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Ive read this before, and today I need to read it again! Hope everyone in this forum reads this.

I have been invited via email for a Skype pre admission interview. They asked me to pick 3 choices out of 9 possible choices ( each time slot 15 minutes). I was not aware that the MA program I applied to even participated in interviews. Has anyone had any experience with this? Do you think I have a pretty good shot?

This application season ended for me mid-Jan, and I have sinced contemplated about how one would pick out just one school.  
I know very well that it is one of the most important decisions I will ever make. 
 
Before you read any further, let me tell you that I have done as much "homework" as I possibly can on picking schools (feel free to advise me on this): (1) school rankings, (2) department rankings, (3) research fit, (4) professors' research background / tenure (or not - how many years left) / publications etc, (5) Their placements (academia and industry), (6) fundings, (7) if they are taking new students, (8) cost of living, weather, quality of life at that area.
 
I thought I knew a lot.  And that has changed completely, in the last few days.
 
I (luckily) got my hands on this source of information which provides me with a much more complex picture of faculty connections, their personalities, their styles of working with students, and academic pedigrees that generally are not available to applicants.  Long story short, it involves a lot of luck, and I have learnt several things that I want to share:
 
1. An adcom picks out applicants based on these factors, in order of importance: (1) rec letters, (2) combination of GPA and GRE scores, (3) statement of purpose, (4) research experience.  Why, you ask?  Name recognition is very important in academia, and if your rec letters come from the big shots in your field, it makes your applications 10x better.  GPA+scores give a general idea of competence.  Your SOP tells them what kind of person you are; how much and how well you can talk about your research experience shows commitment and competence.  If and ONLY if your SOP matches with what were written in your rec letters, then you are in.  From what I heard, generally undergraduate students do not partake in very meaningful research, so adcoms see it as a preparation step of commitment and resilience, rather than looking at the quality of the research itself.
 
2. Keep an open mind:  Do not be obsessed with school rankings.  Be where you feel the most happy.  Be where you feel supported by faculty.  Be where department dynamics and lab dynamics are good. Generally, you have an idea of this during your visits, so do not make any decision before you visit all the schools you are accepted to.
 
3. The most important thing about picking a school, is that feeling like there is more than one person in the department you could be happy working with. Be robust to environmental fluctuations!  It is very possible that you dont end up working for that one person that you wanted to.  Only join a department that you like working for more than person.
 
And there is so much more.  As I come to realize how complex it is, I feel obliged to share what I have learnt.  Good luck with your decision!

This application season ended for me mid-Jan, and I have sinced contemplated about how one would pick out just one school.  
I know very well that it is one of the most important decisions I will ever make. 
 
Before you read any further, let me tell you that I have done as much "homework" as I possibly can on picking schools (feel free to advise me on this): (1) school rankings, (2) department rankings, (3) research fit, (4) professors' research background / tenure (or not - how many years left) / publications etc, (5) Their placements (academia and industry), (6) fundings, (7) if they are taking new students, (8) cost of living, weather, quality of life at that area.
 
I thought I knew a lot.  And that has changed completely, in the last few days.
 
I (luckily) got my hands on this source of information which provides me with a much more complex picture of faculty connections, their personalities, their styles of working with students, and academic pedigrees that generally are not available to applicants.  Long story short, it involves a lot of luck, and I have learnt several things that I want to share:
 
1. An adcom picks out applicants based on these factors, in order of importance: (1) rec letters, (2) combination of GPA and GRE scores, (3) statement of purpose, (4) research experience.  Why, you ask?  Name recognition is very important in academia, and if your rec letters come from the big shots in your field, it makes your applications 10x better.  GPA+scores give a general idea of competence.  Your SOP tells them what kind of person you are; how much and how well you can talk about your research experience shows commitment and competence.  If and ONLY if your SOP matches with what were written in your rec letters, then you are in.  From what I heard, generally undergraduate students do not partake in very meaningful research, so adcoms see it as a preparation step of commitment and resilience, rather than looking at the quality of the research itself.
 
