Joesh

I wouldn't respond at all, unless it is a more personalized acceptance email than the normal ones from the graduate admissions committee or the department

I just got confirmation of this from MIT via email today.

What are some good questions to ask your advisor in your first conversation? I'm having a phone conversation tomorrow after a few introductory emails, and trying to think of productive questions to ask to learn about the program and such. Here is a list of questions I have written up, feel free to add/remove questions from it!!! - Current projects he/she is working on - Length of time to complete a PhD - How the process works if admitted directly to PhD program - What sort of classes will I be taking or have the option of taking - What sort of funding options are available from the school - What sort of funding options he/she may have available - Process for setting up a campus visitation time

Thank you all for the kind replies and congratulations! I was able to get in contact with my advisor and we are going to set up a time to talk over the phone in the upcoming week. And don't worry - I'm sure it's only a matter of time before you all start hearing good news too!

Should I contact my advisor or the secretary of the department or the grad school office?

It said nothing about a later date for funding information. They did mention about a convocation in August. Even though there is a visit weekend then I would like to visit before I accept the offer though. Also, THANKS!

I just got my first acceptance letter directly to the PhD program at Purdue! and am going crazy I'm so excited!!! What do I do now? The letter said who my advisor was, but nothing along the lines of funding yet. Should I contact my advisor? Wait for him to contact me? When do I hear about funding? When should I set up a visit? I'd like to tour campus and stuff like that and see the labs. Sorry for the rambling!!! I need to take a deep breath, haha!

Just got accepted to the PhD program at Purdue!

I got an email from helpdesk and they gave me a link to verify that my recommendations were received but that is it

I too am playing the waiting game right now and I keep thinking that I could have and/or should do more to try to boost the quality of my application. I've already applied to 4 schools that had deadlines a week ago. Is it bad form to contact professors now that I mentioned I would like to work with on my SOP? If so what would I say? I have heard that touching base with professors can increase your chance of funding, and I only contacted a professor from 2 of the 4 schools I applied to before I submitted my application, I'm wondering if it is too late now.

I applied to Purdue, UIUC, Pittsburgh, and MIT. Nothing yet. :\

why not justifying text? I feel like documents look bad if they are not justified. My format: Times New Roman 12pt, black space - single (1.0) indent - none justify - yes spacing after paragraphs - 10pt Header: Name (Left align) Department (Center) Statement of Purpose (right) Footer: Page # (Center)

If no one is willing to look it over can someone answer a question I have: How much detail should I go into for my previous research experience in my SOP? -Include lit review findings? -Include test methods? -Include specimen preparation? -Include results? ---Are these all ok to have if I try and explain what I learned along each stage of the way? Should I use active voice? My SOP is about this much: 1/12 intro/anecdote 1/6 a project experience 1/2 a research experience 1/4 Future and fit is that weighting good? I'm worried I talk too much about my previous research

I have a 1100 word SOP that I am using as a template for a few schools - could anyone please review it and give me feedback? I'm looking for fast feedback (within a day or so) I will do the same!

Ughhh wish they had my scores! I want to know how I did on AWA so bad... took test 11/12

The wait begins...

I just finished a rough rough rough draft for my SOP. Would anyone be kind enough to comment on it (or delete entire paragarphs )? I do have a question about length. Is shorter better? I'm applying to 7 schools and maximum lengths range from 500words to 1500 words. Would it be better to jut write one really good and concise 500 word one and use it for all scools?

I can as well. PM me it.

This e-mail from the GRFP confuses me: The GRF Operations Center wants to remind all applicantsthat the reference letter deadline for the 2011 National Science Foundation(NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is the same as theapplication deadline (November 15-22, 2010, depending on the field ofstudy). No reference letters will beaccepted after the module closes on November 22. Due to an anticipated highlevel of traffic on the Fastlane website on the deadline dates, we encouragethe early submission of reference letters if possible. The wording of this makes me think that my LOR's are going to be due by Nov. 16, which is when my application is due. So for the engineering field fellowship app, are the LOR's due Nov. 16, or Nov. 22?

What should you do in the instance where the professor has research interests that match yours, but the research you have previously done does not necessarily overlap his and/or support your claim?

Just took the GRE today, my scores were 520V, 800Q!!!

Anyone? I'm taking the GRE Friday and am nervous that if I get a 400-490 score it will severely impact my application to these schools. Also, how big of a factor is the reputation/difficulty of the undergraduate school you attend with regard to how they look at/weigh your GPA or in the entire evaluation process?

I'll be applying to these schools this coming winter for a PhD and it's been my dream of getting in (and getting funding). I will be done with undergraduate next spring. Current undergrad school: Rose-Hulman (U.S. News #1 undergrad CE school) Major: Civil Engineering Minor: Mathematics Cumulative GPA: 3.77 Major GPA: 3.91 Desired Grad Program: Civil (Structural) Engineering Schools applying to: 6 top-tiers (Cal Berkeley, Texas, Purdue, WashU, MIT, Stanford) 1 fall-back (U. Pittsburgh - applying only to MS @ this school) GRE scores: Taking the GRE Friday, just took a practice test and these were my scores: 470V/790Q Assume I can raise my scores to 500V/790-800Q Publications: Primary author of 1 conference proceeding, which came from a summer undergraduate research experience at U. Pitt LORs: Structures Professor at Pitt (Research Mentor) Structures Professor at Rose (A in 4 classes w/ him, he was in the lab researching with me all summer and knows me well) Structures Professor at Rose (A in 4 classes w/ him, grader for him)

Is it ok to include images in the NSF essays? I have an image in my previous research that explains my test set-up better than I can do in words in a smaller amount of space. The picture is greyscale. I think I remember reading on the GRFP website that images were allowed but the documents would be printed in black and white. My question is, will they be printed in true black and white? (i.e. only using pure black ink or no ink at all), or will they be printed in different shades of grey? In my image there are 3 main colors, white, grey, and black and if printed in black and white purely the image would be undecipherable.