SapphireSeaLion

Brace yourselves, I've been keeping a list of the insensitive stuff people have said to me throughout this process in order to try and get a laugh out of all the misery.


• "Just like... don't think about it." Silly me! I should have thought of that!
• "Why did you apply?" I have to justify my existence to myself and several admissions committees daily already. Go away.
• "So what are you going to study?" Honestly? IF I get in, I'll do whatever they tell me to do and love the heck out of it.
• "So how are you doing?" Honestly? Been better. What I'll tell you? "Fine."
• "Guess you'll just have to wait and see..." OMG! You're like, totally wise!
• "This waiting is just AWFUL!" Must be tough. I mean you already got into 3 schools and I haven’t heard a thing, but still.
• “You look exhausted!” Great, I’m already stressed and now I’m self-conscious.
• "What are you doing after you finish undergrad?" Don't know yet. Wish I did. What I do know is that I dislike you right now.
• "Why can't you just turn off the stress?" Probably the same reason that you can’t just turn off being an insensitive jerk.
• "What's your first choice?" The place that wants me.
• “What’s your back up plan?” I prefer not to think about it. But probably a cardboard box.
• "Where did you apply?" Do you really want the full list or can I save the oxygen?
• "What's your GRE score/GPA?" 1) That's personal and 2) That's not the only thing that matters.
• "Wouldn't you rather get a real job and make some money?" See, for some of us, the money isn't important.
• "You still haven't heard? That’s bad. Isn't it time to give up on grad school already?" Thanks for the vote of confidence.
• "What are you gonna do if you don't get in?" Thank you for reminding me that is a distinct possibility.
• "Why are you always SO worked up about this? It doesn't even matter!" Well it kind of matters to me but I mean, no big.
• “It could always be worse.” I know that. It could be MUCH worse. But just because it could be worse doesn’t mean I don’t get to feel bad right now.
• "So uh... what are you gonna do after grad school?" How about we cross that bridge AFTER I get decisions.
• "So when are you going to hear back?" If I knew do you think I'd be in this constant state of full on panic?
• "Did you hear that [person] got in to all his schools already?!" Sure did. And while I’m happy for them, please don’t remind me about everyone else’s results.
• "Don't worry, good students like you don't go without any offers." Um, yes they do.
• "But I mean, you're SO SMART, you're gonna get in everywhere, so just stop worrying." Because smart is clearly all that matters.
• “Aren’t you excited for graduation?” Please don’t say the g-word…
• “I’m so excited for you!” Well, that makes one of us because right now I have no reason to be excited.
• “You have to get in SOMEWHERE…” Actually that’s a common misconception.

Friends, upon learning where you've been accepted: "Oooh, you should go to [program], [city of program] is so exciting!"
Friends, upon learning where you'll go: "Congratulations! Now I have an excuse to visit [city of program]! I'm so excited!"

My mother after telling her I was rejected from Stanford: "Can't you just call them and tell them how interested you are in the program?"

No mom. It doesn't work that way, and even if it did, it's not the best fit for me anyway.

Brace yourselves, I've been keeping a list of the insensitive stuff people have said to me throughout this process in order to try and get a laugh out of all the misery.


