HopelesslyDevoted

My number one piece of advice for anyone participating in the application process: STAND OUT!!!! Literally hundreds of applicants are being reviewed by admissions boards and anything you can say in your personal statement to stand out from them is absolutely necessary for being noticed. Even if you 're GRE scores or GPA or research experience is outstanding, it may look extremely similar to another applicant's and you need that extra push to come off as the more unique candidate. Be yourself, but frame your application in a way that is as uniquely yourself as possible

So I need some advice. I have an offer from one school that would like me to commit as soon as possible, but I'm still waiting to hear back from another school (school #2) that told me they are currently looking into an additional funded position, and they will admit me if they are able to fund one. I know I technically have until the 15th to get back to school #1, but I'd rather not wait that long as I feel it is pretty rude to do so. Any advice regarding how to nicely tell school #2 I need an answer fast? Last update they gave me was that they still don't know for sure.

Does anyone have advice on how soon is too soon to start asking about your application status? There are a few programs that I still haven't heard from and even though it's probably safe to assume that they are rejections at this point, others have been rejected and waitlisted by these programs too. Does asking ever help or hinder your chances?

As someone who is #1 on two different waitlists at the moment with 0 offers, I don't think you should feel bad about preventing people from getting an offer at this point. Even though I know I won't be able to relax until April 15th when people start turning down offers, I get that it's stressful for everyone involved and that even those with offers have to deal with poor timing like this at the very least. This process is so ridiculously competitive that sometimes we just need to focus on ourselves and do what we can to make ourselves feel better. Hang in there, sending good vibes your way!

Anyone accepted to Old Dominion planning on attending somewhere else?

Anyone have info on Portland State or Old Dominion?