Only person in my cohort

[phdconfessional]

I just found out that I am probably going to be the only student in my cohort this fall. They extended offers to 2 other students, but they ultimately were recruited some where else. I am still very excited about the school I am attending, as it is an excellent program and a perfect fit for me, but I was just wondering if any one else had this experience. Any major pros and cons, besides the obvious fact that I won't have any one who knows EXACTLY what I'm going through. Advice?

[MakeYourself]

I guess a pro will be that you'll get more attention, but the con is like you said - there won't be other students that you can vent with who will be going through the same things. I don't think it will be so bad in terms of getting advice and support. You can always ask other students who have gone through what you are going through to help you out.

[OldGrad2012]

Hey, I think I am the only person going to UCR this Fall too from this grad cafe forum thing. So you are not the only one in your cohort. Maybe you can make friends with your peer when you get there.

[ltam]

I was the only person in my cohort for my MA initially (before I transferred to a closely related department in the same school where faculty are often cross-listed both ways). I did not find it isolating since I connected mainly with the classmates I met in the courses I enrolled in. Granted as a master's student most of the friendships I've formed are with 2nd/3rd year phd students, but that is just fine.