InfiniteLoop

Hi guys,
Any thoughts on what is an appropriate way to thank your LOR writers? I'm thinking of writing a handwritten note and mailing it to them, but does anyone else do something more elaborate?

Hi guys,
Any thoughts on what is an appropriate way to thank your LOR writers? I'm thinking of writing a handwritten note and mailing it to them, but does anyone else do something more elaborate?

You should relax and wait it out. I just got an offer after being placed on a waitlist. Stay strong:)

You should relax and wait it out. I just got an offer after being placed on a waitlist. Stay strong:)

I don't think I said that it is selfish for people to carefully consider their offers nor did I state that anywhere on this forum. I only questioned your assumption that it 'does not matter' when you get of the waitlist - because let's be honest - other than the psychological stress that can't be good (aren't we all psychologists here?!), going to grad school massively impacts people's lives and the sooner people know what they're up to the better...  I think it's only wise to consider one's offers very very carefully and think a bit about them - I think that sentiment is shared by everyone here. If you end up in a situation where you're waitlisted for your number one and because of that cannot commit to another program until the last moment - also fair game. And sure, people need time to weight their options and they should take their time. However, there is no point in holding on onto your 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc. offer for no other reason than just having them. I think that is also the reason why the 'rule of thumb' is to not hold on to more than two offers at a time when you made up your mind (preferably even less). As soon as you decide you have better alternatives, free up the spot for somebody else. Schools will also greatly appreciate it (for all the obvious reasons, they may also be missing out on candidates because they did not wait on the waitlist till the last minute for various reasons, etc. Plus it shows respect and enthusiasm). So simply don't wait till the last minute to decide simply because you can. 

Every grad student, post doc, and faculty member has told me not to make any decisions until I've gone on all my interviews/visit weekends and have full funding offers but strangers on the internet talked to "experts" who think it's rude so I guess I have to pick now ?
It makes no difference if you get off the waitlist today or in 2 weeks or in 1 month. Calm down. 

Tried to upvote this but GradCafe won't let me add anymore reactions ?‍♀️
Happy to see you posting again ?

I don't think people are holding offers just to hold them. People are deciding the next 5-6 years of their life. It's going to be slow. I have 3 offers right now + another interview + a waitlist... No idea where I'll be or if I'll go. I have major concerns about each and need to figure out which issue worries me the least.

I can’t help but reference the Yale drama from a couple of days ago.....
This response strongly sounds like “THEY ARE MY OFFERS [!!!!!!]” lmao ? 
I personally (and basically every expert I work with in the field?) think it’s absolutely inappropriate and inconsiderate to hold on to more than 2 offers at any given time. It’s a jerk move, but you do you, boo!

School: University of Southern Mississippi
Concentration: Clinical--adult track
Type: PhD
Date of acceptance: 02/20/19
Notified by: Phone call from POI

School: University of Southern Mississippi
Concentration: Clinical--adult track
Type: PhD
Date of acceptance: 02/20/19
Notified by: Phone call from POI

I just got back from my first interview and my advice is to learn as much as you can about your PI's work. Get a feel of their publication history by reading abstracts going back in their career and read a few of their papers (3-5) related to their current work. This is not a research project and no one will grill you on their current research - in fact, I found that my PI and the lab members were very excited to tell me about their work and having questions about the work that they were doing was not frowned upon. Be honest when you are not familiar with a topic they are speaking about - most are totally happy to explain it to you or point you to resources to learn more - but acting like you know will make you look phony.
Basically, know what you are interested in and want to talk about beforehand through your research, but be ready to learn a lot. Some of the research you will learn about is likely unpublished or starting up in the future and you won't know about it until you get there. Soak it all in, try to imagine how you could see yourself participating, and get excited about discussing it with top-notch researchers - they will definitely notice your enthusiasm.
At the end of the day, the faculty only bring in people for interview that they believe can do the work. The interview is to evaluate how well you will fit in with everyone there. So, don't worry about knowing everything heading in - this will come with time - and just try to learn as much as you can and be enthusiastic about the possibility of working in lab that is doing key research in your topic of interest!

I just got back from my first interview and my advice is to learn as much as you can about your PI's work. Get a feel of their publication history by reading abstracts going back in their career and read a few of their papers (3-5) related to their current work. This is not a research project and no one will grill you on their current research - in fact, I found that my PI and the lab members were very excited to tell me about their work and having questions about the work that they were doing was not frowned upon. Be honest when you are not familiar with a topic they are speaking about - most are totally happy to explain it to you or point you to resources to learn more - but acting like you know will make you look phony.
Basically, know what you are interested in and want to talk about beforehand through your research, but be ready to learn a lot. Some of the research you will learn about is likely unpublished or starting up in the future and you won't know about it until you get there. Soak it all in, try to imagine how you could see yourself participating, and get excited about discussing it with top-notch researchers - they will definitely notice your enthusiasm.
At the end of the day, the faculty only bring in people for interview that they believe can do the work. The interview is to evaluate how well you will fit in with everyone there. So, don't worry about knowing everything heading in - this will come with time - and just try to learn as much as you can and be enthusiastic about the possibility of working in lab that is doing key research in your topic of interest!

I would do both and drink coffee. They should have plenty.
You made it this far - I think you should be able to handle operating on 4 or 5 hours of sleep for a couple of days.

I would do both and drink coffee. They should have plenty.
You made it this far - I think you should be able to handle operating on 4 or 5 hours of sleep for a couple of days.

I just found out I am going to receive an invitation to interview on a date that I believe will end up being the same as an interview I already accepted. I think the best solution in this case is to thank the second program and ask about alternatives and be up front about the situation. If they say there are no alternatives, I would consider asking the first program if they offer any alternatives. In the end, if no one budges, I'll go to the school that asked first.

I just found out I am going to receive an invitation to interview on a date that I believe will end up being the same as an interview I already accepted. I think the best solution in this case is to thank the second program and ask about alternatives and be up front about the situation. If they say there are no alternatives, I would consider asking the first program if they offer any alternatives. In the end, if no one budges, I'll go to the school that asked first.

School: Florida State University
Type: PhD
Date of invite: 12/5
Type of invite: Email from POI
Interview date(s): 1/25-27

School: Florida State University
Type: PhD
Date of invite: 12/5
Type of invite: Email from POI
Interview date(s): 1/25-27