Bad advice. Too much of that out there...
I'm 38 and have been accepted by 2 PhD programs so far. Keep reaching for what *you* want to do.
It's *never* too late. I cannot stress that enough.
I've received an email notification of a fellowship + either a TA, GA, or RA.
I don't know which one of the three I'll be receiving...so still waiting on this as well.
Sent an email to gsas.admissions@nyu.edu a couple of days ago and still no response.
I've heard tales of their financial woes, plus they were one of the institutional Madoff victims:
http://www.hedgeco.net/news/12/2008/nyu ... bacle.html
My bet is that they'll have a much smaller pool of admits with assistantships/fellowships/scholarships and extend offers to those who can afford to pay their steep tuition with no assistantships (which I most certainly can't). A rejection from them is no matter.
SUNY Stony Brook is my top choice (and where I'm headed) and a much better choice for Research.
Just my 2c.
I've also been accepted. Received an acceptance email over a week ago and was notified of a Fellowship.
Still waiting for the official (postal) letter in the mail.