psychdork

In my opinion, it is not necessary to accept immediately, and it would definitely not be rude and unfavorable to wait a little while.  If you are still considering any of your remaining schools then I would wait to accept this offer.  I'm not saying to wait until April 15th (you even said you wouldn't do that) but wait a week or two.  IF you don't hear anything by then, contact the schools and see if someone will tell you your status.  See if you can find out the outcomes of your remaining schools and then decide.  You'll feel much better about your decision once you know how things stand.  POIs understand that applicants have many things to consider before they accept an offer, and should be understanding if you don't accept an offer right away.
 
I might be reading too much into this but it almost sounds like your advisor is pushing you into taking the offer at this school, given that she is friends with your POI.  If I'm wrong, then I'm sorry for my interpretation, but if I'm right then this is ultimately your life and your decision.  Take as much time as you want.  You will be the one attending this school for the next 4-6 years, not your advisor.  If you still want to consider your remaining schools, then take the time and wait.  The reason for the April 15th date is so schools can't make students decide on an offer before they have all the options (although that still doesn't always happen).  You can take as much time between now and April 15th to decide as you want.  Waiting a few weeks to formally accept an offer is so much better than going back on an offer later on (which I do not recommend at all).

I agree with your colleague. Rather than calling those who participate "brown nosers," if I were you, I'd make sure that my voice is heard. If you think people are going on tangents, why not steer the conversation in a different direction? Bring up something new? I bet you're not the only who feels like the discussions are unproductive.
 
Your "protest," unless you speak to the professor, is likely to come across as you having nothing to contribute and in the end, the only one who will be negatively affected is you. :/

Ok, I love this thread.  I feel like I really belong here!
 
I haven't broken down in front of my advisor (or any of my profs) yet, but actually I'm surprised I haven't.  I came very close a few times last year but for whatever reason I've been able to hold back until I was alone.  Maybe because I hate crying in front of others...although that hasn't stopped me before.
 
Like you all I have been going crazy waiting.  Usually if I'm submitting a paper to a conference or manuscript to a journal I can just submit it and forget about it.  But this, not one bit.  I actually was fairly calm for a month or so, but lately as each day passes I get more and more anxious.  I noticed that a lot of the "calmer" posters already have an acceptance or two, whereas the more anxious ones don't and I think that is a huge factor.  I know that if I get an acceptance then I'll calm down a lot, as a lot of my anxiety revolves around not getting in (I've done this before...).  I realize that getting an acceptance brings up other issues, but I'd like to experience those for a change. :-)

So this emotional roller coaster is very accurately represented in the following link....hope it makes you all laugh! http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1PxUqo/:2nEMM@KY:IuHW2y5j/blog.nathanbransford.com/2012/08/the-publishing-process-in-gif-form.html/

You don't need to call them, they just said that in case you happen to think of any questions once the interview was over.  I guess, think of it more like, you are welcome to call them if you have any questions.  I agree, speed dating for several hours was pretty much how mine felt too!  Now, it is recommended that you send them a thank you email.  I try to personalize mine a little for each of the profs I met with (mention something we discussed or whatever).  But as far as your actual question, if you think of a question you wished you would have asked then you could call them, but if not don't worry about it.  Not calling them will not make or break your chances of an acceptance.

I'll respond here, because I think it's worth discussing:
 
I think faculty responses here are very helpful, and very pertinent.
 
I also think it's good to get used to the fact that what you post online isn't private, when you're posting it publicly.
 
And I'm also of the perspective that you shouldn't be posting in a way that you aren't OK with other people finding out about. Candor is well and fine, but there's productive candor, and the much less productive variety we've seen here of late.
 
Also, for prospective graduate students, being "comfortable" talking around faculty is a good thing to get used to.

Got an official acceptance letter today! (Ohio State, quantitative)

No letter, but I received an acceptance offer from my POI! I am over-the-moon-excited right now!

Thanks! I'm really excited, I just keep reminding myself that it's not official until I get THE LETTER.
 
