Nessie

Wow, that really sucks You'd think they'd have let us know by now instead of dragging out the torture!

Make that four. Still not heard anything. He's just too darn popular!

Who did you guys apply to work with? From the email I received (in response to an inquiry), it sounded as though it would depend on who your POI was as to whether you've heard or not yet. That might not be right, but that's the impression I got...

As shall I! Yeah I emailed the secretary to the DGS and she said some admission decisions had gone out, so I really don't know how many. Good luck!

Evolutionary people - some acceptances have been sent out for Duke. I don't know how many are yet to go out - think it may depend on your POI. I'm not holding out much hope

I emailed the secretary to the DGS at one of my schools and politely asked for a rough idea of when they would be reviewing applications in that department. She sent a very nice email back and let me know the approximate timetable and wished me luck etc. It put my mind at ease (slightly!) and I don't think it came across as pestering. I think this is okay to do, as long as you keep it short, polite and non-pushy.

Hello everyone, I'm headed to Florida from the UK in a few months time for a research job and need to find the cheapest flights possible. Anyone know of any low cost airlines that might be less well known? Alternatively, any that I should avoid? Thanks!

For those who applied to Duke -Evol Anthropology, decisions should start going out in Feb according to GS secretary. I'm not sure I can wait that long without losing my mind!!

First of all, congrats! I think you should definitely go and see what you think of the place. From my own experience, people do tend to be prejudiced towards highly ranked schools. My undergrad institution is very highly ranked in my country and has a reputation for elitism and snobbery that it doesn't deserve. I know you're not implying all those at Ivies are snobs, but some people do have this misconception. To be honest, I was pretty appalled at the way people at my postgrad uni (much less highly ranked) stereotyped those who attending my undergrad. 90% of the people I met at this place were really wonderful, interesting people. Just because a bunch of people have similar backgrounds, that doesn't make them any less interesting or unique! The faculty (in my department at least) were really nice and helpful in everything and genuinely seemed to want to help you. The small size of the place allowed you to form really strong relationships with people. Everyone there is a friend of a friend, that's just how it is. Sure, there were some people who thought they were better than everyone else, but I'm pretty sure they exist wherever you go! My point is, don't judge a book by its cover and don't let a reputation that is probably undeserved put you off a school that might be right for you! Good luck!

Don't panic, I'm getting them too! I was actually going to post/rant today about how incredibly annoying they are! Everytime I see an email from Duke, my heart stops and then I have to reboot it once I realise it's just another bloody app status email. You're right, the first one or two was fine, but is there really any need to keep sending them with absolutely no change in status!?

I've applied to Yale (my other applications come under Evol Psych/Anth). Is anyone else checking their email literally every other second??

I'm sorry you're having such a tough time. Hopefully you'll find some words of comfort on these forums to lift your spirits a little. My advice (as a complete non-expert in grad studies) is that you should try and keep going until the end of the (academic) year. From my experience, the first year of something new is always the hardest. When I first moved away for undergrad I was very homesick, I hated being confused all the time by my subjects and I missed having a solid support system close by to fall back on. However, I stuck with it and by second year I had learned to cope with (and start to enjoy!) my classes, I'd gotten used to living away from home (although I'm sure you have before so maybe this isn't relevant) and I think most importantly, I'd made some fantastic friends whom I'm now closer to than anyone! I realise grad studies must be somewhat different, but I think a lot of the processes you have to go through with starting something new are the same. So my advice would be to at least try and get to the end of your first year. If you are still having a miserable time, maybe it's time to consider other options, but you might just find that you have started to cope better and perhaps even enjoy it! I hear you about pompous academics, but to be honest I meet a lot of business people (I work part time in a hotel) and I can assure you that academia isn't the only area of life where people are pompous! However, I'm sure if you dig deep enough you will find some lovely academics that just see themselves as regular people like you or I. I don't know how your social situation is, but if you haven't met that many new people I'd suggest joining a couple of clubs or something (with minimal commitments obviously) to meet people. If you have found lots of lovely people, try and spend some more time just chillaxing and doing something fun. The importance of a healthy social life is, I think, sometimes underrated on these boards, but in my opinion is essential to a happy, balanced grad school life! Anyway, that's just my opinion, feel free to ignore me! I hope things start to look up for you soon!

I think weather is definitely a big factor to consider. I'm currently in Northern Scotland and after 6 years of Scottish weather (plus a lifetime of British weather) I'm definitely up for some sun! It's not a deciding factor but it is one worth considering. A lot of people here suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder) due to the very short hours of daylight in the winter. Although not strictly weather, it's worth thinking about how you'd cope with the sun going down at 3pm everyday. It can get very depressing!

