transrelativity

Email to check the portal to download a rejection IS pretty raw.

I got my official offer from UCSB with a surprise competitive fellowship and had my last two prospective weekend visits and now it’s decision time! I did not expect to be in this position, or for the decision process to be so hard. I think it’s probably going to come down to finances for me, which is a shame, because I really liked everything about the programs I’m choosing between. 
Would any of you consider less financial stability (and therefore stress) to go somewhere where a POI really wants you and you think it’d be a good experience if your other option was much better financially and you also felt like it would be a good fit?

Yeah, I'm considering it right now--UCSD offered nearly double what Illinois did (also thanks to a competitive fellowship surprise) and either would be a good fit, but I'm seriously considering Illinois because their institutional resources/position could really mean a lot for my project in a way UCSD doesn't. I also have strong ties to that area, though, and the personal/familial support I feel like would counterbalance (some of) the financial issues at play. If you think your stress would be noticeably more/quality of life noticeably less with the stipend difference, don't feel ashamed in making a choice based on finances if that's what's right for you--when you think about the burnout rate in academia, prioritizing those concerns isn't selfish or petty or whatever, it's thoughtful and practical. 

Hi all! I want to start a thread that's about general decision-making practices rather than asking for input or advice on one individual's choice between specific programs. I think it might be a helpful exercise for folks to post two things: the factors they're considering when making a decision, and the process they're using to sift through those factors and arrive at a conclusion. I know it would be helpful to me to hear what other people are doing.
I'll go first.
Factors that are important to me:
Funding offers (How much is the stipend and what, if anything, are my teaching responsibilities? Can I hold other jobs while funded?) Adviser/faculty members (How close is their research to my interests? How well do we get along?) Program requirements (e.g. one program requires master's-level statistics competency coming in, while the other teaches it as part of the degree) Course offerings (Which courses interest me the most? Which offer the best preparation for my dissertation?) Institutional resources (campuses abroad, research and conference support) Additional credentials offered (graduate minors or certificates) Department character and priorities (Is the atmosphere competitive or collegial? Are they focused on academic or non-academic career training?) Location and commute (If School A offers me more money but is a two-hour round trip from my home, is it still a good deal?) Placement of graduates Cohort of dynamic, engaged, and diverse students Processes I'm using to sift through these factors:
Listing courses that excite me at each school and comparing Attending advertised recruitment day; seeking an individual visit if there is no recruitment day. Would like to meet and talk with current students. Emailing/meeting with faculty and potential advisers Discussing the options with my current colleagues and previous advisers Talking it over with my spouse That's where I am so far. I'd love to hear what others are considering -- maybe you're thinking about something that hasn't occurred to me!
I did also look up the rankings of the two schools I'm considering, but I really don't know if that's an important factor for me. I'm also not sure whose rankings (if any) to trust, or what metrics are most important. If anyone out there uses rankings as a decision-making factor, I'd love to hear more about where you got those rankings and how you use them.

Hi all! I want to start a thread that's about general decision-making practices rather than asking for input or advice on one individual's choice between specific programs. I think it might be a helpful exercise for folks to post two things: the factors they're considering when making a decision, and the process they're using to sift through those factors and arrive at a conclusion. I know it would be helpful to me to hear what other people are doing.
I'll go first.
Factors that are important to me:
Funding offers (How much is the stipend and what, if anything, are my teaching responsibilities? Can I hold other jobs while funded?) Adviser/faculty members (How close is their research to my interests? How well do we get along?) Program requirements (e.g. one program requires master's-level statistics competency coming in, while the other teaches it as part of the degree) Course offerings (Which courses interest me the most? Which offer the best preparation for my dissertation?) Institutional resources (campuses abroad, research and conference support) Additional credentials offered (graduate minors or certificates) Department character and priorities (Is the atmosphere competitive or collegial? Are they focused on academic or non-academic career training?) Location and commute (If School A offers me more money but is a two-hour round trip from my home, is it still a good deal?) Placement of graduates Cohort of dynamic, engaged, and diverse students Processes I'm using to sift through these factors:
Listing courses that excite me at each school and comparing Attending advertised recruitment day; seeking an individual visit if there is no recruitment day. Would like to meet and talk with current students. Emailing/meeting with faculty and potential advisers Discussing the options with my current colleagues and previous advisers Talking it over with my spouse That's where I am so far. I'd love to hear what others are considering -- maybe you're thinking about something that hasn't occurred to me!
I did also look up the rankings of the two schools I'm considering, but I really don't know if that's an important factor for me. I'm also not sure whose rankings (if any) to trust, or what metrics are most important. If anyone out there uses rankings as a decision-making factor, I'd love to hear more about where you got those rankings and how you use them.

