doctorwho

Yeah this one ought to be irrelevant to applicants. (I say "ought" because it obviously can add to the stress of the situation). If you're serious about applying to a PhD program, I don't see how this would affect you. It's not like you're going to do anything differently, right? Presumably you're already giving it your best shot, so I don't see how this is relevant news to serious applicants. I guess if you get in, you feel even better about yourself, and if you don't get in, at least you have some consolation that it was "one of those really tough years."

Hey Everyone, I was really feeling down this week about my chances and I just thought I'd share what helped get me through. No matter what happens here, just remember that when one door shuts, another one opens. You've probably heard other people say that, but I think it's true: You just have to find which door that is because it may not be immediately apparent. And if you don't get in where you really had hoped (or anywhere at all!), it doesn't mean that you're not good enough. It may be any number of things, including a poor fit which just means you've got to pick yourself up and move on to Plan B. So, chin up! Hang in there, and who knows? If you don't get in this year, then maybe you can find out what sunk you and turn in a stellar application next year. It hasn't always been fun, but at least the company was good. Thank you all for the good company.

Yeah I'd say it's pretty bad. But hey, it's not official until Monday, right? (See IRHopeful's post above). Maybe they still have a few more to notify...

Hey another Stanford admit on the board. Are they still calling folks?

Yeah, I thought something along those lines, too. Like maybe they came in and said, "Woah, this is a long list of acceptances. Well, better get started on making these calls early!" :roll:

It's crazy they made phone calls so early in the morning, if the time some of those were posted (7:45am?) was soon after they called. Maybe they're calling East Coasters first...

No Berkeley email in my inbox... too bad. Of course I'm disappointed, but it's also somewhat of a relief. Even liberating. Like now I don't have to hit "refresh" quite as often. Congratulations to all those who received acceptances! Jobs well done to be sure.

And how did you hear about Berkeley?

Wow!!! So exciting! Congratulations!!!

Couldn't have said it any better myself! My mother-in-law doesn't know I've applied and she's coming over to babysit today. This means either no checking the forum for results - or I have to sneak glances. But I'd be much happier if we had some news before she arrives in about an hour. Say, you think the DGS would be sympathetic and give me a sneak peek at results? Yeah right! :wink:

I agree. Not only that, but it seems reasonable that there may be more applications this year which could lengthen the process. But without inside knowledge, we gotta go on something!

Quiet before the storm, no doubt.

Awesome!! Congratulations.

Can't speak to Yale, but based on my dream last night (a completely reliable source, right?) I'd say today is THE day for Berkeley or Stanford. I dreamed that I was at an admitted students preview day, but I still didn't know if I was accepted! I had these stacks of papers to look through, and I kept looking for one that said "Congratulations!" but couldn't find one... so frustrating. For Stanford, since most acceptances seem to come via telephone call, shouldn't I be relieved if I have an empty inbox?? No email news is GOOD news, right??

Interesting discussion of family and how much prior experience matters in that linked thread. Noting that there are a wide variety of students enrolled in PhD programs, I think the only conclusion I can draw is that adcomms value a variety of qualifications. It was definitely heartening to hear about the department that kept statistics and concluded that people with my profile - i.e. "older" [30], with kid(s) - correlate with high success rates. Woohoo! Now to get accepted... :-)