• "Just like... don't think about it." Silly me! I should have thought of that!
• "Why did you apply?" I have to justify my existence to myself and several admissions committees daily already. Go away.
• "So what are you going to study?" Honestly? IF I get in, I'll do whatever they tell me to do and love the heck out of it.
• "So how are you doing?" Honestly? Been better. What I'll tell you? "Fine."
• "Guess you'll just have to wait and see..." OMG! You're like, totally wise!
• "This waiting is just AWFUL!" Must be tough. I mean you already got into 3 schools and I haven’t heard a thing, but still.
• “You look exhausted!” Great, I’m already stressed and now I’m self-conscious.
• "What are you doing after you finish undergrad?" Don't know yet. Wish I did. What I do know is that I dislike you right now.
• "Why can't you just turn off the stress?" Probably the same reason that you can’t just turn off being an insensitive jerk.
• "What's your first choice?" The place that wants me.
• “What’s your back up plan?” I prefer not to think about it. But probably a cardboard box.
• "Where did you apply?" Do you really want the full list or can I save the oxygen?
• "What's your GRE score/GPA?" 1) That's personal and 2) That's not the only thing that matters.
• "Wouldn't you rather get a real job and make some money?" See, for some of us, the money isn't important.
• "You still haven't heard? That’s bad. Isn't it time to give up on grad school already?" Thanks for the vote of confidence.
• "What are you gonna do if you don't get in?" Thank you for reminding me that is a distinct possibility.
• "Why are you always SO worked up about this? It doesn't even matter!" Well it kind of matters to me but I mean, no big.
• “It could always be worse.” I know that. It could be MUCH worse. But just because it could be worse doesn’t mean I don’t get to feel bad right now.
• "So uh... what are you gonna do after grad school?" How about we cross that bridge AFTER I get decisions.
• "So when are you going to hear back?" If I knew do you think I'd be in this constant state of full on panic?
• "Did you hear that [person] got in to all his schools already?!" Sure did. And while I’m happy for them, please don’t remind me about everyone else’s results.
• "Don't worry, good students like you don't go without any offers." Um, yes they do.
• "But I mean, you're SO SMART, you're gonna get in everywhere, so just stop worrying." Because smart is clearly all that matters.
• “Aren’t you excited for graduation?” Please don’t say the g-word…
• “I’m so excited for you!” Well, that makes one of us because right now I have no reason to be excited.
• “You have to get in SOMEWHERE…” Actually that’s a common misconception.

I joined to post this thought:
Maybe I am much, much weaker of a person than I initially thought, but this app season has literally made me miserable. I am angry, depressed, hostile, prone to illness, and above all, very bitter. I hear birds chirping and I want to chop down their tree.
Part of it is that I have been rejected from schools I thought I had a chance of getting into, and another part is that I am still waiting on answers.

It feels like the rest of the world knows what they're going to do in the Fall, yet my plans have been demolished and/or are being toyed with by late responses.

At the beginning of this process, I had a "whatever happens, happens!" attitude. Now I am purely depressed about the whole thing.


Hopefully the next two weeks brings some good news.

Thanks for listening and allowing me to vent, gradcafe!

I believe the words of one Mr. Homer Jay Simpson evoke my sentiments in this matter: " Never. I can't live the button-down life like you. I want it all: the terrifying lows, the dizzying highs, the creamy middles. Sure, I might offend a few of the bluenoses with my cocky stride and musky odors - oh, I'll never be the darling of the so-called "City Fathers" who cluck their tongues, stroke their beards, and talk about "What's to be done with this Homer Simpson?""

Brace yourselves, I've been keeping a list of the insensitive stuff people have said to me throughout this process in order to try and get a laugh out of all the misery.


• "Just like... don't think about it." Silly me! I should have thought of that!
• "Why did you apply?" I have to justify my existence to myself and several admissions committees daily already. Go away.
• "So what are you going to study?" Honestly? IF I get in, I'll do whatever they tell me to do and love the heck out of it.
• "So how are you doing?" Honestly? Been better. What I'll tell you? "Fine."
• "Guess you'll just have to wait and see..." OMG! You're like, totally wise!
• "This waiting is just AWFUL!" Must be tough. I mean you already got into 3 schools and I haven’t heard a thing, but still.
• “You look exhausted!” Great, I’m already stressed and now I’m self-conscious.
• "What are you doing after you finish undergrad?" Don't know yet. Wish I did. What I do know is that I dislike you right now.
• "Why can't you just turn off the stress?" Probably the same reason that you can’t just turn off being an insensitive jerk.
• "What's your first choice?" The place that wants me.
• “What’s your back up plan?” I prefer not to think about it. But probably a cardboard box.
• "Where did you apply?" Do you really want the full list or can I save the oxygen?
• "What's your GRE score/GPA?" 1) That's personal and 2) That's not the only thing that matters.
• "Wouldn't you rather get a real job and make some money?" See, for some of us, the money isn't important.
• "You still haven't heard? That’s bad. Isn't it time to give up on grad school already?" Thanks for the vote of confidence.
• "What are you gonna do if you don't get in?" Thank you for reminding me that is a distinct possibility.
• "Why are you always SO worked up about this? It doesn't even matter!" Well it kind of matters to me but I mean, no big.
• “It could always be worse.” I know that. It could be MUCH worse. But just because it could be worse doesn’t mean I don’t get to feel bad right now.
• "So uh... what are you gonna do after grad school?" How about we cross that bridge AFTER I get decisions.
• "So when are you going to hear back?" If I knew do you think I'd be in this constant state of full on panic?
• "Did you hear that [person] got in to all his schools already?!" Sure did. And while I’m happy for them, please don’t remind me about everyone else’s results.
• "Don't worry, good students like you don't go without any offers." Um, yes they do.
• "But I mean, you're SO SMART, you're gonna get in everywhere, so just stop worrying." Because smart is clearly all that matters.
• “Aren’t you excited for graduation?” Please don’t say the g-word…
• “I’m so excited for you!” Well, that makes one of us because right now I have no reason to be excited.
• “You have to get in SOMEWHERE…” Actually that’s a common misconception.