I applied to RPC for the MA/PhD. I submitted a cluster statement as well, if that adds anything. Also, for what it's worth, i saw on the 2018 comm forum on gradcafe that some were accepted/denied on March 21/22. I don't know how to feel about my chances without an interview, but @transrelativity 's experience (not interviewing at a school but getting accepted) gives me hope!

I did not interview or have any contact with anyone at Michigan before I was admitted with a fellowship. I didn’t interview at Michigan State before acceptance and I don’t believe they do them, although I’m undergrad there so my situation is different. From what I understand Amherst doesn’t interview and I don’t think Penn does either. At UCSB interviews seem to be sort of a formality. If you’re invited to their weekend I think they have pretty much made up their mind and just want to make sure you fit. I think in general though interviews only happen if a school is strongly considering you. Also, some schools that don’t interview still do English proficiency chats with international students sometimes. 

Hi all! I want to start a thread that's about general decision-making practices rather than asking for input or advice on one individual's choice between specific programs. I think it might be a helpful exercise for folks to post two things: the factors they're considering when making a decision, and the process they're using to sift through those factors and arrive at a conclusion. I know it would be helpful to me to hear what other people are doing.
I'll go first.
Factors that are important to me:
Funding offers (How much is the stipend and what, if anything, are my teaching responsibilities? Can I hold other jobs while funded?) Adviser/faculty members (How close is their research to my interests? How well do we get along?) Program requirements (e.g. one program requires master's-level statistics competency coming in, while the other teaches it as part of the degree) Course offerings (Which courses interest me the most? Which offer the best preparation for my dissertation?) Institutional resources (campuses abroad, research and conference support) Additional credentials offered (graduate minors or certificates) Department character and priorities (Is the atmosphere competitive or collegial? Are they focused on academic or non-academic career training?) Location and commute (If School A offers me more money but is a two-hour round trip from my home, is it still a good deal?) Placement of graduates Cohort of dynamic, engaged, and diverse students Processes I'm using to sift through these factors:
Listing courses that excite me at each school and comparing Attending advertised recruitment day; seeking an individual visit if there is no recruitment day. Would like to meet and talk with current students. Emailing/meeting with faculty and potential advisers Discussing the options with my current colleagues and previous advisers Talking it over with my spouse That's where I am so far. I'd love to hear what others are considering -- maybe you're thinking about something that hasn't occurred to me!
I did also look up the rankings of the two schools I'm considering, but I really don't know if that's an important factor for me. I'm also not sure whose rankings (if any) to trust, or what metrics are most important. If anyone out there uses rankings as a decision-making factor, I'd love to hear more about where you got those rankings and how you use them.

