NoMoreABD

This probably happened to others here too: Got an email from ASU, subject: Important Update It turned out to be a generic email saying they has some security issues and everybody needs to change their password on the ASU website. Did that. Logged in. App status: still under review...

down town

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I think I was rejected from Berkeley :-( A week ago I sent them updated transcripts that I had just received for my MA. I emailed them and asked if they could still add them to my app file. Here's the response I got - a week ago: Dear X. Thank you for sending us your transcripts, however, we are almost done with the review process, and you should be hearing from us in the next few weeks. Good luck. X During the application process, one POI who was very interested mentioned that they'd probably make a skype interview, since I'm international student. Today there's a new post on the results page. Someone was accepted to the same Department (though not the same program) by phone. I heard nothing. I hope they won't delay the rejection too long. It's nerve wracking...

wait, do you REALLY think that if you're accepted, and they can't reach you on the phone, they move on to the next person on the list?! Come on! I'm joking, but secretly afraid that it's true... I missed TWO calls from an undisclosed number, on Friday and Monday afternoon. Being in another country, it makes perfect sense that the number will be undisclosed, and that the call will get here in the afternoon, and that it won't be on Sat-Sun. All evidence show that it must have been one of the schools... (not!) Of course I'm freaking out. Of course for no reason :-)

So I was all relaxed and completely stressed out at the same time, playing the waiting game after submitting all of my apps, like everyone else here. When suddenly: I got an email from ASU saying my app is missing the "questionnaire" file. This is their version of the SOP - the most important part of the app obviously... They said it wasn't in my online app and that I should email the .pdf ASAP. Of course I did that immediately. Right after I made sure I did include it in my online app, of course, so I have no idea why it was missing. Anyway, I sent them this file just a couple of hours after receiving their email. I asked the admission person who sent me the email, to whom I replied with the file attached, to confirm they received the file and that my app is now complete. I got no response! What to do?

Hey all, I thought I was all done with this forum and that from now on I'll only be posting in the "waiting it out" section... No such luck Here's the deal: I applied to some PhD programs before I had final grades of my MA degree. I was only missing one grade, the most important one, my thesis grade. I knew I was about to receive it just after most of the deadlines. I contacted these programs and was told I should go ahead and apply, and when I get the final grade just email them the updated transcripts and they'll add them to my file. All very straight forward and simple. I did that, and the admission people were very nice/efficient about it. However, there are 3 programs where the deadline was so early, that I didn't even ask. I just applied without that grade. (all the websites acknowledge the fact that students apply before they have final grades). These deadlines have passed a long time ago, in the beginning of December. The question is: Do I bother them with my updated transcripts or is it meaningless? I hate to think that I withheld information that could have been useful in getting me in, but I also feel a bit ridiculous sending them documents this late. I should mention that I got 93 (0-100 scale) on my thesis, which is accidentally EXACTLY the average in the transcripts I sent. So it doesn't change anything in terms of numbers. It just proves that I finished my degree with a 93 final grade and that I got a very high grade on my research. What do you think?

Hey there! Well, I knew it had to happen at some point... I'm applying to York's PhD in Env. Studies too :-) I guess we're going for the same spot, as they only have 1 or 2 spots for international students each year. One of the reasons is that they are committed to full funding, even for internationals, so that's good news on that front at least. Where are you from? What do you plan to research? Drop me a message. Anyway I wish us both good luck.

Hey all, another prospective Yorkie here. I am re-applying to FES PhD program. Last year I was waitlisted. It took FOREVER to find out, really. But I guess my experience wasn't very common. At a very late stage - sometime during May - after I emailed them and asked a couple of times, they actually told me that I was on the first place in the waitlist, and that they were trying to find extra funding to allow 2 international students to get in instead of one, so they could accept me. Of course, eventually they didn't "find" any more money and I got rejected... However, it did give me some hope, knowing that I made it that high on their list. So this year I am re-applying, but, being aware they only have one spot in the program for an international student, I am also applying to other places (even though they're still my first choice). Anyway, this year the process was a bit stressed. I had to wait to the last minute for my updated transcripts. I UPSed my package, it arrived very fast, but they won't receive it because of the holiday. :-( Their website clearly says they'll be accepting applications during the holiday, but I guess it doesn't include actual packages... Hopefully UPS will re-deliver it on Wednesday, and it'll be (2 days) within the deadline. Good luck to all prospective Yorkies out there

FINALLY! The UPS guy just left with my 10th and last application package. I had to wait to the last minute (almost) for official transcripts from my previous uni. It'll arrive approx. 3 days before the deadline... Anyway, now it's all done. All that is left for me to do is wait. Good luck everybody!

