EigenVictor

I have one last campus visit tomorrow and I'm super nervous - I feel like I've made a negative impression so far with the program, especially because they didn't interview me. I also don't even have a list of the professors I'll be meeting with, but I'm going to reach out to a current grad student to ask if it's just because I'll be getting that once I get there. I've gotten like no sleep this week because of midterms & my research getting super busy too, which isn't helping. I want to be excited but at this point I'm just tired.

This is completely unrelated (although I agree with others who have said to wait a bit longer before reaching out), but is your username at all related to the show The 3%

That's fair - if a community & friends outside of school is something you need to be successful in school then definitely give that some weight. Maybe the current grad students there have some insight on ways you can do it even in a smaller town (or realistic advice on how possible it is at the school). The grad students I've talked to have all been pretty open about things like that at their school.

Honestly I'm giving it a lot more than I probably should. Something people have told me is to go where you can see yourself being happier (both in the program and the larger area), because if you're not happy in the area it could impact your performance in your program. Do you generally prefer larger cities to smaller towns?

I think I've forgotten how to not be stressed. I have all my results from programs now and I'm still checking the results page obsessively. I don't know what I'm trying to find lol.

What are some good questions to ask either a POI or current grad students to help decide on a program? I've gone through the standard online lists but I'm wondering if there's anything beyond advising style, cost of living + funding, grad student well-being, and outcomes after graduation that people might not realize to ask about before deciding.

I'm considering moving to Chapel Hill and was wondering how leases work... they seem to be on really short terms or odd increments of over a year. Is that typical of the area? Also do you all have any recommendations for apartment buildings with affordable (max 900) studios or 1 bedrooms that are quiet with soundproof rooms. The place I live in now the walls are so thin I can hear my neighbor's cell phone alarm in the morning and I'd prefer to avoid a repeat of this situation. On a bus line would be nice since I'm not going to have a car, but as long as it's biking distance from UNC I should be fine.

Thanks, same to you!

Sorry I'm a little hesitant about sharing. Not entirely sure why though. Maybe after I get an acceptance and can make a decision about next year, hopefully it's soon.

Congrats on interviewing at Stanford, that's an awesome program! I've been waiting on responses after interviews (that the programs told me would take a while), but it's still been radio silence from others.

How is everyone's February going? This thread has been so quiet it's scaring me.