rae303

I also did three rounds of applications. I wrote all new SOPs each year, made sure I spent my year on things that improved my CV and application, and on the third try got into my dream school with funding. Sometimes, especially with competitive programs, it's just a matter of numbers, and it's not necessarily about 'you' -- you have to think of it more like the lottery. If you're sure this is what you want to do, just keep swimming.

I would recommend visiting. PhD programs are REALLY long. It's 5-10 years of your life. If you can swing it financially $500 or $800 is a small price to pay for making an informed decision. But, if you decide not to go there are other options. I had a Skype visit with one of the schools I was looking at. I spoke with the DGS and a couple of current grad students and I later emailed with a few more grad students. I also asked to be put in touch with other accepted students who had attended the visiting weekend and that was really helpful. They were able to give me their impressions, which was awesome considering they were currently in the same boat as me.

Having participated in my deparment's visiting weekend a couple of times, here a few good ones: 1. Are there ever conflicts between professors, or does the department work well together? (Some departments do NOT get along, and you definitely want to know this going in. Grad students are pretty much the only reliable way to find this out.) 2. How much flexibility does the department offer in letting you pursue your interests? 3. Is it possible to live off the stipend or do students have to take out supplemental loans? 4. What were your reasons for choosing this program? And I second jmarti37's "Is there anything you know now that you wish you'd known when you started?" This one always gets good answers.

Hope this helps a bit. As far as crafting it into a narrative, I would keep the opening paragraph and the closing paragraph the same as they are now, but perhaps reorder the internal paragraphs. Find the most logical order, maybe combine a few, and then streamline it. Best of luck.

I would not ask. Some schools don't care, but others definitely do and won't tell you. I'd walk lightly until you know which way the school leans. As for Chai_Latte's dilemma, I would ask...and I would probably go about it through the gossip channels. You are already in, asking won't hurt you at this point. Are there any older grad students you could ask who might know?

I love shrimp scampi. And yes, I totally use cooking as a way to distract myself. Even from the things I'm supposed to be doing. Maybe jambalaya tonight and it was AWESOME. Also with shrimp in it.

I think it depends on whether you have been formally rejected or if you are waitlisted. You mention waiting in your title. If you have already been formally rejected, no, begging will not change anything. Asking for tips on where you can improve for the next application season is not frowned upon, though, and can lead to some great insight for next time. HOWEVER, if you are waitlisted, that is something else entirely. You can absolutely sway a decision (in either direction) based on communication while you are waitlisted. Supplying additional materials along with a well-worded, polite cover letter can launch you to the top of the waitlist or even make them reconsider acceptance. When I was applying I was waitlisted at my first choice and one of my recommenders told me to treat it as if they were saying, "We like you, but we're not convinced. Convince us." I attended the visiting weekend, met with as many professors as I could, submitted another writing sample, along with a brief cover letter restating my desire to attend. They responded by attempting to find additional funding for me, and eventual offered me admission along with full funding. So it is definitely possible to sway a decision, as long as the decision has not actually been made yet.

Noid light. (Yes, that was cheating.)

It does not look bad to take a leave of absence, so I would recommend taking a leave and clearing your head a bit. Then come back and finish the masters, as the best option is definitely to leave with the masters. I would also work on making a contact that can provide you a LoR as this will be important when you attempt to transfer. A TA or lecturer recommendation would be better than nothing, but a rec would carry a lot more weight coming from a prof.

This may be too late, but don't sweat. Just express your excitement about the offer and that you have some important decisions to make. They expect that you will be deciding between other programs and they won't be offended if you don't accept on the spot. As for questions, some important things to ask are rate of attrition, time to completion, placement rates, etc. One other thing that is VERY important to ask for if it is not offered is the contact info of some current grad students in your field. These students will be much better resources to you as you make a decision as they'll be honest with you about conditions within the department.

Something else you might want to consider is job placements. What kind of job do you want when you get done? What are the two schools' placement records for that type of job? I don't think you should consider any atmosphere besides the atmosphere of the department. It's where you will be spending 99.9% of your time. Is there any possibility of visiting?

In my experience the two are different, but both have their benefits. Often for the open house the school is rolling out the big guns - there will be lots of organized activities, speakers, etc. When you do an individual visit you don't get to see any of that, but you do get a much more personalized tour. So, it's not quite the same experience, but you can still get the same information with a little bit of digging. I'd do what works best for your schedule.

I agree with kaister - make your decision based on the program itself, not the external factors. Sounds like the two living situations would be a toss up anyway, as there are elements to each you would be happy with. If everything else is equal...then I'd do the one that saves you more money.

Yes, it's definitely okay for you not to go. I have organized my program's visiting weekend in the past and it is not a big deal. As long as you are accepted, you are accepted. Just be very polite in your email and explain that you won't be able to make it to the open house but that you are delighted to accept their offer.

I don't know anything about LSE, but I would weigh the decision to go abroad carefully. European programs are set up very differently than American programs and can be a whole 'nother kettle of fish. I have also heard that American universities occasionally look on foreign degrees with a bit of suspicion, but I would imagine this varies widely by field. Maybe check with old professors or your recommenders? They should know the field well and can give you specific advice.