Wimsey

For now I've just resolved to savor the free time before decisions roll in. I'll read whatever books I like, watch TV, keep working part-time at my local library, get my language skills back up to speed, and spend time with friends (I was basically a recluse during December). If I do get into grad school, I'll have plenty of stress to contend with during the summer and fall, so I want to enjoy myself a bit before then. I'll still check my apps every day, though; it's impossible to push them completely out of my mind.

I got that Chicago email as well.

Submitted my 16th and final application (WUSTL)! Time to spend the rest of the evening with TV, a glass of wine, and a mystery novel.

I have three apps left but will be done by the 7th, at which point the waiting will commence. My Harvard app will go out in a couple of hours. I should get a frame for eventually displaying my rejection letter.

I would definitely go ahead and email them. I've done so multiple times with my letter writers, with a message along the lines of "as a quick reminder, the recommendation for X is due on the 2nd." I've also tried to be more subtle by giving an update on my progress and being sure to mention the school(s) that they haven't completed. I tend to be fairly informal with my letter writers, so YMMV. But I don't think we should have any qualms about sending them straightforward reminders.

Thanks for the response. I'm going to upload it.

In the Rutgers application, did anyone upload a personal statement as a supporting document, even though the initial application already had an area to copy and paste the statement? I copied my finished statement into the first part of the app, but I'm thinking of uploading it as a supporting doc as well, since the drop-down list of possible supporting docs includes the personal statement.

I noticed a missed call from an unknown number and hastened to look up the area code, because the irrational side of my brain told me that it might, just might, have been a grad program.

You're welcome! Good luck!

I contacted Stanford about this same issue, and they said the system automatically lists an application as incomplete if the applicant has not sent in an official transcript. Since Stanford just wants unofficial transcripts, the applications will be listed as incomplete until the staff go in and manually change them to complete.

Yeah, I figured it wouldn't be a problem. I just don't like to see that red X on my checklist haha.

On the subject of GRE scores, I noticed that my Yale checklist says I am missing my subject test score. The website only mentioned the general test, so I did not send my subject test report, but now the checklist says I need the score. Is this happening to anyone else?

Berkeley's portal has a red banner counting down the hours, minutes, and seconds until the deadline. Not sure if this evokes excitement, dread, or a mixture of the two.

I'm reading Rose Cottage, by Mary Stewart. It's a relaxing novel (the blurb on the back cover says it's "soothing as a warm broth on a cold night") and aligns with my research interests! Next on the docket is Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go. It's not the most uplifting novel for the stressful app season, but I still want to try it out after loving The Remains of the Day.

No problem! Fortunately, my MIA letter writer finally pulled through.

I had the same question! I emailed the English department, and they said they manually change the status of each app from incomplete to complete. They haven't made that change yet, so that's why our apps are still listed as incomplete.

I got through my seven apps for 12/15! It was not fun, to say the least. Unfortunately, some of my recommendations for those apps have still not been submitted. One of my LOR writers had technical difficulties and the other is MIA. I really hope they get those letters in soon.

I have seven apps due on the 15th. ? It was originally eight, until I saw that Rutgers changed their deadline to the 28th. I'm aiming to send 3 on the 13th, 2 on the 14th, and 2 on the 15th. Several of these schools are top choices for me as well, which just adds to the stress.

My family used a Catholic curriculum. The program really helped me to discover my love for reading and writing, but it was very conservative in terms of politics and theology. I'm sure some of my homeschooling acquaintances would be scandalized at all the talk about gender and marginality in my SOP.

Your experience sounds very similar to mine! Except for first grade, I was also homeschooled from kindergarten through high school. I don't mention it in my SOP, but it is a part of my personal/diversity statement. I frame homeschooling in a positive light, but I briefly point out the challenges I faced when transitioning from homeschooling to community college. I then continue the narrative by talking about the transition from cc to the private university where I earned my BA. I'm inclined to think that homeschooling can help me to stand out, providing that I address it thoughtfully in the appropriate documents. Talking about homeschooling in my undergrad university application was actually a significant factor in my acceptance there, so my instinct is to do something similar in my current apps. Obviously, graduate admissions are vastly different from undergrad, but I still feel comfortable sharing my background as a shaping influence in my academic career. Besides, my transcript gives the name of my homeschooling program, so an attentive adcom would be able to catch on even if I didn't mention it.

Submitted my first application! Excited to see if Stanford likes the cut of my jib.

As an applicant with only a B.A., I opted to put a research experience section on my CV. I listed two editorial projects I did with a professor (one paid, one unpaid), my participation in a special scholarly program at my university, and an independent project I completed after graduation with a professor's guidance. This last undertaking resulted in an essay that I am using as a writing sample, so I thought putting it on my CV was useful. Having a section on research experience may not work for everyone, but it helped me to categorize some experiences that are relevant to my background. Also, I think it's worthwhile to list languages in which you have only an elementary proficiency, especially if the language is relevant to your research interests.

Definitely. I have been feeling woefully inadequate as I edit my writing samples and my statement of purpose.

I was surprised to see that Stanford has reinstituted the general GRE requirement. I know they did not require it at all last cycle.

Very glad to be done with the test! Some things I knew, and for other questions I made educated guesses or just guessed in the dark. Good job to everyone else who survived the experience!