Second Guessing the Backup School

[LeftField]

Out of all I applied for, I've been accepted at my backup school, and I'm waitlisted at another school I like much better with little or no hope of getting in (pessimistic, I know). At first, I was excited that I got in anywhere. Now, I'm not so sure. With my pessimism rampant, I'm afraid that my acceptance at the backup school is a sign that they're an awful program and that going there will ruin my career. But I also don't want to wait another year and reapply on the off chance that I'll magically get in somewhere else next time. Anyone else dealing with backup school heebee jeebies? How are you dealing with it?

[Strangefox]

Hey, stay positive! May be if you were accepted to a certain school and not to other programs it is because this school is a perfect fit for you and others aren't! Remember, addmission decisions are based first and foremost on fit.

Do not reapply!

[pikaStardust]

I am in a similar situation, almost. All schools that I would love to attend without a second thought have rejected me. *sigh* now I am waiting for the other two that I have applied with not so much enthusiasm. After the rejections, I cannot stop but think what to do if one of them accepts me. I like the curriculum of the programs, schools are fine but there is not a faculty whose research is exactly fitting my interests. CMU and UCSD were such perfect fits for me that I am still unhappy to be rejected after more than a week's time passed and my mind is still stuck there.

If by any chance one of them accepts me, I am not so sure that I want to attend. this process is painful, reapplying may be a madness but on the other hand, with a stronger application I may have the chance to go to better schools, my dream school. I know that my profile will be better when I graduate even if I don't do any extra work; it is highly likely that I will be graduating with two publications. with a masters or voluteering in a lab for a year, I can make it even better.

ahhh, my brain is gonna explode from over-thinking... am I being so mad to think like this??

edit: damn!!! just after finishing this post, I have read my rejection letter from Brown. now I am waiting only from my back-up. *hits head to the desk to open a big hole*

Edited March 22, 2011 by merve

[Strangefox]

If by any chance one of them accepts me, I am not so sure that I want to attend. this process is painful, reapplying may be a madness but on the other hand, with a stronger application I may have the chance to go to better schools, my dream school. I know that my profile will be better when I graduate even if I don't do any extra work; it is highly likely that I will be graduating with two publications. with a masters or voluteering in a lab for a year, I can make it even better.

ahhh, my brain is gonna explode from over-thinking... am I being so mad to think like this??

edit: damn!!! just after finishing this post, I have read my rejection letter from Brown. now I am waiting only from my back-up. *hits head to the desk to open a big hole*

Oh, I am sorry to hear that...

But there is still a chance, still a chance!

Are you sure there are no profs you would like to work with at U Maryland?

[LeftField]

yup, that's exactly how I'm feeling. I'm going to make a campus visit up to my school next week. maybe being there will make me feel better about it!

I am in a similar situation, almost. All schools that I would love to attend without a second thought have rejected me. *sigh* now I am waiting for the other two that I have applied with not so much enthusiasm. After the rejections, I cannot stop but think what to do if one of them accepts me. I like the curriculum of the programs, schools are fine but there is not a faculty whose research is exactly fitting my interests. CMU and UCSD were such perfect fits for me that I am still unhappy to be rejected after more than a week's time passed and my mind is still stuck there.

If by any chance one of them accepts me, I am not so sure that I want to attend. this process is painful, reapplying may be a madness but on the other hand, with a stronger application I may have the chance to go to better schools, my dream school. I know that my profile will be better when I graduate even if I don't do any extra work; it is highly likely that I will be graduating with two publications. with a masters or voluteering in a lab for a year, I can make it even better.

ahhh, my brain is gonna explode from over-thinking... am I being so mad to think like this??

edit: damn!!! just after finishing this post, I have read my rejection letter from Brown. now I am waiting only from my back-up. *hits head to the desk to open a big hole*

[pikaStardust]

Oh, I am sorry to hear that...

But there is still a chance, still a chance!

Are you sure there are no profs you would like to work with at U Maryland?

not very optimistic at this point...

