solefolia

Ask for an extension. Changing your mind after accepting is frowned upon and if you do it after April 15th (if your school is a member of the Council of Graduate Schools), you need written release. I would imagine most schools don't want to go through that hassle and are willing to give you a bit of extra time to hear back and have all your options available to you before you make a decision. One of my programs was super understanding about the whole thing, and the grad coordinator even joked "Oh, it's only one of the most important decisions of your life, why would you want more time?"

I think I'm in the same boat as whoever posted recently about the Penn State waitlist. Geomicrobiology is my area as well. Not sure if they post on the forums or not, but good luck all the same. I hope we hear back soon! The deadline is coming up so fast.

I called after I saw this post (same day) assuming I had been rejected and was told I was still under consideration and that they'd send out all notification last week. Still haven't received anything yet and while I'm not really expecting great news, it's still driving me crazy. I have all my other results in, so I just want to hear back from them so I know where I'm headed (I hope I didn't come across as too impatient when I spoke to the dept administrator, I just assumed I was rejected and wanted confirmation). April 15th is coming up fast and I don't like the thought that if I do get in, I have two weeks to make a decision and likely won't have the opportunity to visit.

I think he probably means in terms of grants and (some) federal loans (e.g. Perkins). The earlier the better when it comes to these things, I know this for sure from undergrad (Someone with less need who applies much earlier can sometimes get more aid than someone with more need who applied later). Not sure how it works for grad school, but likely the same principle. I wouldn't think it'd have anything to do with TA/RA-ships, though.

Anyone hear back from Penn State yet? I sent out an email last month and was told that it'd be a "few weeks" before they sent out anything, so I'm thinking any day now (or at least I hope so... April 15th isn't *that* far off). It's the last school I'm waiting to hear back from.

I haven't gotten the "uppity" thing yet, but I don't doubt I will eventually. Right now my family is supportive, but skeptical. I get "5-6 YEARS??" a lot. They seem to be put at ease by the fact that I get paid (stipend) and tuition is covered, so i won't need to take out any additional loans. Despite them not really understanding what a PhD is good for ("I thought the only doctors were the medical kind?), let alone what I actually want to research, I'm fortunate that they are assuming that I know what I'm doing and that it is what's best for me.

I deliberately gave myself a bit of a tougher workload last semester, because I know spring semester is always rough for me. Not to mention my last semester. Not to mention I knew I'd either be accepted into grad school or not somewhat early in the semester (in this case, I do have an acceptance already). For now things are going alright, but I know it's going to get worse as the semester rolls on and I'm eager to move onto the next stage.

By applying for the FAFSA (and assuming you have no drug charges, are a US citizen, etc) you are automatically awarded a Stafford loan, if you want it. Each student gets the same amount (based on their year -- I don't know grad student amounts off the top of my head), regardless of their financial status. However, being in a lower income bracket (or lower "EFC" bracket, I guess) will get your Stafford loans subsidzed, which means the government effectively pays the interest on your loans while you are in school. Otherwise, you are responsible for interest. There are other government loans and grants, but most of these are need-based (Note: Apply as soon as possible -- sometimes someone with less need, but has their FAFSA in earlier can be awarded more money (in grants and loans) than someone who has more need and applied late). Most schools don't disperse money until right before or right after the start of the semester. Not sure how soon before the semester you wanted/needed it. But anyway, fill out the FAFSA. It's a bit intimidating, but so long as you have all your tax info in front of you, it goes by pretty quick. And if you don't have your tax info yet, apply for a PIN while you wait, since they take a day or two to get e-mailed to you. Hope that helps

I think the previous poster(s) might have thought you spoke for the university as a whole? I sincerely doubt anyone would assume that just because their department has funding that yours must. At least that's what the series of posts read like to me. Although it would be strange to assume the entire university just wasn't giving out any funding whatsoever (Lousielabe mentions this in her post). At any rate, I don't think the posters were trying to "puff their chest out" and prove you wrong. Edit: missed the tail end of your post where you address this very thing, sorry. All the same, as someone who did just read through the thread, your first post made it seem like it was across the board.

