Guess what I got today?

[cokohlik]

Not one, but two emails from the two master's programs I applied to stating that they didn't receive my official GRE scores, and one of them also did not receive my official transcripts. I sent both of these documents to the schools in early October. I sent them the confirmations I had and scans of my unofficial documents, but they still want me to re-order the docs and send them to them. How will I know if they get there successfully? Obviously something got lost in the process, and both programs verified that I had used the correct addresses and school code IDs.

And my confidence in myself and my chances of being admitted was already shot by the unofficial rejection I got this morning about Emory. (Their welcome weekend is Feb 2-4 and I wasn't invited. Pretty sure that's a no-go sign.)

Anyone have any encouragement or jokes?

[iwouldpreferanonymity]

I offer this by way of encouragement, though it might sound like a joke. Why worry about the MA programs, when you are sure to be accepted at a PhD program?

[finknottle]

I'm relying on time-dilation for one of my recommendations to turn in before a hard deadline.

[wlkwih2]

That's just some administrative paperwork, you'll do fine, don't worry and it's not your fault.

I'm sorry about your rejection, but there's plenty of other programs you've applied to, one of your top choices will certainly accept you.

I can offer you a virtual hug.

[rowlf]

I have been told I am missing documents that I already sent by all but 1 of the schools I applied to. One of them told me yesterday that I was missing something that they confirmed they had received a month ago. Other than having to run around submitting things when I thought I was long done with that, I am 99.99% sure that this will affect me in no way. I would imagine your situation is the same.

And at least you were told that you were missing something! I had been trying to confirm that my file was complete by my number one choice and no one got back to me after several attempts. Finally, I found out that my GRE report wasn't matched with my file. (The stuff about having the name of your GRE match your application can be serious. Even a silly little middle initial can thwart your application!) This all happened recently, very late in the process. Is there any insight about whether this will affect my application? I am also concerned that they went so long without telling me anything was missing, and only did so after I laboriously sought out the information. Does that mean they threw out my application before even looking to make sure everything was there?

Sorry, no joke... just another story of the agony and anxiety that is applying to grad school.

[socihealth]

I think that the other pieces of your application matter far more than this paperwork! Try to stay confident!

[cokohlik]

I offer this by way of encouragement, though it might sound like a joke. Why worry about the MA programs, when you are sure to be accepted at a PhD program?

Haha! This did make me laugh. You're right, I'm not sure why I'm stressing out about the MA programs when I only ever applied to them as "just in cases" and the PhD programs are generally great fits. Thank you for the laughs!

[cokohlik]

That's just some administrative paperwork, you'll do fine, don't worry and it's not your fault.

I'm sorry about your rejection, but there's plenty of other programs you've applied to, one of your top choices will certainly accept you.

I can offer you a virtual hug.

Thank you! I really appreciate the encouragement! From all of you

Does anyone else feel like negativity and anxiety just creep up on them, even if they're normally happy and carefree? Because I do! I wonder if psychologists have ever released a study about the effects of waiting to hear from adcoms on us grad hopefuls.

[cokohlik]

I have been told I am missing documents that I already sent by all but 1 of the schools I applied to. One of them told me yesterday that I was missing something that they confirmed they had received a month ago. Other than having to run around submitting things when I thought I was long done with that, I am 99.99% sure that this will affect me in no way. I would imagine your situation is the same.

And at least you were told that you were missing something! I had been trying to confirm that my file was complete by my number one choice and no one got back to me after several attempts. Finally, I found out that my GRE report wasn't matched with my file. (The stuff about having the name of your GRE match your application can be serious. Even a silly little middle initial can thwart your application!) This all happened recently, very late in the process. Is there any insight about whether this will affect my application? I am also concerned that they went so long without telling me anything was missing, and only did so after I laboriously sought out the information. Does that mean they threw out my application before even looking to make sure everything was there?

Sorry, no joke... just another story of the agony and anxiety that is applying to grad school.

I personally don't think them waiting so long to tell you means that they threw out your application or lost it and just now discovered it. They're probably just really busy. Last year when I applied to grad school, some schools didn't even begin reviewing applications in my department until shortly after February had started! Talk about agony!

[UnlikelyGrad]

I don't know if you're male or female, but if any of the transcripts are under your maiden name, they might just be in the wrong file. Yes, even if you told them your maiden name.

This happened to me with two different schools (including the one I eventually ended up attending). The weeks before I figured this out were very nerve-wracking, to say the least.

[cokohlik]

I don't know if you're male or female, but if any of the transcripts are under your maiden name, they might just be in the wrong file. Yes, even if you told them your maiden name.

This happened to me with two different schools (including the one I eventually ended up attending). The weeks before I figured this out were very nerve-wracking, to say the least.

I'm female

One program got back to me and said that they were indeed in the wrong file and now they have my docs, but the other one still needs me to resend them.

[psychdork]

I found out last week that one of my programs did not receive my 3rd LOR. I got that issue fixed and then this week found out that the same program did not receive my GRE scores. I emailed the department a copy of my unoffcial scores (after I explained the situation and asked if I could do this) and had ETS resend my scores.

I found out about the GRE issue late Monday and sent them my scores/called ETS Tuesday.

I found out Thursday that I have an interview at this program.

There is still hope. :-)

[imisscoffee]

I got this!

"We are delighted that you applied to the Department of xxx at the University of yyy and we are considering you for what is called a Multi-Year fellowship. However, at present, we only have two letters in your file, one from Professor zzz and the other from Professor qqq. Could you please instruct your third referee to send us their letter of recommendation as soon as possible!"

I think when they ask for your stuff, that means they DON'T want to throw out your application. I am feeling positive right now...

