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It doesn't matter. You should send things in a timely manner to allow for late ETS score reports/slow recommendation letters and all matter of administrative mistakes, but don't worry about sending in things early to get an earlier decision. Usually, from my experience the admissions committee will meet together at a set date of their choosing and go through the applications that the Graduate Secretary has selected from the general pool of applicants. Then they may make admissions decisions in rounds, notifying potential candidates of their status: accepted, wait-listed, and rejected, with accordance to their ordering of strongest to weakest. This is not true for every program, and notifications can go out in different orders for innumerable reasons particular to different departments.

I don't think so, I started asking in May/June of the year before I applied, and then sent timely reminders with contact information/instructions for writing recs etc. via post and email for each of the professors who agreed to write recs for me.

I think it is the highest I have ever heard of them getting for that program. It is definitely worth it--my only complaint is that PIttsburgh winters are notoriously sucky, but I love the camaraderie between students within departments, it makes the drive to get through and finish much easier. When I was in undergrad we had a lot of interdisciplinary interaction between schools (most of my friends are engineers, cs geeks, and archies that I met on research projects--and i was in history and policy in the humanities!) I am not too sure if you would do that at the graduate level, but you would have so many unique opportunities and experiences...I definitely recommend the school to anyone thinking about putting it on their list. I really miss sweet potato fries from Fuel n Fuddle Anyway, if you ever have any specific questions about the school/program feel free to PM me! I spent a lot of time hanging out in the CS labs. Edited for spelling errors.

<3 CMU!!! My undergrad and a fantastic school. I wish you luck and hope you succeed in your applications. Pittsburgh is a fantastic city! I think last year they received 4,000 applications alone to their computer science program and only accepted about 30? I could be wrong, but this is what I remember applicants posting. I had a wonderful time there, but when I look back I wonder why any of my friends are going back to school again. They certainly don't miss the week-long all-nighters or the project groups that suddenly went awry because they left for a weekend and their two partners dissembled their robots. I have some great stories from undergrad and you'll meet all kinds of people. I just had to gush and wish you luck--it's all a crapshoot, work very hard on crafting your SoP so that you can stand out beyond your stats. CMU looks for innovative researchers with interests beyond just their field of study, as Dean Devine said, "someone brilliant but with that certain macabre of talents that would add different approaches to their labs and classrooms". I think you have a definite chance.

I don't want to be the bearer of bad news---but unless you have some exceptionally stellar publications/recommendations (like one poster who had Scates Gates at Harvard, for example) I don't think a search committee at Harvard or MIT would take your file seriously with a cumulative GPA below 3.0. You can't really hide a low GPA--universities will find out these things! They are recorded, and if you were found out, this would be considered academic dishonesty and would seriously cripple any chances of acceptance. A bit of explanation-- Now, what you are saying about the latter two years, it is definitely true that better performance will increase your chances of admission. You also may certainly have an incredibly strong portfolio, but my honest advice would be not to limit your applications to these schools. Remember that you are competing with people from some of the most difficult institutions (Ivy, Top 20 research) some of whom have impressive pedigrees, including high GRE scores and stellar recommendations. I think that you are on the right track with your strategy of giving an explanation, just keep in mind that many other students will have cumulative 3.5 undergraduate GPAs and 3.9 major GPAs with the same test scores and extensive portfolios. What makes your situation incredibly difficult is that you may not be able to make it through to the admissions committee, so they may not even SEE the explanations you are thinking of crafting! Without that minimum cumulative GPA (3.0 is usually the cut-off point) you are already fighting your way to the top. Also--are you looking at Masters programs or PhD programs? I think a Masters program would be very feasible for you as an opportunity to boost your chances to enter into one of these PhD programs. There are also wonderful programs at other schools with incredibly impressive faculty, and I hope you would consider those as well--the best quality of education is not always tucked underneath ivory laurels. In summary, I don't want to discourage you from applying completely to these programs---feel free to come back and spit in my eye if it works out---I just want to say that realistically, without a higher cumulative GPA, these schools would be quite the reach.

Well, it's not crazy, my sister just had a terrible interview, with a really rude Harvard rep, in a smoky bar of all places! He questioned whether or not she had been lying about her credentials, attempted to goad her into arguments, etc...I also have rarely had any positive interaction with the students there, except for one. I don't think it is entirely bad, I'm just not certain that the social environment is as friendly as I would like it in an institution. ETA-- Of course, this is ALL ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE...don't let my personal "hang-ups" influence your choices go and see for yourself.

If you are really worried, would it be possible to study more and retake the exam? I know that standards for international applicants are much higher.

Didn't University of Pennsylania have similar problems last year with missing files/lack of communication? There should be some kind of graduate school black list--I know I have heard things from current PhD/graduates at University of Chicago/Columbia University that make me never want to go to either school.

For some reason, I get this odd sense of satisfaction seeing that Harvard is not in the top 10...then again, its not like its at the bottom either. I think my sister's bitter experience with Harvard has rubbed off on me...

I think this is very true--I have alot of friends who did EE masters at my undergrad institution, but it is also a top 5 EE dept., especially within their speciality. They also have no intention of going on to pursue PhDs in order to teach (a BIG difference) so for them, it was just about getting more $$$ with that extra degree under their belts.

Taking more classes may not be necessary or even helpful. Things might be different at Canadian institutions, but I think in most institutions in the United States, your Undergrad GPA (once you have graduated) is your undergrad GPA. Other posters, feel free to correct me, but I was under the impression that going back and taking more coursework will do nothing to change it once that degree has been conferred. If you don't mind answering, why do you want to go on and get a masters? Is there a career you are particularly interested in pursuing? I would be wary about going back into education simply because I did not have an idea of what to do with my degree once I graduated. In general, it is a very very bad idea and potentially costly. Also, if going back and taking more classes to get better recs is an affordable option, then that's a good idea. In addition, your SoP and your portfolio (depending upon whether you decide to attend an arts or a humanities program) are the most important things.

