HomeGrown Posted December 28, 2012 Posted December 28, 2012 I'm trying to stay calm but I have 3 applications due in the next 1 or 2 weeks and none are finished. Haven't finished my essays but that's the easy part. I messaged 4 people for letters of rec and only one has submitted so far. Another said he will do it but has not submitted yet. The other two responded but disappeared. Another issue? I asked for general recommendations to Interfolio and am not 100% sure one of the schools will accept this method. Is there anyone else out there scrambling to finish and trying hard not to freak out? I just need to know I'm not alone in this and that things will be okay.
DropTheBase Posted December 28, 2012 Posted December 28, 2012 You'll be fine. Try not to think about everything you need to do at once, it'll always be overwhelming. Break it down into steps and take it one step at a time (checklist). Try to always get a few steps done each day. The best way to relieve stress is to eliminate the source. starrylanterns and PhDreams 2
child of 2 Posted December 29, 2012 Posted December 29, 2012 I'm 4/7 of the way there. There are two schools in particular that's giving me a hard time in the essays.I have no idea how to write an essay about my strengths, and another essay about my weaknesses... It's so easy to write one essay, and change one paragraph for each school. Also, having it being the holidays, I'm just feeling like a lazy sack of sht in general. pardon my french
DaisyAdair Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 I just recently added one more school to my list, so I am working on that application. But there isn't much for me to change other than the SOP.I didn't have to write about my weaknesses - that doesn't sound fun. I know they always say to turn it into a strength, but it sounds difficult.I have real work to do next week. I am hoping that will help get me out of this unproductive rut I have been in the last two weeks.
ion_exchanger Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 Haven't finished my essays but that's the easy part. Wow, how I envy you. The essays were the hardest part for me, and usually the last thing I finished when working on an app. One of my recommenders had all of their recommendations completed and uploaded a full month before I submitted anything.
PhDreams Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 Is there anyone else out there scrambling to finish and trying hard not to freak out? I just need to know I'm not alone in this and that things will be okay. You can do this!!! OOOOO virtual hugs I still have two apps left and it's stressing me out. Why would schools make apps due on January 2?? There goes my NYE. I got a mini bottle of champagne and I'm going to pop it on New Years when I finally submit these last two apps. Breaking it into steps is the best advice. Also, get started on filling in the actual application portion. I've been doing this while watching Netflix. So, it feels kinda like a break and I also get to be productive. Just make sure to double check your work before you submit.
DaisyAdair Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 I still have two apps left and it's stressing me out. Why would schools make apps due on January 2?? There goes my NYE. I got a mini bottle of champagne and I'm going to pop it on New Years when I finally submit these last two apps.I honestly think Jan 2 as a deadline is horrible. All the school admins are on break up to and including Jan 2. What if you have problems or questions? I really think it is mean to have a Jan 2 deadline. Or maybe I am just grumpy tonight. PhDreams and Loseric 2
PhDreams Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 I honestly think Jan 2 as a deadline is horrible. All the school admins are on break up to and including Jan 2. What if you have problems or questions? I really think it is mean to have a Jan 2 deadline. Or maybe I am just grumpy tonight. Seriously! I've gotten emails back from departments saying that they are on break until January 7! I could use those 5 days... so. much.
starrylanterns Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 (edited) I'm trying to stay calm but I have 3 applications due in the next 1 or 2 weeks and none are finished. Haven't finished my essays but that's the easy part. I messaged 4 people for letters of rec and only one has submitted so far. Another said he will do it but has not submitted yet. The other two responded but disappeared.Another issue? I asked for general recommendations to Interfolio and am not 100% sure one of the schools will accept this method. Is there anyone else out there scrambling to finish and trying hard not to freak out? I just need to know I'm not alone in this and that things will be okay.Deadline Jan. 15th, one out of five essays done, two out of three letters done, and freaking out immensely. At least I'm there with you, completely stressed and anxious ridden. My last letter was supposed to come from a professor in my study abroad school, but three months ago she stopped responding to my emails and has flaked on me. Now this professor I'm asking is playing email tag and questioning whether my records are strong enough for admission and whether this is the right fit for me. Trying hard not to feel defeated and cry over this... Edited December 30, 2012 by starrylanterns
