pyrophoric

I have a feeling decisions/interviews are possibly delayed because of Caltech's recent loss (Grubbs) since he was still an active professor, I'm only guessing (and I think this would only go for organic).

I read it in a different thread somewhere that I can't find anymore. I think they have a GRFP thread every year which is usually active, but this year not many engaged. For that reason I think the feeling is fewer people applied this cycle (which is a good thing)

Slightly curious, has anyone in this thread also applied to the NSF GRFP to fund grad school? It seems as if fewer students applied this year which is unusual.

Anyone in organic hear back from Caltech, UC Berkeley or MIT? Or have any idea when they generally send out interviews/decisions? I'm so anxious

I have almost identical stats to yours and am also planning to go the academia route. From what my own advisor has told me, the reputation of your advisor you work under/the types of journals you will publish in during grad is way more important than the name and prestige of the school itself. There are some spectacular and well-established organic faculty at schools that are not considered prestigious but are worthy of winning Nobel prizes (I'm assuming you're organic from your user). If Mass has these type of faculty then Mass being "low-ranked" is irrelevant. Your success during your graduate studies will determine whether you are qualified to go into academia or not, so I wouldn't stress the name of the school as much.

Has anyone heard from UC Berkeley, Caltech, MIT, or Northwestern? I heard back from UChicago earlier today.