...I did allow myself to do the happy dance, though
 

Hello GC,
 
I'm interested to hear what POI you applied to work with from those who have been extended interviews to the following schools. You can PM me. Also, if you wouldn't mind sharing a little bit about your relevant background (GPA, GRE, # of pubs, etc.) that would be greatly appreciated to plan for next year's applications (I've seen invites to USC, UC Berkeley, UConn, and UIC so far, so I'm guessing that I'll have to try again next year). Thanks! C
 
University of Southern California, Clinical Psychology
University of California - Berkeley, Clinical Psychology
University of Illinois - Chicago, Clinical Psychology
Universtiy of Connecticut, Clinical Psychology
University of Delaware, Clinical Psychology
Washington State University, Clinical Psychology
NYU - Steinhardt, Psychology and Social Intervention

What the heck does her being unmarried or younger than you have to do with it?

I just got an acceptance to my first-choice program.   More info will come with the "official" acceptance, but they're providing a bunch of money as travel support to come out for their welcome weekend and the prof who wants to work with me (I think? She's the one that emailed me) is going to try to be there to meet up with me that weekend - she's on Sabbatical!!!
 
I am on top of the world. My mentor is BEYOND excited, as is my Mom. Oh my gosh!!! I'm going to graduate school!!!!!
 
Mentor is talking about possibly multiple acceptances, etc...   I feel so cool.

I applied to Harvard (a few years ago) and have two letters from them: The first in March saying they were unable to offer me admission. The second in July saying that there had been a "security breech" of their admissions database and my personal data may have been compromised.

I applied to Harvard and all I got was a lousy year of free credit monitoring services.

I can imagine how devastating that scenario would be.  That said, you do have responsibilities in this situation.  Some of them may seem unfair, but they're very important.
 
I want to note that I'm coming at this as a male rape survivor.  I was raped at 15 by a man who was a religious leader in our community and who I know has assaulted other kids.  I was called a liar when I tried to get help, and he has never faced any consequences for his crimes.  
 
1. The "too good to be a rapist" fallacy is just that.
 
Rapists often rape people they are supposed to protect, people who like or love them, and/or people who feel safe around them.  They often get close to people, or acquire authority, because they seem like good people.
 
Many survivors (me included) would never have predicted that their rapist would rape them.  This is a big reason that many of us are not believed.  The reality of it is that survivors have had it proven, in the worst possible way, that you can't tell who the good people are.  
 
2. Most rapists do not get caught: 97% of rapists never spend a day in jail.
 
Most rape survivors you meet did not get justice.  They know that a person who has not been convicted is not necessarily innocent.  They can't rely on that information to keep themselves safe.  They can't trust your word on the matter, because most rapists will insist that they're not rapists.
 
3. Nobody is obligated to feel safe around you.
 
It might be very painful and upsetting; it might affect your career.  But the reality of it is that rape survivors are trying to keep themselves safe, and the pain you experience is not more valid or more important than the pain they have experienced.
 
Hell, I don't even know you, and there is a part of me that doesn't believe you when you say you're innocent.  That's not your fault, but it's not mine either.  It's my rapist's fault, and it's every rapists' fault, because they're disgusting victimizing liars, and that has lasting effects on the people they victimize.
 
4. Okay, so what are you supposed to do about this?
 
- First of all, the people telling you not to talk about it and not to touch the subject of rape are absolutely right.  If it's important to you to help rape survivors, consider making donations to RAINN or something like that.
 
- If you do need to talk about it for whatever reason, don't bash or blame your accuser.  Most rape survivors are called stupid, attention-seeking, slutty, or crazy when they talk about what has legitimately happened to them, especially by the rapists, who want to reduce accusers' credibility to avoid punishment.
 
- If someone tells you they have been raped, believe them.  The vast majority of accusations are true, and people who are not listened to suffer additional psychological trauma.  
 
- It's okay, even good, to acknowledge that someone has no way of knowing whether you're telling the truth.  This would make me feel a lot safer if I were in conversation with you.  If you acted like it was ridiculous that I was wary (because there is no proof of your innocence), I would wonder why you didn't care about survivors' experiences.
 
