What you think the adcoms are saying about your application

[violet.]

I tend to think I'll make it to the top 20% at some of my schools....and then fail to make the 4% acceptance at any of them.

This.

I feel the same way. I know I'm a great applicant, but there are surely more great applicants than each program can take!

[OnceAndFutureGrad]

I know I'm a great applicant, but there are surely more great applicants than each program can take!

I have to keep telling friends and family that it is much more like a job application than a school; it doesn't matter if you're great, it matters if you're both a good fit for the program AND the best of all candidates. Enough to drive anyone mad!

[radiowires]

"Good grades, good GRE scores, research experience, some teaching experience, clearly passionate about her field... but she's twenty years old?? Pffffft, clearly not ready."

Either that, or:

"What a pretentious undergrad. Looking at this application was such a waste of time."

[jerzygrl]

"Ah! Here it is! I have been waiting for this one... Dr. XYZ told me he agreed to do one of her rec's just so we could have some comic relief. Let's read it out loud so we can all laugh at her!"

All that is going through my mind is "what the hell was I thinking to apply to these schools? I don't belong there!"

Not sure I can make it much longer....

[Grunty DaGnome]

"Hm, I guess she's okay... but what about this OTHER applicant who saves babies from burning buildings as a hobby, has ten publications and thirty conference presentations, AND has promised upon their admission that every member of the university will receive free pizza and donuts for the rest of the university's natural existence? I mean, the choice is obvious here..."

At first, I also feared that pool of applicants who had saved a baby from a burning building, but then I thought, "what if that baby grew up to be Hitler?" So, in an attempt to dampen the ad com's enthusiasm for baby saving candidates, I made my entire SOP about this hypothetical; baby's growing up to be Hitler and the superior applicants who should be punished for saving them.

Now, I think I'm a shoe-in.

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[jerzygrl]

At first, I also feared that pool of applicants who had saved a baby from a burning building, but then I thought, "what if that baby grew up to be Hitler?" So, in an attempt to dampen the ad com's enthusiasm for baby saving candidates, I made my entire SOP about this hypothetical; baby's growing up to be Hitler and the superior applicants who should be punished for saving them.

Now, I think I'm a shoe-in.

Love it!! You are definately a better candidate

[Grunty DaGnome]

Ha, thanks Jerzygrl. I think that post was inspired by the fact that I'm spending too much time following the Primary election. It caused me to go atomic-negative for no clear reason and to gratuitously invoke the specter of Hitler.

[mallorn]

'What kind of person applies to grad school with THIS GPA?'

'This SoP/Personal Statement makes me sick.'

'Good applicant, but nothing stands out. Rejected.'

[hgd12]

I spent an embarrassing amount of time reading through this thread, and I just have to say, good god.

This (sometimes very hilarious/inventive) thread embodies everything I love and absolutely hate about the addictive, anxiety-inducing, misleading, yet extremely comforting resource that is thegradcafe.com. The wild, meaningless speculations... the self-indulgence... the sleep deprivation... the shared crippling anxiety...

We're like moths to a flame. So glad to know I'm not alone.

[BreathingSister]

This is a real one

My Professor in Chinese History (after finishing and probably submitting her LoR): Oh sure. You are definitely a bright student. Good GPA and good research. You should make a competitive applicant to any Chinese history program. Writing a strong LoR for you was easy. Oh by the way, I mentioned I've invited you to my next quarter's graduate course.

Me:...

Professor: Why can't you come over next quarter?

Me:!@#$

Professor: What? You are not even a Chinese history major?! Why don't you tell me that earlier?!!

This is horrible, but brilliant execution. I hope you had some happy news.

[BreathingSister]

I feel really stupid now because I've been studying with this prof (letter writer/on adcom for program I applied to at request of prof) and he's working with people around the country to start this new school of thought that I dig and makes sense to me, so much so that i've completely reoriented intellectually to accomodate. In my personal statements I used a term to describe this school of thought that's not too widely known and highly controversial, soooo....I'm pretty pessimistic about getting in. I feel like I sound pompous. -_____-

So I imagine they'll be saying something like, "Who does this chick think she is saying post-structuralism needs to be qualified? And that an intervention is needed into the Hegelian Master-Slave dialectic?! She's vindictive and we hate her."

[Jwnich1]

I feel really stupid now because I've been studying with this prof (letter writer/on adcom for program I applied to at request of prof) and he's working with people around the country to start this new school of thought that I dig and makes sense to me, so much so that i've completely reoriented intellectually to accomodate. In my personal statements I used a term to describe this school of thought that's not too widely known and highly controversial, soooo....I'm pretty pessimistic about getting in. I feel like I sound pompous. -_____-

So I imagine they'll be saying something like, "Who does this chick think she is saying post-structuralism needs to be qualified? And that an intervention is needed into the Hegelian Master-Slave dialectic?! She's vindictive and we hate her."

