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Everything posted by fadedfigures
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Since you are applying to Master's programs (and given that you have applied to a wide number of schools), I think you'll get an offer somewhere. Your GPA, GRE scores, and experience are all wonderful, and will contribute towards a stronger application.
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Maybe they want to wish you a happy holiday season with good wishes for the new year! (And money. They want your money, too.)
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Here's a suggestion: try dumping some baking soda on the spots where the spoiled milk were, and leave it for a while. I learned that trick a few years back. I threw my backpack down onto the bed, and forgot my coffee container was in the side pouch. The cup leaked out all over the bed, and I was annoyed, but dried up what I could. That night, as I was sleeping, I smelled spoiled milk, and remembered that my coffee had milk in it. Gross. I stopped by the store the next morning and bought two boxes of baking soda. I dumped out probably both boxes on the bed and made a thick layer over the spots where the coffee milk had spilled. I left it there for a few hours, and then vacuumed the baking soda up. Boom. No more spoiled milk smell.
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How Long after Interview Should I Be Worried?
fadedfigures replied to ZosoPage's topic in Interviews and Visits
Don't worry, we are all there/have been there at one point. It's hard to submit an application with high hopes for success...and then there's silence. Nothing but pure, simple, deafening silence. The good (bad?) news is that our ordeal is almost over, and we will likely hear back from most places this month. So we all just have to hold on just a little while longer. -
Y'all, I need a bag that screams Professor
fadedfigures replied to dazedandbemused's topic in The Lobby
That's such an important distinction. If it is an interview bag, I agree with @rising_star. It needs to be something professional (such as a briefcase or a leather messenger bag), because you will need to look sharp and cohesive. As for an "around the department" bag, I think it'll all come down to you, your style, and the general tone of your office. Messenger bags do look a bit more professional (in my opinion, anyway), but they can be pretty impractical, especially if you're carrying a lot of papers/books. I myself use a Jansport backpack, because it has everything I need built in. I used to use messenger bags, and I found them awkward and painful after a while. Just go with what works for you. -
How Long after Interview Should I Be Worried?
fadedfigures replied to ZosoPage's topic in Interviews and Visits
Wait until after the holiday season is over. I would recommend waiting until Tuesday or Wednesday. Then, send her an email along the lines of this: "Hello Dr. POI, Thank you again for speaking with my over the phone a few weeks back regarding my application to [UNIVERSITY]. It was great to hear more about your research and the department. I am emailing to follow up and ask if you had any new information regarding the admissions process. I understand that there may not be any new developments yet, but I look forward to hearing back from you regardless. Thanks, and I hope you enjoyed a wonderful holiday season! Sincerely, ZosoPage" This gives the professor some power in how she responds. An email can be answered whenever; a phone call, in my opinion, is a little much, especially since you are still at the interview stage. You are right that it is the holiday season, and she probably got sidetracked balancing work, family, and other obligations. (I thought she was being optimistic when she said she'd get back to you on 12/30!) Either way, it is probably on her to-do list and it slipped by accidentally. She will get back to you. Also know that lack of response does not mean you were rejected. Professors and schools have more courtesy in notifying applications, especially after they're reached the interview stage. If she took the time to interview you over the phone (right before a major holiday, no less!), then she will let you know if the program cannot take you this year. -
Think about it from their perspective. Your LOR writer is an extremely busy person. They have many responsibilities to balance on a day-to-day basis, and one of those responsibilities now includes writing your letter. They are well aware that the deadline is approaching, but probably needed a break. The holidays are a fantastic excuse to relax and take a step back from work, even if for a day. They still have 5 more days to submit your letter. They may have said they would do it by today, but chances are that things got in the way. Since the actual deadline is on the 5th, they'll be sure to respect it. Is it a problem that you emailed today? No, because an email can be addressed once they feel like returning to work and checking their emails. Just be sure to cut them some slack. Even using a previous letter needs to be altered for the specific program you are applying for. So if it takes 15 minutes to change the letter for a specific program, and you applied to a large number, that is a few hours to submit them all. You can start to be more adamant after the holidays are done. For now, let your LOR writer enjoy what is probably one of the few times during the year that he or she can relax.