Hi all! I want to start a thread that's about general decision-making practices rather than asking for input or advice on one individual's choice between specific programs. I think it might be a helpful exercise for folks to post two things: the factors they're considering when making a decision, and the process they're using to sift through those factors and arrive at a conclusion. I know it would be helpful to me to hear what other people are doing.
I'll go first.
Factors that are important to me:
Funding offers (How much is the stipend and what, if anything, are my teaching responsibilities? Can I hold other jobs while funded?) Adviser/faculty members (How close is their research to my interests? How well do we get along?) Program requirements (e.g. one program requires master's-level statistics competency coming in, while the other teaches it as part of the degree) Course offerings (Which courses interest me the most? Which offer the best preparation for my dissertation?) Institutional resources (campuses abroad, research and conference support) Additional credentials offered (graduate minors or certificates) Department character and priorities (Is the atmosphere competitive or collegial? Are they focused on academic or non-academic career training?) Location and commute (If School A offers me more money but is a two-hour round trip from my home, is it still a good deal?) Placement of graduates Cohort of dynamic, engaged, and diverse students Processes I'm using to sift through these factors:
Listing courses that excite me at each school and comparing Attending advertised recruitment day; seeking an individual visit if there is no recruitment day. Would like to meet and talk with current students. Emailing/meeting with faculty and potential advisers Discussing the options with my current colleagues and previous advisers Talking it over with my spouse That's where I am so far. I'd love to hear what others are considering -- maybe you're thinking about something that hasn't occurred to me!
I did also look up the rankings of the two schools I'm considering, but I really don't know if that's an important factor for me. I'm also not sure whose rankings (if any) to trust, or what metrics are most important. If anyone out there uses rankings as a decision-making factor, I'd love to hear more about where you got those rankings and how you use them.

A sample size of one isn't very helpful, I know, but here is my personal experience with interviews.
Out of four applications, I received one outright rejection, one interview followed by a rejection, and two funded offers with no formal interview. One of the schools where I got an offer never made contact with me outside of my application materials before rendering their decision. At the other one, I had visited my POI (who is also the graduate program director) the previous summer and talked with her about my research and my goals. She mentioned during that chat that they usually do interviews, but that they would not in my case, since she and I had already spoken.
I do think the two contacts I had (one formal interview and one informal chat that ended up serving as an interview) affected the outcome of those two applications. At the formal interview, the questions I asked about the program left me feeling like it wasn't the best choice for me, and I think the committee agreed -- in any case, they didn't accept me. At the informal chat, my POI and I really connected over our research interests, and I'm certain that she advocated for me during the application and funding process.

A sample size of one isn't very helpful, I know, but here is my personal experience with interviews.
Out of four applications, I received one outright rejection, one interview followed by a rejection, and two funded offers with no formal interview. One of the schools where I got an offer never made contact with me outside of my application materials before rendering their decision. At the other one, I had visited my POI (who is also the graduate program director) the previous summer and talked with her about my research and my goals. She mentioned during that chat that they usually do interviews, but that they would not in my case, since she and I had already spoken.
I do think the two contacts I had (one formal interview and one informal chat that ended up serving as an interview) affected the outcome of those two applications. At the formal interview, the questions I asked about the program left me feeling like it wasn't the best choice for me, and I think the committee agreed -- in any case, they didn't accept me. At the informal chat, my POI and I really connected over our research interests, and I'm certain that she advocated for me during the application and funding process.

I can’t speak for everyone, but my actual scheduled interviews were more like chats. The department held a get together the night before where we were able to meet informally and talk research and things, so the interviews themselves were much more relaxed and less stressful, which I thought was a great way to do it. We also heard from a lot of grad students about the program and living there. All around it was really well done. I will definitely be comparing them to my other visits!

