01sonal

I think this might be better in the GRE forum. However, since it's here, I will provide some feedback. First, it would be helpful for you to provide the prompt, so that whoever is reading knows what the requirements asked of you were. I will not comment on grammar, but rather content. I am guessing that this is for the Argument Essay. First, I am not quite convinced by the argument that, in order to understand a society, we must study the major cities within it. There are many types of societies - the society of a country as a whole, the society of a particular ethnic group within a country, urban societies, rural societies, religious societies, and so on. Studying an urban society will not tell us about the society of a country as a whole; in order to understand the latter, we would need to study several of the smaller communities within that society, which would include all of the types of societies I mentioned before. Perhaps thinking more generally about societies would solve this issue? Or, naming specifically what kind of society you are referring to (in this case, urban societies) would also solve the issue. Second, it is factually incorrect that India is still under colonial rule. India has been independent of British rule since 1947. Also, I am again unconvinced by the argument that early immigrants would be more "purely" Indian than those who stayed in India throughout colonial rule. Would Indian immigrants not be influenced by the culture of the new society to which they fled? That makes them no more "authentically" Indian than those who stayed in India and were culturally influenced by the British empire.

When I applied, I heard back roughly 3.5 weeks after the interview.

I use a backpack, and so do many in my program. I don't feel judged for using one nor do I judge those who don't use one. I personally am just uncomfortable with using a purse. The most important thing is to use whatever you're comfortable with because forgoing a backpack for style reasons but then being uncomfortable and unconfident (and in pain) without one is worse than using one even if it is dorky (which in my experience, it's not).

I'm hoping to go within the next few months! I'm kind of nervous to be honest. I got my nose pierced a couple years ago and it didn't hurt very badly at all but for some reason I'm quite nervous about my ear. Rook piercings are so cute! I was considering one but decided on helix at least for the time being.

It won't look bad. Schools know that they run the risk of their top recruits being unavailable the longer they wait to send out invites.

Is there any way you could bring your interview clothes in a carry on and just take 10 minutes to change in the bathroom once you land? As for the second day, maybe just a nice sweater, some black pants (or black jeans) and a pair of ankle boots? Also, if you've been in contact with any current students don't hesitate to ask them if what you're thinking of wearing is appropriate.

Sometimes programs also have you interview with people they think would be at least semi-versed in your research interests. For example, at one of my interview weekends I interviewed with the two people I had listed in my application as potential advisors, and a third who studied similar but not exactly the same or directly related research. However, his interests were similar enough that it just made sense for him to interview me as opposed to someone who studied biopsychology (I am interested in social/emotional development).

Where did you get it? I want one on my cartilage so bad! Edit, fixed grammar

You may have more luck in the Psychology forum, there are several threads there for different areas where people are posting updates!

I would NOT say that you do not want to destroy a potential working relationship with Professor X, I don't think you need to go into that much detail by giving names. Also, of course everyone interprets things differently, but for some reason saying that doesn't sit right with me personally. On one hand it could come off as impressive that you are thinking so far ahead, but on the other hand it could come off as going to an interview even when your heart isn't in it and wasting the department's resources (I assume they are paying for your travel and arranging housing accommodations for you) while simultaneously taking away an opportunity from another equally qualified student who may want the opportunity more than you do. Not saying that any part of the latter is true but that is how it could be interpreted. Just saying "School B is one of my top choices but I have already committed to attending an interview during the same weekend elsewhere/at School A" is sufficient. Aside from that, if I were in your shoes, I would also go to the in-person interview at School A and the Skype interview at School B because I would not want to cut School A off my list just because I like School B more. I'm the type of person who likes to keep my options open, because who knows after visiting/meeting students and faculty whether or not I will still like School A less? Unfortunately, the reality is that you do miss out on certain opportunities by doing a Skype interview over going in person. No one can say with 100% certainty that the Skype would either have no effect or would hurt your chances. I will say however that I was accepted into one of my top choice schools following a Skype interview.

I don't have any advice, but I am sorry that you are going through this Depression is rough and following a career path that your heart isn't in is so difficult as well, and then maintaining mental and physical health on top of that? I've experienced all of the above so I really really feel for you <3 Does your school have a psychological services office that offers free sessions that you could utilize?

Feeling okay, mostly cause I know it's a long shot! I mainly applied so I could get practice with writing fellowship applications before next year when I do my NSF.

I can't say for sure for your field, but in mine it doesn't mean you're out for sure. If you haven't been invited to interview at a particular school then chances are slim to none of being offered a spot in their program, but it could be that your POI does not feel any of the students they've invited are a good fit for them, in which case they might revisit the applicant pool to take a second look at who else applied to work with them.

First, congratulations! Getting invited to interview is a big deal Second, keep in mind that this interview process is just as important for you as it is for the program. You're trying to assess whether or not the program and your POI are a good fit for you, just as they are trying to assess if you are a good fit for them. I found that keeping things in perspective when I was going through the process was helpful for me because I didn't feel like I was just the lowly prospective student desperately trying to get accepted into any old program. Other tips would be to get a good night's rest, pamper yourself a little bit (e.g., if you really like taking baths then take a nice hot bath the night before the interview), and try not to do any last-minute prepping because I find that that usually makes people more stressed out.

Same! It's funny because that's a trend even across different schools at NYU. I actually applied to their Developmental program in the school of education (Steinhardt), and they still tried the same thing on me. I had (still have) so much debt from undergrad, I honestly told her that I was sorry but 1) I didn't have the financial means and 2) I knew that I would get a Masters on the way to my PhD so personally I was not trying to complete a terminal Masters. Doing another year as an RA/lab manager was my back-up plan for sure had I not been accepted somewhere. Of course it depends on where you went to undergrad and whether you got research experience there/what your GPA was, but IMO spending the year working between application cycles is a much smarter choice especially if the Masters isn't funded.