2. Keep an open mind:  Do not be obsessed with school rankings.  Be where you feel the most happy.  Be where you feel supported by faculty.  Be where department dynamics and lab dynamics are good. Generally, you have an idea of this during your visits, so do not make any decision before you visit all the schools you are accepted to.
 
3. The most important thing about picking a school, is that feeling like there is more than one person in the department you could be happy working with. Be robust to environmental fluctuations!  It is very possible that you dont end up working for that one person that you wanted to.  Only join a department that you like working for more than person.
 
And there is so much more.  As I come to realize how complex it is, I feel obliged to share what I have learnt.  Good luck with your decision!

This application season ended for me mid-Jan, and I have sinced contemplated about how one would pick out just one school.  
I know very well that it is one of the most important decisions I will ever make. 
 
Before you read any further, let me tell you that I have done as much "homework" as I possibly can on picking schools (feel free to advise me on this): (1) school rankings, (2) department rankings, (3) research fit, (4) professors' research background / tenure (or not - how many years left) / publications etc, (5) Their placements (academia and industry), (6) fundings, (7) if they are taking new students, (8) cost of living, weather, quality of life at that area.
 
I thought I knew a lot.  And that has changed completely, in the last few days.
 
I (luckily) got my hands on this source of information which provides me with a much more complex picture of faculty connections, their personalities, their styles of working with students, and academic pedigrees that generally are not available to applicants.  Long story short, it involves a lot of luck, and I have learnt several things that I want to share:
 
1. An adcom picks out applicants based on these factors, in order of importance: (1) rec letters, (2) combination of GPA and GRE scores, (3) statement of purpose, (4) research experience.  Why, you ask?  Name recognition is very important in academia, and if your rec letters come from the big shots in your field, it makes your applications 10x better.  GPA+scores give a general idea of competence.  Your SOP tells them what kind of person you are; how much and how well you can talk about your research experience shows commitment and competence.  If and ONLY if your SOP matches with what were written in your rec letters, then you are in.  From what I heard, generally undergraduate students do not partake in very meaningful research, so adcoms see it as a preparation step of commitment and resilience, rather than looking at the quality of the research itself.
 
2. Keep an open mind:  Do not be obsessed with school rankings.  Be where you feel the most happy.  Be where you feel supported by faculty.  Be where department dynamics and lab dynamics are good. Generally, you have an idea of this during your visits, so do not make any decision before you visit all the schools you are accepted to.
 
3. The most important thing about picking a school, is that feeling like there is more than one person in the department you could be happy working with. Be robust to environmental fluctuations!  It is very possible that you dont end up working for that one person that you wanted to.  Only join a department that you like working for more than person.
 
And there is so much more.  As I come to realize how complex it is, I feel obliged to share what I have learnt.  Good luck with your decision!

This application season ended for me mid-Jan, and I have sinced contemplated about how one would pick out just one school.  
I know very well that it is one of the most important decisions I will ever make. 
 
Before you read any further, let me tell you that I have done as much "homework" as I possibly can on picking schools (feel free to advise me on this): (1) school rankings, (2) department rankings, (3) research fit, (4) professors' research background / tenure (or not - how many years left) / publications etc, (5) Their placements (academia and industry), (6) fundings, (7) if they are taking new students, (8) cost of living, weather, quality of life at that area.
 
I thought I knew a lot.  And that has changed completely, in the last few days.
 
I (luckily) got my hands on this source of information which provides me with a much more complex picture of faculty connections, their personalities, their styles of working with students, and academic pedigrees that generally are not available to applicants.  Long story short, it involves a lot of luck, and I have learnt several things that I want to share:
 
1. An adcom picks out applicants based on these factors, in order of importance: (1) rec letters, (2) combination of GPA and GRE scores, (3) statement of purpose, (4) research experience.  Why, you ask?  Name recognition is very important in academia, and if your rec letters come from the big shots in your field, it makes your applications 10x better.  GPA+scores give a general idea of competence.  Your SOP tells them what kind of person you are; how much and how well you can talk about your research experience shows commitment and competence.  If and ONLY if your SOP matches with what were written in your rec letters, then you are in.  From what I heard, generally undergraduate students do not partake in very meaningful research, so adcoms see it as a preparation step of commitment and resilience, rather than looking at the quality of the research itself.
 