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Chances of getting into grad school
fadedfigures replied to helenaaa's question in Questions and Answers
The big answer here is whether you are looking to pursue a Master's degree or a PhD. I will answer each separately, since you didn't mention what your goal degree is. If you are aiming to get a Master's degree, you are on the right track. A 3.3GPA is fine, as most schools will simply want to see above a 3.0GPA. You can easily explain your major change in your application, and/or you have another year to pull that GPA up to a higher range. Your research assistantship and your volunteering experience are both positives. You should work on emphasizing whether your volunteering experience directly relates to what you want to do with your graduate degree. You said you assisted patients with their recovery. How so? Did you do so in a way that relates specifically to what you'd want to do with your graduate degree? Now, if you are looking to get a PhD, you have a more challenging path ahead of you. The schools you want to apply for are R1 school, meaning that they are the top of the food chain in terms of research productivity. The best of the best aim for these schools, and you can bet they have high GPAs, solid GRE scores, relevant experience (and, in some cases, a MA/MS already). It is true that GPA/GRE is not the ultimate deciding factor in these applications, but schools receive hundreds of applications a year for 6-12 spots. Thus, they will look for any reason whatsoever to axe a student. You need to pull up that GPA, kick ass on your GREs, and provide a good explanation as to why your GPA is where it is at. In addition, you need to continue gathering more relevant experience, especially as a research assistant. One of the most important experiences you can have is research experience, as these programs are research-intensive and want to see that you have that research training. That's how you can stand a chance at these sorts of programs. It may be best to spend a year working and also gathering additional research experience. -
Weird form of education guilt/imposter syndrome
fadedfigures replied to phdthoughts's topic in Waiting it Out
Let me tell a story about graduate admissions and how random they can be, regardless of test scores or GPA. During my first time in a PhD program, I interviewed alongside a gal who has become a good friend of mine. She was a competitive interviewee in every sense of the word. Graduated high school as valedictorian, 4.0 GPA in college, near perfect GRE scores, lots of research and TA experience, double major with internships. At the time, I had some research experience, had a 3.6 GPA at the time of my application, and...that's it, really. When all was said and done, I was accepted and she did not get accepted. These programs aren't necessarily looking for the students with the top grades. It helps, but what they're really looking for is your research potential. They're training future scholars and leaders in the field, so they'll be selecting you based on what you can bring and how you can grow as a person. It's easy to look at others and think that they're smarter, but remember that intelligence is more than just a score you get on a test. There's so much that goes into being a successful graduate student that even students with good GPAs can beat out applications with perfect GPAs. -
I got my fiancé into watching Dexter with me. I've already watched the series, and I convinced him to watch for the first time while I rewatch it. Heads up: seasons 1-4 are fantastic...and then it starts to go downhill with season 5 onward. So prepare to get super invested in the show only to have it degrade in quality. That being said, Dexter episodes are long. Fantastic way to pass the time while waiting for results.
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Quarterly review
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Social Psychology Fall 2017 Applicants
fadedfigures replied to MyDogHasAPhD's topic in Psychology Forum
Congratulations! Send some luck to those of us still waiting for a shred of news! -
Business suit
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Slay.
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I was in the same position as you. I applied as a college student, and then the fall semester resulted in spectacular grades for me. It did result in an upward change for my GPA, but not enough to merit contacting the schools to update my GPA. They understand that you are a college student and that your GPA is subject to fluctuation. My final GPA was much higher than the GPA I originally applied with, yet it made no difference to my application. So long as your GPA is above their cutoff point, then you should be fine. No need to contact them.
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I say go ahead and stay to explore the city! They have planned for some folks to do so, since they have stated that you are free to stay if you would like. Think about it this way: you will be in that city anyway, since you will be interviewing until 1PM. Take the time to explore what may potentially be the city you live in for the next 5-6 years, and get a feel for the place.
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Plasma generator
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Yellow belly
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Soda bottle
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Travelocity Gnome (Pay me, Travelocity.)
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That's why I am enjoying being with family these days. They are taking up so much of my time that I don't have the idle time to sit by my phone and wait. Thankfully, with today being Christmas and all, they should have enough activities planned to keep me from checking my phone. I'm still going to check anyway. But maybe fewer times.
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Garden hose
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I absolutely loathe the traditional men's attire for interviews. There's something about wearing a suit that makes me feel uncomfortable, like it isn't who I am. Plus they can be so bland, with typically the tie being the only splash of color they have. This time around, I'm debating wearing a checkered dress shirt with a blazer, just so that I can have that pop of originality. Otherwise, I'll probably repeat vest and tie like last time.
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I agree that the double-standard is ridiculous. All I can think of is if a person is gender non-conforming, for example a woman who prefers to dress in a man's suit for interviews. They will be limited in what schools/departments would be accepting of their gender identity, plus the added scrutiny for not wearing the traditional makeup and attire.