pgt2018

I would agree that connections play a large role in the application process. I know of (many) successful applicants in the past/current cycle who did not have 20 pubs, subpar GPAs, etc, but have given their soul to well-established POIs in the field for the past however many years prior to applying. i think ultimately as a POI, it is very difficult to pick a grad student from hundreds of deeply committed/passionate and, if I may say, overqualified candidates. Even if someone looks AMAZING on paper and the credentials are second to none, he/she may still be a psychopath who you won't want to deal with for the next 5 years. So ultimately you fall on the LOR assessments and if that LOR writer is someone that you already know and whose opinion you deeply respect, then clearly you are more likely to judge this candidate favorably.

I’ve received several invitations to interview/recruitment weekends and wondering if I should ask specific questions about the interview day itself e.g. who I’ll be meeting (other than your POI), interview format, what I should expect to present / talk about, etc. Most schools have an admin person taking care of interview weekend, but one school in particular has their grad students handle interview wknd. Most of the info they send out seems to be very generic so I want to get more details for prep.

is it considered poor form to contact POI or grad admission department to check on your application status if you haven't heard from them? I'm wondering if my application got missed somehow.

hey guys, joining the conversation. my top choice just extended an invitation but i have already committed to another school that i am also considering (preliminary - accepted 2 days ago; no tickets purchased yet). will it hurt my chances if i ask to reschedule for my top choice school?

i just thought of a better/more interesting way to conceptualize my personal statement(s) but it's too late because everything has been submitted!! UGH. i wish i never thought of it.

tomorrow is Friday though! so im holding on hope...

LOL this is the best. i was thinking about what i would do if i don't get into any programs this year and a career change might be nice.

just wondering - did the admission office contact you or the PI directly? and did you speak to this PI prior to application?

Lol I’m just getting these today. Happy to hear anything at all.

congrats!!! thats amazing!

I would submit an academic CV. A resume may be more appropriate for a job application.

Just happy imagining that someone out there is reading my application...(I hope)

I did and all of them responded back with a thanks with an update! or looking forward to reviewing it! so I think it won't hurt. personally, I think it adds a human touch.

From what I understand, Skype interviews varies according to the PIs. For in-person interviews, schools may be willing to schedule around you. The ones that are less flexible may have already posted on their websites when interviews are going to be held.

is it too early to start thinking about a plan B? i was pretty confident before but now that i have submitted everything, i realized that nothing i do for the next few months would matter. perhaps the healthiest way for me is to start planning for the worst so at least ill have something to fall back on. i have so much respect for people who went through this process multiple times!