EmmaJeanB

I got into NCSU too! But I ended up signing a contract with WVU, because I'm more interested in the project.

@jerryhooSo, I’ve personally still not heard from NCSU, but just received a great offer from OSU and have decided to pursue my studies there instead.  Really liked NCSU but the risk of waiting until after I the 15th to hear from them is a gamble I’m not really comfortable taking. 

When did you apply to NCSU? I submitted my application later than normal (3 weeks ago) and now I am wondering how long it takes to hear a response.

I applied in late January. The waitlist was unofficial. I had to email the professor and he told me I will be accepted if another person declines the offer.

$15/ hour is low for the LA area. However, graduate school is not meant to provide anyone with enough money for us to be "comfortable". If you are unable to pay your rent and get food with the $15/hour. Speak to your advisor and the graduate school about alternatives. 

I noticed the same  I was hoping to see a long thread of people. Especially since a lot of schools waived 1-2 requirements for this application cycle due to covid.

Not only have I gained admissions to two schools this week but I also just got an interview with a company (finally!) That webinar discouraged me so much but now I'm feeling the hope again ?
Stay positive everyone! You got this!

For anyone else who is still waiting to hear from an employer there's still time. My GEM portal has been on matched since early December, I just got an email from a lab yesterday for an interview. Keep your head up the game is far from over.
#SecondTimesACharm

For anyone else who is still waiting to hear from an employer there's still time. My GEM portal has been on matched since early December, I just got an email from a lab yesterday for an interview. Keep your head up the game is far from over.
#SecondTimesACharm

For anyone else who is still waiting to hear from an employer there's still time. My GEM portal has been on matched since early December, I just got an email from a lab yesterday for an interview. Keep your head up the game is far from over.
#SecondTimesACharm

For anyone else who is still waiting to hear from an employer there's still time. My GEM portal has been on matched since early December, I just got an email from a lab yesterday for an interview. Keep your head up the game is far from over.
#SecondTimesACharm

Hi Y'all! I see no one has started a thread for the 2021 application cycle yet, so here we are! Application are beginning to close. Best of luck to everyone who is applying. I pretty much copied and pasted the subjects from the 2020 thread, but feel free to answer whatever you wish! This is my 2nd year applying to PhD programs so I send extra luck to those of you who are going through round 2 ( or 3)!
 
Undergrad Institution: (School or type of school, such as big state, lib arts, ivy, technical, foreign (what country?)... Overall Reputation in Biology?)
Major(s):
Minor(s):
GPA in Major:
Overall GPA:
Position in Class: (No numbers needed, but are you top? near top? average? struggling?)
Type of Student: (Domestic/International, male/female, minority?)
GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q:
V:
W:
B:
TOEFL Total: (if applicable, otherwise delete this)
Research Experience: (At your school or elsewhere? What field? How much time? Any publications (Mth author out of N?) or conference talks etc...)
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: (Within your school or outside?)
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: (Such as tutor, TA, SPS officer etc...)
Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:
Special Bonus Points: (Such as connections, grad classes, famous recommenders, female or minority status etc...)
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:
Applying to Where:
School - Department - Research Interest
School - Department - Research Interest
School - Department - Research Interes

Hi Y'all! I see no one has started a thread for the 2021 application cycle yet, so here we are! Application are beginning to close. Best of luck to everyone who is applying. I pretty much copied and pasted the subjects from the 2020 thread, but feel free to answer whatever you wish! This is my 2nd year applying to PhD programs so I send extra luck to those of you who are going through round 2 ( or 3)!
 
Undergrad Institution: (School or type of school, such as big state, lib arts, ivy, technical, foreign (what country?)... Overall Reputation in Biology?)
Major(s):
Minor(s):
GPA in Major:
Overall GPA:
Position in Class: (No numbers needed, but are you top? near top? average? struggling?)
Type of Student: (Domestic/International, male/female, minority?)
GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q:
V:
W:
B:
TOEFL Total: (if applicable, otherwise delete this)
Research Experience: (At your school or elsewhere? What field? How much time? Any publications (Mth author out of N?) or conference talks etc...)
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: (Within your school or outside?)
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: (Such as tutor, TA, SPS officer etc...)
Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:
Special Bonus Points: (Such as connections, grad classes, famous recommenders, female or minority status etc...)
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:
Applying to Where:
School - Department - Research Interest
School - Department - Research Interest
School - Department - Research Interes

