emdreaming

This is a really stressful time. Be kind to yourself and do something nice for yourself just because. This is my third application cycle, and I can say that I have watched so many amazing, qualified, wonderful candidates get rejected, and some candidates with a seriously unique/ atypical background get accepted. It is such a gamble that is often sprinkled with some combo of knowing the "right people", luck, hard work, being the right applicant at the right time, funding, and a million other variables that we aren't even aware of. You were probably confident because you are qualified. But being qualified doesn't always equal getting the spot. It is not about you and your self-worth, even though it is easy AF to feel that way. Look how many people are on here freaking out. And that's just the people who are on here and posting. Think about the thousands of applicants who are in your shoes. This does NOT define you. YOU define YOU. Keep your head up, keep busy, and keep going. Rejection is NOT the worst thing in the world, and sometimes, in a crazy way, it helps put you on the right path.

American says invites for clinical are going out “in the next week or two”

Maybe go and try a few styles on?? I found a specific collarless style that I like (as a previous poster mentioned) but hated traditional suits. Also maybe try a blazer and pants instead of a full on suit? Or do you have an advisor/ mentor you could ask?

I agree 100%

Haha funny, I said the complete opposite of you at the same time. That’s interesting! I’m purely going off of what I saw last year. Maybe things have changed!

Maybe it depends on the program/ I’m old school. But in my experience, suits are kind of the norm. I personally would err on the side of overdressed.

I would just recommend calling the grad education office/ admissions and politely inquiring about their timeline first. Sometimes they are super specific/helpful and can even tell you if you’ll be offered an interview. If you don’t get any useful info from that and you see other people posting that they’ve heard from the program, I think that’s a good time to email. I would just say dear dr so and so, I hope you’re doing well. I am sure you’re very busy this time of year, but I wanted to inquire about the admission timeline. I’m excited about so and so program and I was wondering if you could give me any insight on whether your invitations have gone out or when they may go out. I truly appreciate your time and look forward to hearing back. thank you so and so

Haha I couldn’t believe they had it on the blocked list!!! You’re lucky!

I would also try a skirt suit. When I interviewed last year, I’d say the majority of women wore pantsuits, but I did see some pencil skirts with jackets, and I think that’s professional and appropriate as well. I don’t think I saw any dress/ blazer combos, but I do think that could work as long as it’s conservative. I also think there’s an element of the vibe of the school and your personality. I feel super awk in pantsuits but I think it’s partly because I never wear them. Further, what to wear is an easy thing to get preoccupied with as it’s controllable and tangible. Maybe bring a friend or family member when you go try stuff on to give some perspective? Good luck!

Also, my work computer has this site blocked ? so I’m creeping with my phone below my desk, semi-obsessively refreshing results and my email. Everything is normal over here.

I have been able to keep myself from stressing and have avoided this board for months to try to not increase my stress level. BUT. Now I can’t chill anymore. I know one of my schools sent invites starting yesterday last year, and another started the 15 last year,and the 3rd was the 23rd last year. So now I am freaking.the.ef.out. Like guys, just jump on it and send out invites already. How do they not remember the torture of waiting? Also patience is not a virtue of mine.

These are both really valid points/ thoughts. Thank you for the perspective.

Ha thank you.

Thanks, it is a pretty good gig and I feel fortunate. I definitely acknowledge the risk and realize I’m putting a lot of faith on one person who doesn’t owe me anything. Appreciate your response. Thanks. That’s exactly how I feel and it is so much time and effort and I just want to go someplace I love. I appreciate the feedback and I feel like yes it’s logical and high risk, and that’s a good way to put it!!

Hello! I’m not new to TGC, just created a new profile to protect the identity of my PI! So I would love some feedback. This will be my third cycle applying (woo). Last year I interviewed at two places, got accepted at one, and rejected at my dream school. I reached out to my PI for feedback and didn’t hear back for a few weeks so I was like ok I’ll just go to my backup school. Then! He emails me. I ignore it bc I’m like, I need to move on with my life. Then he emails again! So I’m like ok, I’ll respond. We have a chat on the phone, he says they accepted 2 students& I was number 3 (he didn’t accept a student). I tell him I accepted this offer from another school. He proposes I come work in his lab for a year, then reapply. He says he can’t guarantee anything, but would be shocked if I don’t get accepted. I tell him I can’t defer the other school. He’s like no pressure just putting it out there if you’re interested at all, please apply. So I apply. He accepts me, lets me make my own schedule, and offers me 50% more pay than I ask. I give up my position at the other school to come work in his lab. So now I’m working in his lab. I love it. But obviously still have to apply. Problem is, I legit don’t want to apply anywhere else. I’m geographically limited, and there are NO other programs in the area that have research overlaps. I could stretch to maybe one school, but it’s not really what I want to do/ it would be a tough argument to make in my SOP. So here’s the question: am I crazy to apply to ONE phd program? Is it absurd of me to trust him that much? He doesn’t owe me anything. A rockstar could apply. But I get along very well with everyone in the lab, I get along well with him, etc etc. I legit just have zero motivation to apply elsewhere. I love this lab and the work I’m doing and don’t want to settle. Additionally, I’ve been in contact with with the DCT at my dream school since I applied& we have good rapport and he’s been super helpful& responsive in some career planning stuff. Give it to me straight, TGC.