laurend

I know no one wants to say 'THIS IS IT' and have it not be, but I will say I think this is it!!! Its the same time listed as when last year was announced and it was posted day of same as last year. I am going to be super optimistic about this and say we will know our fates by early morning tomorrow!! Good luck everyone!

I wouldn't count on actually hearing sunday. They haven't put out a result on a weekend in a long time. I think we will likely see another message regarding the grfp specifically early next week or maybe this weekend. I am sure I will be checking it sunday just in case, but it seems extremely unlikely.

Don't worry too much! Take a year or so to beef up your apps! I applied right out of undergrad and interviewed a few places, but never got in anywhere. I also don't think I was ready, I didn't really know what I was interested in studying.. So this time around I applied to 7 places vs 8 last time, but really researched the programs and the fit I had with them. I got interviews 6/7 and got in everywhere I interviewed! Trust me, success can be just around the corner. During my time off I worked as an IRTA at NIH which was great, especially since it gave me great recommendations and a ton of research experience. I also took a few classes, but I don't think that meant nearly as much. Being an applicant that clearly knows what they want and how to get it is very appealing to a program because they know you will succeed and spend your life saying I got my PhD at ___. Don't give up and definitely re-apply! I don't know your fields well, but re-take the GRE if you think you need to. Very competitive programs in my field look for >80th percentiles in all categories.

Also, if research fit isn't dead on keep in mind which techniques you would be using and how easily you could switch back to your original plans as a post doc if you choose. I know a post doc that I having trouble getting job interviews because he switched from in vivo recordings in primates to behavior in mice. That can make it hard to get grants and such.

I had a similar problem, choosing between vibe and research fit/ more money. Usually I would say go with the vibe you got and how happy you would be. You are unlikely to be as successful as possile when you are miserable. Also, I assume school a is also a good program. However, it would make me VERY nervous to go somewhere with only one possible mentor. I am going with vibe, happiness and to the place I feel will prepare me best (grant writing, teaching, skill set etc).

Where else are you thinking about? I am torn now because my very close 2nd school offered me some extra money...

Yah I have and I like CHapel Hill a lot, but I like the surrounding burbs of altanta as well. Plus, my fiancee and I have family there and it will be easier for him to find work there.

So here is my issue. I am between two schools for my PhD, Emory and UNC Chapel Hill. Both have good, strong research. The work at UNC corresponds more closely with what I am doing now and my long term interests, but I know I can apply the skills I learn at Emory to my preferred work later on. Originally, I thought I would choose Emory because they offer more teaching and grant writing preparation, so I thought I should go to the school that would best prepare me for my future. Also, I felt a good vibe from the students there, very high satisfaction. UNC however was a VERY close second. Then, I got an email from UNC offering me more money. ARGH! Now what? It isn't tooo much, but enough to give me pause. Plus their stipend is higher in general, and they give a moving stipend which is helpful. I don't know if I should mention this to Emory to see if they will give me more money (seems weird to me to do that), but the money makes it really tempting. I am in the process of getting more information about teaching and grant writing etc for UNC. I figure if that information comes through at UNC then the programs are about even and I can take the money, but its so hard to turn down extra money, especially when I am planning on getting married in July. Thoughts? What would you do if you were me?

I am very close to accepting my admission to Emory! Anyone else going to be there in the fall or thinking about it?

So here is my dilemma. I have been going back and forth between 2 schools for a few weeks and am trying to make my decision. I currently do alcohol research and am very interested in the relationship between alcohol and anxiety/stress. School 1 is a good program and has several people that seem interested in me and if I go there I can continue to work with alcohol. Problem is, I didn't get to interact as much with the students, but I got an ok vibe from them. I like the area, but it is a smaller town. Also, some of the labs I am interested in are smaller with a non-tenure prof (still new so their tenure won't be an issue for me before I defend and they still do great work). When I went to school two the research is not directly with alcohol, but more with stress and indirectly related to alcohol. I REALLY like this program. The area will be better for my SO to find a job and I really felt a good vibe from the students. What do you all think? Is it more important to stay with the school that is more in line with the research I have pictured myself doing, or should I venture to the program that is a little better with research that is a little off track?

I agree with Eigen. For a PhD, there is no reason to go to a school just for the name, if the research isn't there and the program sucks. Also, keep in mind if the adminstrator or department chair are not BEYOND nice and helpful (chances are they are not normally this nice and helpful) run for the hills! You will deal with these people, especially the adminstrator a lot! Also when you say "Either it will be right in the program or it will be in the job market when I am fighting for jobs. And I need to choose... Perhaps I schould choose the first kind of discomfort in order to guarantee that I will find a good job in academia easily – and isn’t it my main goal anyways??" Just make sure you understand that no matter where you go you will not be finding a good job in academia "EASILY". It will be super hard either way. You need to do one/two really strong post-docs and get teaching experience. As someone else mentioned, if you have never even TA'd it will be really hard to get a position in academia.

So here is my issue (although, I guess it is an issue worth having). So far, I have had 2 interviews and have 3 more scheduled in the coming weeks. My last interview is on the 10-12th of February. Since I have already been made one offer and all of my interviews are so clumped together I was really pumped to make a decision by the beginning of March so I can start planning my move. However, today I heard from the last school I was waiting on and their interview isn't until March 6-8th. This school is not on the top of my list and I am not super excited about the location, but I am interested. Should I attend and delay my decision, risking total disinterest in the interview by the time I go, or should I kindly decline the offer, knowing that it is unlikely I would go there anyway. Thanks in advance!!

Try to keep them as spread out as possible! I just had my first interview last week and had a blast, but was soo drained when I got home. I am just now feeling like I am getting over it and have to go somewhere else friday. I have 5 interviews set up and am concerned about my stamina for that! If you can set up 3-4 of your 8 that are one day, that would be GREAT! Mine on friday is just one day and I am so pumped to be able to drive home at the end of the day.

From my knowledge and experience, usually it is pretty casual. Some people will be more formal than others, but generally it is one/two dozen people and you will probably be pretty friendly with some, but not all of them. Depends on the program. I am sure there are a few that invite everyone at once, and that is probably pretty intense. Generally, they are just trying to get an idea of who you are and what you are about and making sure there would be a good fit for you at that school. However, a warning, do not be TOO casual. It is still an interview! Although most schools take the majority (60-75%) of who they interview, that still leaves a bunch of people that will not get offers! Just be calm and explain your research well and ask intelligent questions. That is really all anyone is looking for. Oh, and don't be the person who gets drunk and throws up or the socially awkward one who is afraid to talk to anyone. Make sure you get to know them too, they are the people you will spend 5 years with!

Just an update. This year Emory said they got over 200 apps, will interview 50 for 18 spots.