Brace yourselves, I've been keeping a list of the insensitive stuff people have said to me throughout this process in order to try and get a laugh out of all the misery.


• "Just like... don't think about it." Silly me! I should have thought of that!
• "Why did you apply?" I have to justify my existence to myself and several admissions committees daily already. Go away.
• "So what are you going to study?" Honestly? IF I get in, I'll do whatever they tell me to do and love the heck out of it.
• "So how are you doing?" Honestly? Been better. What I'll tell you? "Fine."
• "Guess you'll just have to wait and see..." OMG! You're like, totally wise!
• "This waiting is just AWFUL!" Must be tough. I mean you already got into 3 schools and I haven’t heard a thing, but still.
• “You look exhausted!” Great, I’m already stressed and now I’m self-conscious.
• "What are you doing after you finish undergrad?" Don't know yet. Wish I did. What I do know is that I dislike you right now.
• "Why can't you just turn off the stress?" Probably the same reason that you can’t just turn off being an insensitive jerk.
• "What's your first choice?" The place that wants me.
• “What’s your back up plan?” I prefer not to think about it. But probably a cardboard box.
• "Where did you apply?" Do you really want the full list or can I save the oxygen?
• "What's your GRE score/GPA?" 1) That's personal and 2) That's not the only thing that matters.
• "Wouldn't you rather get a real job and make some money?" See, for some of us, the money isn't important.
• "You still haven't heard? That’s bad. Isn't it time to give up on grad school already?" Thanks for the vote of confidence.
• "What are you gonna do if you don't get in?" Thank you for reminding me that is a distinct possibility.
• "Why are you always SO worked up about this? It doesn't even matter!" Well it kind of matters to me but I mean, no big.
• “It could always be worse.” I know that. It could be MUCH worse. But just because it could be worse doesn’t mean I don’t get to feel bad right now.
• "So uh... what are you gonna do after grad school?" How about we cross that bridge AFTER I get decisions.
• "So when are you going to hear back?" If I knew do you think I'd be in this constant state of full on panic?
• "Did you hear that [person] got in to all his schools already?!" Sure did. And while I’m happy for them, please don’t remind me about everyone else’s results.
• "Don't worry, good students like you don't go without any offers." Um, yes they do.
• "But I mean, you're SO SMART, you're gonna get in everywhere, so just stop worrying." Because smart is clearly all that matters.
• “Aren’t you excited for graduation?” Please don’t say the g-word…
• “I’m so excited for you!” Well, that makes one of us because right now I have no reason to be excited.
• “You have to get in SOMEWHERE…” Actually that’s a common misconception.

Brace yourselves, I've been keeping a list of the insensitive stuff people have said to me throughout this process in order to try and get a laugh out of all the misery.


