singinglupines

Can we talk about how ridiculously expensive this whole process is? $205+ for GRE, $300+ for application fees, $50+ for travel expenses... and more... the process is so limiting for people with low income or those of us living independently. 

Also maybe consider that some people aren’t just numbers on a page or a list of publications. Potentially they come from a top ranked school/Ivy League school and worked for a well known professor and got a great recommendation, which certainly helps. Or maybe their extra curricular activities are of interest to admissions committees or they’re not  traditional applicants. (I.E. we are all more than a GRE score, GPA, and a JACS first authorship and a lot more than that goes into the decision!)

Undergrad Institution: Large Private University
Major(s): Chemistry
Minor(s):  Physics, Mathematics
GPA in Major:  3.93
Overall GPA:  3.94
Position in Class: N/A
Type of Student: American, White Male

GRE Scores (revised/old version): 
Q:  166 (91%)
V:  166 (97%)
W:  6.0 (99%)
S (Chemistry):  880 (94%)

Research Experience:  2 years (including summers) in a physical/materials lab. 5 publications, 3 first author. All relatively good journals, but they aren't in JACS or something like that.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Not really anything notable, dean's list and such.

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Just my research position.

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: The publications and research experience are probably the strongest parts of my applications.

Special Bonus Points: My research advisor went to UC Berkeley and I think he is relatively well respected.

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:

Applying to Where: Schools are in my signature, all for physical chemistry or physical materials PhDs in the chemistry departments.

You  pay for flights then get reimbursed! Hotel is charged directly to the department.

Admitted to the University of South Carolina!!! I know it is not a top program but I was so worried I wouldn't get any acceptances at all I can't describe how happy I am

Hello everyone! I've been following this thread for a while now and thought I'd share my results as well!
Undergrad Institution: Small liberal arts college
Major(s): Chemistry
Minor(s): none
GPA in Major: 4.00
Overall GPA: 3.98
Position in Class: not sure, but definitely at the top
Type of Student: (Domestic/International, male/female, minority?) domestic female

GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q: 165
V: 161
W: 5.0
S: 780 (73%)


Research Experience: 3.5 years of materials research including 2 summers at home institution, 1 NSF REU at UPenn, and part-time work during semesters. Have presented at multiple ACS meetings and have a 1st author paper submitted to top materials journal.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: (Within your school or outside?) numerous school departmental awards and research fellowships, Goldwater honorable mention, Phi Beta Kappa, Outstanding Presentation Award at GCURS

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: (Such as tutor, TA, etc...) chemistry tutor and TA for 5 semesters

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:

Special Bonus Points: My research interests are very closely related to my previous work.

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: I know at least one of my LOR will be stellar.

Applying to Where: all for materials chemistry/closely related disciplines

UC Berkeley, Harvard, Caltech, MIT, Stanford, Northwestern, Columbia, UCLA, U of Michigan, Georgia Tech, UCSB, U of Washington
So far I've been accepted to Caltech, Northwestern, UCLA, Michigan, UCSB, and Washington! I'm a bit worried about Berkeley at the moment since I've seen so many acceptances posted....

Most ADCOMs have not even met yet. The select few that have begun the process of sifting through applications are merely starting. I would give it a couple of weeks before even considering emailing anyone at the university. If you are going to email someone, do not email your POI. They are most likely not on the ADCOM and will not be of much help. In fact, some professors may see an early/anxious email about the department's decision as unprofessional. At this moment, I would remain patient and talk with your professors and colleagues at your current university.

Whoo! Congrats!

Congrats! That's awesome!

I got my first acceptance and it's to my top choice! I can't believe it, I didn't expect to get in, let alone this early. I'm scared to accept the offer in case I wake up....