Well folks, I got the email that I'm advancing to the next round (I did an early application).
Unfortunately the only school that's nearby for me with a master's program I'm interested in (that is also GEM affiliated) is not accepting master's students for the fellowship (despite the GEM website saying otherwise). I'm going to withdraw my application in the mean time. I've got a secure job right now, so I'm not going to give that up to move somewhere else for graduate school. I don't know what the economy is going to be like in the next few years because of the pandemic.
Good luck to everyone else; hopefully my withdrawal will let one of you get slotted in for the fellowship (assuming that's how it works).
Edit: I've also been unmatched this entire time, but two far-away schools personally emailed me requesting an interview to be considered for the GEM Fellowship. I've turned them down, as I'm not willing to move out of my city.

Hey Y'all 2nd time GEM applicant. Applied last year, was anxious and stressed, did not get matched until February, then released in March, and denied from the 2 schools I applied to in May
My opinion, is to not stress at all. GEM was super delayed with everything and I do mean everything from updating the portal, sending emails, starting the webinar on time. I checked my portal every other day last year and it only made my anxiety worse. This year, I submitted my application in October and I only checked my portal 5 times since. Checked the portal today to see I was matched so I'm keeping my fingers crossed, good luck to everyone!

This is so sad. I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this.. Is it irrational to think that these programs will automatically admit you for Spring 2021? It’s the least they could do

EJB--
Yes. Expand your search pattern to include jobs and internships that will allow you to use the skills you currently have and can acquire quickly. (I am thinking about data visualization using ArcGIS.) Cast your net wide enough to include consultancies that support planning and development of the built environment.
Yes. Please do what you can to be as tactful--calm, cool, and collected--as you can be. I recommend that you start by thanking the POI for what ever support, information, and encouragement that she offered during the application process. Express your regret about not having been able to earn the opportunity to work with her this year. Then pivot towards a well phrased request for guidance on how to be a more competitive applicant next season. 
I recommend that this request be phrased after you've outlined a plan that you intend to execute regardless. This plan should include the objective of getting some research experience. Describe the types of jobs you have in mind, if not also the institutions. Here, you pose subtly a question like "Are there any programs that I have not mentioned that you'd recommend?"
If the reader is paying attention she will understand the ask behind the ask.. 
Meanwhile, do all you can to keep your spirits up. If an activity helps your mood and it's sustainable, do it. If an activity is unsustainable and/or doesn't help, consider putting it aside.
Keep in mind that there are threads on this BB that were active during the Great Recession. You may find tips and tactics for coping that are applicable now. (You will kindly ignore some of the grumpier posts written by those of us who are still here. I would also spend time reading @TMP's posts- which are a testament of courage in the face of adversity.

So far I only heard of 2 universities in Chicago and 1 school in Louisiana that has rescinded offers for prospective Fall 2020 students. Extremely small schools though, I would not worry about it

This is so sad. I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this.. Is it irrational to think that these programs will automatically admit you for Spring 2021? It’s the least they could do

This is so sad. I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this.. Is it irrational to think that these programs will automatically admit you for Spring 2021? It’s the least they could do

Just received an offer from a university for GEM! They emailed me today.

I'm going to guess I'm on the silent waitlist for Maryland, I've heard absolutely nothing.  Oregon State I'm starting to wonder if they even remember my application exists.  Apparently Jefferson is great at the silent rejections, so not expecting anything from them.  I just want to know for sure either way so that I can process everything and move on.

It’s not too late. I know some schools are not releasing updates in applications until March 1st. Other schools who have already sent approvals, are just waiting for their first picks to confirm or deny (usually early March deadline too) before sending out notifications to others. I wouldn’t worry about it too much right now 

@EmmaJeanB I received an email from my POI at UT-Austin last week. It seems that they have made at least some decisions on TA positions. I also stopped by the UT Jackson School booth at a conference last week. They said that decisions would probably not come out until March. That's all I know. 

I feel your pain. I think I am more so terrified of choosing the wrong school (trying to stay optimistic). I don't want to have a repeat of my undergraduate years. My undergrad institution was a party school, 2 hours from any city life, and very conservative. I spent my last year alone, always in my apartment and it negatively impacted my grades. I had no confidant, basically no close friends and no lab mates to study with (they were very cliquey). 
I am IN LOVE with one of the schools I applied to. I visited 3 times.  If i get rejected from that one institution, I am scared the other potential 3 may not be the best fit for me and I'll just find myself sad and isolated again...for 5 years!