MoJingly

By recommendation of one of my interviewers, operation "teach myself linear algebra" is about to begin. I want to get to the point where I can use Matlab and equivalents without having to rely on help from engineers for every little thing. I am planning on doing MIT's open course on linear algebra. I did my undergrad in music so this should be fun! Will this be the death of me? Any advice? Similar situations? Shared misery?

The program that accepted me has no TA requirement. TA'ing is supplemental. And the stipend is already insanely high. ... what's the catch?? I can't find one.

You have every right to mourn a rejection from your first choice. I've had my fair share of rejections. Don't start thinking of alternatives right away. Give yourself some time to mend, clear your head, be a kid again. Go eat ice cream and play in the snow. Watch ridiculous videos on youtube. Cry, scream, laugh, skip. Hug! Hang in there.

Hey Benzene, sorry to hear this! But you are still waiting for you actual admission decision, right? Nerves can do crazy things to us (you didn't necessarily say you were nervous, I know). Do you know how people make comments about how they act when they are drunk? Like, "I'm a mean drunk." "I'm a sad drunk." I think we should start making comments about how we act as nervous interviewees. "I'm a cocky interviewee." "I'm a spastic interviewee." Me, personally, I'm an overly enthusiastic interviewee.

Oh yeah! SOOOOOO many people do that! Post things like, "I just don't think I can handle it anymore." What? That's it? Should I call you to make sure you aren't going to hurt yourself? Do you just want attention? WTF is wrong? It's to the point that if I have friends posting like that continuously, I just select the option of never having them pop into my news feed. End of rant.

This is an interesting thread to revive. With my acceptance, I just simply said "accepted into my PhD program!" I didn't know ANYBODY trying to get into the same programs so I had no qualms. The support and congratulations were overwhelming (and so nice!)

What about taking a read through your SOP you used to get into your program? Sometimes being reminded of why you were excited in the first place is a good thing. I keep a journal that I only write in when I am happy and when things are going well. No negative thoughts. If I am having a particularly rough day I look through my writings and am re-inspired by my initial goals and how many things have gone well. Exercise helps too

I agree with all of the above. What great advice we get on here.

A good friend of mine got a rejection letter from a school in JUNE. He had already accepted an offer, of course, and when he got that letter he couldn't do anything but laugh. June, seriously? wtf

WHERE is BioBio?? You can't post an argument like that and then not participate in the discussion! ()

We recently had a pretty wild and crazy discussion regarding this

You can. But it's not going to help

So true. I have been impressed, inspired, and humbled by the wisdom, thoughtfulness, and humor of everybody here. Seriously.

Alright, WL. I agree.

Haha yeah. I knew that, but I thought the cow just needed a little something else. That's the advantage of fantasy cartoon world.

Lol. I'm pretty sure if I attempted that my ukulele would just look at me and say, "Are you serious? No. Not happening."

DENIED

Really, wanderlust? I feel like the OP didn't really support the argument. Maybe with some better examples, I would understand the point more. But as of right now, I have to disagree because I see no supporting evidence.

He's right. A visit is REALLY important. Do it. You don't want to commit you next few years to a place you've never been.

Congratulations on the acceptance!!!