planetparker

Thanks for the encouragement, it gives me hope for next year! On the plus side, this has been a valuable experience as a practice run, I will apply to more schools next time and at least I know what to expect of the process.

Rejection letter waiting for me when I got home, oh well. It's all over for this year. I had better start working on those Masters applications. See you next year!

Hi! I suspect there are more lurkers, I was one to start with. Whilst trying to hold out hope, I am already turning to Plan B, but it's hard to focus and making me very grumpy.....! Good luck

The Earth Sciences forum is pretty quiet so I thought it better to post here - I can see there have been a few results posted for Harvard Earth & Planetary Sciences now (and also Yale Geology & Geophysics). I applied to both and got the rejection from Yale last Friday by email (yet to find out exactly why), still waiting for my rejection notification from Harvard which I assume is winging its way to me across the pond by postal service which is why it is taking a bit longer to get here. I was just wondering what the backgrounds are of my fellow applicants if any of you are willing to share details off the results forum (which I don't think is the best place to do it)? I don't know anyone else who is applying for a PhD/in these areas, so it is hard to judge whether I am wasting my time or in with some small chance! My background is non-traditional: first degree from Cambridge University about 20 years' ago in Archaeology with high GPA when converted, then 17 years' work experience in investment banking, recent undergrad classes in geology (Distinctions) and will finish this second degree this year. GRE was not good, only 600 Q and 640 V, 5.0 AW, but I will take it again this year for the next application season. LORs are from my old professors, which are good but relate to a different subject. Of course no recent research experience or publications, so I probably didn't stand much of a chance. I am planning to do a Masters next year if I can afford it to redress these problems. Commiserations to those who got rejected as well, and congratulations to those who did get in (haven't seen many on this board though).

You're lucky, my wave has aleady hit, all rejections. Hope you all get in this year!

Just got first rejection, 1 of only 2 schools I applied to so I am out this year I think. I have no chance with the other one either, judging by admits on this board. Sigh. I think I am going to leave this website now and maybe revisit next year, if I have the energy to reapply. Good luck everyone.

Glad it's not just me..... I spend all day alternating between the Results page, this Forum and finishing off assignments for my courses that I am studying for part-time when I should be focusing on my day job.....I still manage to get everything done for work (which just proves I am not fully utilising all my skills in this job) but it's exhausting.

me too!

Yes, this is my nightmare every day. I probably won't get in this time around and will have to reapply next year (not being pessimistic, just realistic as I am a non-traditional applicant and only applied to 2 schools this year). So I have to stay in my job, which I don't mind but obviously would give up in an instant if I got accepted. My boss will take it very personally when I tell her I am leaving, just her personality, so I cannot tell anyone. Even if I got accepted tomorrow I would have to keep quiet until June when I would give notice to leave at end of July - it would be torture! I can't talk to anyone about the waiting game, even though I check my email and gradcafe every 5 mins at work (no-one can see). I just wish the rejections would come through soon so that I can relax and just plan for next year!

I'm curious, as an international applicant to the US, should I even have expected to get an interview? I haven't been invited to any so far, but all those that have been invited to the programmes I applied to so far are American. I didn't think they would pay for me to go across the pond. I am assuming a rejection I suppose, I don't think they will make an offer without actually meeting me first. Maybe next year I should arrange to be in the US for a few months during application season.....

My cat is called Chewbacca.......or Chewie for short.......

I turned 41 last week, and haven't heard a peep from the schools I applied to yet so can't help feeling I am already on the reject pile due to my age. So your experience is encouraging! I used to be a consultant actually, in investment banking, and whilst I could go back to that I would rather do without the money (+ stress + long hours) to do my PhD instead. I often find people who haven't earnt large salaries are a bit envious, but if only they knew the true personal cost of some of those high-flying careers.....

Well, I will be 41 in a couple of weeks and applying to start a PhD in Fall 2011. I did my undergrad BA in Archaeology, then worked for 17 years in investment banking as a Chartered Accountant in the City of London. Applying to do a PhD in palaeontology/geology....... I don't see why the work experience must be relevant to your field, experience is experience after all. Here's hoping.