To quote Arrested Development, "I've made a huge mistake."

[vialy]

So I'm currently finishing up my applications for a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering for GT and UMD and I'm beginning to feel like I've made a huge mistake.

I just graduated with my BS. Applied to UCB, UT Austin, Cornell, CMU, Purdue, and Northwestern so far, all of which I messed up in some way or another. I submitted all of my applications at the last minute due to me being a MESS this past semester (it was a hell of a semester). Some have late GRE scores, some have late LOR's, one had a CV with a typo. Northwestern was just plain late by a day for the priority deadline because I suddenly decided to apply to PhD and the deadline was earlier than planned. I wasn't prepared at all for my first apps, UCB and UT, even though those are my top choices.  Also just realized today that some of the schools haven't classified my apps as complete because they were waiting for TOEFL scores even though I should have been exempt.

With GT, UMD and my undergrad alma mater, that'll be a total of 9 schools......8 of which are big name schools. I really feel like I should have applied to more, but I missed a lot of deadlines and it's almost too late now to find more schools.

I have 2+ years of research experience, 1 conference paper under review, great GRE scores and GPA. LOR's from research advisors I've worked with for 2+ years. The schools I chose all match my interests really, really well (probably the only thing on my side at this point). But I'm second guessing my stats and SoP, and generally losing hope. I really wish I had been better prepared for this onslaught of applications.

Sigh. Anyway, I just needed to get these worries off my chest (and post a shameless plea for sympathy). There's nothing left but to finish all my apps and wait it out. Hope my fellow applicants are faring better.

[darth_vader123]

Similar situation. Procrastination and some urgent work in between. Submitted almost all applications on or one/two days before the deadlines. Fortunately I'd sent my GRE/TOEFL scores in advance to most so they ended up getting matched immediately and they processed my application, except one place that delayed it by a week. Don't worry too much about deadlines.  For mid/late December deadlines, I don't think they start looking at the application till after holiday season anyway.  

I think typos are easily forgivable. I managed to get through most apps without major disasters, except the wrong country in one form (which they were kind enough to rectify) and two stray punctuation marks in one of my SoPs.

Best of luck!  

Edited January 6, 2016 by darth_vader123

[kokobanana]

I am a domestic applicant and one of my applications was considered "incomplete" due to a missing but totally unnecessary TOEFL score. I called up the school and apparently they still reviewed the application because their online system isn't able to distinguish student who do or do not need to submit a TOEFL report. So I wouldn't worry too much about it

[vialy]

Thanks, guys. After my panicking/near breakdown, I talked to some of my friends already in grad school and that helped me calm down a lot. I think you're right about the deadlines and reviewing starting after the holidays.

I've heard from two schools so far (nothing concrete yet, but it's good news), so I'm hopeful. Good luck to you all!

[TheMonkeyOnMyBack]

I would either call or zip off an email to the schools that have you marked incomplete because you're missing your TOEFL. It should be easy enough for them to clear up in the system or relieve your stress about them not being marked. There's no reason stress about something that's easily fixed with a phone call or an email when there's way too much actual stuff to stress about. Do yourself a favor and at least fix that one.

[vialy]

4 hours ago, TheMonkeyOnMyBack said:

I would either call or zip off an email to the schools that have you marked incomplete because you're missing your TOEFL. It should be easy enough for them to clear up in the system or relieve your stress about them not being marked. There's no reason stress about something that's easily fixed with a phone call or an email when there's way too much actual stuff to stress about. Do yourself a favor and at least fix that one.

No worries, I emailed them before I even started this thread. It was resolved pretty quickly. Thanks tho!

Edited January 19, 2016 by gobmistake