Musmatatus

Scroll up. emprof gave an example.

Spend a little more time editing your writing sample to specific page lengths, if requested. Two of my programs specified "approximately X" number of pages, and I was lazy and spent about 20 minutes cutting out parts without really making sure things made sense--they're the two programs I'm waitlisted at. Conversely, if you do already have a writing sample (as it seems common to revise and edit something previously written), it's not impossible to put together a decent statement of purpose in a month or two. I only had a paragraph of my SoP written by mid-November, and I hadn't started much earlier. I took my GREs in September, put together a school list shortly after, and formally asked for letters in October (although I had previously mentioned grad school ambitions to my mentors and one had already offered). While I do think it would have been helpful for me to get more eyes on my SoPs (I only showed it to two of my friends), everything was all right. Just a gentle reminder that it's OK not to draw out this process and make it consume your life--although this forum has been super, super helpful and supportive, it also has the ability to make you feel like you're not doing enough. If that is the case, I direct you to Warelin's post:

IDEA: If a school doesn't send any notification at all, they should obligated to refund the application fee.

I was just wishing that I could know what a grad student's normal week looked like--this is so helpful. Thanks for the detailed breakdown. Edit: @Dogfish Head I'm not a current grad student (and coming in only with my BA, so you have more grad experience than I do at this point), but FWIW I didn't contact any grad program directors. I had asked one of my mentors about it, and he said it was unnecessary and not at all expected. IMO if you just contact so they recognize your name, there is the chance of standing out in a bad way.

I think it's safe to assume business week--there are some schools that were notifying on the weekend, but I think if you are trying to arrange a call then unless specifically stated it would be M-F. I would just follow-up and mention time zones, int'l phone number, etc. and that you wanted to check in.

Congrats to the person who just got a surprise UPenn waitlist!!

Haven't attended, but one of my mentors mentioned he has seen up to half of an incoming cohort come in off the waitlist so there wasn't any stigma (as far as the profs are concerned). I wouldn't be too worried.

Thought I recalled your name/Yale on another comment...surprise admit @dilby

All you need is 1, and that 1 can be Yale!!!! So happy for you to bring all the memes to New Haven!!!!

So, just checking before I update--for UCLA, the wage index =1 column, could be updated to 29,864? Based on this data: http://livingwage.mit.edu/counties/06037 Am I looking in the right place? So sorry for all the questions and thank you for being patient with me!

@Warelin Second question - how is the wage index calculated? I'm looking at numbers on the MIT website, but I can't tell if it's supposed to be the 1 individual before taxes? Have the numbers been updated on MIT's website since the spreadsheet was created, perhaps?

Mystery gang, y'all figured out the problem!!! Go unmask the villain!

I knew one of the faculty I mentioned in my SoP at a place I got admitted; when I emailed them to tell them I got in, they mentioned they hadn't heard about it and were glad I reached out. So, I don't know that this would be the case. But, Brandeis might operate differently!

Thanks for the tip! What ever would we do without you?!

The current students are about ~40. If they are accepting ~18 every year, then I guess they're just depending that 1/3 of them accept?? IDK.

Luckily, the calls have left me alone... But now I'm wondering if my free birthday tacos/sandwiches have really been worth my sanity.

One thing I have learned from this application cycle is that I have subscribed to too many casual dining newsletters.

No news is bad news for Brown, it looks like! Empty portal. Edit: Reviewing the results board from last year, it looks like they will send out official rejections ~3 days after.

I really appreciate the elaboration, and will be sure to ask about this on my visits. Thanks for the heads up. I hope you're able to find a place with better working conditions this cycle.

Event coordinator at a university--Budget-wise, my programs would be fine with this. However, I would double check to make sure the school doesn't have a policy that says they can only reimburse economy class. If there are any considerations at play (i.e. the economy class does not have guaranteed seats, but the business class does), be sure to mention it.

Could you elaborate on what the administrative duties include?

I just sent emails recently asking for more information on placement! I don’t see why it should be too awkward as the offer letters already tend to mention (or even brag about) placement. It’s clearly already part of the discussion, in my view.

Big congrats on making a decision so early!! Must be a huge relief!

@punctilious I would love to hear about your husband’s experience so far, by the way! Hope everything is going well for the both of you

They sound super nice, and also very excited to have you! So glad you asked!