DrPepper-olic

final act

clutch pedal

corrupt politician

walking trail

The term "short-list" doesn't inspire as much confidence as a definite "You're in!" (Still, congrats for making it that far!) With all the federal budget changes being proposed at the moment, and with government earmarks still hanging in limbo, maybe new protocol is being established in your field? As with all admissions things, hope for the best, and prepare for the worst. If you feel brave, send an email to ask if this is standard for their department. You could probably work it in subtly with an RSVP type email. A Survivor weekend would be cruel! On the other hand, I secretly wish that I would be invited to an American Gladiator-style weed out weekend. I think it would be great to get any chance beyond paper to improve my chances of admission with funding.

summer vacation

gas tank (oh Monday...)

hypothetical situation

run away

chocolate mint

polish sausage

out house

Nth degree

forensic speaking

fire ball

Game over

I feel your pain. I almost exclusively applied to top schools. I think it was hubris. (Although, I will work hard wherever so why not go where the research interests me?) On my way home from work yesterday, I started thinking about checking the mail and then about continuing to work in my job next fall, and I teared up a little. For me, chocolate works better than alcohol to help me face the mailbox. (I only ever get bills or ads anyway.) Watch insult add to injury as I gain 10 pounds this month... I try to remember that each application is an independent event. One rejection doesn't imply the positive/negative status of the other applications. You meet the basic application requirements, so you have a chance of getting into any of the other programs. As we economists say, "There's no accounting for preference." That explains why some of the higher ranked schools end up accepting students who were not accepted by lower ranked schools. (I also think that funding/budget size could fit into this.) I really wonder if the odds of my being picked would increase or stay the same if they just put all the applicants' names in a hat and drew 20 names at random. I think that the best cure for your application-itis is to socialize this weekend. Eat (chocolate), drink (your preferred adult beverage), and be distracted.

senior trip

I'm the grown-up version of a TA in my field. I work with the nicest people, and the benefits/pay aren't bad either. Basically, I'm in Mayberry. Still, I would give a left appendage (and a bunch of foregone future income) to research what I'm passionate about.

ground chuck

This I will do this.

Perhaps the natural sciences are different, but I don't think there would be a problem in my field. I changed the name of my undergrad thesis, and, when working on my MA, developed two chapters into their own research papers. In my SoPs, I just talked about my overall research and mentioned the papers that had come from it. After you've done all the research for a thesis, you undoubtedly know more than just what you've written. Give yourself credit for it.

gentle breeze