Neuroscience PhD

[mag]

So most of my deadlines were December 1st or 15th. I've heard back from seven of the twelve schools I'd applied to, six rejects (one post-interview) and one pending decisions post-interview.

The thing is, I haven't heard from the other five, at all. February's guarded optimism has turned into black frustration--I rather had the impression that no news was definitely not good news as far as neuroscience programs were concerned. On the other hand, no rejects, either!

What do the other aspiring neuro PhD applicants think? (I'd just really, really love to know I'm not alone here...)

[BassAZ]

It really depends on the program. The only one that I am sure gives "silent rejections" would be Tufts - many other schools will outright reject you if they aren't interested.

The major problem lies with the possibility that you're in the "dangling phase"; you were competitive enough to avoid outright rejection but are within the schools average acceptance pool. If you haven't, take a look on the results page to see when people who were not accepted were given notification. You should also see if people have been given acceptances yet. I would suspect that you're on an unofficial wait-list if acceptances have gone out.

Don't worry, you're not alone in the waiting period for a lot of schools. There are a vast number of people in the same situation and it's tough to spend too much time in purgatory. Keep in mind you've put your best foot forward and that it's out of your hands; and as frustrating as it is, remember this:

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.... Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?...seek first [God's] kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

[mag]

Sound advice! Thank you.

I have rather been haunting the results page, I'm afraid ... a few of the schools I've applied to have sent out acceptance letters but not rejections. I'd read the situation more or less as you said: that I was not rejected outright but didn't stand out of the applicant pool either. Fingers crossed! Thanks for the encouraging words, though.

This is going to be a long month, isn't it. *groans*

[dzk]

What programs are you waiting on? For the top-tier programs, I'm pretty sure most decisions are out by now (I applied to six and my last notice came in mid-February). I imagine others are still going to be snatching up the students who were late cuts through this month.

[mag]

Well, I'm sort of hopelessly waiting for Northwestern to give me closure... I'm waiting to hear from one other school I interviewed with (USC) and three other schools that haven't sent me so much as a peep after the 'your application is complete, thank you' email (Rochester, BU, Georgetown). I have tried emails, and no one's talking.

[Follina]

Hi there!

I am an international applicant and I applied to seven different Neuroscience graduate programs!

Until now, four rejections (UC at Irvine, Washington University in St. Louis, Northwestern University and Duke University), two still pending (University of Minnesota, University of Alabama) and one accepted (USC), fortunately!!

I clearly accepted the offer from USC! ?

I hope something is moving towards you!