sawdust&diamonds

Hi Pech, From what I understand, first years are guaranteed housing as long as you choose the option in the housing application that you are willing to be given any housing even if it's not your choice.

Hi! I wandered on here to ask the same question about couples without children; I hope it continues to be true that they don't really check. My partner does intend to stay with me at least 4-5 months in a year, but a lot could change, and I wouldn't want to live in fear of being chucked out! If anyone sees this, and can update, I'd greatly appreciate it!

Jenny, thank you so much for your thoughtful response to my queries. I read it the day you posted it, but I have been dealing with a debilitating migraine this whole week, and could not get on my computer to respond until just now. All the points you made resonated with me so much, especially regarding POI and lab resources. In fact, I just recently spoke to the POI of the school I was all but sure I would accept, and when I told them that I almost certainly will be choosing that school, they were genuinely thrilled. Their research interests intersect with mine so closely, and they vocalized all the avenues for us to collaborate. It was so gratifying to hear from them the very reasons I wanted to work with them in the first place, and that they were enthusiastic about me. So yes, I will now second everyone that says that fit with advisor is absolutely key to my decision. [Or, I mean, I guess I'll let you know in a couple of years lol] While I am still waiting to hear on funding from one school, as I keep joking with friends, unless they offer me some insane amount, little will keep me from this school. But anyway, I just wanted to say that all the posts here really helped me, and reminded me of my priorities going into graduate school. Thank you all so much!! I hope current/future applicants who come across this thread find it useful too. Bon courage to everyone! ❤️

Thank you so, so much for taking the time to write this detailed, thoughtful response. You've given me a lot to think about, and honestly I have to say, simply reading through your post clarified for me which school I will be likely be choosing. So really, thank you! Thanks so much! So because I am an international student, I feel like for me job placement is slightly less of a concern. I am somewhat certain that I would like to return to my country after my PhD and try and teach here, but you're definitely right that it should still be a factor worth considering. All the schools I've applied to are R1, what does that mean exactly? I'm not too familiar with this ranking system. Thanks so much for your input. Both from yours and Bschaefer's post really reminded how excited I was initially by a couple of schools because of the POIs, and how that should continue to be a factor in my decision. Cost of living is tricky, I feel, and something I am now doing deep-dive research in. In a sense, all the universities seem to be funding commensurate to the cost of living in their town/city, from what I can tell, but some universities have more information up about the cost of food, transport etc, which are important to consider. And the one Ivy I have been accepted in seems to have more discretionary funds than other schools, which is also worth considering. Thank you all again for your comments!

I just noticed we're both from India! Hi! Which track have you applied for?

Just an update for any Archaeo track UPenn applicants: I had an informal Skype call with POI end of Jan, heard from them last week that I will be offered admission, and received a letter from Graduate Coordinator last night about Student Campus Visit in the middle of March. Waiting for funding details. I am not sure if this helps, but perhaps the Archaeo and Sociocultural tracks are happening separately? Though I guess the letter from the coordinator might indicate things are underway for the department as a whole? I hope you're all doing okay. This is such a stressful time, and I hope you're all taking care of your mental and physical health. I'm an international student in a different time zone, and my sleep cycle has been completely fucked the last month or so cause I wake up every hour to check my email or refresh portals. ? Much love to everyone on this forum! I only discovered it a couple of weeks ago, but I am so grateful this community exists.

Hi all, Congrats to everyone who has heard positive news, especially if from multiple schools. Through sheer luck, I have received more than 1 acceptance letter, and I had a few questions for gradcafe'ers from application years past and present about the criteria one should consider when choosing which school to go to. How much weightage should be given to which factor? Fit with PI? Overall strength of department? Resources/labs in the department? Location of the school? Funding package/years of funding/prospect of extra years? Lastly, is it okay to leave schools dangling till the April 15 deadline if one is really unsure and still weighing their options? I have no idea how any of this works (I'm an international applicant) so really looking to make sure I'm not pissing anyone off! I wanted to ask this specifically in the Anthro group because there are some considerations that are specific to our field, I think. For instance, how important is it to consider anthropologists not in your stream? Does it matter that the school isn't a four-field anthro program? Any advice you may have is greatly appreciated!

I'm in the same boat, and wish they'd just inform the rejections.

Arch interviews were on the 6th and, from what I understand, sociocultural was on the 11th.

Had my interview last week, heard informally from PI that it could be till the 20th before we hear anything.