NBM

This thread from last year might be of use:


 
As a side note, one particular factor that I think stands to be weighted more highly than it often is by applicants is the quality of students at the department. Being surrounded by good students means your seminars will go better, private conversations will be more productive, you'll have better opportunities for coauthorship, etc. So keep an eye out for that kind of thing as you go on admit weekends.

Re: emailing departments prior to apppying
Instead of bothering faculty members with my stats, I actually emailed a few administrative staff regarding standardized test scores, and I found that to be helpful.

This, apparently, only applies to people who don't have near-perfect scores. In cases when immediate info isn't available online, they supplied me with averages and general standards that faculty members adopt. What the person said convinced me that I should not apply to that top-30 school.

In one other case, I was able to infer that standardized test scores are not an extremely important part of the admission calculus. Administrative personnel could provide good info.

Re: emailing departments prior to apppying
Instead of bothering faculty members with my stats, I actually emailed a few administrative staff regarding standardized test scores, and I found that to be helpful.

This, apparently, only applies to people who don't have near-perfect scores. In cases when immediate info isn't available online, they supplied me with averages and general standards that faculty members adopt. What the person said convinced me that I should not apply to that top-30 school.

In one other case, I was able to infer that standardized test scores are not an extremely important part of the admission calculus. Administrative personnel could provide good info.

I trust that good news awaits. All it takes is one acceptance, then you're all set!
 
Even if things don't work out as you'd hoped, just keep in mind that a lot of people went through multiple cycles, and were pretty successful in the end. Don't worry too much over the weekend. 

Some great, insightful posts here on page 132...  Being passionate of about an area of study does account for a lot!  And most certainly going through this process once has openned my eyes.  I hope that those of us here that don't get an offer or don't get one we can take, will stay in touch during the next cycle... early encouragement, help drafting SoPs, getting good opinions about schools, etc... will be most helpful second time around.

I trust that good news awaits. All it takes is one acceptance, then you're all set!
 
Even if things don't work out as you'd hoped, just keep in mind that a lot of people went through multiple cycles, and were pretty successful in the end. Don't worry too much over the weekend.