-hermes-

I wonder what's happening with UPenn and whether we'll know this week...

Wow, another email with the subject "Thank you for applying for admission to Fake Out University", linking to an applicant survey. That's quite evil.

I think it'd be weird to ask students to call you Professor X if you're not a professor. Being called Mr or Ms X would help, but I think it would stick out at a lot of departments (the ones I'm familiar with are pretty casual). I haven't taught so far but I'm sure that I'd face this challenge as well. And it's probably worse when it's freezing and you have to wear clunky and equalizing winter boots...

Sent you a PM.

Thanks! I interviewed last week too. I think acceptances are going out by concentration, because someone was accepted on Monday, and my POI emailed me today. Who are your POIs?

Thanks everyone!! I'm so glad we have such an awesome and supportive group this year -- and that all of us seem to have gotten some good news by now

Soooo I GOT INTO CORNELL. Super warm and complimentary email from my POI. 4 years guaranteed funding and a Fellowship.

I just use really nice smelling body wash, lol.

Anyone want to claim the Cornell acceptance?

It's the start of a new week! Anyone want to predict which schools we'll hear from this week?

Yes! I had an interview with two of my POIs in which they said "we could both be your co-advisors". That's good, right?! They're envisioning a hypothetical scenario in which I'm admitted and they're choosing to advise me. It has to be good (please let it be good).

I find hot showers are often the best way to deal with my stress. Never thought to turn the lights off and light an aromatherapy candle though! Totally doing this soon.

UCSB definitely sounds the most appealing solely based on the fact that you wouldn't have to go through this hellish process again!

Were all your three apps for MAs? You'll have to reapply to the PhD after your master's, right?

When I saw that you were the last poster in this thread I thought you were posting an acceptance for sure!

Wow, what are the chances? Rooting for you!

Thanks! This is true. Though it didn't feel as real back then, and now that I'm so close it's hard not to think about constantly!

We basically talked about research interests (theirs and mine), my master's thesis, and why the program is a great fit.

OMG I'll know from my top choice sometime next week. Interviewed with two of my POI and speaking with them made me like the program even more. How am I going to wait that long??

Whoa, congrats jujubea and Pedanticist! And congrats to those who made it onto waitlists as well -- you're still in the game! Now COME ON Annenberg East!!

Congrats!!! And no interview, nice!!

I don't grudge you your excitement! It'd be different if you started talking about how difficult it is to make a decision on where to go.

YES. I would be so much saner if I just knew I was in SOMEwhere. I promise I wouldn't whine about not having all my decisions in or the remaining uncertainty if I just had that.

Is there any way you can volunteer in a lab in Pakistan? That would be the easiest, or another Asian country where the visa barrier isn't so large. Otherwise, maybe do some networking -- email profs in your field in the US, ask about their research, and once you've gotten a conversation going, get their advice on how to get the experience you need to enter their program. Perhaps you could do some project for them long distance.

Pretty sure you cannot get a visa just to volunteer, and that you cannot volunteer while on a tourist visa. You'd have to get accepted into a degree granting program, and then volunteer while on your student visa. Otherwise, you need some form of work visa sponsored by the lab, which is a very involved process.