rems

I think it might be all of those things. I would assume a GPA under 3.0 would be a big red mark, and GRE scores under 50% would probably be another. Also, a poorly written and undeveloped SOP would be another -- like if it was just a story about how much you reallyreallyreally like Shakespeare or whatever and said nothing about your future or interests or anything. I think all of those would be red marks against you. I think short of that, you become a package that is just better or less-good than the other candidates. Much like log, you want your adcom to say, "This is better than bad, it's good!" (sorry)

Thanks! Actually, I like snow so being cold and snowy is really good for me. I've actually been concerned that if by some rat's chance in hell I actually get into Stanford, I'd have to get rid of half my wardrobe because it'll be warm. I know, poor whittle me so sad bout gettin into Stanford (which I haven't and probably won't, might I add), but I have, like, A LOT of sweaters. Like, a lot.

Yoga. And this. I've only read the first one, but I have the second one sitting anxiously at home waiting to be cracked... I actually might start that tonight. These are my plans: Play video games, watch Damages season 4, work on syllabus for Spring semester (not a lot of work there, really), panic about applications, continue The Dark Tower series (I actually finished the first one yesterday -- very excited to start #2, also sitting at home waiting to be read), read more comic books, work on cooking skills (a lot to be desired), yoga, start running again (find iPod), and then play more video games. I get really down during school breaks -- I like going to work. BUT, this will be the first winter break I've had where I don't have a side job... so, hopefully Stephen King will suffice.

Okay, so I just did a sweep of my apps that are submitted, and all of them have changed status (except for Buffalo) to "Pending" or "Incomplete" to "Under Review." I'm not sure why, but all of a sudden seeing, "Under Review" scared the living crap out of me. OH NO IT'S ACTUALLY HAPPENING.

You guys are making me feel really shitty about myself. I've never had a good diet. I live on cheetos and instant lunch with hot sauce. OH, and Wendy's double stacks. Delicious. I did start eating tofu but only because it's $2 for a block and I can get, like, 4 meals out of it. OH, and nutella. Lots and lots of nutella.

[stuff about Buffalo] [i'm editing this post because the one about potential adcoms reading this forum and connecting the dots got to me. I know, I know, it's unlikely, but now I'm a little worried about posting anything bashing a potential school, even if it the city it's located in a less-than desirable town.] I'm not considering the location of where I want to apply that much so it doesn't hurt my feelings to point out that the school I want to go to is in a less than desirable city. Not all of us get to go to Santa Barbara or Columbia. I'm pretty much applying to every school outside of Michigan that has the highest snowfall and 3 good months of weather a year. I don't think the town has much of an effect on my education. And have I mentioned that I already live in a shithole of a town? So I'm kinda used to it. (Or is it "an affect"? I can never get those right.)

And Season 6 is, by far, the best season of Buffy. No contest.

this and this

philly cheesesteaks.

Yah, that's what I'm thinking -- I think I'm giving myself too much credit thinking they'd remember. It sounded so good when I said it the first time! But I think it might look "tacky" or something.

mmmmmm chips and gravy ......

No, I didn't have any problems with their system. I submitted my app on Sunday -- it might be a high traffic situation since the deadline is coming up.

Here's a question: Would it be "tacky" or "lame" to write verbatim in an SOP what you said to a POI in an email? Esp if that POI is on the adcom? Is it a little presumptuous to assume they'll remember or care? I'm worried it'll look lame.

Thank you for saying this much better than I did.

SONOFABITCH! you're right! I hate learning about others!

YES. That does sound good. I've recently started eating tofu with curry a lot and it's really good. I'm not a vegetarian, tofu is just really cheap and delicious.

Oh I would say that they probably get really nasty around this time because we're all freaking out about stuff, myself being no different. I'm particularly stressed out this morning, and I think seeing all of this just got under my skin more than it should have. For that, I'm sorry. But I also am always really nice on here, and sometimes I want to be mean too

Haha I know! I'm sorry! I just got mad. I get to be a hypocrite too sometimes It just seems that every time I get on here recently someone is being nasty to someone else and just saying shithead things to each other. I know I got kinda mad about that, and I'm not proud of it, but it's just getting annoying. I know I could not respond, but I'm just tired of reading it every day when I wake up. And I know I could just not check this site, but I used to really like this site and it's now just getting ridiculous. And I don't just mean this thread, I mean all the threads on here right now. From telling people off about applying to Harvard, to insinuating relationships to with professors, to telling people their approach to the GRE is stupid. Whatever. It's getting old.

"trolls" are the people who start the debate in the first place and then we tear each other apart.

And while I'm at it, and before someone comes back with "but progress is made through confrontation and intellectual debate," yes, you are right about that. But that's not what this forum is doing at the moment. I'm pretty sure I've had great "arguments" on here with people like two espressos but it never got personal and we weren't just being nasty to be nasty. So stop it. A good rhetorical debate is always fun and great, but just being a dick isn't. SO FUCKING STOP IT. There is a difference, and if you don't know the difference between a "good rhetorical debate" and "being a dick" then you probably shouldn't have a higher degree in the humanities.

I'm sorry for having to yell, but this is getting ridiculous and I'm frankly really sick and tired of it. I was thinking yesterday about just not getting back on this forum for a while, but, honestly, I really like the community on here and I like wasting time on this site. But what I don't like, and I don't think I'm alone here, is when people just cut each other down for whatever reason. I don't want to guess at intention, but do yourself a favor and relax. Find something better to do than fight with people on the internet. Don't you have applications to be working on?

OMG SHUT UP EVERYONE. THIS IS SO FUCKING OBNOXIOUS. I'M GETTING REALLY TIRED OF GETTING ONTO THIS FORUM TO READ THIS FUCKING MENTAL MASTURBATION THAT EVERYONE IS DOING EVERY DAY ON HERE NOW. I KNOW THAT WE'RE ALL VERY SELF CONSCIOUS AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME, BUT DO YOURSELF AND EVERYONE ELSE A FUCKING FAVOR AND GO SEE A THERAPIST OR START SMOKING OR GO FOR A FUCKING RUN BECAUSE READING YOUR BULLSHIT RHETORICAL ARGUMENTS BACK AND FORTH ON HERE IS LIKE WATCHING TWO FOUR YEAR OLD ARGUE OVER WHO FARTED. I THOUGHT WE WERE ALL SUPPOSED TO BE SCHOLARS-IN-TRAINING. FUCKING ACT LIKE IT. FOR THOSE OF US WHO ACTUALLY LIKE THIS FORUM FOR THE COMMUNITY IT OFFERS, STOP FEEDING THE TROLLS ON HERE WHICH SEEM TO BE A'PLENTY RECENTLY. JESUS H CHRIST THIS IS OUT OF CONTROL.

"wonton matzoh ball soup" sounds weirdly delicious.

I had one then it went away. Saddest day of my life. Definitely the only sign that you're doing well as an educator. I bow to you.

I didn't. I just wrote "See attached CV" and "See attached Personal Statement" in those boxes. I hope I'm right because, honestly, I have no fucking idea what they expect. I also didn't upload the "optional" unofficial GRE scores because they're getting my official scores from ETS so why upload unofficial... I'm already doubting my choices.