I contacted Penn State today and got a fast reply. I feel a bit guilty now asking about where they're at in their admissions process. A couple replies from last year on the results board indicate that interview invitations went out in mid-January, so I thought maybe it'd be a similar timeline this year (and that I'd been rejected). The grad coordinator told me it would still be a few weeks, most likely, before they start contacting folks (she did not indicate whether it would be for interviews or not) since they received a very large number of apps this year. Still not holding my breath.

I'm sitting at ~$600 for 3 schools. Biggest money drain by far comes from ETS (I missed my first test, so I ended up paying twice). Transcripts aren't too far behind, since I have three undergrad institutions and my schools required two official transcripts each. comes out to about a month's worth of rent. First acceptance made it worth it though!

A couple weeks ago on a Thursday, one of my programs had sent out invites for an interview/recruitment weekend (same sub-discipline within the department as well). I assumed an implied rejection --at this point, being completely pessimistic and being either right or happily surprised is better than holding out hope. On Monday, I got an e-mail inviting me. It caught me completely off-guard and I was pretty much convinced, even without the rejection letter, that I was out of the running. Needless to say I was thrilled.

I haven't seen a whole lot of Geology results or postings, even from previous years, but a thread to see if there are any other applicants can't hurt. Where are you applying, what are your research interests, have you heard back yet, etc.? I'm a biology student more than anything else, but I have applied to a couple geoscience programs who have people working in geomicrobiology. I'd be interested to hear if anyone has heard from Penn State yet. Good luck to all!

I've also been accepted to U Ark, so i'll be interested in replies. From my own research, the cost of living is really reasonable and the area is quite nice. Bentonville, the area north of Fayetteville, is home to the Walmart Home Office and some other corporate HQs. It's also one of the top retirement spots in the US. A lot of money is coming in and the area is seeing a lot of growth, but its still the "south", so costs are lower. Not sure if I'll be going here or not, but checking Craigslist home rentals really makes me want to!

I had assumed an implied rejection when I saw someone with an ASU invite on the results board, but looks like I just received mine a few days later. I'm quite (pleasantly) surprised.

One of the programs I got into doesn't do interviews, but after getting an acceptance, I inquired about going there for a visit. I was all set to ask about potential funding, but the grad coordinator offered me a free flight, hotel, and dinner with faculty/students (not to mention meeting privately with current students, getting a tour of the town, transportation to/from airport). I was pretty surprised/grateful to hear this and I'll probably be heading out there late next month -- it's in the South, so it'll be a nice break from the cold of Wisconsin YMMV, of course, but it doesn't hurt to ask. I think most programs realize that before you can make a decision, you might want to check out the place you'll be spending the next ~5 years at. I'm sure the graduate coordinator will be able to give you full details about planning a visit, but if you feel more comfortable talking to your potential advisor, I imagine they'd have a pretty good idea of what the procedure is like as well.

I agree with MAN. FAFSA isn't just for loans, you can also get some nice grants just by filling it out (and if you have all the necessary info in front of you, it only takes a few minutes). I'm not sure what's available for grad students besides Stafford Loans, but for undergrad, I got need-based grants and well as grants for just being a student in the sciences (it also extended to engineering, math, technology, etc.) I doubt you need to fill it out to be offered a TA/RA/Fellow-ship, but the graduate school as a whole might require it. I'd recommend filling it out if only for the possibility that you might get some free money in the form of grants.

Not sure if it's any of the people who have posted in this thread, but I see that someone has an interview with Arizona State from the results page. Any other info you can give? I have a feeling this means an implied rejection for me, especially since their recruitment days are coming up soon.

Ugh, this was something I was really bad with (oh, who am i kidding? I'm still really bad with it). I tried to delude myself into thinking I was just getting an idea about the cost of living.

