Application depression

[kogia.breviceps]

Still waiting to hear back from 5 schools and pretending I didn't apply to the NSF GRFP.

Out of my (large) cohort of friends, I am the only one to not have had an acceptance. Seems like some of my professors who I respect very much are disappointed with me.

I have no idea what I could have done differently. Someone here must be going through the same stuff (misery loves company).

Anyone else with a similar sob story?

Oh, for those peeps who applied to Dartmouth's bio program- letters are being mailed out April 1st.

Edited March 30, 2010 by kogia.breviceps

[Postbib Yeshuist]

Seems like some of my professors who I respect very much are disappointed with me.

Can you provide a reason why you believe this. At the risk of sounding harsh, it's not always the letters of recommendation that keep a person from getting in. A bit more information would help us either commiserate or encourage better.

PS This is the thread you're looking for if you want company:

Edited March 30, 2010 by Postbib Yeshuist

[ootg]

I have to agree with Postbib Yeshuist. Most LORs would support the applications in the best way, and little can really be told about the applicant from the LOR, especially if the LOR is from an unknown academic. Most schools put a lot of emphasis on the SOPs, and that's where we have to shoulder much of the responsibility.

[kogia.breviceps]

Can you provide a reason why you believe this. At the risk of sounding harsh, it's not always the letters of recommendation that keep a person from getting in. A bit more information would help us either commiserate or encourage better.

According to my professors (in particular, my advisor) I'm a solid applicant- as an undergrad, I've had 5 semesters of research with my advisors, 3 summer research jobs (one at my college lab, one REU, and REU-like experience funded by a different organization). I did a solid job on my GREs, have a decent GPA - I was a dummy and some semesters loaded on extra courses that were tougher then what my cohort took (i.e. 3 semesters of the calculus based physics courses and I've tacked on a math major). I'll have 145 credits when I graduate after 4 years of undergrad....

I've got 2 semesters of TA experience too, also volunteer hours, plus leadership positions in clubs. Not to mention the co-authored paper, numerous presentations (posters and oral) at local regional conferences and national conferences.

I'm having a hard time trying to single out where the problem is, exactly. I've contacted each PI and asked them questions about their research, made sure my CV and SOP was looked at by lots of people before submission. I swear, if another rejection letter ends with "with your excellent experience, I expect you will be accepted elsewhere", I will scream!

I say that my professors seem "disappointed" because other students are getting money thrown at them etc, and I have this huge expectation from them to get in somewhere.

Hell, one of my LOR writers wanted me as her grad student! But I opted not to apply because my research interests didn't completely overlap with hers. Instead, my buddy applied, was offered an RA + departmental fellowship (look who feels like a dummy now!). Ugh

Wow. I really unloaded there. \rant

[martizzle]

i totally understand what you are going through. i graduated in dec 08; most of my profs thought i would rush to grad school because i had done a lot of REUs, research &teaching assistantships...but i wanted to take a year to figure out my career path, and if grad school was the right choice. i only got accepted to Howard (a HBCU -black school) like a couple of days ago; most of the other schools i applied to rejected me; the remaining few have not yet sent word. Now having graduated (undergrad) from a HBCU as a 'star student', most of my professors expected me to get accepted into an ivy league/big school. With only an acceptance to Howard, idk what my professors would say or think about me; especially with other students getting into their great programs in their respective fields...

but one way or the other, you have to accept that at this point in your life, no one's opinion counts as much as your's does...did you honestly do the best you could in your apps/previous studies? its a question only you can answer. if you put in your best, and things don't work out; i doubt its anyone's fault; your's included. if professors and colleagues think otherwise...they obviously are not that smart - that's how i think/console myself

[martizzle]

I have to agree with Postbib Yeshuist. Most LORs would support the applications in the best way, and little can really be told about the applicant from the LOR, especially if the LOR is from an unknown academic. Most schools put a lot of emphasis on the SOPs, and that's where we have to shoulder much of the responsibility.

idk...i feel i messed up on my SOP...i said stuff about wanting to join d work force/get some exp for ~10yrs, then retire to pursue a career in academia; also talked about their students that won presentation awards (i won a couple in undergrad)...saying i wanted to continue their legacy, etc....i feel i messed it up somehow...sucks

[ootg]

idk...i feel i messed up on my SOP...i said stuff about wanting to join d work force/get some exp for ~10yrs, then retire to pursue a career in academia; also talked about their students that won presentation awards (i won a couple in undergrad)...saying i wanted to continue their legacy, etc....i feel i messed it up somehow...sucks

Well, you could try to do it right the next time...

Most schools look for focus in the SOPs, and then consider fit. Unfortunately, age also comes into play, since most academics do their most impactful work before 40. So consider all these things when you write your SOP, if you are going to try again (but you got an offer from Howard, right?).