Willows

I was talking to the OP, but good for you. It's the best thing to do if you have low scores.

Why not just try and retake it? I didn't have much time to study, but I did focus a lot on reading and did some math. I had a great verbal score when I took it the first time, but I managed to raise my score even more when I retook it. The real answer is that it probably depends on the rest of your profile. I saw a quite a few people with much lower scores than me get into good programs. I can only assume the rest of their profile -- especially fit, related research within the range of their interests, and GPA -- was very strong. I don't think I saw anyone with scores quite as low as yours, so I'd honestly just step up and give the test another go. You don't have to memorize words to score in the 85+ percentile on verbal. My score was high because of the reading comprehension. Something like that can be fixed easily with heavy reading. There is an ETS link somewhere on this site that gives you access to the category of questions you missed; this would be very helpful for you.

Yep.. I applied to 8, and if I had to give advice, it would be to apply to 10. And honestly, sprinkle a good mix of 15-35 in because once you get to rankings 40 and below, there are very few spots at some (if not most) schools comparatively speaking. I learned that this cycle with a couple of my schools emailing that they had only two funded spots - yikes! Good luck.

I am probably 75% sure where I am going, but I am on a waitlist somewhere I would consider depending on the funding. I'm also waiting on my last school to actually make admission decisions. They're in the final stages. I think it will be another 2-3 weeks at minimum before I commit - for all these reasons.

That Boston U reject bomb is still reverberating. Did anyone actually get in (sans the wait list crew)?

I have actually found the insurance packets online for two schools. It includes a comprehensive pamphlet on what is covered, what your deductible will be, what percentage the insurance pays, and what your maximum out of pocket will be per year. If you have never held your own plan before, you are looking for at least 80-90% coverage and a low deductible (under $500). Out of pocket is usually like a $2,000 or $3,000 cap, but most people don't generally hit that unless they're having expensive procedures done and/or pregnancy - those type of things. Naturally, it is still good to look at that because you never know what could happen.

I got in at UF with 5 years of funding plus a fellowship for 4 years. Just now getting around to posting about it. From my understanding of searching through last year's posts regarding funding, their offer is pretty good for a public school. But, I'm still waiting it out at a few other places.

Hurray!!!

I called Michigan State if anyone else is still waiting on them. They said they're in the "second stage" where two faculty members must agree to mentor each of the potential acceptances before them. No word on when acceptances/rejections will go out, but it sounds like relatively soon.

Seriously, something very odd is going on at BU so just hang on to that for sure. There are always a ton of acceptances from there posted when they go out. I bet they are finalizing stuff still. Fingers crossed for you!

I bit the bullet and bought the book. It was worth the $3 if anyone is still wavering. I found that all of his information on the graduate school application process are things you can find here by spending a week on the forum, but the part once you've been accepted is the most valuable -- in my opinion!

Oh, thank goodness finally someone steps up. Very strange to have no acceptances. Did they mention anything about less funding than usual?

Just a Bachelor's + independent research. I did consider several MA programs at one point, and I chose schools that had "PhD placement" tracks, which of course urge you to write a thesis. I can PM you a few if you want!

I applied and have been accepted without a thesis. That said, if I were going the MA route, I would do the thesis option. It's more than just showing ability and research, it can help you discover where your interests are -- or better yet, where they aren't. In many cases, you can build on the thesis your thesis instead of starting from scratch at the doctorate level, which is naturally a good thing when multiple PhD programs give you less time to finish and/or funding for fewer years if you come in with a Master's.

Does anyone want to claim any of the now 4 wait list posts at BU?

They have to be waitlisting first if these are true, in my opinion. To me, it's so very improbable that we wouldn't have seen at least one acceptance by now if they have given them out.

I haven't heard anything from Brandeis, but I'm not expecting to either. As you mentioned, they only take 2-3 students typically. Probably one of the lowest acceptance rates around.

Nothing from BU.

Master's then reapply. Even though none of my schools have sent out notifications, I still wouldn't mind earning a Master's and applying again in 2 years anyway.

"Heard anything yet? No? Not from anyone? Well when will you know?"

Most of mine say something like "in review" or "under review" and so on. It generally means your application was complete and is now being looked at by an adcomm.

I've had this one. Although I dream I'm back in UG when it occurs. Hah, even worse. My latest "grad dream" is first being interviewed then being accepted into a university where I didn't even apply.

Can I just say how much I love you for updating this while you're on the phone?

I have been in a terrible funk ever since I didn't get an email or phone call about the "admissions process" from one of the universities I applied to (knowing that others had gotten such a call or email, all spread out over about a month's time). I'm slowly trying to dig myself out of my pity-party abyss. Ahh..

I totally agree. That's basically the route I took with my SOP -- with the mentioning of a loose research topic that I said I was flexible with.