Ikigai1896

I totally agree- some of the most interesting and successful people I’ve met are those whose career trajectories were dictated by what excited them, instead of preconceived ideas of what they “should do” alone.. pivots are awesome and rewarding when done for the right reasons. 😃

This is quite strange 🥲 I mean my optimism is telling me that’s for masters students. But strange nevertheless that they wouldn’t wait for everyone to be accepted first.

When I contacted adcom they stuck to that precise date

I wouldn’t take those on the page too seriously! People are equally likely to report it more elaborately over here because of the added benefit of potentially identifying cohort mates

I feel it - this month…… is it. It’s coming. The universities that are going to be the best stepping stones for us long term, will reach out to us.

I wake up, I check grad cafe!!! Ahhh. Time to put my phone away for a week.

Harvard PHS email from adcom is a copy paste of what’s on website: “Although interviews are neither required nor guaranteed during our admissions deliberations, some 2024 cohort applicants may be contacted via email/phone in December or January to schedule a remote interview with one or more Harvard faculty reviewers via zoom Skype or phone. Please do not contact PHS, our fields or our Faculty to schedule an interview- unless you have been contacted first by a representative of our program. Decisions are expected to go out mid to late February. Thank you for your patience!”

Did anyone reach out to Harvards adcom to ask about the importance of interview / if it’s mandatory or a optional thing only to clarify some applications/ if people admitted without them too?

They said that usually students end up being employed as RAs and TAs and can make extra money by tutoring etc. Basically it sounded like it’s very viable as an option and everyone does it and there’s nothing to worry about edit: I was quite taken aback at 25 year projections ! Like ! 10 would’ve been good

Just had my interview- it was a panel of 6 faculty. here are the questions that were asked : tell us why this PhD in epidemiology, give us an example of a time you had to face something difficult and then regroup, what makes you think you’re ready for a PhD , give us an example of working in a interdisciplinary environment, give us an example of you being able to meet demands from multiple sources because PhD is fast paced, where do you see yourself in 25 years, who are two faculty you want to work with, can you see yourself in this city for 4 years of PhD? Questions I asked : opportunities for collaboration across tracks? Stipend only two years, what about other years? bottom line- JUST BE YOURSELF and answer . Can be applied to any PhD program I’m sure they questions overlap a lot

Not yet! Ahhh okay gotcha! I should sit and think about the question too.. hmm! On the spot these can be hard 😳

@Qantu I would love to hear your experience interviewing for Harvards PHS PHD program! I’m still aggressively manifesting my interview and have reached a “surrender” stage of waiting but thought I’d prepare myself mentally :))

We got this!! 😊❤️

Me too!!!! Cancer epi as well!! I noticed 10 half hour slots (and each interview being 25 mins means 10 people out of maybe 1000??).. which means that we all need to congratulate ourselves for making it this far REGARDLESS. I’m proud of you!!!!! And I’m proud of everyone else here who scored an interview!! You’re all the crème de la crème 🧿🙏

I just got a interview for PhD in JHU epi!

The waiting game is so real.. sigh- since 10th (my first interview) it’s felt like radio silence. It’s like mental tinnitus of negative thoughts sometimes…hoping that we get emails today after MLK day!!

I wouldn’t read too much into it- because this is out of your control.. the important thing to do at this time is look ahead and not back.. like someone else mentioned on this thread: what is meant for you will not pass you by!!😊

Yay!! You got this 🧿🧿🧿

Meditation !! Yes. Cuddles with my family dog.. and Neville Goddards law of assumption. Besides all of that seriously trying to surrender what is meant to happen in our best interest, will happen!!! ❤️

Gave my UNC interview on the 10th- I’m waiting to hear back from other schools as one of the others is my dream school (Harvard PhD cancer epidemiology) . Heart palpitations are real- and I’m like: “get yourself together buddy!! You’re literally about to embark on a PhD!!? Regulate yourself 😭😅🥺. “

I had typed this whole thing and submitted it but idk where it went! I’ll try to recreate it.. firslty CONGRATS!! this is the earliest I’ve heard of a PhD admit and I can only imagine what an incredible fit you must be!! Start with a nice pat on the back. Now for the decision- I would say keep the “pay 500$ then withdraw” as the absolute last resort. It doesn’t reflect well.. the number 1 thing to do is keep an open line of communication- explain the situation, talk about weighing options is important for a commitment like PhD and you’d like to wait a little longer to make your decision. At the same time reflect on how important this school is in your list- is this a top school for you? Or do you feel like saying yes because you’re afraid of other options falling through - if the latter then hold back from committing . Remember, use the same instinct and intuition that got you HERE in the first place 🧿✨ you got this!!

Hello everyone!! Happy to be here and thanks for creating this group… I send all of us good energies for this cycle!! I have applied for a PhD in epi programs in top east coast schools and finishing up my app for Cambridge (the only Europe school)… pretty late to this group but better late than never!! Happy holidays ❤️