MoJingly

1. Grad schools don't give Chuck Norris a timeline. He tells them when he gets the PhD. 2. When asked in the interview, "why do you want a PhD?" Chuck Norris replied, "because I'm Chuck Norris." 3. Chuck Norris turned down the hotel during the interview weekend. Chuck Norris doesn't need shelter.

The neurological basis of constant twitching due to anxiety (and coffee consumption?)

I've posted this as a response before, but I think it is actually valid. If nothing else, it might make you smile in your situation. A PSYCHOLOGICAL TIP - Piet Hein Whenever you're called on to make up your mind, and you're hampered by not having any, the best way to solve the dilemma, you'll find, is simply by spinning a penny. No -- not so that chance shall decide the affair while you're passively standing there moping; but the moment the penny is up in the air, you suddenly know what you're hoping.

Yup!

That's intense!

That's funny, I got blown in the exact OPPOSITE direction I've never heard of the med school application path referred to as "amazing and happy," but I'm glad you find it to be!

Em, 89th percentile is pretty dang good, just so you know.

Piet Hein says it's good in a situation like this to toss a coin. A PSYCHOLOGICAL TIP Whenever you're called on to make up your mind, and you're hampered by not having any, the best way to solve the dilemma, you'll find, is simply by spinning a penny. No -- not so that chance shall decide the affair while you're passively standing there moping; but the moment the penny is up in the air, you suddenly know what you're hoping.

I am afraid I have nothing else to offer except encouragement. Your post did not seem irrational at all. Quite the opposite. In fact, it seemed completely realistic. You've got a lot of things going for you in this process. 1. You are not under the delusion that a graduate degree will automatically mean a comfortable lifestyle with financial stability. 2. You do not give the impression that you are dodging the recession with graduate school. 3. You will naturally re-think and analyze whatever decision you make, and your final decision will be well-informed and, as a result, probably the right one. Success in an endeavor like this requires a bit of neuroticism, so embrace what you've got.

Hi, my name is MoJingly, and I'm addicted to being addicted. Somehow I feel like if I am addicted, I am on top of it. I have an addiction addiction.

I think a lot of people would think that in regard to others on this forum. To ease anxiety, I try to remember a few things. Let's make a list! 1. You are bound to find the cream of the crop on this forum because anybody who joins a graduate school application site is bound to have academics in the forefront of their life. As a result, they are probably fairly obsessive and probably FAR above average in terms of GPA/GRE/experience etc. 2. Competition never seems to be an issue among posters, so fear not. The entire community here is really supportive and encouraging, because we all know how stressful this is. If all else fails... 3. You never really know if people are inflating their grades and resumes. (It's anonymous, after all )

Meh. There will always be an exception to the averages and expectations. If you are worried about something in your application, just remember that you could always be one of those exceptions. Because at this point in the game, obsessing about it will accomplish nothing.

I love the feeling that comes with having a car. I feel like I can go anywhere at a moment's notice. It allows for spontaneity a a feeling of preparation. Anyhow, I've built such a relationship with my vehicle that I have a feeling it's coming along no matter where we go

First of all, congrats on finding something that you are really excited about!! I am not familiar with statistics graduate programs, but I am certainly familiar with pursuing graduate work in a field different than your Bachelors. I like the way that you presented your language arts degree as a "critical thinking degree." That is a great angle to take when applying to programs. I've learned that's it's really important how you present yourself to your potential advisors and schools. For example, I did my undergrad in music but am applying to science PhD programs. At first, I was approaching my application sort of like, "well, I wanted to do music, then that didn't work out, so then I thought I wanted to go to med school, but then I changed my mind and settled on this." It made me seem unfocused and negative, which I wasn't at all. I ended up putting a positive spin on it, "I studied music because it was my passion and I knew that whatever I ultimately decided to do, the humility and determination necessary for my music degree would benefit me. Then I had X, Y, and Z, experiences that led me to this application." I guess what I'm really trying to say is don't focus on what your application DOESN'T have. "I've come to realize that ignoring my natural math talents was a mistake." You didn't make a mistake. You just took a longer journey to realize that math was ultimately what you wanted to do. Focus on what you DO have in your application: a unique degree that gave you some skills and knowledge that you can use to be an even better statistician. Logistically, of course, I'm not sure what you need to add to your transcripts to be able to apply graduate programs. I would suggest contacting a few schools you might be interested in and explaining your situation. You might be surprised with their answers. Real-world experience and passion can count for a lot, and it sounds like you have both. I ramble. Good luck to you!

What a wonderful distraction! I wish I had a puppy!

Man, it sounds like you really researched your schools to the point of ... well, insanity. But I almost find it admirable.

I'm not sure. I stopped doing math after I took the GRE.

Do you think this stems from a cultural difference? I mean, IS there that much of a cultural difference between Canada and the US? Are Americans over-achieving and Canadians down-to-earth? Something like that?

If it's worth anything I did my undergrad at CCM. Any particular reason you didn't feel like it would be the place? I'm interested! I did like the school, but they certainly have some politics and scheduling issues that they are going to have to work out in the next few years.

haha, : ) thanks!

afskhglsn%$#*@! (that's what I have to say about that.)

I get a kick out of the contrast between this and "The Positives Thread." Yet, somehow, both are riddled with anxiety. I have to admit, I have many of the same self-doubts and worries that many posters have expressed here. I also have to admit that I am pretty much using the Grad Cafe as a support group for precisely this reason.

I'm so sorry to hear this. I had a recommender that was MIA for a while too. I literally went to his office and placed a handwritten note with my resume and SOP in the middle of his desk. In the end, the only thing that lit the fire under his butt was communicating through his secretary. It really stinks that your writer never came through to you. Do people realize how crucial and important this stuff is to us? I'm sure you've already tried to think of other ways to get in touch with this professor, so there's nothing else I can offer except the advice to go have a cold beer and know that it is out of your hands.

She doesn't need a PhD. She needs medication.