2. Keep an open mind:  Do not be obsessed with school rankings.  Be where you feel the most happy.  Be where you feel supported by faculty.  Be where department dynamics and lab dynamics are good. Generally, you have an idea of this during your visits, so do not make any decision before you visit all the schools you are accepted to.
 
3. The most important thing about picking a school, is that feeling like there is more than one person in the department you could be happy working with. Be robust to environmental fluctuations!  It is very possible that you dont end up working for that one person that you wanted to.  Only join a department that you like working for more than person.
 
And there is so much more.  As I come to realize how complex it is, I feel obliged to share what I have learnt.  Good luck with your decision!

This application season ended for me mid-Jan, and I have sinced contemplated about how one would pick out just one school.  
I know very well that it is one of the most important decisions I will ever make. 
 
Before you read any further, let me tell you that I have done as much "homework" as I possibly can on picking schools (feel free to advise me on this): (1) school rankings, (2) department rankings, (3) research fit, (4) professors' research background / tenure (or not - how many years left) / publications etc, (5) Their placements (academia and industry), (6) fundings, (7) if they are taking new students, (8) cost of living, weather, quality of life at that area.
 
I thought I knew a lot.  And that has changed completely, in the last few days.
 
I (luckily) got my hands on this source of information which provides me with a much more complex picture of faculty connections, their personalities, their styles of working with students, and academic pedigrees that generally are not available to applicants.  Long story short, it involves a lot of luck, and I have learnt several things that I want to share:
 
1. An adcom picks out applicants based on these factors, in order of importance: (1) rec letters, (2) combination of GPA and GRE scores, (3) statement of purpose, (4) research experience.  Why, you ask?  Name recognition is very important in academia, and if your rec letters come from the big shots in your field, it makes your applications 10x better.  GPA+scores give a general idea of competence.  Your SOP tells them what kind of person you are; how much and how well you can talk about your research experience shows commitment and competence.  If and ONLY if your SOP matches with what were written in your rec letters, then you are in.  From what I heard, generally undergraduate students do not partake in very meaningful research, so adcoms see it as a preparation step of commitment and resilience, rather than looking at the quality of the research itself.
 
2. Keep an open mind:  Do not be obsessed with school rankings.  Be where you feel the most happy.  Be where you feel supported by faculty.  Be where department dynamics and lab dynamics are good. Generally, you have an idea of this during your visits, so do not make any decision before you visit all the schools you are accepted to.
 
3. The most important thing about picking a school, is that feeling like there is more than one person in the department you could be happy working with. Be robust to environmental fluctuations!  It is very possible that you dont end up working for that one person that you wanted to.  Only join a department that you like working for more than person.
 
And there is so much more.  As I come to realize how complex it is, I feel obliged to share what I have learnt.  Good luck with your decision!

Shouldn't you apply to school before you start sketching chapters in your thesis? Seriously, you are worrying about (non-)issues that will not even be relevant until 5 or so years from now.
 
At the end of the PhD process, if you are successful, you'll be the expert in whatever you do; it'll probably be a small problem that you work on and solve, but you want to make it relevant to a larger audience by having the means to expand your research to some neighboring issue (tools, methodology, theory, question, whatever). So you want something focused but expandable.

This application season ended for me mid-Jan, and I have sinced contemplated about how one would pick out just one school.  
I know very well that it is one of the most important decisions I will ever make. 
 
Before you read any further, let me tell you that I have done as much "homework" as I possibly can on picking schools (feel free to advise me on this): (1) school rankings, (2) department rankings, (3) research fit, (4) professors' research background / tenure (or not - how many years left) / publications etc, (5) Their placements (academia and industry), (6) fundings, (7) if they are taking new students, (8) cost of living, weather, quality of life at that area.
 
I thought I knew a lot.  And that has changed completely, in the last few days.
 