Hi all! I want to start a thread that's about general decision-making practices rather than asking for input or advice on one individual's choice between specific programs. I think it might be a helpful exercise for folks to post two things: the factors they're considering when making a decision, and the process they're using to sift through those factors and arrive at a conclusion. I know it would be helpful to me to hear what other people are doing.
I'll go first.
Factors that are important to me:
Funding offers (How much is the stipend and what, if anything, are my teaching responsibilities? Can I hold other jobs while funded?) Adviser/faculty members (How close is their research to my interests? How well do we get along?) Program requirements (e.g. one program requires master's-level statistics competency coming in, while the other teaches it as part of the degree) Course offerings (Which courses interest me the most? Which offer the best preparation for my dissertation?) Institutional resources (campuses abroad, research and conference support) Additional credentials offered (graduate minors or certificates) Department character and priorities (Is the atmosphere competitive or collegial? Are they focused on academic or non-academic career training?) Location and commute (If School A offers me more money but is a two-hour round trip from my home, is it still a good deal?) Placement of graduates Cohort of dynamic, engaged, and diverse students Processes I'm using to sift through these factors:
Listing courses that excite me at each school and comparing Attending advertised recruitment day; seeking an individual visit if there is no recruitment day. Would like to meet and talk with current students. Emailing/meeting with faculty and potential advisers Discussing the options with my current colleagues and previous advisers Talking it over with my spouse That's where I am so far. I'd love to hear what others are considering -- maybe you're thinking about something that hasn't occurred to me!
I did also look up the rankings of the two schools I'm considering, but I really don't know if that's an important factor for me. I'm also not sure whose rankings (if any) to trust, or what metrics are most important. If anyone out there uses rankings as a decision-making factor, I'd love to hear more about where you got those rankings and how you use them.

Hi all! I want to start a thread that's about general decision-making practices rather than asking for input or advice on one individual's choice between specific programs. I think it might be a helpful exercise for folks to post two things: the factors they're considering when making a decision, and the process they're using to sift through those factors and arrive at a conclusion. I know it would be helpful to me to hear what other people are doing.
I'll go first.
Factors that are important to me:
Funding offers (How much is the stipend and what, if anything, are my teaching responsibilities? Can I hold other jobs while funded?) Adviser/faculty members (How close is their research to my interests? How well do we get along?) Program requirements (e.g. one program requires master's-level statistics competency coming in, while the other teaches it as part of the degree) Course offerings (Which courses interest me the most? Which offer the best preparation for my dissertation?) Institutional resources (campuses abroad, research and conference support) Additional credentials offered (graduate minors or certificates) Department character and priorities (Is the atmosphere competitive or collegial? Are they focused on academic or non-academic career training?) Location and commute (If School A offers me more money but is a two-hour round trip from my home, is it still a good deal?) Placement of graduates Cohort of dynamic, engaged, and diverse students Processes I'm using to sift through these factors:
Listing courses that excite me at each school and comparing Attending advertised recruitment day; seeking an individual visit if there is no recruitment day. Would like to meet and talk with current students. Emailing/meeting with faculty and potential advisers Discussing the options with my current colleagues and previous advisers Talking it over with my spouse That's where I am so far. I'd love to hear what others are considering -- maybe you're thinking about something that hasn't occurred to me!
I did also look up the rankings of the two schools I'm considering, but I really don't know if that's an important factor for me. I'm also not sure whose rankings (if any) to trust, or what metrics are most important. If anyone out there uses rankings as a decision-making factor, I'd love to hear more about where you got those rankings and how you use them.

UCSB is awesome! I loved the faculty, the program, and the grad students. They really put together a great, fully scheduled and informative weekend. Lots of really interesting research going on there too. If only the area wasn’t so expensive!

I think if you’re really sure, then you can skip going, but I’m personally the type that wants to see everything just to be sure. Especially since I didn’t interview at either of the schools I’m having prospective weekends at. One offer is way better, but having visited a school I thought I would love and getting a not so great vibe from my potential POI, I just want to experience the school and see how I really feel about each, before I decide. If I were you, I would make sure that you can continue to teach before saying no to Rutgers. A lot of schools have very specific plans for first years and that might not work with your schedule.
Also, congrats on the baby!

Good luck, @Psyhopeful! Can't wait to hear about it when you get back.
I have an update about Temple and work requirements. If you recall, the issue was that my fellowship forbids outside employment, but my wife will be unable to work during my first year of school, so I was seeking permission to work half-time (just six credits) during Year 1. After about a week of email back and forth, my contact in the graduate department called me and said what amounted to 'yes, the contract says you can't work, but we have no way to check or enforce that, sooo...' It did put my mind at ease, but it was interesting that my contact was specifically unwilling to commit that to writing. She said that she had gotten the answer over the phone, and was passing it on to me in the same manner.

