Foreveronward Posted January 11, 2016 Posted January 11, 2016 (edited) Since we're all here waiting, I thought it might be nice to submit a thread where we can talk about the things that we are thankful for in the admission process. Focusing on the positives never hurt, right? Personally, I'm thankful for: The fact that my top school sends out a status email to notify you whether they have received a full application from you. (Two weeks after the app deadline, but there's no way to check before that point. Still, it's a nice gesture!) The willingness of my professors to write LoRs during the break when I was waffling about applying Schools that understand official transcripts are hell and let you submit unofficial transcripts with your application in case something goes awry with the official ones Detailed SoP critiques from my friends and professors Having a PoI who communicated me with the spring/fall leading up to the application season. He's been nothing but amazing and spent an hour on the phone with me discussing the application process. He even offered to write letters to profs he knew at a neighboring University so I could work with them over the summer Lastly, I'm thankful for gradcafe and these forums. You all keep me sane, seriously. Edited January 11, 2016 by Foreveronward RecommendedByGuyFieri 1
Pink Fuzzy Bunny Posted January 11, 2016 Posted January 11, 2016 This thread is a great idea. I am thankful for: this forum, as you said. It's great to know that I'm not the only one whose sanity is questionable right now. The people who wrote my letters of recommendation. They offered suggestions on where to apply, and wished me the best. Seriously, I'm grateful for the research opportunities I've had that will help me get into grad school. I worked hard, but some of them were luck (since a lot of summer programs are crapshoots!). Also as you said, the fact that my professors critiqued my SoP and CV a hundred thousand million times. Seriously, they probably put more time into that document than I did writing it!
hippyscientist Posted January 11, 2016 Posted January 11, 2016 Great idea! I'm thankful for: Grad cafe - especially as an international applicant this has helped me navigate all sorts of things I didn't think would be an issue but have been. Plus it's great to know we're all freaking out together, but separately! My friends and boyfriend who've put up with me talking incessantly about the application process, pros and cons of each school I considered applying to, being there through my Masters degree which has been amazing. They've been such a great support system and I'm so incredibly grateful for them My LORs. One writer is truly a mentor of mine, in a related field (kinesiology but he does nutrition, I do engineering), while one wrote me a glowing reference despite the fact I kept hounding him to write it. My final LOR was a guy whom I'd known only 3 weeks, but could vouch for my skills (he said he was impressed with my math!), and is world famous in my field. Apparently all 3 letters were good because I'm hearing positive things. I'm so thankful they each took the time to help me with the next step in my career. My undergrad degree, for prepping me so much better than I had previously been aware of. Doing this masters has shown me just what an incredible grounding I got initially, and for that I really am grateful. Finally, I'm thankful for Netflix, chocolate and tea/coffee. Without these 3 I'm not sure I'd have got this far! Foreveronward 1
Need Coffee in an IV Posted January 11, 2016 Posted January 11, 2016 Things I'm thankful for: Amazon Prime: Because I'm able to order 11 books for under a 100 dollars and get them in two days. My Boyfriend: He is the best! Seattle Seahawks: Since they are an awesome distraction from this application season GradCafe: This is an awesome place to complain and I love to complain a lot. Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David: If I could I would be their best friend forever. I also would like to give a nod to coffee, which is pretty awesome. Cool, I only said awesome three times haha.
Foreveronward Posted January 12, 2016 Author Posted January 12, 2016 3 hours ago, piglet33 said: My friends and boyfriend who've put up with me talking incessantly about the application process, pros and cons of each school I considered applying to, being there through my Masters degree which has been amazing. They've been such a great support system and I'm so incredibly grateful for them Yes. This a million times over. My poor friends have been bombarded with admissions statistics and whining. They've been nothing but supportive and encouraging even when I'm in full grinch mode. I have a friend pursuing a PhD at my top school and she's been great at providing all the information she can about the university. I'd be a mess without them.
