gradguy

This thread slowed down quite a bit. Did everyone do okay? Looks like the most departments set their decision deadlines for the next week or so.

That's crazy debt to take on. Heaven forbid you get stuck with a bad advisor and end up not finishing. I chose to pass on a free ride for my master's degree and go to a school with no financial aid because of the professors, etc at the university. I luckily received aid for the last three semesters I was there, but I had nearly $13,000 added to my overall debt for that first semester I didn't have financial aid and it hurts. I got the degree in 2004 and have not done anything even resembling my degree field since. Now I wish I would have taken the free ride and at least I wouldn't have to pay back loans for two college degrees I don't even use. We had a guy take classes during the first year of my master's program and he was not accepted into the program, but they had agreed to allow him to take classes with the possibility they would allow him into the program based on his performance. He did eventually get into the program, but he was the joke of the program. No one wanted to work with him on projects and none of the professors in the department respected him. He eventually just left the program without getting his degree. You don't want to be that guy.

Do most programs have a deadline for all of this to be over by April 15th? I'm just thinking all of this should be over for most of us in less than a month...right?? I'm just thinking out loud since I figure they would provide some notice to make a decision, so if I am going to hear from a school, I am probably going to hear something in the next couple of weeks. Sort of exciting as the time is winding down.

I haven't heard from 5/5 schools. I felt like I needed to hear one way or the other, so last week I contacted each school to ask about the status of my application since I haven't heard anything from anyone in like 2 months. I got positive responses that cuts were made a few times and that my application was still active in the process. Some programs are waiting to see what teir budget will look like and stuff like that, so there is hope still. I am wondering since my application has made it to the late stages at a few schools, is there something I should be doing or saying to improve my chances or am I better to just stay patient and let them do what they need to do? Obviously if I contact them and feel I messed up my chances and then don't get selected, I'll be kicking myself

I haven't heard anything from any of the programs I applied to yet. When an applicant is rejected, do they normally send something or do I need to contact the program and ask them? I know in the past schools always promptly let me know in the mail one way or the other, but I have been out of school for quite a while. Seems like it is getting late to get any offers now, but you never know I guess. I have been checking the status everyday and its always being reviewed or at the department level, etc. I have seen people accepted to some of the programs I applied to, so I know they have sent offers. I must be below the wait list and above the rejection list for now.

I applied to NCSU and VT as well and have not heard a thing. They may be making decisions later this year. Congrats on ODU, nice school.

Yeah, I have a master's degree as well. It is pretty much useless. With the exception that the master's degree will scare aware more potential employers because they are worried you might eventually take their position or that "we feel you're just too educated for this position" feeling, it feel like a four year degree. Luckily my master's degree was funded, so I didn't get stuck with the additional debt. I tell people with children starting college now to forget the grades and just start studying for the GRE. A PhD is not something you can just work your way toward. You have to be lucky to get there, then have the strength the finish it out when you get there. A lot to accomplish, but impossible if no one gives you a chance.

Haven't heard anything from Auburn at all. That sounds pretty promising. And you got into CMU, looks like you're all set Quader. Nice.

This is my third round of attempting to get into a PhD program. I have never been accepted into a PhD program and after increasing my GRE scores and investing a tremendous amount of time in the application process, this will be it for me. My age and the money/time expense is too great. Like most of you, it costs a lot to get transcripts to all of the schools. Both my ungraduate and master's school charge for each transcript. The fees are always increasing and babysitting the LORs until they finally get sent was done for the last time for me in December. I don't plan to remind another grown adult of their responsibilities for a third and even fourth and fifth time ever again. I have not gotten any official letters of rejection yet, but I know schools are rushing their offers out in order to lock in the blue chip applicants. I've not even been waitlisted or spoken to by anyone...period. I just hope I get a rejection letter to put in the file for all the money I spent. If I get one of those last minute calls in the 11th hour, it would be great and those stories always give you hope that you'll get a spot, but i have been through this so many times and it seems like they have what they're looking for and if you're not it, nothing else really matters. That said, I am in a job I hate and so wish to get into a program. Otherwise I have to get another plan together for this next big chapter in my life and let this dream go. It's not easy to do, but we all have to face the reality of the situation eventually. It's not the end of the world.

Does it seem most likely that the first notification of acceptance comes via email, phone call, or mailed information?

38, I'll be 39 in May. Time sure does go by. When I was most of your ages, I was in the military. This will be my last year applying to programs after numerous rounds of unsuccessful attempts. Hopefully it turns out good, if not, I gave it my best to reach my goals. I truly admire you guys who have the opportunities to go for your dreams at such a young age. I hope the same for my children some day.

I haven't heard from NC State or Virginia Tech either. I guess that's a sign they are still looking through all of the material.

Well, its nice not to have to worry about visits and interviews. I just checked a few of my school sites and they mentioned 4-6 weeks, so I guess we could be in for a wait. I'll just sit tight. Thanks for the helpful comments.

I had some questions and thought this might be a good place to post them since I am specifically talking about I/O programs. 1) Do most of the I/O programs require visits and meetings like other programs? I thought there might be a phone interview or something, but I had not made plans for traveling out of state? Should I be? 2) I have not heard decisions from any schools? Could that be a good sign that I have not gotten a rejection letter that I might be right there in the mix? I probably have too many things going on in my head right now and I don't want to call schools and have them just tell me I didn't get in. Thanks for the help and congrats to the people who have got their spot for next year. Must be an awesome feeling.

Thanks James and Gibbas for the advice. I don't think I will call any programs unless it gets into March. If I am going to get rejected, I would like to keep the dream alive for as long as possible. There are so many variables that can work for or against you in these types of decisions that i would not have any clue how it will go.