chaparral

Re: the benefits of the fellowship:
I can tell you as a PI it makes a difference to me in funding my students. If I have a student who wins the GRFP I can use my grad assistantship on another student.
Also, re: the prestige. Aside from the CV boost, I've been told by a few Program Officers that NSF looks favorably on GRFP recipients who apply for future NSF grants. They like to see that their investment in fellowship winners pays off and are willing to continue to support them (you list the GRFP like other prior NSF funding on grant applications).

The facebook page says it will be announced first week of April!

This is my experience with having the NSF GRFP that will echo what some other people have said and add new info:
Prestige: while you may attend a top university, your peers, professors, graduate school staff, etc. will look at you more favorably. Even though my university is prestigious, I received several congratulatory emails from professors who hardly spoke to me. People around the university started to know me too, where gained a good reputation in not only my department, but the entire graduate school. Also, some people from outside your field may not know that the particular university you are attending is top tier in your field, but if they see you are a NSF GRF recipient, they will view you more highly.  Freedom: I know that a few people already talked about freedom, but here are my specific instances with my "freedom". I have never TAed. I am now ahead of a lot of my peers and could graduate in four instead of five years. My advisor has plenty of funding to pay my stipend without the NSF GRFP so I wouldn't have to TA. Since there is no need to cover my stipend, there is extra money to do other things. If I want to go to a conference, my advisor pays for it. No negotiations needed. If I want to go to a workshop or travel or anything, my advisor is more willing to say, "Yes." I can research whatever I want, because the fellowship funds me. No strings attached. I don't have to work on a random side project that will fulfill the stipulations of my funding. I can be involved in other activities, because I have more time. I'm highly involved in STEM outreach and graduate organizations. This involvement has led to widening my professional network more and gain a greater reputation. NSF GROW/GRIP: I applied the the NSF GRIP and won the award. I now have a contact with the US Census Bureau, which is big. The Bureau is the largest government statistical agency in the US. This opportunity will not only contribute to my dissertation (yay chapter!), but also provide great networking.

My school will give me quiiiite a bit less than $34k... so thats a big incentive for me.  it might be the difference between being slightly homeless and not lol
But if you already have the prestige and funding, then there are programs you can apply to that are only open to GRFP fellows, such as the GROW program.
But most importantly, it gives you freedom. You can almost do whatever research you want, regardless of your prof's funding. Many grants only fund a certain project, but GRFP funds you. I know people whose dissertation was totally changed because they could fly wherever and study anything.  

Quite frankly, I don't think they will know. I believe different people are on the review panels each year. Even if they know, I don't think they would hold that against you. The money is to fund you as a scientist with great potential, not your research. For all they know, you could take the money and transfer to another school.

Quite frankly, I don't think they will know. I believe different people are on the review panels each year. Even if they know, I don't think they would hold that against you. The money is to fund you as a scientist with great potential, not your research. For all they know, you could take the money and transfer to another school.

I now check this page more often than I check my email...

I now check this page more often than I check my email...

I now check this page more often than I check my email...

I now check this page more often than I check my email...

I now check this page more often than I check my email...

I'm okay being ambitious.  I'm a chronic optimist.

I'm just trying to be as sad as possible this week and next. I figure if I set the bar low enough, a rejection can't make things any worse!

Just echoing that I can log in fine as well. 
Wow. I just realized results might be up this week. Thank goodness last week was spring break. It sped things up.

Lets dream big... if you get both, which will you take?

me too  

I think it is likely that at least one of your recommenders would point it out, yes?

I started my GRFP proposal in February 2015. I don't think it's too early at all! If you don't get it this year, your proposal is going to be so well-refined that you'll have a really solid chance next year! Don't give up on this year so soon though Good luck!

Thanks :-) Just wanted to know what to expect. So basically if I see the email and want to put off knowing until the end of the day, it sounds like I can.

yeah, I'm not sure there's much to be gained from calling... I think at this point I'm definitely not going to be officially interviewed (what biokat8 said is consistent with the timeline my POI gave me). If they're still interested they will keep me in consideration I guess. 
***pure speculation*** I bet the people they officially invited are the ones they want to admit, but some of those people will turn them down, and then the department will think about admitting other people. It's pretty $$$ to fly people out, so they probably want to start with the applicants they're most interested in. Perhaps we will hear more after the interview dates on the 21?
Best wishes to you!!!

My Best wishes to you as well! My fingers are crossed but I'm prepared for the worst. I believe there might be a second round of interviews in february, but I'm not sure if its a continuation of already invited candidates or a new wave. Try to stay positive! We will get into a good program eventually.

Congrats! Personally I do think that it is always best to dress a little more formally than required. It shows you care and know how to be professional. However, I'm not terribly surprised that an ecology interview might be more casual... When I went to the ESA meeting, no one wore a full-on suit (except a few students), and a few people presented in jeans and/or hiking shoes. Not what I was expecting for a national conference!
Perhaps there is a side to ecologists that always wants to be field-ready... ha!

Hi all,
In all the chaos and stress that (almost) everyone is going through now (including me haha), I just wanted to express how moved I am to see such a supportive group of people, and I want to thank you all for being a part of my graduate applications journey. Here's to keeping our fingers crossed for other potential invites to come in the next week or so!
And here's to all of us - don't forget to keep your head held high!