round2_

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. 

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. 

The prestige/connections of your letter writers matter more than the prestige of your undergrad institution, though those often go hand in hand. If you have prestigious research experience (REU, NIH post bac, etc) it won't matter where your degree is from. 

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 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 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.

Yeah I’m sure majority of people are just trying to make a super hard decision for their future. I hope yours works out how you want it!!!

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 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.

Seeing rejections on the results and not having heard anything is stressing me out. Is anyone else still waiting on Vanderbilt NGP?

Some perspective: there are two full months until April 15. Yes, it sucks to not know early, but it really doesn't make a difference if someone turns down an offer and you get a spot today or in 2 weeks. Realistically, most people are not going to start turning down offers until they've gone on all their interviews, 48 hr rule or no 48 hr rule. The whole April 15 deadline came about so programs couldn't send early offers and pressure students to accept before they had all their offers on the table. 

Some perspective: there are two full months until April 15. Yes, it sucks to not know early, but it really doesn't make a difference if someone turns down an offer and you get a spot today or in 2 weeks. Realistically, most people are not going to start turning down offers until they've gone on all their interviews, 48 hr rule or no 48 hr rule. The whole April 15 deadline came about so programs couldn't send early offers and pressure students to accept before they had all their offers on the table. 

Some perspective: there are two full months until April 15. Yes, it sucks to not know early, but it really doesn't make a difference if someone turns down an offer and you get a spot today or in 2 weeks. Realistically, most people are not going to start turning down offers until they've gone on all their interviews, 48 hr rule or no 48 hr rule. The whole April 15 deadline came about so programs couldn't send early offers and pressure students to accept before they had all their offers on the table. 

This. Also, a lot of programs are still finalizing funding and/or make offers of admission separate from funding packages. I'm holding 3 offers right now but that's because none of them have gotten back to me about funding yet. Chill out, guys. If you're going to get off the wait list, it will happen whether it's today or in a month. 

Some perspective: there are two full months until April 15. Yes, it sucks to not know early, but it really doesn't make a difference if someone turns down an offer and you get a spot today or in 2 weeks. Realistically, most people are not going to start turning down offers until they've gone on all their interviews, 48 hr rule or no 48 hr rule. The whole April 15 deadline came about so programs couldn't send early offers and pressure students to accept before they had all their offers on the table. 

Sure -- if you know you're not going to go based on another offer, then it's best to withdraw your application or decline the interview asap. The 4 places I'm interviewing are pretty evenly matched (with different but significant drawbacks to each). I've been admitted to 2 and could see wrestling with them for awhile if I'm admitted to all 4.

Seeing rejections on the results and not having heard anything is stressing me out. Is anyone else still waiting on Vanderbilt NGP?

Sure -- if you know you're not going to go based on another offer, then it's best to withdraw your application or decline the interview asap. The 4 places I'm interviewing are pretty evenly matched (with different but significant drawbacks to each). I've been admitted to 2 and could see wrestling with them for awhile if I'm admitted to all 4.

Sure -- if you know you're not going to go based on another offer, then it's best to withdraw your application or decline the interview asap. The 4 places I'm interviewing are pretty evenly matched (with different but significant drawbacks to each). I've been admitted to 2 and could see wrestling with them for awhile if I'm admitted to all 4.

Sure -- if you know you're not going to go based on another offer, then it's best to withdraw your application or decline the interview asap. The 4 places I'm interviewing are pretty evenly matched (with different but significant drawbacks to each). I've been admitted to 2 and could see wrestling with them for awhile if I'm admitted to all 4.

Is that clinical specific?
The general rule I've always heard is to get all your offers, including funding, then release them as soon as you're certain you won't go. Deciding within 24-48 hours seems nuts. 

I don't get what Duke's system is here... I still haven't gotten anything official from them 

I don't get what Duke's system is here... I still haven't gotten anything official from them 

Yes. Even if it's a phenomenal program as far as education and research, you don't want to take loans since your career options aren't going to be high paid after you finish (and there are so many opportunities to get a good education without loans)

No idea. Two I've talked to this year have mentioned wanting 2 students. Another had 3 current students in the same cohort. Even if they only planned to take 1, another student or postdoc could get a fellowship or they get a new grant and decide they really liked both. ....that just probably won't happen if you're glaring down the other applicant the whole time.
In general, I feel like it's best to approach interviews more like a conference than a competition. You're just there to chat about good science and (maybe) see a new area of the country - with the PIs, the other applicants, the current grad students, whatever.