aggiezone

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH That is all. Scream with me if you'd like!

Omg!!! Did you figure them out?

If anyone on this forum is like me, you've been having grad school related stress dreams. Let's hear them! The other night, I had a dream that I got an email from my top choice, telling me my application status was "Visit". I got so excited because I thought this meant I had gotten in (???) and I told everyone the good news. It turned out that "Visit" was a special version of "Waitlist", where I was waitlisted but they were still paying for me to come and visit the school, even though there was little chance of me getting moved off the waitlist. Then I had to tell everyone that I read the email wrong and I actually was waitlisted. Last night, I dreamt that I got an email from a student at top choice telling me that they all really liked me, but they only had one spot available, and had given it to someone else. CC'd on the email was every single grad student in the lab who had talked to me. The email went on to explain every single grad student's viewpoint on me and their relevant expertise relating to my application. WHAT??

Hello, I've found my people! I'm applying straight out of undergrad too, but only to one program that I really adore. If I don't get in this year, I'm planning on working in industry for a year and applying again. The application process has been going pretty well, I've had a few interviews with the program so far and they seem to like me and my application! The problem is, admissions are super competitive, even after interviews.

Excitement: I had interviews with my dream program and they went great Worries: This program is interviewing several people for very few spots (1-2) and I keep feeling like there's no way I made the cut. I've heard about many people who had great interviews but did not make the final selection. I had a stress dream last night that I got an email from them saying I got in and I told everyone, but it turns out that I misread the email and I was actually waitlisted. In real life, I'm traveling to Asia shortly after decisions come out, and I have a job offer that I'll have to negotiate an extension for if I do get waitlisted. The idea of being waitlisted stresses me out so much because I'll have to find a way to manage all of this stuff while backpacking in hostels in a foreign country!!! And I probably still wouldn't even get in. Blehh I just want this so much and it's clouding my brain. I made a list of all of the stuff I've done applying to this program (interviews, SOP, visits, LORs) and it's an INSANELY long list. The only thing left on the "to do" side of the list is "wait 2 more weeks". I've put everything into this and at this point I've poured my heart out in so many interviews that it's going to feel so personal if I don't get in...

Excitement: finally finished all of my interviews with my dream program!!! they had so many different grad students interview me! Worries: oh god I hope they went well, now there's nothing else I can do but wait. I emailed the POI to thank him for the opportunity to speak with his students, and he just replied ":)". WHAT DOES IT MEAN???

You might get in, and you might not! It would be wise to pursue backup options, but don't lock yourself into anything in case you get off the waitlist

I just got the "tell me about yourself" question! I started talking about my research motivations, what steps I've taken to get closer towards my goals, and why that led me to apply for this particular grad program. I went on a bit of a rant, and said something like "I think humanity needs technology that is more x, which is why I studied y, which led me to research z and that is why I am so passionate about school." One thing I do before interviews that REALLY helps is I go on rants in the mirror, to practice answering questions. I find it especially helpful before I leave for an interview, it gets me in the right headspace! Best of luck, you'll do great! The practice-rant works ESPECIALLY well if you use it on questions you're terrified of. For me, that question was "what projects would you want to work on in our research group?" but I knew they were going to ask me that, so I practiced and brainstormed until I nailed it.

My interviewer (grad student in the group I'm applying to) told me that since I'd already had two interviews, this would probably be the last one. Cue an additional four interview requests from other grad students in the same group. I have two today and two tomorrow. I'm excited they want to talk to me but also, six interviews!!!!!!!!!! It's my absolute first choice so I'm giving it 110% in every one!

The PI of the lab I'm applying to emailed me 2 weeks ago, telling me she was setting up interviews with several of her grad students. I've followed up with each of my interviewers and sent thank you notes. Would it be a good idea to follow up with my PI as well, and let her know I've enjoyed speaking to her students?

worries: My impostor syndrome is SO bad, and I keep panicking every time I get an interview request, but at least they're still talking to me excitement: I've been getting interviews with my dream program, and I think they've been going well! I keep imagining myself getting in... aaagh

Hi I'm the 4 interviews person, and I just found out I have another one coming up. When will these nerves leave my body?

Thank you!!!!

The username is actually a nickname, I'm not applying to SLU, but thank you so much for being so nice and willing to talk ?

I'm currently on my FOURTH round of interviews with my dream program and I am DYING, someone send me strength please