[GreenePony]

^I really hope so, that's what happened to me at one program

I don't know if you're male or female, but if any of the transcripts are under your maiden name, they might just be in the wrong file. Yes, even if you told them your maiden name.

This happened to me with two different schools (including the one I eventually ended up attending). The weeks before I figured this out were very nerve-wracking, to say the least.

I tried to get ahead of that- I took the GRE just before the wedding and while my "new" name has all of the "old" name in it, there's an extra bit on the end that I knew was going to be confusing. I emailed all of the programs that wanted scores and said that my scores are under this name and should be connected with that name's file. All were very understanding, the worst was when the department secretary didn't get back to me right away and I neurotically played email tag with the graduate office to get stuff moved around. Supposedly they were going to match SSN any way but that just worried me too much. Now everything should be in the correct place. Hopefully.

Edited January 28, 2012 by GreenePony

[imisscoffee]

^I really hope so, that's what happened to me at one program

And then they accepted you??? I was hoping to get a Friday night surprise, but it's too late for that, I guess.

[koolherc]

Anyone have any encouragement or jokes?

A linguistics joke!:

A panda walks into a bar. He takes a seat by the bartender and orders a burger and a beer. He receives his food & drink and makes quick work of them. Once he's done, he gets up, pulls out an uzi and kills everyone in the establishment except the bartender who manages to duck behind the bar. Eventually the Panda stops and starts heading for the exit. Before he makes it to the door, the bartender jumps out and shouts, "Why did you do that?!" The Panda sheepishly turns around and walks back to the bartender. He takes out a dictionary, flips to the P-section, and shows the bartender the page. It reads:

pan-da.

n. a mammal native to Asia; eats shoots and leaves

[GreenePony]

And then they accepted you??? I was hoping to get a Friday night surprise, but it's too late for that, I guess.

No, but I got that email but am still waiting on the response. I hope the email is them not wanting to throw it out

[wlkwih2]

A linguistics joke!:

A panda walks into a bar. He takes a seat by the bartender and orders a burger and a beer. He receives his food & drink and makes quick work of them. Once he's done, he gets up, pulls out an uzi and kills everyone in the establishment except the bartender who manages to duck behind the bar. Eventually the Panda stops and starts heading for the exit. Before he makes it to the door, the bartender jumps out and shouts, "Why did you do that?!" The Panda sheepishly turns around and walks back to the bartender. He takes out a dictionary, flips to the P-section, and shows the bartender the page. It reads:

pan-da.

n. a mammal native to Asia; eats shoots and leaves

There's a nice book by Lynne Truss called Eats, Shoots & Leaves on punctuation, and this joke served as its basis. It's well-written and funny, mostly popular linguistics, but well worth a read.

Thanks for remining me of this joke, I like it.

[cokohlik]

I found out last week that one of my programs did not receive my 3rd LOR. I got that issue fixed and then this week found out that the same program did not receive my GRE scores. I emailed the department a copy of my unoffcial scores (after I explained the situation and asked if I could do this) and had ETS resend my scores.

I found out about the GRE issue late Monday and sent them my scores/called ETS Tuesday.

I found out Thursday that I have an interview at this program.

There is still hope. :-)

Haha! Oh my goodness. That sounds like an ordeal. I'm so glad it worked out! Congratulations!!!!! I hope that your interview goes extremely well You'll let us know, right?

[cokohlik]

I got this!

"We are delighted that you applied to the Department of xxx at the University of yyy and we are considering you for what is called a Multi-Year fellowship. However, at present, we only have two letters in your file, one from Professor zzz and the other from Professor qqq. Could you please instruct your third referee to send us their letter of recommendation as soon as possible!"

I think when they ask for your stuff, that means they DON'T want to throw out your application. I am feeling positive right now...

Woah!! What an awesome email to get I'm sure you have good news coming your way!

[UnlikelyGrad]

I'm female

One program got back to me and said that they were indeed in the wrong file and now they have my docs, but the other one still needs me to resend them.

Well, one is better than none. Hope you get in despite all the paperwork mess.

[Clou12]

I had this happen to me right before the holiday break, stressed me out! See if you can call ETS to find out what cycle number they sent your scores to the school. You shouldn't have to reorder, the school can look it up once they have a cycle number. That is what my school had to do and voila! It was there. File complete. Hope that helps!

[imisscoffee]

I got this!

"We are delighted that you applied to the Department of xxx at the University of yyy and we are considering you for what is called a Multi-Year fellowship. However, at present, we only have two letters in your file, one from Professor zzz and the other from Professor qqq. Could you please instruct your third referee to send us their letter of recommendation as soon as possible!"

I think when they ask for your stuff, that means they DON'T want to throw out your application. I am feeling positive right now...

Except they called other people but not me... said they'd get back to me at the end of the month. boo.

[purpledinosaur]

If anyone is still freaking about incomplete applications, I offer this totally embarrassing anecdote from my life to make you laugh: I checked my Columbia status the weekend before last (their deadline was Dec. 15). Under additional materials, there were the words "One received, two required" next to the line WRITING SAMPLES. That's right, folks; I forgot to send one of my writing samples. Yeah, I'm an idiot. But even though I forgot a MAJOR part of my application and only realized over a month after it was due, they still let me send it in and circulated it to everyone, and nobody said a word about it affecting my application.

So, don't worry! It will work out.

[koolherc]

about a month back, I got a message from a school that went like this:

"Hello ____,

Your application is being reviewed by the committee and there is one questions regarding your application. You are listed as "non-degree candidate" . Perhaps this is a mistake? Our program is, obviously, a Phd degree.

Let me know and I can help you change it if it is, indeed, an error.

___administrative office person___"

I was like :o

Edited February 3, 2012 by koolherc