Strangefox

It definetely seems like an interview. It's weird, though... So the prof didn't write: "I would like to talk with you about your application" and "What is the best time to call you"?? They do not mention "interview" but they normally ask those things.

I would not do that. It will not be totally awful but it won't be very good either. I mean, you can do it later, in March it will be fine, I guess, but now it is definetely too early. Fight the urge!

Well, you are right, you should not lie and you should be concise. Just name the schools - that's all. If they ask for some details (what is your top choice school, for example), that's another story. I mean, in that case you also should tell the truth and be concise but it is trickier. It depends on many things such as where the school you are having interview with is on your list. If it is not your top choice, you should not say so, you should be vague or they will think that you will not take their offer if they extend it to you...

The results page: http://thegradcafe.com/survey/

I've just noticed that you applied for spring 2011 - but I applied for fall. Strange - do they make decisions about spring and fall at the same time??

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had an interview with my POI at Comm Arts earlier this month and I am waiting for a decision... So you have got an unofficial note from your POI or was it the official offer? I wonder if they have said anything about funding. My POI said that they fund eveybody they admit and the funding package is the same. So if I am accepted I will get the same funding as you and I wonder how much it is now. I mean - the stipend. Do you know anything about that?

It was me. I had an interview yesterday, notified on the 20th. My POI said my stats are good and they are going to recommend admission. Let's see how it will go...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAA I am getting more and more paranoid!!!!! But seriosly thank you for the great advice!

Thanks for the great reply! About contacting old professors - interesting idea! Though I am not sure I will dare to do that... It might seem quite weird to them and who knows whom they will tell about that... "...as long as you don't seem like you are fishing for it..." - what do you mean? If I ask them directly (it won't be my first question, of course): "Are there things you do not really like about the program?" - will it be considered fishing?

I am sure that many people will be honest when answering such a question but I also see very well how a person can think: "What if I say bad things about my advisor and then it will come to haunt me??" That is what I am worried about.

That is what I am afraid of!! So what can I do to avoid such situation? If I cannot visit a school, if I can only talk to POI and his/her advisees? I do not want to do somethng wrong making such an important choice!!

In-person is out of the question, I am quite far from America right now, the trip would cost me a fortune. "Program ambassadors" - that is whom I am afraid of. If my potential advisor recommends me to talk to a certain student - this student might well be such an ambassador. I guess, to avoid that I need to talk to several students and choose some of them myself. How many do you recommend? 2-3? How many did you talk to when you were making your decision?

Here is another funny video, but it's more for engineers and mathematicians Not everybody can understand all their jokes, - not me, certainly From comments on YouTube: "Just started my second year of engineering, hopefully I'll be able to understand this song by the time I grad."

Thank you! Yes, I was going to ask that when I am admitted and while talking by Skype.

:D

I was wondering... When I talk with graduate students from schools I applied to, I will certainly ask if there is anything they don't like about the program (or about the faculty). If there are things they don't like, will they tell me? I mean, perhaps they will not want to tell the truth because this way they will "betray" the program, so to say? They will think: "We will tell Strangefox these things and then Strangefox will choose another program where there are no such things, but our program wants Strangefox to take THEIR offer [me being self-confident here ]!!!" I am in a situation when I can't visit schools in order to get a feel of them so I am trying to devise ways to make sure that I will make the right decision. Thanks!

Yeah, I agree!

So you asked them if it is equivalent to being wait-listed and they answered that it is not but they did not explain what it means?? Strange people...

If you have anything that is required - there's nothing else you can include. Be sure to read really carefully their instructions not to miss anything important and send ALL required materials.

Great idea!!!

Off-top: you can edit your posts after you have submitted them

Next time you can prepare questions on a piece of paper. This way you certainly won't forget them!

You know, that happens to me sometimes - I am sitting and thinking that I could do something useful like reading a book right now. But I know that it is a wrong kind of thinking! I spend a lot of time studying and if I don't make myself go out sometimes, I will just eventually go crazy I guess Ok, not crzy, but you must go out from time to time. I am sure there are people you like meeting and things you like doing apart from reading stuff.

I think they will But they are also right - you need to go out more often! Browsing the internet and socializing with friends are two different kinds of fun and one does not substitute the other!!

I agree with all said above. I am sure it is just a misunderstanding and they will waive the masters requirement once they know all the details. Good luck! And please tell us about the results! I want to know what they will answer.