IvyHope

Can't say the same. I got an email and a phone call from Harvard on the day of the application deadline to straighten out some confusion over transcripts. The online system reflected the correction that same day.

Not much they can do once they've admitted you. They don't want to deal with legal hassles, and they can't renege an offer of acceptance. I think it doesn't really matter what school or advisor you work with as a graduate student- you're going to be engaging in their work to some extent anywhere, because you have to pay your dues. As we like to say in my program, in grad school we research what our profs want us to research, so that someday we can research what we want to research.

I think it means you're a finalist. You're asking for information that no one here can provide. Depends on how you do in your interview, is my best guess.

Yes, I'm sure it is. All you have to do is not check the box when you are asked if you want to be considered for fellowship. Then they will put you in the pool of other assistantship-seekers. You are probably going to have this opportunity year to year (although many schools only offer first year fellowships).

No. You can't have your cake and eat it too. If you are nominated for a fellowship, then you should take it. If you turn it down, it's likely that you won't get funding at all because they will have given the TAs to other students. If you get a fellowship for a year then you can consider the possibility of being selected for a TA in a subsequent year. I don't think they are always a deal, because for some of us heading into academia, the teaching/research experience can be quite valuable on our vitas. If you are nominated for a fellowship for all of your years as a graduate student (quite rare in our field, at least imo) then you can probably work something out with a faculty for teaching experience, ie doing some practicum or independent study hours for credit for helping them teach a course, etc. But you won't be paid for that.

Yes, the NSLDS also provides that information, online. National Student Loan Data Service or something. A division of the federal government. You can see it by logging in with the same pin as the FAFSA. Agreed, it is quite sobering.

You applied to a program completely out of education? It's tough to keep track! ?

T_ruth, looks like there's a rejection on the results page, from an education-related field. Might be time to start hearing!

Always send the FAFSA to every school you applied to, whether or not you know if you've been accepted. There's a prompt at the end of the thing that allows you to enter multiple codes.

GOD HELP ME if I'm still a grad student in 9 years.

Only one of the 5-6 graduates of my program has landed a job in the last 2 years. And I'm in a top 20 program. One girl sent out 30+ vitas/apps, and didn't get a single interview. Scares the poo out of me. It's part of the reason I'm hoping to get into an Ivy. And I did the same as ewurgler, and found that places like Harvard, Stanford, and Columbia all hire from...well, Stanford, Harvard, and Columbia. Many of our faculty have come from prestigious programs like these, but not immediately.

To me it seems more likely than FSU selling it. Either way, I definitely don't think it has anything to do with admissions.

magic, What other schools did you apply to? Which is your first choice? What's the funding situation at Berkeley? I almost applied there, but for some reason decided against it...I can't remember why...

WOW that's really awesome...I'm jealous. Congrats!

Of course there is nothing wrong with a ponytail. I think showing up in sweats and throwing your hair back is different than styling it in a ponytail with nice clothes. Obviously, putting a little effort into your appearance is noted by some- showing that you don't really care about your appearance suggests you don't really care what those you are meeting for the first time think- something I would not want to communicate to prospective peers or faculty. Sorry, I thought that was obvious.

No, I think you can survive in an academic environment without makeup and polish. However, you always have to consider your first impression. Please don't tell me you want to earn a PhD so you can wear jeans to work!!!! ;-)

unlikelygrad is right, BUT, One visit I took consisted of a walk around campus, which I was not prepared for as I was wearing boots with heels, black pants, etc. I stand by my advice- if you've been admitted, you might consider the possibility that they want to hike around campus, which is not comfortable in shoes other than sneakers. Maybe contact your prospective advisor and ask what the agenda is, then make a decision?

I think that sounds about right. One year, a girl came to visit our program as a prospective doctoral student. She was working on her Ed M at Harvard GSE and she arrived to our meeting in sweats and a ponytail. None of us were very impressed. I'm sure your baby weight is a non-issue, and that you look great. Knock 'em dead!

t_ruth, If you are going on a visit to a school in which you've already been accepted, I'd say jeans are ok. However if it's an interview type situation, I'd stick to black pants and a sweater or something. Of course, jeans is relative- probably shouldn't do the holy jeans and hooded sweatshirt thing, but dress it up a little, you know? Also, if you're visiting on a Friday, you're quite likely to see the faculty wearing jeans as well.

I know, right? Because they don't really bother reminding you until a day or two ahead of time. What a pain!

Lol...hopefully pregasauraus doesn't mean you are a pregnant dinosaur like the name suggests! ;-) Or at least not at the time you were malting in the bath.

Yes...withdrawing the app is the kindest thing for everyone- faculty reviewing your file, other students who want those spots, etc.

It really doesn't make sense to visit if you're just doing it because you think you might possibly end up there someday as faculty. I mean, for one thing, universities look much different after 3-5 years than they do now, and if you're a serious contender for a faculty or post-doc position, they will likely pay for your visit at that time. If you're a poor college student or grad student, I'd say save your money. If you later think there's a better chance you'll attend for grad school, make a visit then.

I'd find it hard to believe that a faculty would be excited to read a 4-5 page statement. I think they appreciate succinct and concise. I wouldn't be too worried- there are many other variables that have played into your friend's acceptance at Berkeley.

Alot of it also depends on the job market. Right now, folks in my program are not getting any interviews. Hopefully the economy/job market will pick up over the next 2-3 years. Yes, you can make a lateral move..but you have to be good as a graduate student. There are a couple of people I know who are young faculty from similar programs as the one they are now working in...the next step then becomes securing tenure, a process much more difficult than dissertating or finishing grad school, or getting into grad school for that matter (at least in our field). If you want to move up on the job market, I'd shoot for 5+ publications, with several "on the assembly line" when you graduate. You are expected to make a certain number of publications in your first several years of work, and this contributes to your tenure decision. It's easier to set up some pubs as a graduate student to have them come out during your first couple years as faculty- this counts toward your publications credit.