourist who's not going to bankrupt me!

@Nirvik congratulations! @pterosaur now the fun starts I'm down to 3 hours to wait. I've got my presentation for Friday down to a fine art with all this waiting haha

@pterosaur that's what the little voice in my head says, but I'm not holding my breath. I'll find out in approximately 7 hours.

I sent an enquiry email to one of the schools I have yet to hear from on Friday and 11pm last night I received an email from the POI there asking to skype me tonight. He apologised for keeping me in the dark for so long AND remembered the time difference. Now comes the 12 hours where I try very hard to not over-analyse why he wants to skype.

as I keep repeating to myself, it's not over until you have that letter in hand. It's so easy to take the results board as what's truly happening when we know we're a small sample of the grad school population who use grad cafe. Stay positive

@raaawr good luck!

I keep thinking today is Thursday and getting frustrated that I haven't heard anything all week. And then I realise it's Tuesday. I need a break.

funding is so crucial. I thought I wouldn't be accepted if there wasn't funding, but apparently some schools decide who they want, send out the acceptances and then keep you waiting before letting you know if they will fund you. Agh!