Dontuse

this guy got quite a few rejections on another "im applying to graduate programs" site. I just thought this should be shared. Actually a bit too insightful IMHO.

Actually, I'm at work now and, upon leaning over just to scratch my @$$, I felt a huge rush of "Why am I here? I don't know why I even bothered coming in on such a beautiful NYC Friday?" Doesn't help that yesterday I spoke to my advisor & he [having randomly checked my progress for the degree] mentioned, "You basically have to pass this one class with a D or better to graduate this June. With your GPA you don't even have to bother passing the other courses you're taking." ...and then I thought to myself, "wonder what's the weather like in Maui?". I'm. Not. Joking. It was exactly what I thought. Had to chuckle to myself.

Dear RecycledViking, Congratulations! On behalf of a few members of thegradcafe.com forum [in particular this Accepted! Thank you so much thread], we are delighted you have been offered admission to your UConn program beginning fall term 2009. We are very pleased and hope that you will accept this offer. ... just thought you'd like another acceptance letter

YESTERDAY.

if the OP is had as sincere intentions as i originally felt he had then i hope it's a mere misunderstanding followed by a slap on the wrist. [taking away internet privilages for a week junior high school style would explain his forum absence]. call me naive but i do want to believe that this all was a cultural misundertanding... yet i can't seem to shake the feeling that...

doesn't sound like a bad idea. it may not necessarily be needed, however, as you note that many of us have footers with the 'where' parts answered. could be fun. but the part where most would get good insight is the "where you are NOT going" catagory ...& the all juicy whys. i'll tune in for that.

Reread everything you have sent to the program... this includes your SOP and any writing samples you may have provided. If you provided a tentative research topic I'd go over it with professionals in your field [TAs, professors, lab technicians, the whole lot] and try to improve on it. This way -- if ever it comes up [or you may bring it up yourself in conversation] -- youd be showing great initiative in that you evolved even during the process of the application, taking each day as time to further develop your ideas. some may suggest you bring thank you cards. i say no to this because although it always feels nice to get a handwriten note [from you to whoever you meet at the weekend] it also seems like you're sucking up. instead give those who warrant a thank you note a day or so after the whole weekend is over. lastly, take note of the weekend's activities. when all is said & done it says mounds for you to show the adcoms how much you paid the program attention. want the extra mile? tell them the specifics of what events you enjoyed ["the after interview bowling session was memorable"] as well as where they could've improved ["although I found the staduim-sized, standing-room-only-style lecture by Professor Big-Name-in-Your-Field, I would also have liked to have been apart of a smaller, more initimate discussion session. Do those happen?"]

hey there psycholinguist, so, which neighborhoods are are within a walkable distance [i'll be mostly around the biotechnology building for research/classes] AND ARE NOT on one of the major hills? while on campus i went a few places and would occasionally notice a hill with a rediculous incline. suffice it to say: i don't want to truck through the snow [i haven't decided on purchasing a car as i'd actually prefer to mostly walk/bike to my destinations] on a heap at a degree greater than my age... simply.isn't. happening. also, i'm checking out the on-campus housing and a few of the apartment complexes look mighty nice. are they waaaaay more expensive than the offcampus housing, is that difference in price worth it or not, and would i regret not living elsewhere [as in: oh, btw, the graduate on campus housing has a wicked problem with drunk undergraduates... who don't tend to stop screaming until 3 am... wednesdays]? any input will be appreciated.

Please please please do not quit tooyoungforgrad... oh, and change your screenname while you're at it [grin]. Do understand that this same cache of 25-30year olds which intimidate you likely admire that you were accepted into the program at your young age so the 'wide-eye'd looks are mutual. In addition do take note that your program would not have accepted you had they thought you were incapable. You dropping out does nothing good for their statistics or for the morale of the students who you'd leave in your wake. If, however, you feel that you are struggling (& not simply 'not contributing as much as you'd like) first take it up with your advisor. Perhaps his/her insight may shine light on your progress. Oh Minnesotan, I could NOT have said it better. Bravo.

I haven't applied many times [actually, about a little more than a week ago I was seriously considering begining the application proess for 2010-2011 already] but I was rejected from a few good places. My advice? Ask the chairpersons of the programs to which you applied [& denied you entrace] exactly why you were rejected. Remember [as many had pointed out on previous occasions] we paid these universities to scour over our submissions & let us know if they're interested in us or not. This is a service, plain & simple. And, more importantly, their end of the bargain need not end with a simple decision of 'yay' or 'nay.' Getting the 'why's straight from the horses' mouths will do you the absolute most justice, IMHO. Have them explain [or at least outline] the avenue that brought them to denying your application. Use this information to apply to these programs again AND to apply to programs new to you [with a now heavy-hitter-type application]. Best to you lostandconfused.

