causingascene

I just got an email from USC saying "In reviewing your application, we noticed your interest in XYZ, and we wanted to let you know what's going on in that field in the Department of Q recently:" and then lists some research and courses going on. It's not signed by anyone (just the dept.), but this is a very specific interest of mine so they clearly singled me out to communicate with me (or at least all of us interested in this subfield). Do I reply back? Try to get in touch with some of the people working on those research projects/teaching the courses? I take it this is a good sign? Any words of advice/wisdom would be appreciated!

I haven't had any actual nightmares about it (yet) but I'm terrified of: 1. All of my schools rejecting me because they didn't get my materials (I sent transcripts and applications in wayyy before some deadlines). 2. My top school(s) (or really any school) telling me I was admitted and then saying, Nope, oops! Emailed the wrong group of students! You're denied! I had a third one but it's not coming to me right now. If I remember maybe I'll post again.

Oh man thank you so much for this. UGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH and then a: PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD LET ME FOCUS SO I CAN FINISH MY WORK/CLASSES THIS SEMESTER SO I CAN ACTUALLY **GO** TO GRAD SCHOOL! AHHH

I got a 4.0 this past semester, and took some very relevant courses to my graduate study (for the urban planners and geographers here - SAS and GIS programs). This 4.0 also significantly raised my cumulative GPA (by a full .1). The question is: Do I send new transcripts? The deadlines for about half my programs have passed (two of which, though, are my super duper top choice schools), and the others are due either January 15 or February 1. I feel like I should send in these new grades because they're in extremely relevant courses and courses I referenced as skills in my SOP, but at the same time I don't want to be that applicant. So, your thoughts? (cross-posted to applyingtograd. sorry!)