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This is so stressful! I don't want to bother the professor so I think I'll just wait this one out. Thanks for your help.

"At this time, we are unable to offer you an admission to our graduate school. The situation may change in early April, and I will email you to let you know either way." So...for the sake of my sanity I'm considering this a rejection, but does it mean I have a chance? Its from my top choice program. I'm interpreting it as I'm on a shortlist- they made offers to the people they really want, based on if they accept/reject the offers, I get or don't get one? I've got a couple offers and I really don't want to leave anyone hanging, how long should I hold out for this place?

If anyone finds this helpful, I emailed and asked- the department and the professor offered to cover the expenses. Great outcome, really excited to visit. I think the lesson here is that it never hurts to ask.

Definitely talk to as many people from each program as possible- you're gonna be spending the next few years with them, so the better feel you get for the department, the better idea you'll get of if you'll fit in and get along with those in the department. If you're honest and open about questions you have, you won't come across in a bad way, you'll come across as conscientious. Rankings shift year by year, so try and pick the program that is more consistently churning out students and papers. Also, unless you're dead set on your area of study, consider what you would do if you changed your mind- does your program have other areas that you could switch to, or would you be locked into your initial choice?

I've been accepted to Baylor and University of Iowa. Prior to acceptance I went to a visiting students weekend at Baylor, but Iowa accepted me without an interview. Before I make the choice, is it okay to ask to visit Iowa? I'm not sure how to breach the topic, especially travel expense wise- I don't expect them to pay, so how to I ask to visit without asking for handouts? I of course wouldn't complain if they offered to pay, but I also know they are under no obligation. How do I phrase the email? I'm really interested in the program, but money isn't exactly flowing for me. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

I just got my first offer (yay!) but now I'm curious about the other programs I applied to- should I reach out to the professors and ask if they have any updates, or should I just bide my time and pretend I'm a patient human being? Thanks!

I got an email today from the department I'm applying for offering to fly me out for a weekend to meet the professor I'm applying under and other graduate students, all at the departments expense. I know this isn't an acceptance, but how good an indicator is it of a potential acceptance? All assuming I don't completely blow it. Any stories/ things you've heard/ facts happily accepted. I'm freaking out over here.