I remember having a long time to find a good match for my SoP but it has been a long time since then, I don't remember whom I wrote and to what extent I liked their research. but this is a clue, I would remember if there was a perfect match. anyway there are some labs that are acceptable but I don't know if I really would like to change my focus area.

yup, that's exactly how I'm feeling. I'm going to make a campus visit up to my school next week. maybe being there will make me feel better about it!

that would be perfect if I also had the chance to see the school but I cannot go all the way to US in the middle of the semester. but then this is just a hypothetical situation and I think it would be better if I prepare myself to 6th rejection rather than first acceptance...

[Argonaute]

I've been accepted by my safety school and still haven't heard anything from my top choice. I am starting to feel that I may not get into my top choice and already conditioning myself that I would end up going to my backup. But am I second guessing this backup choice? Nope. Ever since the phone interview, I felt that they really want me to be a part of their program. They had my POI as my interviewer along with a professor whose research overlaps with my interests. They kept me updated every step of the way and really seemed to act as a professional organization. If I fail to get into my top choice, I don't think I'll be sad attending in a different university. After all, they recognized my potential and offered to help me develop into an outstanding research scientist.

[arkel]

I think it also depends on where you are in your life, and whether you think that an extra year will significantly improve your application. If you're currently in undergrad, or don't have a lot of experience in your field, it might be a good idea to take some time off.

In the fall of 2009, I was fully prepared to apply to grad school, but somewhere in October (when I was already going insane!) I decided to wait a year. It was a tough choice, and I had to suppress my strong "Type A" tendencies, but it was definitely a great decision:

- My LORs improved, because in the year I got to know them much better and they had much more to say about me

- I was more sure about my specific research interests, and I think this came through in my applications

- I got a job in my field, which has led to wealth of other experiences

- I had more time to put into my grad applications and interviews, because I wasn't working on assignments, my thesis, etc.

If you think you might gain some similar benefits from taking the year off, it might be a good idea.

Mind you, I didn't put myself through the entire process last year, and I can imagine that the decision would be extremely tough after having invested the time, money, and mental anguish in this process.

I hope you hear the best news from the waitlists though!

[pikaStardust]

I think it also depends on where you are in your life, and whether you think that an extra year will significantly improve your application. If you're currently in undergrad, or don't have a lot of experience in your field, it might be a good idea to take some time off.

In the fall of 2009, I was fully prepared to apply to grad school, but somewhere in October (when I was already going insane!) I decided to wait a year. It was a tough choice, and I had to suppress my strong "Type A" tendencies, but it was definitely a great decision:

- My LORs improved, because in the year I got to know them much better and they had much more to say about me

- I was more sure about my specific research interests, and I think this came through in my applications

- I got a job in my field, which has led to wealth of other experiences

- I had more time to put into my grad applications and interviews, because I wasn't working on assignments, my thesis, etc.

If you think you might gain some similar benefits from taking the year off, it might be a good idea.

Mind you, I didn't put myself through the entire process last year, and I can imagine that the decision would be extremely tough after having invested the time, money, and mental anguish in this process.

I hope you hear the best news from the waitlists though!

thanks

I probably am gonna apply again but now what to do next. do you know how much adcoms care about the courses you have taken??

I am in the last semester of my undergrad studies, on molecular biology and genetics but I want to continue on computational biology. the majority of the courses I have taken are molecular biology oriented. there are just two programming courses that can seem good for comp bio applications and some maths courses. I tried to compensate lack of courses by research, have been working on a bioinformatics project for 2 years and my senior project is also on bioinformatics. so it occurs to me that my weakness is more in the course level rather than in research level therefore my thoughts are shifting towards a masters over working in a lab. maybe with taking courses covering my research interests, I can develop a better background and show them a proof that I really know these things.

on the other hand, I am too tired of all these to apply for some masters programs. I really need to make my mind certain that it is the best option. should I really strengthen my transcript with more focused courses?

thanks for all advices

Edited March 23, 2011 by merve