- Do not get yourself in situations where you make someone (especially women) feel unsafe.  Do not have sex with drunk people (don't do this anyway).  Do not walk an intoxicated person home alone -- get a female friend of hers to come with you.  Don't loom over someone or make it difficult for them to leave an area.  Maybe you don't do any of those things -- if not, great -- but don't make it easy for people to look at you and see red flags.
 
- Do not allow other people to use your experience to say that "lots of" or "half" or whatever number of accusations are false.  First of all, it's not true, and second, men have an obligation to help stop rape culture and rape apologism.  
 
Well, sorry I ended up writing a novel here.  I hope it's useful and that it made sense.

Here are my strategies:

1. Wash dishes. You can't check your email while washing dishes without damaging your laptop or smartphone, and you can't check your application statuses and Grad Cafe from ALL THE PLACES at ALL THE TIMES without your technology.

2. Sit on your bedroom floor and eat cereal straight from the box. A lot of cereal.

3. Call a fellow applicant and tell them to get off Grad Cafe because it's unhealthy, but oh, if you're already on it, can you check this one school of mine and tell me if anything has changed in the past 3 minutes?

4. Stare at a wall and think about all the horrible things that could go wrong in your interviews. When you've thought of everything, think again. You'll come up with something else.

5. If you're in college, remember that second semester seniors are technically still students. Consider doing something for one of your classes. Laugh at the mere thought.

6. Watch YouTube videos of ostriches.

7. Read Twilight. Yes, the waiting game has broken me.

*looks around then raises hand*

This is my third time applying (which might explain some of my freakouts lol). Right now I'm feeling pretty down about my chances but others keep telling me to keep my head up. Honestly, it's not that much different than applying for a second time, you already know what you have to do and what to expect...but it is frustrating going through it again. I also find it a little embarrassing to be honest, but I just have to keep reminding myself that the timing right now just plain sucks. It is what it is. Each time I apply I improve my application (first time retaking the GRE, second time enrolling - and soon earning - a masters degree, among other things) and make sure I am applying to the schools with the best fit. I guess I have come to the point that I am determined to get in no matter what that takes. If I don't get accepted this year, then I will apply one more time and after that...I'll figure it out then I guess.

I am really lucky that my advisor is on my side, backing me up, with all of this. I don't think he really understands just having him on my side really helps me keep applying. My family has been the type that just doesn't understand why I would do this (though they are slowly turning around) so having someone who understands the stress of this (especially with the multiple application cycles) has been so helpful.

If you (or anyone else) wants to PM about my experiences go ahead and I'll answer!

I got a wonderfully relieving e-mail, today: The school that I included the wrong school name in my first paragraph responded back to me, today. The administrator noticed the mistake and previously corrected it. They also still accepted my corrected essay, today. Whew!

Except she signed her e-mail response to me with "See you soon." I don't want to think she is hinting at something, but I'm stalking my e-mail, now, as well. Ahhh!

Is there anyone at all in the area you could hook up with, who might be able to wear your baby in a sling/carrier while you're in interviews? Or a friend who might meet you there, or a home schooled member of your church or older child of a mom's group friend you could take along? If you feel like not interviewing in person will hurt your chances of getting in, there are options for going, taking your baby, and still presenting yourself as competent, professional, and able to juggle the demands of school and motherhood. I know you don't feel like right now is your time to be a pioneer in your field -- but I applaud you for mothering your baby in the manner that feels right to you, and I believe you will be a great example to your colleagues and fellow students that a woman's contribution to society can extend beyond her incredibly important but often hidden role as Mother. I'd love to help you brainstorm some more. I combined breastfeeding with military service for a decade and I'm now seeking to combine motherhood (all of my babies are weaned!) and a PhD program (currently combining motherhood with a MPH). You can do it, mamma!

I've also been getting a lot of classics lately. My friends always come through.
 
Friend: Which school is your number one?
Me: Um... The one that lets me in.
 
Friend: No, really....
 
Me: -________________-         Yeah... really.

