Timmy_the_Tooth

Remember that one time DontHate aka Fishbucket posted that annoying thread about betting on grad school acceptances? Trollz gotta eat. .

I'm waitlisted at Penn (CL&LT). Although it's in my best interest for you to go to Toronto (haha), I would probably advise you to look at the placement record for each program. As far as funding is concerned, grad school is hard enough, and pinching pennies will only add to your stress. You should definitely visit Penn for open house, and get a feel for the area. It's probably not as dangerous as you think, although I myself don't know for sure. You still have time to think about it.

Getting cut for your scores is probably a terrible feeling, especially if the rest of your application is strong, but honestly it's not that hard to post respectable GRE scores. If an applicant wants the committee to read their application materials, then he/she should invest the time and raise their GRE scores. Give your writing sample a chance to get you in...

If you read carefully, I clearly state that the GRE is probably the reason most people make it past the first cut, hence the "one foot in the door" remark. I'm willing to believe that most programs have a bottom-line GRE score they use to filter applications, and most applications probably never meet a pair of eyeballs. If you happen to survive the first cut, your GRE scores probably matter less than your other application materials (SoP, writing sample, LoR), at least I would imagine (I guarantee you I have lower GRE scores than a lot of people who were rejected to Cornell). So, to recap: GRE scores are probably important during the first application screening, and therefore party responsible for any offer you may potentially receive, but less important in the later stages of the admissions process.

Glad I read this before I sent my waitlist email. Thanks, Datatape.

I don't think this is an absolute. I went to a lower-end (underrated) state school and have two great offers and a promising waitlist. I'm more inclined to agree with the GRE anecdote, but I think if you make it past the initial cut, it doesn't really matter where you went to school. GRE might get one foot in the door, but your SoP and writing sample, IMHO, determine your fate.

Congrats to all the Brownies! Such an awesome program.

I Interviewed on 2-1-13, and still haven't heard anything. I emailed to ask, but no response. I feel at ease because I have other offers, but Duke is my first choice!

Chapel Hill! This was unexpected.

In @ Cornell. Unreal!

A few days old, but I'm in at Cornell. Five year funding package w/ tuition and fee waiver, 2 years fellowship/3 TA. Campus visit in the works.

Congrats! I'm also in at UNC Chapel Hill! Excited to visit in late March. I'll probably see you there!

Yeah. We should get a notification on Wednesday about rescheduling. Good luck!

Did anyone else get an invitation for an interview?