Thanks Surefire! very helpful.

I am not used to this request, so I was hoping you guys might have some insight on this: I need to give 5 key words for my proposed research (PhD) to go along with my SOP. I'm not sure how to choose them, cause I'm not sure what is the purpose of this. So what I'm thinking is to choose 2 general concepts in my field that repeat in my statement, sort of headlines of the subject I want to research, and three more that are very relevant to my statement and appear in my POIs web profiles. How do you think I should choose? How general/specific? Only exact words that appear in my SOP? Thank! Your advice, as usual, is highly appreciated.

I can't wait to log on in here and write that I'm all done. My last app is being delayed to the last minute because of my previous school. I'm waiting on transcripts... I'm going to fedex my app (they require a hard copy app package) from overseas something like 10 days before the deadline.

I tried this too, and it didn't work. My recommender even said something like "oh, by the way, I saw I had one more week to do it". And this is form someone who uploads their letters the SAME day of the deadline. I mean, what does he expect? He must realize I have to factor in some extra time just to be on the safe side...

Worm Hole

Day Dreamer

wait... what?! How is that possible? I also applied to UW and the deadline is not until Jan 1st. What am I missing here? Meanwhile - got my UC Irvine app submitted today. So that's 9 out of 10. It's all going to be over soon. Oh maybe, more accurately, it's just about to begin.

Opposite Directions

I totally understand it takes time, but once a Prof agrees to do it - they should keep the deadline! They know exactly what it means to be racing to the deadline, since they do it all the time, and they also know we depend on them. I hereby announce, that if I'm accepted to PhD, and later on continue to a career in the academia, I will always write my LORs well within the deadline.

I have no idea if this little mistake in the LOR matters at all, but I can only remind you that almost all of the online applications have a question about whether you previously applied - so they'll have the correct information. UCLA will be able to see you are re-applying. Perhaps you can ask your recommender to write an email to both UCLA and UCSB, explaining briefly that he made a tiny error?

I had a phone conversation with a POI, who asked me where else I applied. When I was hesitant about replying, he said that it's very clear to them that prospective students apply to multiple programs, and that they don't expect people to apply ONLY to theirs. It doesn't meant it's not the best fit for you, it just means you're being realistic rather than a dreamer... Moreover, you might even use that information for your benefit. If you're applying to programs that have similar concentrations, it makes you seem focused on what you're looking for. And if you're applying to a bunch of ivies, you can let them know they need to fight for you. I'm not sure how effective that is, it's just a reasonable advice I read here somewhere.

Bright Future

...and the waiting begins for Columbia. 8 down, 2 to go. For some reason, for the first time since I started the whole process I finally feel like I'm making some progress. Hopefully by the end of the week I'll be almost completely done. I can't wait to start waiting!

YES! 24 hrs before the deadline - the LOR is in. I am now officially starting the waiting game for Berkeley. I just hope my recommender won't repeat this drill with the 7 (!) other programs he's supposed to upload his LORs to.

Don't freak out about it. I emailed several programs asking what to do if my former institution doesn't provide my updates transcripts in time (long story), and they all replied that I can email them a copy of the updated transcripts even after the deadline and they'll attach it to my file. I made sure that I contact the specific admissions people inside the program, and not just someone in the general grad admissions. They said all the material ends up in their hands anyway, so I can send it to them. It's a bit different in each university, but the general conclusion is that they are, after all, human... For those of you who quoted me - no, the LOR is STILL not in (3 days to deadline, including a weekend)