sansao

Not that I won't be pretty destroyed anyway.

I keep going between telling myself that, and telling myself to focus on the other schools so I'm not totally destroyed if I get rejected.

I thought about taking time off and maybe working and saving up some extra $$$. I might still do that too, but I feel like I need to have somewhat of a clue when I get to my first year. Plus my undergrad classes are scattered over several years, so it would be good to review and synthesize everything. There's also some math and geology concepts that I didn't get to study during undergrad that I feel would be very useful to have on hand in grad school - partial differential equations, some upper level geoscience courses, and a more rigorous development of classical physics. That's a lot to work on though, so how far I get with it may be a little questionable, haha.

From the $12/hr tech support pseudo-friend: "Geology? Is that even science? What are you gonna do with that... tell a miner where to dig?" -Well, I might, but more than likely I'll just identify a nice perched aquifer in which to hide your body, a$$hole.

I've been thoroughly researching the schools from which I'm still waiting on responses. It's actually quite calming, and gives me a way to weigh my options if I have to make a decision that is otherwise equally weighted. It's been interesting to look at all the course offerings and read through the grad manuals early. I plan on following this up with wherever I get accepted (assuming that happens). I have a lot of literature from all the professors I talked to, and there's more on their websites. I'm thinking I'll probably use the Summer as a research and review period - thoroughly reading everyone's literature, reviewing and previewing subjects of interest. What's everybody's Summer plans if you get accepted? Work, review, vacation, all of the above? Is anyone planning on trying for a Summer internship or fellowship? Anyone going to try to move to the area early and try to get somewhat established before the Fall term starts? Just curious.

I wouldn't assume that until it is.

I am thoroughly exhausted and having a major case of "I don't wanna do anything," lately. It feels like everything is really late, but it's still only February, so I guess I should relax. On the other hand, it's STILL February, ugh.

Still waiting on 3... I'm pretty sure we have at least one application in common ( ), and it would be absolutely awesome if we both got in, though I suspect that might require a miracle. Also crossing fingers.

Some schools only offer the MA and no MSc, if they let you apply to a free-standing master's program at all. Its's often a benchmark within the PhD program, and they may or may not award the actual master's degree, often as a master's in passing, at the same time as the PhD. In this case, the only ways to get just an MS or MSc (or sometimes the MA too) is to either fail quals and end up in a terminal master's program (strictly a result of the qualifying exam score), withdraw from the PhD program after completing the master's level work, or complete the PhD and take both degrees at graduation. On a side note, I am absolutely terrified of quals.

I can't agree more. Having spoken with various faculty, requested publications, and knowing that what I want to do was going to vary significantly depending on the school, I could have had much more focused SOPs. I also would have taken the GRE much earlier to address deficiencies. If I have to reapply next year, those are the main changes I'll be making. An SOP with a broad overview consistent with what I sent this year, but also with specific projects of interest and why. For this year, I'll have to hope that simply naming the professors, previous correspondence with them, and discussion of their funded projects and their literature are sufficient for them to consider me. That, or the people at my undergrad will recognize that I'm capable despite some of the holes in my application. I really, really want to do marine work, that's some of the most interesting geophysical research out there (to me). However, there's stuff that I could study here in Arizona that's equally as interesting, so I don't feel like I'd really be at any type of loss doing my PhD here. It would just be a matter of accepting the opportunity and realizing that I can move to new research later if I find that's still what I want to do.

You're application to the college of cynicism and obsessive self-doubt has been highly ranked within the department. We pleased to inform you that you have been recommended for advanced standing, with a stipend of never-ending silence and weekly panic attacks. Congratulations again on your admission.

I know at least some programs don't send out any information until March, and others do their recommendations on a rolling basis. Even though the Grad College might say that PhD decisions aren't done on a rolling basis, doesn't mean the departments don't do it this way, informally contacting some people based on whatever criteria they use, and letting the Grad College send out all the official decisions after they've been made.

In the vein of the "keep a word, drop a word" thread, maybe we should just start writing acceptance letters to each other. You know, from the University of Stress Relief or something.

Ten options sounds pretty comforting to me. I've still only heard from 1/4 Clearly, they're taking their time. I don't know if this is good, bad, or just a reflection of how busy they are.

That's lame. It looks like you still have six left, though, so don't worry too much.

I second that, haha. The upside is that my programs haven't really sent out notifications yet. The downside is that my programs haven't really sent out notifications yet.

February 22, no news is good news, right?

How many schools did you apply to? Did you correspond with or list multiple faculty members at the other schools when you wrote your SOP? I know I tried to talk with at least 3 faculty members at each school. The one school where I didn't have much luck is the one from which I already got a rejection. I can understand your shock and frustration for sure. It is just one rejection though, so don't feel shot down yet. Good luck!

Marine Geophysics - OBS, MORs, Magma Chambers and Rifting, and maybe a little biogeochem on the side if I get to look at vents. There are some really amazing prospects at my POIs. *waves at LCBucky* Marine Geophysics is the future.

Ok, I'm not that obsessed. i'll check the results survey and my email fairly frequently, but I'm not going to let it eat every waking second, Just most of them, haha.

Haha, I had to unsubscribe from every listserv/bbs/advertising/political/anything that was routed to the account I applied with.

I have one class that I love this semeste, and the other three are meh. I don't hate them, but if they weren't required to graduate, I definitely would have enrolled in something else more related to my field/interests. On a side note, you know you're a nerd when your "fun elective" is differential equations.

I think at this point I'm over the first rejection. ( ). Now I'm focused on the other three schools and staying pretty positive about it.

I didn't realize it was a limited resource. Thanks for sharing Isn't the idea of spinning it into a positive light a little disheartening? I mean, it's nice to know I have options, but it's kinda like having to choose between a U-Haul and a Radio Flyer to move to a new house.

It's quiet... too quiet. Lol.