runner09

I daresay my visit would be *memorable* and quite the impression if I wore what Jerry is wearing!!

I would quote you all to say thank you, but too many offered helpful advice. I feel much better now about the whole attire thing for visits. Thank you so much for the words of advice! I think I'll go with nice tailored jeans (dark, like dress pants but jean material) and a nice blouse.

Hi all, I know this isn't the best place to post it... but I don't know where else you all will check and see what I've written. I am going to visit Penn this weekend and am wondering what people do for attire on these visits. A couple of things make me unsure of what to do: 1) We're already accepted, so it's just a matter of impressions and not of acceptance per se (which is important, don't get me wrong!) 2) we will be walking a LOT 3) it's supposed to be 75 degrees. I was wondering if nice jeans and a NICE top will suffice (I ask about jeans because it makes the shoe choices better for us females..) I didn't know what you all had done on your respective visits. I know a lot of it depends on the culture of the school. The DGS seemed to think jeans were ok (I called!) but I wanted to see what your experiences had been. Goldie? Pugsley? Safferz? Anyone else?

chew gum during take off to help with your ears and calm nerves. You'll be great!

That was great info! I'll check it out. We were originally going to start looking for housing and hopefully sign a lease when I visit in March, but I think since then, we have decided that most places that are available are for people who want to relocate right now. Since we can't move until June/July, we're thinking it might be smart to wait and just make another trip out there (we're in Indiana right now with full-time jobs..) to check it out in May/June. Do you think there will still be available places for us out there at that time?

I am going to Penn in the Fall and am looking for a 2 or 3 bedroom place that has a tiny yard for our (I'm married) two dogs. It looks like it VERY expensive to live close to campus, but from what I've heard, that's your best bet. Feel free to PM me with any tips on neighborhoods to live in, realtors to look up who are dog friendly. Oh and my dogs are just little guys- a dachshund and a terrier. Thanks!

I don't think so. I think this (and back in 2009) might be one of the hardest times to apply. In fact, I think (and I could be wrong here, so take this as a personal opinion) that schools are REALLY running out of money at this point because of the economy. It will get worse for a couple more years, and then turn around a bit. Who knows, but I know when you look at the data for acceptances from the past 15 years, there is a sharp decline right as the economic crisis hit. The economy is definitely playing a part in the acceptance process!

Sure! I had an interview on Feb 10th and they said via skype (at the end of it) that they would be in touch in a couple of weeks with decisions. I just got back from work and saw an email from the chair of the graduate committee. It looked like it was a form email with my name attached to the top. It had some brief details about funding and visiting days. Oh, and they said that there over 400 applicants. They did 25 or so interviews.

I just got into UPENN!! I think this is further proof of how wacky this whole process is as I've only had waitlist news (from lower ranked schools....) until now. Congrats to the Harvard folks too- great news!!

OK thanks for easing some concerns!

Of course, the information you said there is about PRINCETON, right? I know that it is of course similar at other schools (they look for different people off the waitlists etc..) but I don't think all is doomed for us waiting at other schools, right? Please, please, please?

Strangelight, how are you so wise?? This is great- very helpful. I've applied to only PhD programs and am hoping to start in the Fall- do you recommend that I follow the same "steps" you outlined as I complete my first couple years? OR, is it different given that I will have comps to study for and won't have to apply (hopefully!) mid course. Does that make sense?

Agreed on the wacky process part. Best of luck to you as you twiddle your thumbs and wait. I find myself logging a lot of miles (running) and reading.... sleeping and then repeat!

wait- abbott and oesirus- are we all in the same boat- 3 waitlists and no acceptances? yikes!

Whoa that is different! I guess I should just look and see what's out there. But then again, I am jumping to conclusions (hopefully wrongly) as I have not had confirmed "NOs" from all the places I applied. And there are those waitlists...