Good luck, @Psyhopeful! Can't wait to hear about it when you get back.
I have an update about Temple and work requirements. If you recall, the issue was that my fellowship forbids outside employment, but my wife will be unable to work during my first year of school, so I was seeking permission to work half-time (just six credits) during Year 1. After about a week of email back and forth, my contact in the graduate department called me and said what amounted to 'yes, the contract says you can't work, but we have no way to check or enforce that, sooo...' It did put my mind at ease, but it was interesting that my contact was specifically unwilling to commit that to writing. She said that she had gotten the answer over the phone, and was passing it on to me in the same manner.

Good luck, @Psyhopeful! Can't wait to hear about it when you get back.
I have an update about Temple and work requirements. If you recall, the issue was that my fellowship forbids outside employment, but my wife will be unable to work during my first year of school, so I was seeking permission to work half-time (just six credits) during Year 1. After about a week of email back and forth, my contact in the graduate department called me and said what amounted to 'yes, the contract says you can't work, but we have no way to check or enforce that, sooo...' It did put my mind at ease, but it was interesting that my contact was specifically unwilling to commit that to writing. She said that she had gotten the answer over the phone, and was passing it on to me in the same manner.

Hi. Thank you so much for the response. I am glad to hear that you got an offer letter last week. Congratulations! Yes, it seems like Temple staggers their correspondence quite a bit, so I guess I just need to be patient. No use standing outside my mailbox for hours on end. :-) Patience is key. I’d just love to be able to make plans as I’m excited for the next step. Anyway, thank you again. I really appreciate your reply.

On my way to my interview weekend at UCSB! Waiting for the first of the three flights and 12 hours of travel they booked for me. Pray for me, lol. 

@Psyhopeful, @IBrakeForVanJohnson, and @DannieGirl, thank you so much for your advice. You're right -- I shouldn't be hasty. One reason I hesitated is because my Temple adviser also invited me to a graduate research presentation day that is on the same day as the Rutgers event, but I think I'll be able to get what I need from the class visits. I have also been communicating with the graduate director by email with some of the specifics of my work and life situation, and she says she's working on it, so hopefully I'll hear good news about an exception. I'll update after my visit on March 15.
@lissabennett1, welcome and congrats on your acceptance to Temple!! I did get official notification from them about funding last week, but I don't think that necessarily means they've sent out all of the notifications. Folks in this thread noticed that their acceptance letters came at radically different times (weeks apart), so it seems like Temple has their own unique notification process. I hope you get a great offer very soon!

Hey guys!
Just came across this thread and thought I would post an update regarding NYU Steinhardt MCC PhD. I got an interview. I was told that 12 people are on the shortlist and 6 will be selected. All the interviewees have been notified. Acceptances will be sent out in the next week or so and rejects, waitlist etc soon after. I am updating here because I would really want to know if I hadn't heard yet - I'm living in a hotbox of uncertainty regarding other schools I've applied to myself. If this comes as bad news I am so very sorry - and good luck with all the other applications!

I just wanted it to come and say hi! I’ve been lurking on this thread for a while. I just got an acceptance from Temple today which I am incredibly excited about. It looks like one person has heard about funding and I was wondering if anyone else has as this is a make or break for me (like a lot of people I’m sure). Thanks!

Thanks so much, @DannieGirl and @jmc117!
I'm still figuring out details with Temple (how much can I work and when, what's the travel budget, etc. - I learned that fees aren't covered by the scholarship, unfortunately) but I'm strongly leaning towards accepting, since they are my top choice school. I asked if there is some kind of prospective students day, and there doesn't seem to be, but my adviser has agreed to meet with me and arrange for me to sit in on some classes and meet current students.