GreenEyedTrombonist

thanks @rising_star ! I'll put those on my list! Do you happen to know any low-carb, grain and dairy free slow cooker recipes?

You have already followed up once and it's still the day you sent the follow-up. Do not go to the DGS. It sucks, but you need to be patient. Professors get (potentially) hundreds of emails a day and they may have a self-imposed specific time set aside to answer them. I had a professor request an interview yesterday who didn't get back immediately with confirmation of my suggested time and it freaks you out, but they will get back (now, if it's been a week and they haven't gotten back to you, feel free to follow-up again). Also emailed a different professor with a question on Monday and they got back to me today. It really depends on the professor and what all they have going on.

@mk-8 I'm definitely worried about the losing it, haha. On the skin-care side, I just picked up 16 washcloths so I can wash my face without reusing a previously wet, potentially germ-infested cloth (sensitive skin leads to a persnicketty me). Thank you Target for having a clearance sale! (set of 8 for 3 bucks)

I was searching for more information about grad school status updates and whatnot when it showed up in the Google search. I didn't get in that cycle, but I made wonderful connections and utilized the forum as a resource to improve my app this cycle (which has led to admission, so definitely a good resource).

I've found dairy-free chocolate. This may not end well... puts the chocolate in the pantry...tries to forget where the chocolate is In semi-related news, I really need to start compiling slow cooker recipes that I can eat so I'm ready to go as soon as I move. Also probably need some tupperware for my prepped meals.

I was going through a divorce during my MA. Luckily, the ex and I had been emotionally broken up for a long time (and they moved to a different state which made it easier). It is definitely an added stress, but I enjoyed the distraction of my work (classes, research, etc). *hugs* You will make it through this. <3

Have a job interview today, another on Friday, and a PhD interview on Thursday, plus rehearsals every single day this week and several doctor's appointments while trying to start a paper that needs to be submitted next month for a conference...also while keeping up with daily exercise, strict diet, and a few other things. I'm also starting a job next Monday (waiting for the background check and references to clear before withdrawing from my other two job interviews) so I'm sure my busyness will just increase. x]

Congrats @surprise_quiche !!!

And with that, I have another interview this week. Time to prep (after my job interview today, haha)!

If you feel that strongly about it, just withdraw your application from School B. Don't waste their time and yours when there's no way you'd go.

@M(allthevowels)H I'm allergic to gold so you definitely don't need gold face scrubs or masks.

Thank you @Shay825 !

Congrats @Ishouldbewriting ! That's awesome!!!

@la_mod thanks for that link! One of the things I've found after returning from my visit weekend is that my skin really dislikes the cold. I'm looking for extra ways to get moisture in my skin without causing an allergic reaction (stupid sensitive skin) because no matter where I go it'll be colder than what I'm used to for winter. It's been two days and my skin is still hungry for moisture and flaking from dryness. :/

@nesasp Depending on how their adcom is set up, this might be putting a good word in with adcom (happened for me at one school) and could be enough to mean acceptance. Don't count the acceptance until you have the official offer in hand, but this is a very good thing. Congrats!

Congrats to all the UC Davis admits! I didn't even get an email with a student id from them, so I'm gonna assume it's a no-go there. I'm good with that, and hopefully this will help my friend who lives near Davis come to terms with me leaving the state.

Part of this can be choosing the right program for you. Do grad students seem to live out of their offices or does the program encourage getting work done on your schedule and then doing what you want? The second is usually less stressful than the first. A program that doesn't care if you're in the office all day, as long as your work gets done, is one that allows for activities like exercise and game nights. If I go to one program, I've learned at least one grad student teaches a spin class on campus and two in my potential cohort want to teach other exercise classes. I could take these classes as a way to be social with my fellow students, decompress from all the work, and stay fit. It's also important to me to have a walkable campus so, even if I don't get to the gym, I can get in all my steps for the day. As for cooking, well...I'm definitely more concerned about that. Hoping crockpot meals and meal prep will help me there.

Yes, this is probably different in every department, but in general could mean: 1. Progression in courses aligned with their internal timetable (if you're a full-time student, taking a full-time load of classes that progress you in your degree) 2. Conference Attendance and Presentations 3. Publications 4. Passing the comprehensive exams 5. Sticking to your timeline (with room for variability) for your dissertation so you are defending on time 6. Some mix of these and other factors (including grades, for instance) Also, just looked back and saw this is a rant, so if you don't want this information, feel free to ignore. I decided to post anyways in case anyone else stumbled across the post and did want it.

Ok, so I'm gearing up to making decisions and really could use someone to discuss it all with. If anyone wants to have a back and forth about my programs (and same for you if you'd like), PM me!

So, I won't be able to move until August 17th and, if I go to one of my potentials, my TA training starts August 20th (I know, only 3 days to get acclimated, yikes!). However, I plan to use some PTO from work to choose a place to live and get all of that squared away earlier. I'm guessing my lease will begin on August 1st and I'll probably have to do a quick move in and then get more of my stuff later in the semester/over winter break. Not an ideal situation, but it's what I need to do to get everything taken care of.

Hey guys! Back home from my visit weekend! Congrats to everyone who has had an acceptance since I was gone and hugs for anyone upset about a rejection. Now to find time to catch up on sleep and moisturize (cold, dry air is hell on my skin). And I'm moving somewhere colder no matter what...haha, I need to invest in moisturizer.

I made a point not to rank my schools until after receiving acceptances and getting the chance to visit each acceptance. Where you live and the culture of your department are huge for your quality of life and should not be overlooked. I don't want to be in a department that snips at each other and are more focused on competition. I want a collaborative and encouraging environment that still pushes me to excel, but not at the expense of others. I would definitely turn down an Ivy if what I saw at my visit didn't work with my personality.

@Ishouldbewriting Did you go to UConn's visitation weekend? If so, hi! I'm typing this from my host's laptop, haha. Came on here to say I'm super excited because I just got unofficial notice that I got a Community Management job! They're sending the details tomorrow. (when I'm flying back home, haha)

@Yanaka I was here last year! Found the forum late and ended up rejected from everywhere. So far though, I'm only acceptances this season!

Thought you all might appreciate that I've been going crazy thinking every notification and email is from a school. Well, literally 5 minutes before an interview I decided to randomly check my phone and I actually did have an acceptance! I had to stop reading because there was no way I'd make it through my interview after having read such awesome news.