MarineBluePsy Posted January 12, 2016 Posted January 12, 2016 Things I'm thankful for..... That most of the schools I applied to sent me an email every time a new piece of my application was attached to my file That I've received interview invites! That I have friends and colleagues that listen to me vent, cheer me up, and reviewed some of my application materials That I was able to afford to apply to so many programs That this forum and SDN provide such helpful info My letter writers who got all of my letters in by the deadlines despite their insanely busy schedules My research and clinical opportunities My Master's degree that led to my research interests All of the "how to get into grad school" workshops I attended My parents for not being wealthy and therefore without realizing it having prepared me for the frugal student life Finally mustering the courage to move far away from home in order to pursue my PhD dreams and being ok saying that scares me just a little Reality tv for allowing me the opportunity to turn off my brain when application stuff and research became too much The gym, meditation, massage therapy, kefir milk, vitamins, cold pressed juice, water, and tea because they all keep me very healthy since I don't have time to be sick or stressed The ridiculous amount of vacation time I've accrued at my job which will allow me to attend interviews
GeographyOSU Posted January 12, 2016 Posted January 12, 2016 This is an awesome thread. I'm thankful for- -The willingness of POIs to talk with me via phone and even meet in person during the application process. It allowed me to get to know the faculty as well as giving them a chance to get to know me. -My Master's advisors, for not only writing my letters of recommendation, especially over winter break, but also helping me to select schools to apply to and faculty to contact, as well as giving me much needed feedback on my statements of purpose and providing voices of reason when I'd get anxious over my chances of getting into PhD programs. -My friends and family for supporting me and giving words of encouragement during the process. -My girlfriend, for listening to me rant and worry over my applications. There is a strong chance that we would be living hundreds of miles apart if I end up someplace besides Minnesota and she is staying strong through it all. I plan on marrying her post PhD for sure. -Finally, this forum has been invaluable to me. It's very heartening and reassuring to know that we are all going through the same thing, and the posts and results have been very informative and helpful for me.
Pink Fuzzy Bunny Posted January 12, 2016 Posted January 12, 2016 36 minutes ago, MarineBluePsy said: Finally mustering the courage to move far away from home in order to pursue my PhD dreams and being ok saying that scares me just a little This. I see all these people applying all over the country (as I am) and felt like maybe I was the only one who was terrified to move away from the place I've lived my whole life. I'm so glad to hear that I'm not alone. Thank you.
MarineBluePsy Posted January 12, 2016 Posted January 12, 2016 42 minutes ago, Pink Fuzzy Bunny said: This. I see all these people applying all over the country (as I am) and felt like maybe I was the only one who was terrified to move away from the place I've lived my whole life. I'm so glad to hear that I'm not alone. Thank you. You're not the only one! It comes in little bursts when I least expect it. I'll go to some familiar place and then realize...I won't see this for 5-6 years?! And then I remind myself I'm in my 30s and need to get a grip lol. Nah I just let myself have my moment and then I start to think about what a good thing this is. If I don't leave now I never will and I don't want to be 80 years old wondering what if.
Paper Moon Posted March 21, 2016 Posted March 21, 2016 * Warm spring days where all of my classes end before lunch, and so I can bike along the river and into the mountains on my lunch break and discover little villages, caves, and forests along the way. * Cherry Blossoms * That I have enough food to eat, an apartment to go home to, and enough money to travel sometimes and help others when they need it * Living in a foreign country * Bungee Jumping * That the Bears who live in the forest near my school haven't attacked me (yet) * Nature * B-horror movies and musicals * Friends who invite me on adventures or go along with my adventure ideas, even if it means jumping into a river in the winter * Music (especially my student's music and live festivals/concerts) * Theater and acting and art * That my teeth and body are mostly healthy * Songtaeows * Beautifully written books and stories * My family * Snowball fights * Karaoke * Tea Parties at ridiculously posh tea houses in elaborate costumes * Getting lost in a foreign country and being ok
Euler Posted March 21, 2016 Posted March 21, 2016 - A professor who constantly nagged me to apply for grad school. Even if it is a year afterwards, his support has been incredibly important in the application process. - My other primary professor and honors adviser for their LoR's and positive feedback/support. - Improved mental health- I know a year ago, when I was planning to be in grad school, I 100% would have dropped out and hated myself for it. - A flexible job/boss that has let me do whatever I need to apply to schools. - A job that pays enough that I can afford applications, the move, etc. - A healthy body so I can run. - Gradcafe, for commiseration and support. - My curiosity, for causing my interest in math/education to continue longer than perhaps it should have
RecommendedByGuyFieri Posted March 23, 2016 Posted March 23, 2016 The web technology that makes the application process a heckuva lot easier than it must have been years ago The support of my LoR writers The patience and objectivity of my friends My job, which pays enough so that my app fees were not a significant burden, and so that I should have a bit of a savings to live off of while in school -- and which is still there as a backup plan My one generously-funded offer from a top notch school The comforts of the northwestern U.S., which I still get to enjoy until fall term starts
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