VBD

I'm not sure if the job hiring cycle differs for different disciplines, but the general rule my advisors gave me when I was finishing my masters: hiring can take 3-4 months at the fastest rate. Going by that, if you are planning to graduate in May, I'd say you should start looking within the next few weeks. Of course some specific sectors/places are different, ie. in my field many non-profit organizations have the end of the fiscal year as June, so tons of job listings come up in July. You may want to ask some advisors in your program, or career counselors that your university provides. Good luck!

I was invited to an Open House Recruitment 5 days ago. They even said that if I can't go that weekend, they can organize individual visits at other times. However, I haven't found out about travel arrangements, etc. so I have no clue what type of interview this will be, nor whether I am paying for it. ^^; I'm considering waiting a few days for more details, or else, I'll just email them back asking about the arrangements (I have to figure out how to ask that without sounding rude/demanding or anything like that..)

Same. I'm a little more desperate, but a lot less nervous this time around. This year, not much was different. I tweaked my SOP a little, researched more into POIs and contacted them, took some opencourseware class, and got a new LOR. If anything, I feel my resume got a little worse since some publications I was expecting to have didn't work out. Yet, I have one interview. Odd, right? So I know how you feel Sansao.

I had a dream a few days ago that I was sitting in front of my computer checking my email and in came three emails from my top three schools for interview offers. Next thing I know, I wake up, and I'm in my bed. I had no choice but to laugh it off, curse my overactive brain, and go back to sleep. Dropthebase, that sounds wonderful. Here, it's all snow and grey. xD

I am actually a bit jealous of the people who are starting up this semester/have work to keep themselves busy. I just have a part-time food service job D: This is my second time applying. This time last year, I was a wreck. This site, while helpful with tons of advice, did kick my worries into hyper drive My worries increased when I saw people with higher stats (GPA, GRE, publications, etc.) than me worry about THEIR application. Then, everything culminated in months of constant refreshing on the results page and my email and ultimately rejections from all schools but one (which I later rejected due to changing research interests). This year, since I've already had the "worst possible scenario" (though, it could always get worse) with not getting into a program, not getting a job (some jobs came, but were binding and required at least 1 year of work starting now, so waiving the positions to get into grad school is my all-in bet), and having to start paying off my UG/Masters loans, I'm approaching my applications with some nerves, a little more desperation, and a lot more sanity. I'm not obsessively refreshing results, or checking posts, but I do check in once a day. This community is wonderful, but if you feel like you're getting more stressed about it, try to check yourself. Realize that everyone's nervous/anxious/going a little crazy. Also recognize that you WILL survive if you don't get into the school of your dreams, since everything happens for a reason. I, for one, am GLAD I didn't get in last year, since I've matured since then, personally had time to look more into my field through reading more articles and taking opencourseware online and really figuring out the narrow focus area I want to research, something I couldn't have even contemplated while finishing my Masters. I'm sure everyone has done their best, so good luck to all, and may you keep your sanity in these upcoming months.

Almost all by one school I had applied emailed. One school had updated their website, and then sent out an email 1.5 weeks later. Since I was obsessive then, I refreshed like a maniac and saw my status (waitlisted - I cried), then I got an email later saying I was waitlisted (cried again at the reminder). So just wait for an email/postal mail and keep your sanity.

Hello! So I've already finished all my applications (except one *sigh*) -- I'm applying for PhD in environmental health. Anyways, for two of the schools, right after the holidays (think early Jan), I might be headed in that direction and can swing by and visit them. But since it's so late in the application season (and so close to potential interview invites if I were to be so lucky) is it fruitless to visit during that time? Plus I can't really talk with the grad students since they might not be there... I'd like some input before I ask/bother the professors I'd already been emailing. Thanks in advance!

Iowaguy, I'm applying to similar fields as you, so here's the advice I was given. If they ask for something that's optional, just do it. The Adcomms would benefit from knowing more about applicants. If there studentA and StudentB with the same stats, but they know a little bit more about StudentB, human nature dictates that StudentB would be in their mind more. (Not saying that StudentB would get picked). Also you have to realize that there's more to diversity than just race and economics (Top one's off my head are sexual orientation, religion) Plus if you've volunteered/done community-based research, you may seen diversity right before your eyes. In Environmental studies, I'm told there are some training programs with special funding for urban livability, or marine ecology work, etc. The diversity statement helps them with figuring out they can fund a potential student too.

Hello, I'd really appreciate some advice on this decision, since I've agonized over this possibility for months now. I'm a long time "lurker" but from what I've seen you guys are really helpful. I was accepted into a PhD program last April. However, it was probably the worst fit school of my choices (Uni A), considering that the PI I wanted to work with decided to no longer research the disease I was interested. Also, the other PI's I talked to (since it is a rotation-based program) were merely tangentially related. By decision day, I ended up waitlisted on my top choice (Uni B)and accepted with Uni B. Again, over countless debates in my head, I decided to accept the decision. Then in May/June, a family thing including medical issues came up, and I had to ask for a deference from the program. Uni B accepted the deference. However, as I am distanced (time-wise) from the hassle of grad school decisions, I really feel that I made a horrible choice. I really don't want to be a program for 5-6 years of my life in a program that is tangentially related to what I really want to do. I'd essentially have to trailblaze my own path and find a PI who's willing to let me do that. Some people I've talked to IRL have offered that it could be a good thing, and I'm open to that. Furthermore, during my deferred time, I've been looking at future jobs and training program, fellowships (at the same time as looking for current jobs) and I've realized that the jobs I want to do require a degree from a school that has a certain certification, which Uni B does not have. However schools like Uni A do have, schools that I didn't apply for this time last year (I had poor advice from mentors who wanted me to follow their own path). I am considering asking for a release, but I'm not sure if this is a good idea because I heard it can ruin relationships with the professors and uni. But I also don't want to take a spot away from someone (again) in a not as well fitting program. I'm also not sure of how to ask for one, when (Now, preferably..right?), and how honest should I be (saying that you school doesn't have the accreditation I know I'll need for the future seems.. harsh) I know I did things wrong last year during the application season (and it's an amazing fact that I even got accepted into a program) but I think now, I know what to do, and have a list of better fit schools with the accreditation I want. Now, I'm considering applying for this application season. Am I right to even consider this? How can I go about this? Thank you to all for any help.

Hello all! (Long time lurker.. you guys are a plethora of information.. but first time post-er) I had been accepted into a program (Program A)that is less fit to the research that I want, but closer in line with my research in the past. However, I had been waitlisted to my top choice program (Program which is much better fitted to the research I want to do. I really like Program B's PI's and I can see myself in many labs (this program requires rotations each semester). Program A similarly operates on a rotation requirement but I only see a fit with 1 or 2 PI's so I would have troubles figuring out the 3rd rotation and making it fit. I also don't want to "take a spot" from a person who's a better fit for Program A. So my question is, how long should I wait (until the April 15th deadline) before I call Program A to inquire about my current status as a waitlisted student. I don't want to come across as desperate but I really DO want to be admitted into Program A. If I won't know until after April 15th, is it fine to accept into Program B? Thank you in advance for any and all advice!