I got an acceptance today. From a "safety" school I guess (I felt fairly confident I would get in), but it should make waiting for the rest easier. At least I know I got in somewhere and don't have to go on a job hunt come May. My future is still up in the air to some extent, but at least the options have been narrowed down.

I got an e-mail from one of the schools I applied to this past week (I applied Dec 15th). My heart also skipped a beat, but it was simply a password reminder. Apparently the last time I checked the admissions status site, I put in the wrong password. The system is kind enough to send you a password reminder every time you enter an incorrect password. I guess I should've realized that I'd be more likely to get an acceptance/rejection from the department, rather than the generic graduate school's status website (otherwise, why have a status website?). But any new e-mail I get at my school account these days gets me momentarily anxious.

As far as I know, yes. Nothing is reported to the school. ETS/the center probably have some record that you were scheduled to take it, but that's it. I think even if you actually take the exam but choose to not have your scores reported, your school report does not show it, let alone not filing out any of the paperwork or signing any of the agreements. Not sure if you're just curious or have run into something unexpected that will lead you to miss it, but: some centers have more leeway in scheduling than others, despite what ETS' website says. I was under the impression that you start exactly at your scheduled time, or you are not able to take it. I found out later that I probably still could've made it and been allowed to take it late (the center is a good hour and a half from where I live, so I didn't want to go all that way only to be turned away at the door for being late). At any rate, it was my own fault for making a few stupid mistakes. But the only price I paid was for a testing fee. A rather large one at that :cry:

I missed my first scheduled GRE time (long story) and nothing goes on your "record". No school should see any evidence of you even signing up (and missing) the exam. There is a good deal of paperwork and other procedures that must be done at the testing site itself for you to even take the exam. Not to mention, once you are at a computer (if you are taking it on the computer), you have to verify that you do want your scores submitted.

Astaroth requested I post here quite awhile back through a comment on my blog entry. Graduating this May with a BS in Biology (emphasis in Cellular/Molecular) from a small, unknown, satellite state school GPA: Currently around a 3.3 and not likely to change much by graduation. GRE: 610 V, 710 Q, 4.5 W 1 publication submitted (3rd author) and a conference abstract for the same research project, one additional publication in progress My interests are in astrobiology, so my research experience is really varied (2 years in geology, a semester internship at NASA doing a physics-based research project with implications in chemistry/biology, and one semester (ongoing) working in microbiology) One semester as a TA for a lower level biology lab I applied to three PhD programs and again, due to the nature of astrobiology, I've only technically applied to one biology program, but I do feel most at home here amongst the rest of you bio folks. (My other programs are in planetary science and geology). No word yet from anyone. Good luck!

With all my applications submitted and pessimism starting to settle in, I've been thinking about Plan B for awhile now. I'm a biology major, which means most of my jobs (at least in my geographical area) are limited to medical research or food quality assurance. My interests lean more toward environmental microbiology, but I realize that with the prospect of no-longer-deferred student loans, beggars can't be choosers. Ideally, I'd be able to find work in one of the local engineering consultant firms that hire scientists to test water, soil, etc. before digging mines, or maybe even work with the DNR. Positions are limited between the two of those, and they generally are looking for chemists, environmental scientists, and wildlife biologists. There are a good number of jobs available locally for entry level Bio majors. A private genetics consulting place seems to be always on the lookout for new lab workers, and there are several positions open for researchers in a medical college a couple hours away. Ideally, I would want to stay where I'm at -- I've got a nice apartment at a nice price that my boyfriend (who, thankfully, is quite rootless and able to tag along no matter I end up going) and I are quite settled into. To move for a year in order to find work, reapply to schools, then hopefully get somewhere only to have to move again seems like a bit of a pain. I feel like I've prepared this whole time for "grad school" skills. My job seeking skills are limited to retail (my paid research positions didn't require any formal interview or resume), so at this point I'm doing a lot of brushing up on interview etiquette, resume writing, etc. and some finger crossing.