Scrappyhappy

Just got the call from Iowa - I got it! Incredibly happy - good luck to everyone else!

Congrats on the honorable mention! Sorry that it didn't go further, though. thanks and good luck to you as well!

no February update, but got a march update.
 
 

#DecemberGang2021

Are you stuck in december limbo as well?

Hi everyone, I applied last cycle and just wanted to say that I hope this cycle brings you what you wished for, but if not, please please don't let it crush your dreams! It is heartbreaking to not be accepted anywhere after getting hopes up and putting in all of the effort, but take some time to evaluate your options and whether you still want to go to grad school, and if so, apply again next year!  Many people apply multiple times. It took me a couple of tries as well -- if you want to discuss options/generally vent, feel free to PM me.  Lastly, this year there is the added struggle (I think) that program sizes are smaller, and between (hopefully) regularly sized programs and a little bit more experience, next year's cycle could be much more fruitful!

Hi everyone, I applied last cycle and just wanted to say that I hope this cycle brings you what you wished for, but if not, please please don't let it crush your dreams! It is heartbreaking to not be accepted anywhere after getting hopes up and putting in all of the effort, but take some time to evaluate your options and whether you still want to go to grad school, and if so, apply again next year!  Many people apply multiple times. It took me a couple of tries as well -- if you want to discuss options/generally vent, feel free to PM me.  Lastly, this year there is the added struggle (I think) that program sizes are smaller, and between (hopefully) regularly sized programs and a little bit more experience, next year's cycle could be much more fruitful!

Hi everyone, I applied last cycle and just wanted to say that I hope this cycle brings you what you wished for, but if not, please please don't let it crush your dreams! It is heartbreaking to not be accepted anywhere after getting hopes up and putting in all of the effort, but take some time to evaluate your options and whether you still want to go to grad school, and if so, apply again next year!  Many people apply multiple times. It took me a couple of tries as well -- if you want to discuss options/generally vent, feel free to PM me.  Lastly, this year there is the added struggle (I think) that program sizes are smaller, and between (hopefully) regularly sized programs and a little bit more experience, next year's cycle could be much more fruitful!

For those wondering, I got my interview invite for MIT about 20 min ago, whereas some others seemed to have got them about 3 hours ago according to the timestamps, so I don't think they sent them out all at once. 

Great! If you have any other qs feel free to DM me.  I can give you my email address, it'll be easier to talk there.  Maybe depending on your interests, I can suggest some faculty.

This is exactly what I'm thinking at the moment. I'm digging the math more than anything and not super set on any one specialization. In that case, I will start studying for the GREm, and I may very well end up applying to both econ and applied math programs next fall. Thank you so much for your insight!

Ah okay! From my knowledge, it seems that math programs will care much more about test scores/gpa/solid math background, and less about the specifics of your research background.  I can't speak to too many programs, but UC Davis, UNC Chapel Hill,  and UW seem like they have classic programs that people with interest in mathematical biology apply to.  Specifically, I think that NYU would be a great fit for your interests in computational neuro, and I can try to answer some questions about the environment/requirements there if you have any questions!  The math department has tons of faculty with various applied math research interests.

Oh I see. I’m definitely leaning towards applied math programs. I value the interdisciplinary possibilities and quantitative side much more than the particular specialization in neuroscience, although neuro is probably my primary area of interest outside of math itself.
I made another post in this forum about applied math programs after realizing that I would probably want to do computational neuro from a math program. That post has more info on my background and profile.

^^ The reason I say this is because the admission requirements (or desires) will depend heavily on which home department you decide to base yourself in.  I can give some advice on neuro and math programs, but the requirements, I think, will be quite different between the two.  Do you know which department you'd apply to?

Hi! are you applying to specific computational neuroscience programs?  I didn't think that MIT and UW had specific Ph.D. programs in computational neuroscience.  Usually, students base themselves in a home department, and conduct interdisciplinary research or join a specific training grant within the overall program.

I just got in an invite from NYU!! im truly so shocked I assumed they didnt want me

Can confirm as well! Last cycle, I got one in mid jan.  I assume either people didn't accept the invitation or someone reminded them of my app.  Maybe if you are in contact with a PI there, it wouldn't hurt to ask them about your app!

I just got an email from WashU!!! My first interview. So happy now

Agree with Babyscientist it's definitely not bad form and it's a good opportunity for you to get a taste of what the PI is like and their research. Don't get discouraged if they don't respond though! They're busy people and some profs are simply terrible at responding to emails.  

Definitely not bad form, I'd encourage it. Get an idea of if the people you want to work with are good people and if they're even taking students. Reach out and express your interest in their work and that you're applying and would love to hear more about their work/the program. I had a few phone calls with faculty of interest.
EDIT: this won't necessarily help your chance at admission, but is more for you to know what you're getting yourself into before you apply. 

Hi! So I only have two interviews (Berkeley and MIT) and I was pleasantly surprised by how awesome my Berkeley visit was and how much information they gave us about student life, housing, overall program atmosphere which was super helpful! I got accepted so I'm pretty excited and it makes me less nervous for my MIT interview coming up. I think the actual visit put my preferences into perspective and gave me a lot of information I didn't think to ask about so now I know what I'm looking for going into MIT! 

Ahahahah I'm accepted by Harvard PiN :)))))) So happy

I would say something along the lines of "although I'm disappointed, I hope to learn from the experience and improve my chances in the future.  If you have any advice on why I was rejected and how to improve, I would be grateful to hear it"

Guys I'm a finalist for the Knight-Hennessey Fellowship at Stanford and I'm literally crying right now lol
Any other neuro folks on the list?? It's for all disciplines so curious if anyone else is in this field!

Not sure if this was a wave or not, but got invited to interview at NYU today!