Do most programs have newly admitted/prospective student weekends?

[Zephyr99]

I will be studying abroad this semester and one of my concerns is that I will be missing the gatherings, where newly admitted students can meet professors and other graduate students, that many departments hold. I'm wondering if most programs hold these prospective student weekends. Should I be concerned that I will be missing these opportunities?  

[Loric]

The meet greets, to my knowledge, happen once the semester begins. I was abroad the summer before grad school and got to the school a week early to scope things out.

Advisor found me snooping in the hall and put me to work. I claimed desk space and had set up shop before anyone else showed up. All the meet/greet stuff was once school formally began.

People will drop, even up until the first day.

[jamc8383]

I will be studying abroad this semester and one of my concerns is that I will be missing the gatherings, where newly admitted students can meet professors and other graduate students, that many departments hold. I'm wondering if most programs hold these prospective student weekends. Should I be concerned that I will be missing these opportunities?  

 

A lot of departments host "admitted students weekends,"  though attendance is certainly not essential.  They're held prior to the April 15th decision deadline so that students can check things out before they commit themselves to the university for the next half-decade.  Some of the students that attend, as Loric points out, for various reasons won't even accept admission (lack of funding, decision to go elsewhere, etc) and won't be around in the fall.  So, it's not as though you'll be "behind" in any sense.  I don't see any reason for concern; enjoy your study abroad experience.

[Loric]

A lot of departments host "admitted students weekends,"  though attendance is certainly not essential.  They're held prior to the April 15th decision deadline so that students can check things out before they commit themselves to the university for the next half-decade.  Some of the students that attend, as Loric points out, for various reasons won't even accept admission (lack of funding, decision to go elsewhere, etc) and won't be around in the fall.  So, it's not as though you'll be "behind" in any sense.  I don't see any reason for concern; enjoy your study abroad experience.

 

I personally was one of the "funding" drop people. Long story short.. applied to two schools in the region i wanted to be in and later start a career. Both accepted. I chose one. Told the other "so sorry, went to your neighbor" (long story short, the programs know each other well, and dont exactly respect each other).

 

Got an email "funding lost - last in, first out, sorry" - so i lost my funding at A. I emailed B and was like "please please please please take me" and they said "Umm.. ok.." and did. But had also emailed A saying "omg, i just told B no because you offered better funding!" so.. wait a day.. Email from A "Funding is restored! Welcome back!" and then i just filled out all the forms from both, trusting no one.

 

The week before, when i was packing my moving van (didnt have an apartment yet, but knew i needed to move - the schools are within an hour of each other) I sent an email to the first one, who had lost and restored my funding.. "so sorry, going to B, they offered more money" which was true.

 

Why did i not feel bad? Cuz they told me i was in and funded then pulled it and then reinstated in.

 

In the long run, i should have gone to the first school because they had a better established program rather than the "new" program of the other that was a hot mess. But as i've mentione dhere before, the facilities were shiny and new and the student body resembled abercrombie models.. while the other school looked like it hosted daily Dungeons and Dragons meets in equally dungeon-y looking classrooms and labs.

 

Live and learn.. Oh yeah, the point: people will quit until the last minute. You'll miss nothing.

[Zephyr99]

Ok, thanks everyone! It looks like I have nothing to worry about then.

[New England Nat]

Programs that have admitted student days do so before the deadline and most good ones will pay for your travel no matter where you are in the world.  Once you are admitted you are no longer trying to sell yourself, but for a brief period they are trying to sell themselves to you.

[Riotbeard]

Programs that have admitted student days do so before the deadline and most good ones will pay for your travel no matter where you are in the world.  Once you are admitted you are no longer trying to sell yourself, but for a brief period they are trying to sell themselves to you.

 

I found the admitted students weekends helpful.  The fact that Tulane could pay for travel (plane ticket, hotel) was a good omen for funding in general.  They are good for learning the culture of the program, to an extent.  That being said, don't worry about it.  Enjoy studying abroad, and skype with current students or something, if you need help making a decision.

[kdavid]

RE: Getting flown out to the university

 

Any idea if schools also provide temporary housing on-campus?

[New England Nat]

Most good programs will handle that as well, either by hotel room or by putting you up with other graduate students.

[Andean Pat]

I will be studying abroad this semester and one of my concerns is that I will be missing the gatherings, where newly admitted students can meet professors and other graduate students, that many departments hold. I'm wondering if most programs hold these prospective student weekends. Should I be concerned that I will be missing these opportunities?  

 

I am an international student and missed the weekends. Although schools paid for pretty much everything (though it was not enough for my air ticket), I could not skip work. They are called "weekends" but they generally take up Thursday and Friday two. Being far away, meant I had to arrive on Wednesday to the States. These weekends are an opportunity for you to make a better informed decision, but you are already in . From my experience, I've made the decision without the weekends and I am happy with it. 

 

As an alternative, I got in touch with grad students. Two of them were doing research in my country so I went out with them and asked everything, and they also told me things I had never thought of asking.