DaisyAdair Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 Deadline Jan. 15th, one out of five essays done, two out of three letters done, and freaking out immensely. At least I'm there with you, completely stressed and anxious ridden. My last letter was supposed to come from a professor in my study abroad school, but three months ago she stopped responding to my emails and has flaked on me. Now this professor I'm asking is playing email tag and questioning whether my records are strong enough for admission and whether this is the right fit for me. Trying hard not to feel defeated and cry over this...Oh, I am so sorry to hear that! Don't give up - If you don't try, you won't know, right? That is my theory. No matter what, in six years, I will be six years older. If I don't try, I will be six years older without a PhD. If I try I *could* be six years older with a PhD. May as well try.My LOR writers have done well so far, but the one school I am really interested in has a Jan 15 deadline and I am waiting on two letters. I know there is plenty of time, but I wish they would just submit them so I don't have to stress about it. starrylanterns 1
starrylanterns Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 (edited) Thank you I emailed my professor from abroad one more time last night, and she responded this morning!! Apparently a lot of her students complained in November about not receiving emails back, and it turned out that almost all of her emails have been getting sent into spam! She apologized for what happened and promised to write my letter post haste (tomorrow) and send it out!! Luckily for me, I always remained respectful and at most curious about the lack of response, and it paid off in the end!!! Seriously excited, sorry for the long post. I've been grappling with another professor for that last letter before I heard back from my study abroad prof, and he has been belittling me slowly over the past week. But yes!!! We can do this! Whether it's this fall, or next year, or the year after, I will keep applying until I'm accepted or find a decent job I enjoy lol Good luck kind poster, your attitude is refreshing!! Edited December 30, 2012 by starrylanterns PhDreams 1
PhDreams Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 Deadline Jan. 15th, one out of five essays done, two out of three letters done, and freaking out immensely. At least I'm there with you, completely stressed and anxious ridden. My last letter was supposed to come from a professor in my study abroad school, but three months ago she stopped responding to my emails and has flaked on me. Now this professor I'm asking is playing email tag and questioning whether my records are strong enough for admission and whether this is the right fit for me. Trying hard not to feel defeated and cry over this... I'm not sure if you've seen the LOR threads but this is pretty common and schools seem to be pretty flexible about letters. Don't give up!!!!! I've had a professor flake out on me too and this was a BIG letter. But you have to move on and keep putting your best foot forward. You made it this far!! You're so close. DaisyAdair is right! You just have to try... You can do it! starrylanterns 1
msafiri Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 I totally understand. When I applied to grad schools, I was always working on apps at the last minute. I remember going out on NYE and having to finish applications (some file uploads) on New Years Day while slightly hungover and before going out on a second date with someone. Totally ridiculous and hilarious. I'd like to say that I've moved beyond that BUT instead, I'm now procrastinating and working at the last minute on various fellowship applications with early January deadlines. At least I got the ones with December 31 deadlines done yesterday, right? Lol. starrylanterns 1
DaisyAdair Posted December 31, 2012 Posted December 31, 2012 Thank you I emailed my professor from abroad one more time last night, and she responded this morning!! Apparently a lot of her students complained in November about not receiving emails back, and it turned out that almost all of her emails have been getting sent into spam! She apologized for what happened and promised to write my letter post haste (tomorrow) and send it out!! Luckily for me, I always remained respectful and at most curious about the lack of response, and it paid off in the end!!! Seriously excited, sorry for the long post. I've been grappling with another professor for that last letter before I heard back from my study abroad prof, and he has been belittling me slowly over the past week. But yes!!! We can do this! Whether it's this fall, or next year, or the year after, I will keep applying until I'm accepted or find a decent job I enjoy lol Good luck kind poster, your attitude is refreshing!!Oh, I am so glad you heard back from your LOR writer! That is a huge relief, I am sure.Yes, we can do it. It will be an uphill battle at times, but we can do it!
PhDreams Posted December 31, 2012 Posted December 31, 2012 Two days left and I'm done!!!! I've been looking forward to this day for the last month. Great that it coincides with New Years. I can ring in the New Year by celebrating and sending in my last apps. :/ I'm trying to put a positive spin on this... coffeeandmilk 1
starrylanterns Posted January 3, 2013 Posted January 3, 2013 Congratulations! Time to celebrate and take a breath of fresh air
PhDreams Posted January 3, 2013 Posted January 3, 2013 Finally done! Congrats to everyone applying this season! I know we've all really worked hard. blakeblake 1
HomeGrown Posted January 3, 2013 Author Posted January 3, 2013 Congrats to everyone who finished! My first deadline is in two days and still missing a LOR
Vader Was Framed Posted January 3, 2013 Posted January 3, 2013 Those who have used Interfolio for LORs, did you find this helped Profs get them in sooner or did it hinder the process with an extra step?
HomeGrown Posted January 10, 2013 Author Posted January 10, 2013 I personally think Interfolio is useful. I made my first two deadlines but my letters of rec weren't received for one school until after the deadline. The deadline was for assistantship consideration.. should I be okay?
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now