Or perhaps, in the spirit of intellectual discovery, they'll find your new viewpoint refreshing? If this makes sense to you, then I'd say take the chance and run with it. It sounds like your professor really wants you to attend his program, especially if he asked you to apply and is on the ad-com. I think there's a lot to be said for personal conenctions like that.

Best,

Justin

[BreathingSister]

Or racist ... haha but thank you for the much-needed optimism Justin! I've heard bad things about applying to grad at the same school you did undergrad. Heard any such rumors?

[Jwnich1]

Or racist ... haha but thank you for the much-needed optimism Justin! I've heard bad things about applying to grad at the same school you did undergrad. Heard any such rumors?

BreathingSister - I found the criticism of my undergraduate institution in most areas to be undeserved. While I was never a grad student there, I took a few grad courses, knew a lot of professors and had some grad friends. None spoke poorly of it's quality of education or professors. I'd be more than happy to answer any specific questions or concerns, just PM me!

[che psyra psyra]

Or racist ... haha but thank you for the much-needed optimism Justin! I've heard bad things about applying to grad at the same school you did undergrad. Heard any such rumors?

Every prof I've asked about this so far has said something along the lines of "I've heard that, but I don't really get it/think its true."

I think a good program is a good program is a good program, so if it has the right resources for you, go for it. Someone's vague doubts about your ability to leave the nest won't make or break whatever future opportunity, so long as you've performed well.

[cacao to cacao]

*a scenario involving a musical chair tournament. our applications on the bottom of each chair.

or

*a scenario involving a tournament of flip-cup. winner gets 1st dibs at funding their student.

[writinglady85]

Oh, I dream about this often. I think they'll say something like, "Wow! She has a lot of conference presentations under her belt for her age. Wait. Whoa. Look at her GRE scores!! Seriously!? Why did she even bother applying?? Next!"

: /

[GreenePony]

"Good undergrad program, Good Experience, Decent to Excellent scores, Meh GPA, Excellent Recommendations, Speaks English, some Spanish and ... Biblical Hebrew? Moving on then, field research in ... Mormons and Saint Cults in Guatemala? And her writing sample is on Nazis? Um... She's just a little too weird for us. Next."

[Ameonna]

"Good undergrad program, Good Experience, Decent to Excellent scores, Meh GPA, Excellent Recommendations, Speaks English, some Spanish and ... Biblical Hebrew? Moving on then, field research in ... Mormons and Saint Cults in Guatemala? And her writing sample is on Nazis? Um... She's just a little too weird for us. Next."

If I were part of adcom personally, I'd be fascinated, not weirded out!! Granted, I'm in a different discipline altogether, but for what it's worth, being different makes you memorable, which is a good thing!

[writinglady85]

"Good undergrad program, Good Experience, Decent to Excellent scores, Meh GPA, Excellent Recommendations, Speaks English, some Spanish and ... Biblical Hebrew? Moving on then, field research in ... Mormons and Saint Cults in Guatemala? And her writing sample is on Nazis? Um... She's just a little too weird for us. Next."

Sounds awesome!

[coonskee]

Biggest fear right now: "Wow, the head of Department X is really fighting for her acceptance... must be because he wants to get some!"

Insecurity about intellectual worth --> stupid stupid worries.

Edited January 26, 2012 by coonskee

[gellert]

"Say, Colin, why haven't we just sent gellert a rejection yet?"

"Huh? What? Are you talking to me? Oh, I'm thinking of using old transcripts and writing samples to wallpaper my new corner office. Bit of humor to brighten up my day when I need it, eh Reginald?"

Edited January 26, 2012 by gellert

[GreenePony]

If I were part of adcom personally, I'd be fascinated, not weirded out!! Granted, I'm in a different discipline altogether, but for what it's worth, being different makes you memorable, which is a good thing!

Sounds awesome!

Thanks guys! I'm just worried that it seems too diverse and not really focused. And my experience (as weird as it is) needs to overshadow my less than stellar GPA (it's not terrible but there's an F several semester back in an unrelated area that scares me and some meh/average grades in Geology and Hebrew).

[Jwnich1]

Thanks guys! I'm just worried that it seems too diverse and not really focused. And my experience (as weird as it is) needs to overshadow my less than stellar GPA (it's not terrible but there's an F several semester back in an unrelated area that scares me and some meh/average grades in Geology and Hebrew).

Bredth can be a really good thing! At this point it could indicate that you have diverse interests, and that while you are starting to specialize, you won't go in to a program with blinders on.

[CageFree]

Mine goes like this:

POI: I spoke to her, she's got a lot of potential.

ADCOM: Yes, but look at her overall GPA...

POI: She was an engineering major and flunked a math class. Look at her history GPA, and her postbac GPA is high.

ADCOM: Yes, but look at her overall GPA...

POI: She has solid letters, teaching experience and research experience. Plus she knows the languages for the field. Great GRE scores, too.

ADCOM: Yes, but look at her overall GPA. Rejected!

Edited January 26, 2012 by teachgrad