• "Just like... don't think about it." Silly me! I should have thought of that!
• "Why did you apply?" I have to justify my existence to myself and several admissions committees daily already. Go away.
• "So what are you going to study?" Honestly? IF I get in, I'll do whatever they tell me to do and love the heck out of it.
• "So how are you doing?" Honestly? Been better. What I'll tell you? "Fine."
• "Guess you'll just have to wait and see..." OMG! You're like, totally wise!
• "This waiting is just AWFUL!" Must be tough. I mean you already got into 3 schools and I haven’t heard a thing, but still.
• “You look exhausted!” Great, I’m already stressed and now I’m self-conscious.
• "What are you doing after you finish undergrad?" Don't know yet. Wish I did. What I do know is that I dislike you right now.
• "Why can't you just turn off the stress?" Probably the same reason that you can’t just turn off being an insensitive jerk.
• "What's your first choice?" The place that wants me.
• “What’s your back up plan?” I prefer not to think about it. But probably a cardboard box.
• "Where did you apply?" Do you really want the full list or can I save the oxygen?
• "What's your GRE score/GPA?" 1) That's personal and 2) That's not the only thing that matters.
• "Wouldn't you rather get a real job and make some money?" See, for some of us, the money isn't important.
• "You still haven't heard? That’s bad. Isn't it time to give up on grad school already?" Thanks for the vote of confidence.
• "What are you gonna do if you don't get in?" Thank you for reminding me that is a distinct possibility.
• "Why are you always SO worked up about this? It doesn't even matter!" Well it kind of matters to me but I mean, no big.
• “It could always be worse.” I know that. It could be MUCH worse. But just because it could be worse doesn’t mean I don’t get to feel bad right now.
• "So uh... what are you gonna do after grad school?" How about we cross that bridge AFTER I get decisions.
• "So when are you going to hear back?" If I knew do you think I'd be in this constant state of full on panic?
• "Did you hear that [person] got in to all his schools already?!" Sure did. And while I’m happy for them, please don’t remind me about everyone else’s results.
• "Don't worry, good students like you don't go without any offers." Um, yes they do.
• "But I mean, you're SO SMART, you're gonna get in everywhere, so just stop worrying." Because smart is clearly all that matters.
• “Aren’t you excited for graduation?” Please don’t say the g-word…
• “I’m so excited for you!” Well, that makes one of us because right now I have no reason to be excited.
• “You have to get in SOMEWHERE…” Actually that’s a common misconception.

Brace yourselves, I've been keeping a list of the insensitive stuff people have said to me throughout this process in order to try and get a laugh out of all the misery.


• "Just like... don't think about it." Silly me! I should have thought of that!
• "Why did you apply?" I have to justify my existence to myself and several admissions committees daily already. Go away.
• "So what are you going to study?" Honestly? IF I get in, I'll do whatever they tell me to do and love the heck out of it.
• "So how are you doing?" Honestly? Been better. What I'll tell you? "Fine."
• "Guess you'll just have to wait and see..." OMG! You're like, totally wise!
• "This waiting is just AWFUL!" Must be tough. I mean you already got into 3 schools and I haven’t heard a thing, but still.
• “You look exhausted!” Great, I’m already stressed and now I’m self-conscious.
• "What are you doing after you finish undergrad?" Don't know yet. Wish I did. What I do know is that I dislike you right now.
• "Why can't you just turn off the stress?" Probably the same reason that you can’t just turn off being an insensitive jerk.
• "What's your first choice?" The place that wants me.
• “What’s your back up plan?” I prefer not to think about it. But probably a cardboard box.
• "Where did you apply?" Do you really want the full list or can I save the oxygen?
• "What's your GRE score/GPA?" 1) That's personal and 2) That's not the only thing that matters.
• "Wouldn't you rather get a real job and make some money?" See, for some of us, the money isn't important.
• "You still haven't heard? That’s bad. Isn't it time to give up on grad school already?" Thanks for the vote of confidence.
• "What are you gonna do if you don't get in?" Thank you for reminding me that is a distinct possibility.
• "Why are you always SO worked up about this? It doesn't even matter!" Well it kind of matters to me but I mean, no big.
• “It could always be worse.” I know that. It could be MUCH worse. But just because it could be worse doesn’t mean I don’t get to feel bad right now.
• "So uh... what are you gonna do after grad school?" How about we cross that bridge AFTER I get decisions.
• "So when are you going to hear back?" If I knew do you think I'd be in this constant state of full on panic?
• "Did you hear that [person] got in to all his schools already?!" Sure did. And while I’m happy for them, please don’t remind me about everyone else’s results.
• "Don't worry, good students like you don't go without any offers." Um, yes they do.
• "But I mean, you're SO SMART, you're gonna get in everywhere, so just stop worrying." Because smart is clearly all that matters.
• “Aren’t you excited for graduation?” Please don’t say the g-word…
• “I’m so excited for you!” Well, that makes one of us because right now I have no reason to be excited.
• “You have to get in SOMEWHERE…” Actually that’s a common misconception.

