Eliza1820

I feel the same, but getting into Duke is fantastic! I think it's really hard to apply to grad school after working for several years. I applied to nine schools, up and down the rankings based on fit more than reputation, and got a weird mix of responses. If you're only going to get into one school, at least it's a really good one

How hard are schools trying to recruit you? Right now I have two offers from mid-30s ranked programs and they both have worked fairly hard to get me to come to their school. Both have provided additional fellowships with my stipend, paid visits to campus, and very open lines of communication. It's a nice position to be in, but I'm wondering if they're working this hard to comp for their rankings? I've been waitlisted at some top institutions (my signature has not been updated recently), but the two schools I've been accepted to don't know this. Thoughts?

Tried to call UNC today, phone didn't even ring...

Couldn't they have just said whether it would be tomorrow or Monday!? Smh. Also, I'm glad people are having success with phone calls, but I wish schools would consider that some applicants work or live in different time zones, and answer polite emails.

Penn State? If so, they must be spreading out decisions. I got an offer from PSU February 3rd... If UPenn, you are the first acceptance this year I think. This process is just so perplexing.

Just an FYI, I never did hear back from Northwestern. Which kinda says something about the responsiveness of the program. Even if you're getting a ton of emails, you should be able send a simple reply in the course of three days (I should know, I manage an email that gets hundreds of emails on a regular basis). I'm surprised no one has heard from UNC . . .

I've had several very collegial conversations with both POI and current grad students. I wrote up a set of questions on what's most important to me about programs. I asked almost everyone at each program the questions so I could compare. Overall, I found they were super helpful to me and I've learned a lot!

I'll report back if I hear anything (I'm not encouraged by their lack of response all day yesterday)

I tried emailing the department early yesterday, first to the general phd admissions email (which bounced back- "user unknown") and then the grad coordinator. Haven't heard anything back yet. At the very least, I wish they'd use a waitlist/rejection structure.

Long time lurker who finally got their account validation email. I heard from one of my LOR writers that UNC met last week and should be sending out decisions soon. (LOR writer was recent UNC alum, whose dissertation chair called). Did we ever see any Northwestern rejections or claimed acceptances? Also, were all UMich rejections from Dr. Mickey? Or did I get that because he was a POI listed? Best of luck to everyone this week!