I (luckily) got my hands on this source of information which provides me with a much more complex picture of faculty connections, their personalities, their styles of working with students, and academic pedigrees that generally are not available to applicants.  Long story short, it involves a lot of luck, and I have learnt several things that I want to share:
 
1. An adcom picks out applicants based on these factors, in order of importance: (1) rec letters, (2) combination of GPA and GRE scores, (3) statement of purpose, (4) research experience.  Why, you ask?  Name recognition is very important in academia, and if your rec letters come from the big shots in your field, it makes your applications 10x better.  GPA+scores give a general idea of competence.  Your SOP tells them what kind of person you are; how much and how well you can talk about your research experience shows commitment and competence.  If and ONLY if your SOP matches with what were written in your rec letters, then you are in.  From what I heard, generally undergraduate students do not partake in very meaningful research, so adcoms see it as a preparation step of commitment and resilience, rather than looking at the quality of the research itself.
 
2. Keep an open mind:  Do not be obsessed with school rankings.  Be where you feel the most happy.  Be where you feel supported by faculty.  Be where department dynamics and lab dynamics are good. Generally, you have an idea of this during your visits, so do not make any decision before you visit all the schools you are accepted to.
 
3. The most important thing about picking a school, is that feeling like there is more than one person in the department you could be happy working with. Be robust to environmental fluctuations!  It is very possible that you dont end up working for that one person that you wanted to.  Only join a department that you like working for more than person.
 
And there is so much more.  As I come to realize how complex it is, I feel obliged to share what I have learnt.  Good luck with your decision!

This application season ended for me mid-Jan, and I have sinced contemplated about how one would pick out just one school.  
I know very well that it is one of the most important decisions I will ever make. 
 
Before you read any further, let me tell you that I have done as much "homework" as I possibly can on picking schools (feel free to advise me on this): (1) school rankings, (2) department rankings, (3) research fit, (4) professors' research background / tenure (or not - how many years left) / publications etc, (5) Their placements (academia and industry), (6) fundings, (7) if they are taking new students, (8) cost of living, weather, quality of life at that area.
 
I thought I knew a lot.  And that has changed completely, in the last few days.
 
I (luckily) got my hands on this source of information which provides me with a much more complex picture of faculty connections, their personalities, their styles of working with students, and academic pedigrees that generally are not available to applicants.  Long story short, it involves a lot of luck, and I have learnt several things that I want to share:
 
1. An adcom picks out applicants based on these factors, in order of importance: (1) rec letters, (2) combination of GPA and GRE scores, (3) statement of purpose, (4) research experience.  Why, you ask?  Name recognition is very important in academia, and if your rec letters come from the big shots in your field, it makes your applications 10x better.  GPA+scores give a general idea of competence.  Your SOP tells them what kind of person you are; how much and how well you can talk about your research experience shows commitment and competence.  If and ONLY if your SOP matches with what were written in your rec letters, then you are in.  From what I heard, generally undergraduate students do not partake in very meaningful research, so adcoms see it as a preparation step of commitment and resilience, rather than looking at the quality of the research itself.
 
2. Keep an open mind:  Do not be obsessed with school rankings.  Be where you feel the most happy.  Be where you feel supported by faculty.  Be where department dynamics and lab dynamics are good. Generally, you have an idea of this during your visits, so do not make any decision before you visit all the schools you are accepted to.
 
3. The most important thing about picking a school, is that feeling like there is more than one person in the department you could be happy working with. Be robust to environmental fluctuations!  It is very possible that you dont end up working for that one person that you wanted to.  Only join a department that you like working for more than person.
 
And there is so much more.  As I come to realize how complex it is, I feel obliged to share what I have learnt.  Good luck with your decision!

This application season ended for me mid-Jan, and I have sinced contemplated about how one would pick out just one school.  
I know very well that it is one of the most important decisions I will ever make. 
 
Before you read any further, let me tell you that I have done as much "homework" as I possibly can on picking schools (feel free to advise me on this): (1) school rankings, (2) department rankings, (3) research fit, (4) professors' research background / tenure (or not - how many years left) / publications etc, (5) Their placements (academia and industry), (6) fundings, (7) if they are taking new students, (8) cost of living, weather, quality of life at that area.
 
I thought I knew a lot.  And that has changed completely, in the last few days.
 