Thanks so much psycholinguist. I've been scouring a bit [schecked out the cornell housing site] & will come back with questions about indidivual neighborhoods.

I'm a native ny'er & sure, I've spent summers elsewhere [gladly, at that.] but this summer will be unlike others because I've never truely LIVED outside of NY. Moving in August I will come back to NYC as a visitor. So before my permanant address changes for the next 4-6 years I may as well enjoy things for the last moments of "freedom" i'll have for a while. Get me? Doubt i'm alone in that sentiment... but you never know.

Because of work (a great job) I'm leaving in August. Living in NYC I feel i must at least make use of enjoying my last summer here before treking [sp?] off to Ithaca or the UK [still a bit torn]. But you all are so right. Need to get my butt into gear with regard to planning a move. What a big move at that! From HERE :arrow: THERE :?: Oy...

Winning? Sure [i'd say!] Won? Let's not count cracked eggs (that saying seemss wrong but this application process makes me think everything i say is wrong so...). Besides, someone once commented how this process is making him/her a better person. And while I can't say it is doing the same for me right at this moment who is to say i wouldn't wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment in, say, 25 years? Good luck on the TOEFL gradsh. Remember: two data points do NOT a trend make.

yeah. you asked a few of us to do... let's just say 'things.' ... i'm just kidding. This application process seems to be winning.

no problem. we've got to share the wealth in these forums. so many grad. school questions were answered here online and not when visiting programs campuses [campi!] or through skimming the program sites. scary in your case? will you be attending one of the schools with a red stipend?

so i added my most notable 'official rejection' i got on this thread. & i've read some sincerely terrible posts of rejections here too [Although happy there is a community of us with bad experiences re: rejection letters I regret that there are so many tactless rejection messages being sent out to applicants. but that's another rant for another time] however, i'd simply like to note another rejection: the silent rejection. NYU has silently rejected me. The certainty of silence is a killer & ought not be ignored. An update -- any update -- would have been of help in setting a restless applicant's mind to rest. But the non-update method that NYU has (of ignoring messages to the point where even a generic mass email of "Please Refer to our FAQ Page" isn't sent out) is plain old RUDE. Beleive me when I say, "I get it. You're NYU & have a BOUNTY of applications to sift through." That being said, I call Bullshit on any school that complies with the silent rejection method where you'll be mailed a letter sometime in september officially telling you "FYI: We said No." And this growing list includes you NYU.

I'd say you're golden damienweaver. congratulations. However, on that note, I'd also like to point out how insanely vain a decision that is (to grant you access before letting you know you've been accepted) on NYU's part. Sure, it's a nice gesture but does NYU feel, "We're offering a position. He/She will take it"... Are they not aware you may very well say, "No. While you were dragging your feet I've agreed to attend another program." ... and if that happens, well now they're in a crappy place because they've to disable your preemptively-created NetID. Mysterious ways. Whatever. Congratulations dear.

FYI this may help you... all. It may help you all. http://www.wendychao.com/science/stipends/ It takes stipend amounts & adjusts it to expense of living in the city in question. Fabulous tool for fabulous minds. Enjoy!

this may sound weird but I pair them & decide between the two... but I pair all combinations of the offers. although it's not as taxing a situation now as when i was deciding where to attend as an incoming freshman undergraduate (those were the days!) I find that i'm pairing all the same. for example: A trumps B [overall deciding category: better funding] A trumps C [overall deciding category: better funding] B trumps D [overall deciding category: program suits me better] D trumps A [overall deciding category: really want to work with Professor X] et c. i don't bother to rank the reasons (as in funding weighs heavier than program fit]. instead i simply tally the scores. but whatever works for you dear. enjoy being the bell at the ball choosing amongst suitors!

MDLee ...puhleeeease tell me you [tigerontheprowl] applied to graduate schools just to get in with the hot chics... [two pairs of crossed fingers & a crossed toe too]

Yeah. I too thought that was way weird until I found it on 3 or 4 of the UK schools to which I applied. So, after a bit of dillydallying I fill those boxes in with 4-6 (of the 9) programs for this application season. [shrug]

GASP! Oh my L*rd no! I'm genuinely appauled & vexed to read that.

Oh my PentothePage! you might actually pull off a landslide running away with 4 acceptances. Were any of the 'Yes' your top choice? Good luck to you. And your: Good thinking.