socihealth

wet ones

haha ya I had to make a document containing all of my passwords and login IDs. I think the results page here is probably a pretty fast source of info but I still check my application pages and here. I guess it may just be that I want more things to check. Any news yet from your programs?

I see getting in contact with a POI as another way to gain more info about the program and the research life of the school. To me, when selecting a school, I want to have as much information as possible so I can make a decision about what school is the best choice for me. Before sending out apps, I wanted information about what potential advisors were accepting students. If the profs I wanted to work with were not taking students, I did not want to send an application that would not be considered. After sending out applications, I kept in contact with some POIs on an inconsistent basis as I had questions about the application process. Now, as I wait for admissions decisions I have not been in touch with them. I think during interviews there will be plenty of time and opportunity to discuss further questions.

I have been offered a similar interview event at one my my schools. They are paying for my costs and it lasts a few days. In their email they said this is not an acceptance but only finalists are invited to the interview. I think it is a good sing for our apps and important to make a good impression at this interview. I am unsure what to wear as well. I imagine I need clothing for interviews/official events as well as casual things for more social events. I am also unsure how to prep for this event! Let me know what you decide, OP!

shoe box

pony tail

bar tab

Ok good, I have not gotten interview invites yet to any of my programs but they don't have any info on their websites about interviews. Many of the deadlines for apps were Jan 15 so I thought I wouldn't hear back until Feb at the earliest. I am beginning to think I may be completely wrong. I goes its possible that my programs don't interview but I guess maybe they do and I just assume that Im rejected?

I have had brief email commutation with POIs at each school (just to see if they are taking students) and to introduce myself. Most responded positively. At one of my top choice programs I met the the POI in person in a meeting I asked for. I am glad I did, it was a good chance for me to meet.

Do all social programs interview?

It looks like your GRE/GPA are good enough to get your application reviewed positively at most schools. I think once you have those qualifications it really comes down to your fit with the program. If your SOP and CV reflect an interest in their program and a match with their interests then you have a great chance. Some schools provide info about recent cohorts such as average UG GPA and GRE. This info can be a good guide to see how well your scores fit. Do you think that there is a match with your interests? Did you write a strong SOP? Do you have strong LORs? It seems to me that these are the most important pieces of the app. Best of luck to you!

the birds

I just meant the results page on grad cafe. people post when they get accepted/rejected/waitlisted/interviews etc along with the date and method of notification. I like to check and see if others applying to my schools have heard back yet. I also check my application status pages for my schools, just incase they update them!

chef salad

I have been checking the results survey a lot more than I probably should! But I am just so anxious to hear back from schools.

I had a POI say something similar and I didn't have that many questions for them either. I did go ahead and ask a few questions that I normally would have "saved" for the interview...things like how their lab is structured, specifics about the program structure, milestones in the program. I got great feed back from them and it has made me feel more confident about the upcoming interview. I think now at the interview rather than asking basic questions we can focus on research. I think just keeping the lines of communication open is what is most important. If you have no questions at all for them you could consider asking them about the upcoming interview (how will it be structured, who will you meet, is a campus tour involved). Ask the current students about research of course, but also asking them about student like, housing, and their reasons for selecting that program can be great starts too. Hope this helps, and Im sure other people will have tips too!

I think a few days is plenty of time to get a feel for the overall environment but it will probably take several weeks (haha or even semesters) to fully know a campus. Make the most of your visit by taking a guided campus tour.

Accepted: Its raining men - The Weather Girls Top of the world - The Carpenters Waiting: Super Bass - Nicki Minaj Rejected: Bruises - Chairlift Hallelujah - Jeff Buckely Version

I wanted to add a bit about grad students at your school. If you have had luck with professors that is great! But another avenue to explore is assisting current grad students with their projects. In my experience, they are happy to have the help and often are enthusiastic about guiding you through their interests. They can also be a helpful resource for your applications!

Haha, ya having free time feels strange to me too. I am working a few odd jobs this semester to save up cash for next year. But my portray focus is completing projects in my UG labs (I graduated in December) so they are ready for spring presentation and working on our manuscripts. I hope that I can get my work to a stopping point by summer. Other than that, I am working on language and stats skills and trying to exercise and relax (haha).

Before my first interview, one of my undergraduate advisors set up a mock interview for me. He pretended to be the interviewer and didn't break character the entire time I was in his office. He even elaborately set up for one of our other faculty members to pop in to his office during the meeting and "meet me". After the interview was over we talked about my responses and he gave me feedback. I know this is a little over the top and may not be possible but I think practicing your responses out loud helps you sound confident. You want to be as relaxed and comfortable as possible during the interview. I think they go by very quickly and you want to use your valuable time to give great information about yourself and learn as much about the program as possible!

I am trying to avoid reading any of my application materials now that they are turned in because I am sure I made errors in some of the documents. I think the most important thing is to try to relax. Of course your application is important to you and it is stressful but it is submitted now. I am hopeful the the adcomm will be forgiving of small errors and look at the holistic application.

One of my POIs emailed saying that the committee will be meeting right after the holiday break and that we should hear something soon. i am sure this is true of most programs. Hopefully good news will come our way!

I am the same way! I keep refreshing the page of my check app status links and I am checking my email constantly. I know it is early (some of my application deadlines were not until this past week!). Do adcomms ever review apps before the deadline?

Wow! That certainly sounds promising. I have never heard of a situation like this so I am afraid I cannot give you any helpful info but I am interested to hear what people have to say about this topic.