Last week, I received an invitation to visit a specific lab over winter break and had a phone interview yesterday with a second PI at another program who has lots of funding and very impressive list of publications (he's a "distinguished professor" in his program). This has all happened before my applications have even been submitted!
After a sort of awkward start, the PI and I had a very easy-going and enjoyable phone conversation. He seemed very candid and answered my questions thoroughly. He said that the admissions committee usually invites the best candidates for a weekend visit, and he would schedule some time for me to come see his lab and meet his post-docs if I showed up early. He reminded me that he's not on the committee, however, so he's not on an inside track.
Is this a good sign? What should I think about this? Can I relax or is this very preliminary?
