Radian

Grigio is a nice apartment complex. If I don't make a mistake there two complexes of this group on Tempe. One is located on Apachi Dr. and the other somewhere near Tempe lake. The one on Apachi Dr. is more convenient to live in since it's close to Light Rail. 
 
Though there is a big problem with the atmosphere aside from being an over-priced apartment complex. I prefer to live in a complex where tenants are mostly Americans ! or Asians (as they are peaceful and neat people). 

Okay my turn ... (hoho it sound like one of those AA sessions )

I did my undergrad back home in a decent university ( which is only decent domestically not internationally ) and proudly ( ) earned a UG-GPA of 2.9/4 . Fortunately I realized my goals in life (applying to US) and succeeded to get a GPA of 3.5 in the last two years of undergraduate. Basically the trend in my home school was so that if I take the courses again it won't matter that much ! Shitty professors, unfair grading, Blah Blah Blah ...

When I realized that I want to continue my graduate studies in the US (That was a pretty big step from the point where I was) I went directly to a Professor who I had a good relation with and asked if I can work on any research project. He was kind enough to let me work on 2 projects during last 2 years of my undergraduate study and so I published 4 conference papers (Which I believe had no effect else than self-STEAM which I believe is very important) ...

I was so determined so I could get a 780/630 in GRE (believe me that's incredible for people in my country ) and 111 on TOEFL and so I started my applications. I was sort trying to be both REALISTIC and IDEALISTIC and consequently I only applied to Master programs so that I can compensate for a PhD program in better school. I applied to about 10 schools only and only is US I got accepted to SUNY Stony Brook, Houston, Arlington, Portland State ... and of course got rejected from Gatech, Madison and U Washington (haha which is now lower in ranking that us ) ... I ended up in Arizona State University - 30 in MSE and 32 in EE

I had no financial aid or so BUT what i HAD was faith in myself. I enrolled and after first semester I was among the only few master students on FULL FINANCIAL RA support working for one of the most world-famous professors in my field. I got a GPA of 4.2 out of 4 (yeah that's higher than 4 ) and I am currently having 3 astonishing recommendation letters from professors who are all willing to KEEP me for my PhD in their groups !

You can see schools that I have applied for PhD bellow, though the chances are that I may stay where I am for the PhD mainly : First because I have EARNED a very good reputation for myself and Second: I can finish my PhD in 3 years !

My 2 cents: Whenever you catch a FISH from water, it's gonna be FRESH ! it's never late to EARN that reputation

Mediocre ... That how I describe it. And the people who get into Utah, they are mediocre too, at least those that I know. ( No fancy resume, grades or research)

Grigio is a nice apartment complex. If I don't make a mistake there two complexes of this group on Tempe. One is located on Apachi Dr. and the other somewhere near Tempe lake. The one on Apachi Dr. is more convenient to live in since it's close to Light Rail. 
 
Though there is a big problem with the atmosphere aside from being an over-priced apartment complex. I prefer to live in a complex where tenants are mostly Americans ! or Asians (as they are peaceful and neat people). 

Okay my turn ... (hoho it sound like one of those AA sessions )

I did my undergrad back home in a decent university ( which is only decent domestically not internationally ) and proudly ( ) earned a UG-GPA of 2.9/4 . Fortunately I realized my goals in life (applying to US) and succeeded to get a GPA of 3.5 in the last two years of undergraduate. Basically the trend in my home school was so that if I take the courses again it won't matter that much ! Shitty professors, unfair grading, Blah Blah Blah ...

When I realized that I want to continue my graduate studies in the US (That was a pretty big step from the point where I was) I went directly to a Professor who I had a good relation with and asked if I can work on any research project. He was kind enough to let me work on 2 projects during last 2 years of my undergraduate study and so I published 4 conference papers (Which I believe had no effect else than self-STEAM which I believe is very important) ...

I was so determined so I could get a 780/630 in GRE (believe me that's incredible for people in my country ) and 111 on TOEFL and so I started my applications. I was sort trying to be both REALISTIC and IDEALISTIC and consequently I only applied to Master programs so that I can compensate for a PhD program in better school. I applied to about 10 schools only and only is US I got accepted to SUNY Stony Brook, Houston, Arlington, Portland State ... and of course got rejected from Gatech, Madison and U Washington (haha which is now lower in ranking that us ) ... I ended up in Arizona State University - 30 in MSE and 32 in EE

I had no financial aid or so BUT what i HAD was faith in myself. I enrolled and after first semester I was among the only few master students on FULL FINANCIAL RA support working for one of the most world-famous professors in my field. I got a GPA of 4.2 out of 4 (yeah that's higher than 4 ) and I am currently having 3 astonishing recommendation letters from professors who are all willing to KEEP me for my PhD in their groups !

