Scottielass

1. Get cracking on the SOP. For me, it was a work-in-progress for months. Have 2 or 3 trusted people periodically review your drafts. This helped me tremendously in my writing process. The quality of my SOP from first draft to final submission was night and day.
2. Visit your schools before you apply, if it's an option. I did this for my first choice school. I had the opportunity to meet half of the admissions committee members one-on-one. I think this really gave me an edge in the decision process. It showed I was very serious about the program. It also gave an opportunity to evaluate fit-- for me and the faculty. Quite frankly, I don't know if I would have been selected if I hadn't made a visit.
3. Don't stress about the GRE. If you make the cutoff, you're fine. In my program, it didn't seem the GRE would make or break an application if you met the minimum. That will probably change with PhD, so I may take it again after it switches format. I completely stressed out the first time I took it, and I think that negatively impacted my score.
4. As other posters have said...there is no such thing as a safety school. Don't apply to a school if it's not a right fit for you. That's a lot of money to spend for an education if it isn't your ideal fit. Take a year off, get more experience, and re-apply. I've seen a lot of people rejected the first time, and are accepted with their second application.
5. Don't take things too personally. I know that's tough to swallow. It really is about fit. Some years the applicant pool is extremely concentrated in certain areas. That makes it all the harder to stand out because so many people are qualified.

I think the Dos Equis spokesman has become the new Chuck Norris .

"He doesn't apply to grad schools, grad schools apply for him"

I think the Dos Equis spokesman has become the new Chuck Norris .

"He doesn't apply to grad schools, grad schools apply for him"

">


Had to add for the cat lovers . This is only half of our cats. Dupree at the top. He is freakishly smart. Beauty in the middle. She is very empathetic and knows when I need some cheering up. Last is Saowyn (nickname Boy-Boy). He is 13+ lbs but still thinks he is a kitten.
As you can see, the cats are completely spoiled.

Athens is a very small-town atmosphere. OU is the largest part of the town and is a very beautiful campus. I've been there and really like it. Make sure to check out the China King restaurant. It's the major haunt for students/faculty at lunchtime.
One thing that I tell people that you won't find in the brochures...it is very hilly. Make sure you have some decent walking shoes or a bike to get around. I made the mistake of wearing 1 inch heels during my campus visit. I was miserable by the end of the day. I found out most of the female professors keep a pair of flats in their bags for walking around campus .
Columbus is the closest metro area and is about 1 1/2 hour drive. I think the closest major airport is in Columbus, too. Housing is at a premium, so start your search early. You'll want to look at the surrounding cities if you have a car. The Plains, Nelsonville, etc.

Now that my application is off, the waiting game begins. For anyone else who uses cooking as a therapeutic measure, share your favorite recipes. I will get things started with a very simple recipe for a hearty chicken soup (perfect for the frigid temperatures this time of year).

Hearty Chicken Soup
Makes 6-8 Servings

1 Rotisserie Chicken (find in the deli section of your grocer)
2 Boxes Chicken Stock (low sodium)
1 tsp fresh chopped sage (or 2 tsp dry)
1 tsp fresh chopped rosemary (or 2 tsp dry)
1/4 tsp black pepper
Salt to taste
1 bag favorite frozen vegetable mix (I like asian style- onions, peppers, baby corn)
1 package Gnocchi (tiny potato pasta)
1/4 C fresh chopped parsley

1. Remove skin from rotisserie chicken.
2. Pull off meat. Shred or dice into bite-size pieces.
3. Pour chicken stock into stockpot or large dutch over. Heat over medium flame. Bring stock to simmer.
4. Add chicken bones and skin to stock. Reduce heat to low. Simmer for 1 hour. (This step adds a lot of extra flavor)
5. Strain bones and skin from stock.
6. Add herbs/spices, frozen vegetables and chicken meat. Continue to simmer for 15 minutes.
7. Add Gnocchi. Gnocchi is done when it floats at the top (will take 3-5 minutes).
8. Remove from heat when Gnocchi is done. Stir in fresh parsley.
9. Enjoy!!

a little late, but someone else might find it helpful: http://members.terracom.net/~dorothea/gradsch/success.html