I (luckily) got my hands on this source of information which provides me with a much more complex picture of faculty connections, their personalities, their styles of working with students, and academic pedigrees that generally are not available to applicants.  Long story short, it involves a lot of luck, and I have learnt several things that I want to share:
 
1. An adcom picks out applicants based on these factors, in order of importance: (1) rec letters, (2) combination of GPA and GRE scores, (3) statement of purpose, (4) research experience.  Why, you ask?  Name recognition is very important in academia, and if your rec letters come from the big shots in your field, it makes your applications 10x better.  GPA+scores give a general idea of competence.  Your SOP tells them what kind of person you are; how much and how well you can talk about your research experience shows commitment and competence.  If and ONLY if your SOP matches with what were written in your rec letters, then you are in.  From what I heard, generally undergraduate students do not partake in very meaningful research, so adcoms see it as a preparation step of commitment and resilience, rather than looking at the quality of the research itself.
 
2. Keep an open mind:  Do not be obsessed with school rankings.  Be where you feel the most happy.  Be where you feel supported by faculty.  Be where department dynamics and lab dynamics are good. Generally, you have an idea of this during your visits, so do not make any decision before you visit all the schools you are accepted to.
 
3. The most important thing about picking a school, is that feeling like there is more than one person in the department you could be happy working with. Be robust to environmental fluctuations!  It is very possible that you dont end up working for that one person that you wanted to.  Only join a department that you like working for more than person.
 
And there is so much more.  As I come to realize how complex it is, I feel obliged to share what I have learnt.  Good luck with your decision!

I don't think GRE scores are weighted very heavily in the admissions process, but I do think GPA plays a major role. We're not just talking about grades when it  comes to GPA, but also which classes were taken as an undergraduate. I've taken a few graduate courses very relevant to the field I'm going into, and my interviewers were impressed (somewhat) with my initiative in taking those classes because it shows that I'm serious about the field I'm applying to. As Eigen said, POI's want you to start working ASAP, and my exposure to these highly relevant courses has given me more of an edge and preparation in doing so.
 
But of course, this is all in supplement to a good bit of research experience (although I never felt they were superbly meaningful) and great LoR's and a decent SoP, which I think are the more major deciding factors.

I think your second two points are great, but my experience would tell me that your order of importance is off on criteria that admissions committees use. 
 
I'd rank it:
 
Research Experience = Letters (since the letters should emphasize your research experience) > SoP > GRE/GPA. 
 
In short, GRE/GPA can keep you out of programs, but they'll rarely get you in, if you're lacking the first 3. Also, from my experience, letters from "big shots" that don't know you as well are much less persuasive than an unknown or lesser known faculty member that knows you really well, and writes a good letter. 
 
As to general undergrad research experience being low, most of my cohort had 3-4 years of in lab research experience, and several conference presentations and either publications or an undergraduate thesis that showed that they really did know their project. 
 
The same could be said for undergraduates that have worked for and with me at my current graduate institution. Many start as freshmen or early in their sophomore years, and most end up with publication authorship and/or a project of their own that the can present and do a thesis on. 
 
TL;DR: Showing you have research experience will trump almost anything else, imo. Faculty want someone who can come and get started in the lab right away, and has shown that they can solve problems and direct their research. You need to have a base level of competence that shows you'll get through your coursework and can understand the chemistry you'll be working with, but it's a "floor" more than anything else. 

This application season ended for me mid-Jan, and I have sinced contemplated about how one would pick out just one school.  
I know very well that it is one of the most important decisions I will ever make. 
 
Before you read any further, let me tell you that I have done as much "homework" as I possibly can on picking schools (feel free to advise me on this): (1) school rankings, (2) department rankings, (3) research fit, (4) professors' research background / tenure (or not - how many years left) / publications etc, (5) Their placements (academia and industry), (6) fundings, (7) if they are taking new students, (8) cost of living, weather, quality of life at that area.
 
I thought I knew a lot.  And that has changed completely, in the last few days.
 
