bearsalot_

Who told you that discussing achievements you earned through your work is arrogant? Psssh. Publications, fellowships, recognitions.. all of those things are relevant and reflect on how good of a candidate you are. Especially things like publications, reseach awards, presentation awards--you are being recognized for your skill at the sort of work that is the bread and butter of grad school! It'd be foolish not to mention these things--they are way more relevant than making up some silly story about your childhood or even dreaming up some pie in the sky 5-year dissertation plan for them to laugh at. I highly doubt that was any sort of kiss of death for you.

Who told you that discussing achievements you earned through your work is arrogant? Psssh. Publications, fellowships, recognitions.. all of those things are relevant and reflect on how good of a candidate you are. Especially things like publications, reseach awards, presentation awards--you are being recognized for your skill at the sort of work that is the bread and butter of grad school! It'd be foolish not to mention these things--they are way more relevant than making up some silly story about your childhood or even dreaming up some pie in the sky 5-year dissertation plan for them to laugh at. I highly doubt that was any sort of kiss of death for you.

Weird. I had a similarly odd instance--I was invited for an interview with about two weeks notice for a recruitment weekend, but it overlapped with one I had scheduled a earlier at another school. I tried to schedule for another date, but the "recruitment team" folks I was corresponding with couldn't figure out who would be in charge of setting up alternative appointments. They had me email several other people myself, who also didn't know who to talk to, but said that they would try. I never heard back.

I'd say, if a school can't or won't make it easy for you to interview with them, it isn't a good sign. They either aren't sufficiently interested in you as an applicant, or they aren't organized enough as a department. Either way, that probably isn't a good fit for you.

Weird. I had a similarly odd instance--I was invited for an interview with about two weeks notice for a recruitment weekend, but it overlapped with one I had scheduled a earlier at another school. I tried to schedule for another date, but the "recruitment team" folks I was corresponding with couldn't figure out who would be in charge of setting up alternative appointments. They had me email several other people myself, who also didn't know who to talk to, but said that they would try. I never heard back.

I'd say, if a school can't or won't make it easy for you to interview with them, it isn't a good sign. They either aren't sufficiently interested in you as an applicant, or they aren't organized enough as a department. Either way, that probably isn't a good fit for you.