Waiting for Graduate School Decisions…

Do not click on the link below (addictive website alert).

http://thegradcafe.com/survey/index.php 

I want to know whether I got into graduate school or not already! The feeling is comparable to waiting for a grade after you take a final, except this takes way longer and is much more important than just a grade. As time passes by, I get more and more anxious. Whenever I get a new e-mail, I’m crossing fingers it’s from the admissions committee (I get a fair amount of e-mails per day, so this is painful). Whatever their decision is, I just want to know it already. I know it’s still early, but I don’t like the time uncertainty of the notification. Some students hear back as early as January, while others have to wait until March or even April! I also dislike not knowing for sure what I am going to do after I graduate. If I knew I got in, then I could relax and not worry about anything. If I knew I didn’t get in, then I would start working on applications towards my back-up plans. For back-ups, I’m considering:

I want to elaborate on the Bridge to Doctorate programs because it’s likely you haven’t heard about them. Up until a few months ago I had no idea these programs existed. Bridge to Doctorate programs are one-to-two years long programs designed usually for underrepresented students who plan to pursue a Ph.D. but want/need to strengthen their application. Although it varies from program to program, generally during a Bridge to Doctorate program the student receives a yearly stipend of around 30K/year, works full time in a research lab, can take undergraduate/graduate courses, and gets prepared for the GRE. I almost feel like a Bridge to Doctorate program should be a pre-requisite in order to apply for graduate school. You get to experience what it is to be a full-time researcher for a prolonged period of time, explore and define your research interests, prepare for GREs, and apply to graduate school without having to worry about your classes. And you are still getting a 30K stipend? Definitely worth looking into.

As I wait for graduate admission decisions, I’m trying to figure out what to do if I get a successful response. I only applied to two schools, so statistically wise the odds are against me. Comment if you have any suggestions, I’m open to semi-crazy ideas (i.e. shave my head, jump into the lagoon, ask a professor out for valentine’s in front of class?)