CeXra

Anyone hear from Michigan state ?

Most people go straight from undergrad (from what I have been told and see). It is common for PhD to admit undergrad who are qualified/overqualified in terms of research experience, work experiences, grades, and GRE scores etc. In other words, being an undergrad doesn't hurt your chances at all, its the amount of research experiences, publications, and research fit that matters (plus other skill sets).

Makes sense.

Makes sense! It helps. Thank you.

Agreed. I think research/faculty fit should be the priority decision when applying to schools. I can see how rank is a positive addition but it shouldn't be a primary motivation.

Makes sense. For me, I applied to schools based on faculty and research fit. So I am praying for the best. I don't really care about ranking, or I should say that I applied to my prospective schools not having ranking in mind. So I am just hoping for the best. I just brought this topic up because I find it weird how many times I saw "safety" etc. Like now that I looked at it, I applied to UMD but Rutgers is a better fit for me, so if I happen to get into both, I am more inclined to choose Rutgers. I applied to a few more schools, but this is an example.

Alright makes sense. I say this because in the results section I saw that a lot of the people who were rejected from lets say... the university of notre dame, stated that it was their safety. 1. I don't know why they felt the need to highlight that (as if it makes them or their rejection appear in a different light) 2. I think its a pretty great school so I don't know why there was such an attitude of "oh well, it was my safety anyway." So that's why I ask. And yeah, PhD programs are hard to get into in general but there seems to be a general consensus of what schools are safeties (as well as peoples attitudes towards them), based on what I've seen in the results section.

So depending on the tier, the more likely you will have a better job ( I know there are other factors but this tier thing seems to matter). Which tears are considered "safety schools"?

So quick question: programs between 1-25 are considered top tier schools? Can someone break down the tiers for me and what schools are considered "safety." I did a bit of research and saw that the usnews breaks things down, but they don't classify as top tier, mid tier or safety etc. I'm looking for a general consensus.

Retalking about my inquiry about Umass Amherst and Maryland (CP). Does anyone have an idea when they traditionally send out acceptances? Or has anyone been interviewed? I heard back from my top choice and was interviewed, should be hearing back soon (if they release information/send out emails again like the same time as last year).

Has anyone heard from UMass and Maryland (College Park)? Also, can we start a thing where ppl say where they applied to? (i/a/r/w/p)??? If you all feel comfortable (interview, accep., rej., waitlisted, pending).. So we all can get an idea of whats going on (in case we applied there and its not posted).