KatKad

Still no rejection here either. I mean, I know its coming mind you, it just hasnt arrived lol

Yeah, they just posted a similar statement on facebook "The NDSEG Program Office has issued all preliminary award notifications. All other applicants who are selected for additional awards will be notified as soon as possible. Once the 200 awards limit has been reached, all applicants will be notified of their final status in the 2012 NDSEG competition. Please feel free to follow up with ndseg@asee.org should you have any additional questions. Thank you."

I agree with a comment someone made many pages back: basically, the awarding agencies are like college students, waiting til the last minute then rushing to get the results out to people. If they couldn't definitely get us the results by april 15th, they should've said a later date, then surprised us with earlier results if they came in. And it should all be at one time, not some people getting notifications and others not getting anything. For some of us (me included) this dictates the direction the following year(s) will go and getting ulcers waiting to make other decisions is not a good thing. I already figure I don't have the fellowship, but it would be nice to get a definite yes or no so I could move on.

Well I have libations on hand tonight, think the stress has surely gotten me down. Congrats to those who have already been awarded. Let's hope theres still some good luck floating around for the rest of us. I still can't log it, it says my password/email are incorrect. Thinking thats a bad omen But everything happens for a reason right?

Yeah I got on there and was still logged in but nothing showed up. So, I logged out and now it won't let me log in again. At this rate, it'll be sunday before we hear anything. Here's hoping it'll be before then, because I dont think I'm going to get anything done this weekend with this still looming overhead..

Yes there will be some drinking, either to celebrate or drown our sorrows, right? I think we shouldve started a club and had a party or somethin at the end of this funding gauntlet. Waiting on application results sucks....

Could be that they wiped the system and new log in info will be sent along with the email? Just a thought.

I can't log in either :,( maybe theres still hope...right? Let us know if anyone else can log in

Hahaha.....we're such idiots. Why are we stressin over this? lol ridiculous the things grad students do to themselves............

Ruby stuff is no longer showing up. Im getting a message that says 2012 award system is not yet open.

Yeah, I just tried to get on to the ASEE award site and am also getting the weird ruby on rails thing. Obviously, things are in the works. I wish they'd just send us the freakin emails and be done with the anxiety!

Judging by the forum from last year, it looks like they sent out emails in waves. I don't believe there is a set time (of course, they wouldn't tell us if there was in fear that those not getting an email right at that time would result in massive phone calls, emails, etc). Is it sad I am now literally having dreams about checking my email and getting results? *sigh*

Haha that would be ironically perfect. In fact, Im figuring we won't hear anything til then anyways....

Sadly, same here. Doubt I get it, but would like to know so I can make/solidify plans for the coming funding year. If I don't get it, I'll probably be trying for the Air Force scholarship (though I dont really want to be indebted to service for years after graduation)......

I agree they should email it. Im glad I added them on my FB and now check daily to see if they have posted any updates. Still, since I'm ocd about checking my email this week, would be much better just to get those updates in my inbox. I'll continue to repost the updates they put on FB if anyone wants me to.

This was posted via Facebook about 30 minutes ago: "The NDSEG Program Office still expects award notifications to be issued via e-mail by April 15. All applicants will be notified via e-mail regarding the status of their application once that information becomes available. Please feel free to follow up with ndseg@asee.org should you have any additional questions. Thank you." Obviously they are getting tired of us checking in constantly. The waiting game continues........

I have to play devils advocate since everyone is saying don't do it. I've had the same questions and issues running through my mind as well, as I am finishing the first year in a program that doesnt pay. Here are some things to look at: 1) Do you have to take out full loans each year or can you get a part time job? Are there other untapped sources of funding you haven't looked into like fellowships, grants, scholarships? There's a lot out there for phd students so do some research on things to apply for. 2) Does your program offer reduced tuition after a few years? In mine, in the 3rd year you can get a certain percentage drop, then once on internship or just doing disertation hours the tuition drops again. Get all the facts, and if there are any other special circumstances options your financial aid office may not be clearly advertising (But may be hidden in the fine print). I fully plan to get any tuition reductions and such ASAP and have applied for fellowships through various agencies. 3) look into loan reduction programs. There are TONS of programs out there that will repay part of your loans for different reasons. For example, in some states if you agree to work in a rural or low ses area for a few years, they'll pay back a portion of your loans. There are other repayment programs, it just takes research! I too am quite worried about the debt, and being a late 20's married lady with a kid already, I understand the concern over the bills. But don't freak out just by adding up your first year's tuition for the next 5. REALLY research and look into other options and it may not be as bad as you think. And at the end of your days, in all honesty, are you going to be happy or have regrets if you don't do the degree? Just food for thought.

I agree. When I was in my undergrad program, there were 1-2 people not currently in school who were working in the lab a few hours a week for extra experience. Talk to professors at your local university, and any others in youre area. There may even be some independants who do research work that would like some help. Probably won't need to quit your job (hopefully), and many researchers love free help! If the only experience you've had has been in writing but no hands on experimental work, Id take anything that came open, whether its evolutionary or not. Then next year, when yo uare writing a statement of purpose you can talk about your reasons for wanting to do evo rather than what you've been doing. At least you'd still get some sort of research experience that can translate into a new area.

In regards to the speculation on when they will announce: They posted on FB a couple of days ago that they would notify people via email BY April 15th (lets hope right?). They also said you would be notified whether you get one or not. So, 1)Here's to hoping they stick to their word and let EVERYONE know something on time and 2) we should all hear something next week sometime. EEK!