You can see schools that I have applied for PhD bellow, though the chances are that I may stay where I am for the PhD mainly : First because I have EARNED a very good reputation for myself and Second: I can finish my PhD in 3 years !

My 2 cents: Whenever you catch a FISH from water, it's gonna be FRESH ! it's never late to EARN that reputation

Still "submitted" for me too, but honestly, at this point, I think we should accept the fact that it's ultimately a rejection :/

Undergrad Institution: Graduated May 2011 from Virginia Tech
Major(s): Mechanical Engineering
Minor(s): 
GPA in Major: 3.18
Overall GPA: 3.24
Length of Degree: 4yrs
Position in Class: 60%
Type of Student: Domestic, white, male
GRE Scores:
Q: 165
V: 165
W: 4.0

Research Experience: Not much, senior research with extremely un-invested professor 
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Nothing better than Dean's List and some minor language competition I won in HS
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: I worked a software job for a year
Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: no
 
Applying for MS at:
UW Nuclear Eng. and Eng Physics - accepted 2/1
UCLA Mech and Aerospace - accepted 2/12
WHEN DO WE HEAR ABOUT MONEY? - is it bad if they didn't mention it in the acceptance email?

Though I haven't done so myself, I do see some benefit in folks posting this kind of info on rejections and such. And if they make a sideways comment to blow off steam I just look at it as exactly that. We're all carrying a mountain of stress around and if expressing a bit of frustration/anger/disappointment under the umbrella of anonymity in a little online forum gives some relief I say go for it. It's better than pounding back a fifth and going for a drive.
And as it pertains to the benefit of accomplishments posted with rejections, it helps me get an idea of just how thick the competition for a program is. Yes, it's heavy everywhere for everything, and there are factors (SoP, LoC, etc) not related to stats that contribute. But, if I see a bunch of folks getting rejected for a program I applied to that have publications and conference presentations and master's degrees and great numbers then I know it must have been damn hard to get in and either I feel really good about still being in the running or less bad that I got knocked out.

ok some positive energy :
 
The walking dead coming this Sunday ... 

I think I'll join them. It'll be better than this.
"Braiiins... Brr-rraaaaiiinns..."

With the grace of HIS Almighty I made it to UCB with financial support for first year !!!

I might be there yale's physics is the same weekend so we'll have to see. Man, flights are expensive 

It depends why you use it. As I mentioned in the other thread, USNEWS is the most referenced source and society usually looks upon it rather that other unknown sources which are barely even websites !
 
It is not a true indicative of academic standing of a institute, though that's how other people like employers see your institute compared to other schools. 
 
Regarding your question, it's my personal belief that top-5 schools doesn't really differ that much. 

Compare this number (5, I think) to the total from last year. There's TONS more coming in the next couple of days! (I hope!!)

Who wants to go to canada anyway ... relaxxxx

I'll take an acceptance...its my birthday for crying out loud and all I've gotten so far today was a rejection

Cut the pain and use USNEWS. 

Cut the pain and use USNEWS. 

Very possibly an undergrad at mit, caltech, or some other school that is notorious for grading hard. Maybe not though 
 
I got passed over the first round I guess, but I'm not that bummed about it thankfully. Probably don't like me because I'm not from a well-known undergrad   But I'm still hopeful. I'd settle for harvard 

The weekends never came so fast as when I didn't really want them to arrive. Now anxiously awaiting Monday, and another week of possible decision days...

One week passed ... Just hanging in there 

I got two acceptances in the past two days and I really want to celebrate. I think I'm and just gonna get some drinks with friends for now, but this summer I'm buying a new laptop. I really like the idea of a hoodie from the school I choose. I am also planning a cross-country road trip with my boyfriend in June, but that is mostly to celebrate graduation.
 
Also, after having lived in Texas for the past 9 years, chances are I will need real winter clothes...

@ghkchris It is for many of them--of course for some schools you can tell from the results pages

Talked to a Cornell professor. He said that admits will be sent out right until the end of February. They have started with domestic applicants. International students should expect to start hearing back around mid February.

Finally an acceptance!!!!!! Gahhhhhhhh! thank you thank you thank you <3