PhDApplicantAnon

You heard back from Cornell? I applied but have not heard anything. Waiting on them and a few others. This whole process is killing me - if anybody going through this can talk, let me know. I am just not OK.

It’s a great networking opportunity - even if you did not get in, getting to know 15 profs in your field can definitely help, as can their advice. All I’m saying is if you are working and in school, you shouldn’t be at a disadvantage just for sending in an app without reaching out….

From a prof who recently graduated from an ivy and is now at an elite school: “The truth is actually many professors would rather not get these emails at all, and it's an unfortunate negative-sum side-effect of the ratcheting up of competition in academic labor markets that applicants feel obliged to write professors a separate communication from their application, which is itself a perfectly sufficient initial communication. Not your fault, I did it too, but anyway that's just to say don't sweat not knowing the proprieties of a form that doesn't need to exist.”

Also, if anybody needs a fellow traveler to talk to, please DM me (not sure how that works but don’t want to put my phone number in here). Honestly we could use support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous for those applying to grad school - you are not alone.

Regarding reaching out to POI’s yea it helps…..this whole process is very political. If your advisor or recommenders know professors x y and z at say, Princeton, and they introduce you, and you make a connection, then you have a better chance. my personal opinion which is shared by many academics, and especially at top schools, is it’s a sad reflection of our current labor market that you have to reach out to POIs. The application should be enough of an introduction. Many profs hate it when they get these emails, but it feels like it’s necessary if you want to have a chance. I think, collectively, we should advocate for the abolishment of this practice. If you want to get into somewhere with solid funding, you have to apply to like 15 or more schools, so if you talk to three profs at those schools, that’s 45 fricken people! Who has time for that? I work full time and am in school so I do not. Plus you’d have to know long in advance exactly where you are going to apply. summary: the need to reach out to POIs is real, but it’s bull and exploitation of our time and energy, and thus we should all come together to advocate against it as we hopefully progress in the academy, though not looking good for me. We should also push to abolish the whole notify acceptees before sending out rejections. Like just send them out all at once. has anybody heard from Cornell or Michigan? Seems like schools would know by now so not sure what they are waiting for.

Hi All, I just want to intervene and remind everybody here to take good care of yourself. Last time I applied, I received my rejections on Valentine's Day, which seems particularly cruel. I immediately went back on antidepressants. Most schools have already decided if you will or will not be accepted, they are just holding out on letting us know. Personally, I will be doing my best NOT to check my portal, this forum, or associated email. I have hyper-anxiety. I have seen a friend kill himself over a girl who did not want him. These rejections hit hard, especially when they come from school after school. Really do something for yourself this week, something kind, and make sure you are in a strong place before checking your email. These schools may think it is cute to email perspective candidate x while leaving hundreds of us in the dark, but it is not; it is downright cruel, and should be abolished. Smoke some weed, have a beer or take a bar and forget about it (if you do not have a substance problem). As somebody whose had multiple friends commit suicide, it is just not worth getting worked up over this.