I think it helps to have a team of people cheering you on. I hope that this is the last year for all of us! Cheers to all of you who have the persistence to stick it out. It's tough, but you all are amazing for following your dreams. It's so easy to give up when you feel defeated, but you have all chosen to make options even when it didnt appear that there were any. Keep it up! It all falls into place...eventually. Virtual hugs.

http://www.amazon.com/Discovering-Statistics-Introducing-Statistical-Method/dp/1847879071/ref=pd_sim_b_1
 
Andy Field also has a stats book for R if you prefer that statistical packate.
This is a good basic stats book. quant_liz will be able to provide you with more books for more complicated statistics. Multiple regression is pretty basic as well. At least it is on par in terms of difficulty level with factorial and mixed-factorial ANOVA.

*looks around then raises hand*

This is my third time applying (which might explain some of my freakouts lol). Right now I'm feeling pretty down about my chances but others keep telling me to keep my head up. Honestly, it's not that much different than applying for a second time, you already know what you have to do and what to expect...but it is frustrating going through it again. I also find it a little embarrassing to be honest, but I just have to keep reminding myself that the timing right now just plain sucks. It is what it is. Each time I apply I improve my application (first time retaking the GRE, second time enrolling - and soon earning - a masters degree, among other things) and make sure I am applying to the schools with the best fit. I guess I have come to the point that I am determined to get in no matter what that takes. If I don't get accepted this year, then I will apply one more time and after that...I'll figure it out then I guess.

I am really lucky that my advisor is on my side, backing me up, with all of this. I don't think he really understands just having him on my side really helps me keep applying. My family has been the type that just doesn't understand why I would do this (though they are slowly turning around) so having someone who understands the stress of this (especially with the multiple application cycles) has been so helpful.

If you (or anyone else) wants to PM about my experiences go ahead and I'll answer!

Haha, oh moms.

mom: so have you decided what you're going to major in in grad school?
me: uh, I told you that's not how it works....
mom: huh?? So you're just going to decide when you get there?
me: Well, I'm pretty set on neuroscience, but maybe I'll switch to comparative lit. Anything could happen in grad school.

several hours later
sister: mom says you're getting a phd in compartive lit??

It's completely normal. I've found that dealing with this is like being on an emotional rollercoaster. One minute I feel like I could get acceptances to most - if not all - of my programs. The next minute it's another round of flat out rejections.

The best advice I can give you (besides not looking at your submitted applications) is to do your best to distract yourself from this. Take up a hobby, take an exercise/dance class, play video games, whatever works for you. It's hard, believe me I know. But most programs won't even begin contacting applicants for interviews until January, so we basically have a month to wait before we will hear anything. I'm telling myself I can't even start wondering/worrying about this until the winter semester starts at my university. I don't want to be obsessing about this over break when I can be doing something fun and relaxing. I'll start once I'm busy with the new semester. Now that's not to say I won't think about this, because believe me I will, but I won't let myself obsess about the what-ifs.

If you can't figure out a distraction, one thing I did last year was to confront my fear and figure out what I would do if the worst case scenario (flat out rejections) happened. If you have a plan, then it isn't as scary. And to be perfectly honest, not getting in anywhere sucks, but it isn't the end. If you want to talk about it PM me.

It's completely normal. I've found that dealing with this is like being on an emotional rollercoaster. One minute I feel like I could get acceptances to most - if not all - of my programs. The next minute it's another round of flat out rejections.

The best advice I can give you (besides not looking at your submitted applications) is to do your best to distract yourself from this. Take up a hobby, take an exercise/dance class, play video games, whatever works for you. It's hard, believe me I know. But most programs won't even begin contacting applicants for interviews until January, so we basically have a month to wait before we will hear anything. I'm telling myself I can't even start wondering/worrying about this until the winter semester starts at my university. I don't want to be obsessing about this over break when I can be doing something fun and relaxing. I'll start once I'm busy with the new semester. Now that's not to say I won't think about this, because believe me I will, but I won't let myself obsess about the what-ifs.

If you can't figure out a distraction, one thing I did last year was to confront my fear and figure out what I would do if the worst case scenario (flat out rejections) happened. If you have a plan, then it isn't as scary. And to be perfectly honest, not getting in anywhere sucks, but it isn't the end. If you want to talk about it PM me.