I (luckily) got my hands on this source of information which provides me with a much more complex picture of faculty connections, their personalities, their styles of working with students, and academic pedigrees that generally are not available to applicants.  Long story short, it involves a lot of luck, and I have learnt several things that I want to share:
 
1. An adcom picks out applicants based on these factors, in order of importance: (1) rec letters, (2) combination of GPA and GRE scores, (3) statement of purpose, (4) research experience.  Why, you ask?  Name recognition is very important in academia, and if your rec letters come from the big shots in your field, it makes your applications 10x better.  GPA+scores give a general idea of competence.  Your SOP tells them what kind of person you are; how much and how well you can talk about your research experience shows commitment and competence.  If and ONLY if your SOP matches with what were written in your rec letters, then you are in.  From what I heard, generally undergraduate students do not partake in very meaningful research, so adcoms see it as a preparation step of commitment and resilience, rather than looking at the quality of the research itself.
 
2. Keep an open mind:  Do not be obsessed with school rankings.  Be where you feel the most happy.  Be where you feel supported by faculty.  Be where department dynamics and lab dynamics are good. Generally, you have an idea of this during your visits, so do not make any decision before you visit all the schools you are accepted to.
 
3. The most important thing about picking a school, is that feeling like there is more than one person in the department you could be happy working with. Be robust to environmental fluctuations!  It is very possible that you dont end up working for that one person that you wanted to.  Only join a department that you like working for more than person.
 
And there is so much more.  As I come to realize how complex it is, I feel obliged to share what I have learnt.  Good luck with your decision!

What about being single in grad school? This is also traumatic.

Please don't cross-post so many times. I've kept the post here since it seems most relevant but let me know if you'd like me to move it to another forum.
 
I think equating success with getting published is simplistic and wrong. I don't know if there are any statistics about your specific question but you can look around for many threads about how many graduates end up with a job in academia -- which in many senses is a better marker for success and also requires having been published.

Talk to your mentor and express your concerns.  Unless she gives you research work that allows you to learn and build up research experience, there is no reason to stay.
Please dont double post.  And as you already know, WRONG THREAD.

Ive read this before, and today I need to read it again! Hope everyone in this forum reads this.

Ive read this before, and today I need to read it again! Hope everyone in this forum reads this.

I wouldn't mention it unless someone asks in conversation about your age. It sounds like this isn't what you want to hear, but here is my reasoning:

You may be a perfectly normal person, but many of those who interact with "running start" or "high school in college" types in an academic setting are leery of these students. It is not unusual that they missed out on a more familiar social progression and can be awkward to interact with and difficult to incorporate into normal academic and recreational activities. This perception is very important to the faculty that may be teaching you, the adviser that will be mentoring you, and the other students that you would be working with and are eying you as a member of their peer group. So I view your age as more of an obstacle to be overcome than an asset, and I'd wait until you are in interviews to disclose your age if necessary (when you can't hide it, and/or can show that despite your age and academic trajectory you are a socially well adjusted person).

I have a peer who followed the trajectory you just described (college at 15, then straight to grad school), so clearly he was admitted, but he plays his age very close to the chest and seems happier and more included for it. Actually, I'll send him an e-mail right now and ask him to get on here and give his thoughts, you'd probably find them more useful.

This is not correct.  There is no problem for an F-1 visa holder to get married to an US citizen.  It is generally a one-step process in which you file I-485, I-765 (for EAD), and I-131 (for Advanced Parole) and your spouse files I-130 simultaneously.  After USCIS receives your complete file and fee, an EAD of one year will be sent to you along with other documents while your application is being processed.
Applied to:
UT, Rice, UPenn, Carnegie,  UCSD.  WashU. Notre Dame. UWashington.

I use this
http://www.mendeley.com

It is amazing. It allows you to organize all of your papers, store 2 GB online (to access anywhere), and it will also help your do your citations and inline citations in a document. You can take notes, highlight, add summaries, etc. Everything is within this one program so you don't have to have a bagillion things open everywhere. You can also use it for group projects and share sources.

This is like a free and better Endnote. I can't believe I lived without it before!!!

I am here to offer my honest opinion. I mean absolutely no offense. I'm helping my fellow swimmers in the shark tank. I say swim. You say tread water. To each their own.

The irony here is killing me.