Brace yourselves, I've been keeping a list of the insensitive stuff people have said to me throughout this process in order to try and get a laugh out of all the misery.


• "Just like... don't think about it." Silly me! I should have thought of that!
• "Why did you apply?" I have to justify my existence to myself and several admissions committees daily already. Go away.
• "So what are you going to study?" Honestly? IF I get in, I'll do whatever they tell me to do and love the heck out of it.
• "So how are you doing?" Honestly? Been better. What I'll tell you? "Fine."
• "Guess you'll just have to wait and see..." OMG! You're like, totally wise!
• "This waiting is just AWFUL!" Must be tough. I mean you already got into 3 schools and I haven’t heard a thing, but still.
• “You look exhausted!” Great, I’m already stressed and now I’m self-conscious.
• "What are you doing after you finish undergrad?" Don't know yet. Wish I did. What I do know is that I dislike you right now.
• "Why can't you just turn off the stress?" Probably the same reason that you can’t just turn off being an insensitive jerk.
• "What's your first choice?" The place that wants me.
• “What’s your back up plan?” I prefer not to think about it. But probably a cardboard box.
• "Where did you apply?" Do you really want the full list or can I save the oxygen?
• "What's your GRE score/GPA?" 1) That's personal and 2) That's not the only thing that matters.
• "Wouldn't you rather get a real job and make some money?" See, for some of us, the money isn't important.
• "You still haven't heard? That’s bad. Isn't it time to give up on grad school already?" Thanks for the vote of confidence.
• "What are you gonna do if you don't get in?" Thank you for reminding me that is a distinct possibility.
• "Why are you always SO worked up about this? It doesn't even matter!" Well it kind of matters to me but I mean, no big.
• “It could always be worse.” I know that. It could be MUCH worse. But just because it could be worse doesn’t mean I don’t get to feel bad right now.
• "So uh... what are you gonna do after grad school?" How about we cross that bridge AFTER I get decisions.
• "So when are you going to hear back?" If I knew do you think I'd be in this constant state of full on panic?
• "Did you hear that [person] got in to all his schools already?!" Sure did. And while I’m happy for them, please don’t remind me about everyone else’s results.
• "Don't worry, good students like you don't go without any offers." Um, yes they do.
• "But I mean, you're SO SMART, you're gonna get in everywhere, so just stop worrying." Because smart is clearly all that matters.
• “Aren’t you excited for graduation?” Please don’t say the g-word…
• “I’m so excited for you!” Well, that makes one of us because right now I have no reason to be excited.
• “You have to get in SOMEWHERE…” Actually that’s a common misconception.

Thought this was pretty funny...if all else fails, I might get inspired to do the same!

Dear Admissions Committee:
Having reviewed the many rejection letters I have received in the last few weeks, it is with great regret that I must inform you I am unable to accept your rejection at this time.
This year, after applying to a great many colleges and universities, I received an especially fine crop of rejection letters. Unfortunately, the number of rejections that I can accept is limited.
Each of my rejections was reviewed carefully and on an individual basis. Many factors were taken into account - the size of the institution, student-faculty ratio, location, reputation, costs and social atmosphere.
I am certain that most colleges I applied to are more than qualified to reject me. I am also sure that some mistakes were made in turning away some of these rejections. I can only hope they were few in number.
I am aware of the keen disappointment my decison may bring. Throughout my deliberations, I have kept in mind the time and effort it may have taken for you to reach your decision to reject me.
Keep in mind that at times it was necessary for me to reject even those letters of rejection that would normally have met my traditionally high standards.
I appreciate your having enough interest in me to reject my application. Let me take the opportunity to wish you well in what I am sure will be a successful academic year.
SEE YOU IN THE FALL!
Sincerely,
Paul Devlin
Applicant at Large

Funny story: I told my PI that I was rejected from a school and he replied "They are stupid anyway. I reject anyone from THEIR school! Retaliation."

I am glad to have a PI with a sense of humor. I hope I can find the same when (not if but when) I get into a PhD program.

keep it optimistic!