habanero

ANDS!: I am sure you mean well, but many of your posts seem to have a severely negative tone. I was drawn to TheGradCafe.com for the supportive and positive environment. I think that many other posters feel the same way about this forum. In the future, I would prefer that you refrain from responding to my posts if you cannot be cordial.

This is a hard decision, and I can definitely understand your position. I had the same issue (with different schools). I ended up accepting the PhD. Points of consideration: -You will have 1-2 years before you need to find a POI, right? Interests change and funding can change. -Many professors will follow what YOU want to do your thesis in. -A PhD in Computer Science from Princeton isn't anything to sneeze at (putting it lightly). -Getting PAID to do research is far better than going into debt. -Famous professors won't matter so much if you are just doing your Masters. -Famous professors won't have as much time to advise you. Best of luck!

While I do agree that your email may be appropriate for the program admission supervisor, I think that it'd be best to put a bit more effort into the emails to professors. They spent a lot of time trying to get us to work with them. I don't see this as overcomplicating the situation; we should certainly keep a good working relationship with people who will be our colleagues.

I accepted an offer at a school, and now I need to decline other schools! What is the most respectful way to do this? I found a few other threads, but I'd like to get some new & fresh ideas.

Check your status online! I didn't apply there, but others who have told me that they don't send out information in emails/snail mail.

@zep, you were KILLING it this season!!!!! Nice job! :-D

GATech already had their recruitment weekend for PhD prospectives. I don't know about UMich, unfortunately.

I'm so sorry to hear that! Just think of how many schools haven't rejected you yet--LOTS. I am sure you will get in to at least one of them. Also, blue collar workers aren't losers (although I know you didn't intend to say this).

Also, visiting week is in the middle of March. I hope this news is good for you.

I got accepted around 2-3 weeks ago.

This was for the College of Computing (PhD), and you applied to the Physics department! No fears!

If it helps, I got mine early in January. However, it was because I checked the box on the PhD application that said I'd be willing to be considered for a Masters. Oops.

Cutoffs at Georgia Tech were above the 85th percentile.

I think that they only have a few spots in their lab and don't want to waste their time pursuing you if you will be accepting another offer. Make your interest fully known! It sounds like they would love to have you. I got a similar email from a professor, and received The Letter to End All Letters shortly thereafter.

I actually disagree with this, although I understand the emotions behind your statement. You can never let somebody else dictate who you are, ESPECIALLY not an admissions committee. You can't expect every human to recognize your unique worth right away. You must realize that the admissions process is highly stressful for professors, and it is impossible for them to make the correct decision all of the time. They are not all-knowing beings with an unlimited supply of app-reviewing patience! The fact that you were not a 'top candidate' in their current world view (heavily influenced by many outside factors) does not mean that you are not actually a top candidate. Be grateful for any opportunity you can get and then work hard to turn it into unprecedented success.

Email the admissions office right away with an updated version. Apologize and say that you mistakenly uploaded the letter for another school. The office will fix it for you! Good luck!

I got rejected from another school. At this point, the offer Illinois gave me is beginning to seem appealing.

Follow up with the professor and stress that you really enjoyed speaking with them. Mention that the conversation clarified that you are very interested in their research, and then elaborate on those thoughts a little. Keep it simple, but make sure they know that you are really interested.

You're fine. I got PhD interviews there with a similar Q score. Remember, it is the same as a 780.

My partner has also pulled down the curtain over any discussion about if/when/did/they/accept/deny graduate school talk AND has strongly suggested more than once that I stop frequenting this forum. But...but.....but........

Bats, don't think of it like that! Maybe you have been placed on the waiting list, or maybe they have not even gotten to your application yet! Perhaps they have just offered spots to those who they already knew would be getting in (i.e. those who had already worked with the professors or those who came with funding)!!! Don't lose hope until May. Some schools are just very slow with the whole process.

It may seem long, but it's really all in prep for taking a large pay cut and having to study hard for 5 years. I want my doggie friend so that I can have a companion, and I want a very sturdy dutch oven so I can make stews and dishes resulting in lots of time-saving leftovers! Additionally, I wish to travel a bit before I start because I will be donating the majority of my twenties to university. I would like to see the world as a young woman (when I am still fine with sleeping on benches and walking for days).

You need to apply! Don't judge him negatively for updating his website--it is possible he got an undergraduate to do it.

The population of California, USA is 36,961,664. The population of Canada is 34,108,752.

A little less than the other schools, maybe, but it did mesh. Thanks for the support and sweet words, y'all. I apologize for the wallowing post.