Yep, I'm also in the crappy job club! I was kinda hoping that after I got my master's I would never have to be a waitress again, but lo and behold here I am! I found it quite tough since I often work until 3am, so getting up and studying for the GREs/writing SOPs the next day isn't the easiest thing! However, I need money. At least it's only until next fall.....hopefully!!!

I'm going to fly the flag for british tv shows here: Black books, Greenwing, Spaced, Father Ted (not technically british, but absolutely hilarious) and for all you House fans I recommend 'A bit of Fry and Laurie' and Blackadder to continue your love-affair with Hugh. As for decent films to pass the time, a few of my current favourites have to be: Little miss sunshine, 500 days of summer, sunshine cleaning (noticing a theme?!) and of course 'Love Actually' for some fabulous festive entertainment!

Haha, this did make me chuckle! I wouldn't worry too much though. I think katerific may have a point - if you mistook her for a man, I'm sure others have before! I remember being told by a prof that this kind of thing happens all the time. In fact I went to a conference recently especially to see a key prof in my field whose work I have cited many times, only to discover she was a he! So, I'm guessing the adcoms will have seen this mistake many a time before. I very much doubt this will seriously harm your app in any way. As others have said, if this prof doesn't have a sense of humour, you probably don't want to work with them anyway! Good luck!

I think it varies across the world. In the UK I believe a prof. is a higher position than a Dr. Here, all Profs have PhDs, but not all Drs have reached professor level yet. So I refer to all phds as Dr so-and-so unless they have they have their professorship, in which case they become prof. so-and-so.

Ah ok, thanks guys!

Not strictly SOP, but this is a section on one of my application forms: "List any research program in which you have participated" Now, this may be a really stupid Q, but what exactly does this mean? I have completed two research projects for my BSc and MSc, but have not participated in any other research i.e. in a prof's lab (we don't really do this as an undergrad in the UK, at least not at my uni) Can I list my own research? The term research 'program' is throwing me off a little. I am due to start a short-term stint as a research assistant next year, should I include this? Thanks all!

Don't worry, same thing happened to me, but mine were available online about a week after it said they were sent, so yours should be up soon.

Oh awesome, that makes it much simpler! Thanks balderdash!

Ok, so I'm attempting to fill in some online grad school apps and have become stuck again with my GPA. Previous advice from posters has been very helpful and allowed me to calculate my GPA to around 3.7. HOWEVER, I've just read on one of my application that the UGPA must include all undergrad work. I did my undergrad at St Andrews in Scotland, where the degree class is based only upon the honours years (i.e. the last 2 years of study). Your degree is not based at all upon the first 2 years of study, so the motivation to gain high grades in these years is not overly high. So my question is this; do I need to include my grades from the first 2 years, even though they are not used to calculate my final degree class (2:1, average grade 16.3, so an 'A' in North America). I reallllly don't want to include my first 2 years as I basically had too good a time for any studying and this would bring my GPA down A LOT, but obviously I don't want to do it wrong. There is no space on the form to write my degree class, only GPA, so if I calculate it based on the years that aren't used for my degree class, then they may just bin my application before looking any further! I hope this makes some kind of sense....!! Any suggestions much appreciated

I'm fairly sure that in the case of the GRE the terms 'percentile' and 'percent below' are used interchangeably. I'd just put down whatever numbers you got from the ETS.

Ok, so I'm an overseas student and whilst I've looked at university rankings and what not, I'm still not sure about the level needed for some US schools. I'm applying for a phd in psychology and Duke is my top choice, but I'm not sure if my application is realistic, especially given my GRE scores....In a nutshell my stats are: GRE: 690V, 660Q BSc (2:1) (But a v.high 2:1, converts to roughly A- I believe) MSc (with distinction) 4 LoR, 3 from top professors in field 2 research dissertations in area of study I messed up the quant section of the GRE, but don't have time to retake before deadlines. So, opinions welcome. I'd rather prepare myself for disappointment if I'm aiming too high and maybe think of some more back-ups!! Thanks!

Hello all, Ok first of all, I'm not sure that I'm posting this in the right forum so apologies if I'm not and feel free to redirect me! So, basically I'm from the UK and am trying to work out my GPA to put on my applications. I've been on a whole load of websites, none overly helpful, to try and figure out how to convert UK grades to a US GPA. In my undergrad I got a 2:1 (but was literally a fraction of a mark off a first) and what I've read suggests this is an A- (possibly around 3.6 - 3.8, but I'm not sure). Is this correct? Also, do I just convert my final degree classification and use that, or do I have to go through and work out all my grades, weight the credits etc? My uni uses the Scottish 20 point scale (16.5 for a first, 13.5 for a 2:1 etc. I scored a final grade of 16.35). If anyone knows how to convert this or knows of any websites that are actually reliable that would be fantastic! Thanks very much!