Congratulations!! This is fantastic news, which sets you firmly along your chosen academic path!

Don't panic! I had the same happen to me, they could be busy, at another university working right now and using another email, or as risingstar said, just not interested in responding. My advice would be to wait a few months and contact again if you still haven't heard anything (via email) and see what those results are. I did, and I got a response from the second contact because the professor was very busy. Just be sure not to write anything giving them permission not to respond, be polite, but don't write things like "If you are too busy don't worry about this" etc.. because even if they aren't busy they won't take your inquiry seriously and won't bother. In your next contact, just feel free to write "I contacted you earlier about x...", worked for me. *Your experiences may vary!!!

I think on its own, if someone is just getting a puppy to keep them company--it is a bad idea, just because of the amount of time/attention puppies require. They don't sleep well when they are young, will need to be house-trained, walked...played with and socialized...not to mention they have costly medical bills and you'll have to find housing where they can stay too..not to mention finding a dog that would like to be in an apartment all day! /unrelated rant Maybe I'm just a pessimist. Finding out that I'm pretty much being forced into taking NYU housing for personal reasons, and then getting stuck 20-30 minutes away from campus in the housing I specifically said I didn't want--for an exorbitant price has pissed me off. Is it so hard to just give me housing closer to Washington Square? The money spent on that commute is going to kill me--I don't have much money as it is!

I wouldn't do it now. Here is what I have read, you should actually check out www.chronicle.com forums in Grad School Life and search for threads on having children in graduate school. You can do it, but it's not something I would enter into lightly! Reading the posts there might give you some more in-depth responses. If you are going in to earn a terminal Masters degree, I would say why not wait 2 years and then do it? Either way, will take alot of grit and determination to do it.

I second the third strategy, in fact, if you are looking at MPA/MPP, I would consider even two years off to three. You gain an amazing amount of perspective during that time off and the work experience will make you much more competitive with other applicants.

I think one of the legitimate worries that many individuals have is over whether or not their school will get them a TT interview at a big-name institution. As you've said, where you have earned your degree is not the deciding factor in what hiring committees at universities have to say. However, I can see why many people in glutted humanities fields feel the need to throw themselves at Ivy league departments. Fortunately, I get the feeling that as more of us become familiar with the realities of academia, we develop a better taste for what would truly benefit us in the job search.

Agreed--I've noticed that too, but I figure most people who would want to publicly talk about this sort of thing with strangers want to have the shiniest pedigree possible. (Before anyone jumps down my throat, note that I said most) I speak from experience on this one--but atleast having a presence on these forums has knocked my academic ego down a few pegs.

ha my NYU app was filled with typos, when I do my PhD apps I won't mention the other schools I am applying to---but when I looked back at my NYU app I had referred to Columbia University as University of Columbia, and I had forgotten punctuation marks, mispelled simple words, etc...My only saving grace was my SOP, which atleast (I am not ashamed to admit) was stellar. I honestly think that is what saved my butt.

The time issue....depends...on the individual professor. I have a friend who applied for MFA CW programs at the last minute and literally asked for recs a week or two before the deadline. Now, hu's professors were accomodating...but some might outright refuse because of the time constraint, or agree to do it and not write a very good rec. Hu was unsuccessful in hu's acceptances to MFA programs, which could be for various reasons, but keep in mind that recs are a really important part of your application. Graduate committees weigh them very heavily as they prune their group of prospective students because they provide close, personal insight that aside from the personal statement, stats just cannot provide. With BARELY a semester left to make an impression, it might be a better idea to do what I did, the dreaded "wait a year and apply". (Which honestly, was not all that bad!) I know it's not an ideal scenario, but I honestly think that it may be the best option. If you DO have the means to apply twice, maybe you would want to try it with what recs you can get, but continue to work hard and establish contacts during the Spring semester in possible anticipation of reapplying next year--depending upon what your results are. It can be hard to get to know 3 professors so well in such a short period of time, and more importantly, get them to know you. I still think you can do it, but if this seems like way too much on your plate in a such short period of time, perhaps establishing better relationships over a longer bit of time and getting even some research experience with one of said professors the next year or summer--would be an even better idea. I know that this probably doesn't help and sounds bleak, but as someone who had to do the same, but within the span of a year--I can only offer you advice from my own perspective/experiences.

I second this! I had only a year left to make impressions on professors...you can do it, work hard, show interest in the coursework in and outside of class, go to office hours, make appointments, even just to talk about your plans. You would be surprised how excited many professors are to find a student who is as passionate about their research as they are...it can make all the difference when writing you a rec! Try finding a history professor who even has similar research interests/background as you--if you can that is also a big plus because they will be able to identify with your interests/situation and will be willing to work hard on your behalf. I think that the important thing to remember is this: while many faculty entered into PhD work purely with the intention of doing research, just as many entered into the field with the intent of enlightening young minds. You would be surprised at how helpful a dean/professor etc... might be when you go to them and ask for help or show an interest in their work. Don't despair! It may sound cheesy, but all things are possible if we are willing to take chances on ourselves.

this is awesome, congrats!!!!

Congratulations! and good luck It's wonderful that the professors at U-Conn were so honest with you! I hope you enjoy your studies at UGA

I was told I'd get all the registration info in late august when I arrive for orientation week. Might be a good idea to email the Program Coordinator/Director and ask, that's what I did.