rysal
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« on: February 04, 2008, 05:16:20 AM » |
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Hello,
I just received an email from my dream professor at my top choice program. In it, the professor asks me if I am still interested in the program and mentions that the department would like to nominate me for a fellowship. The dream professor also asks if we could "chat." I am a US citizen, but I currently live overseas in a very different time zone. I suppose it would not have been very practical to call me up out of the blue, but my stomach is in knots because I am not quite sure what this friendly email means. I hope I'm not asking a question that has been asked before. I've looked around, but the posts I have found that come close seem to be more of the "I got accepted, but..." variety. What might "Are you still interested in the program? We'd like to nominate you for a fellowship." mean? I applied to the program, emphasizing quite truthfully that the program is my top choice! Why wouldn't I be interested? Is this a trick question? Any insight, even conflicting ones, would be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Getting Ulcers
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« Last Edit: February 04, 2008, 05:17:55 AM by rysal »
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octoprof
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« Reply #1 on: February 04, 2008, 05:29:26 AM » |
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Hello,
I just received an email from my dream professor at my top choice program. In it, the professor asks me if I am still interested in the program and mentions that the department would like to nominate me for a fellowship. The dream professor also asks if we could "chat." I am a US citizen, but I currently live overseas in a very different time zone. I suppose it would not have been very practical to call me up out of the blue, but my stomach is in knots because I am not quite sure what this friendly email means. I hope I'm not asking a question that has been asked before. I've looked around, but the posts I have found that come close seem to be more of the "I got accepted, but..." variety. What might "Are you still interested in the program? We'd like to nominate you for a fellowship." mean? I applied to the program, emphasizing quite truthfully that the program is my top choice! Why wouldn't I be interested? Is this a trick question? Any insight, even conflicting ones, would be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Getting Ulcers
What's to be worried about? It probably means... they would like to nominate you for a fellowship and want to talk to you about it. Email them back with a time they can call you or call them yourself at a reasonable time. |
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Let us consider that we are all partially insane. It will explain us to each other; it will unriddle many riddles; it will make clear and simple many things... Mark Twain
It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. Professor Dumbledore
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magistra
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« Reply #2 on: February 04, 2008, 05:34:49 AM » |
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Likely they're very, very interested and want you to come, but make no mistake -- this is an interview. Take it seriously. Nothing's done until it's in writing.
But yes, the fact that they'd like you to get a fellowship is good. Is it departmental, though, or university-wide? It may be that they can't fund you but would like you to come, so they're trying to get the funding through another source. There are lots of variables at play here. Basically, I'd get back to him and set up a time to talk. Do your homework on the program and have some questions prepared for him. Know which faculty you'd like to work with and why. Think about how best to present your work and make the case for what a great match you'd be.
The question is just a courteous way of ascertaining that you are still interested -- no hidden agenda. Some people may tell everyone they're the top choice, you may have been accepted elsewhere, circumstances can change, etc. It's just a polite formula. Relax, and try not to overthink things (I know, I know...)
Good luck, and hopefully, congrats! It does sound like they want you. Even if ultimately they can't take you or can't fund you, you clearly made a great impression on a top program.
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First it was Wolfram and Hart, now it's Blackboard. There's not much moral difference, if you ask me. -- Malcha
Grammar is the chocolate in the buttery croissant of life. -- Yellowtractor
Okay, so that was petty. Today, I feel like embracing pettiness. -- Mended Drum
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rysal
New member
Posts: 39
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« Reply #3 on: February 04, 2008, 06:50:52 AM » |
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Thank you both for responding. One reason why I am puzzled by the email is because I have already contacted the dream professor last spring and arranged a visit (I took time off after a business trip to the US to visit the school), during which we discussed research interests and why I wanted to apply to the program and work with the dream professor, etc. in fair detail, enough that my interest and motivations were very clear... or so I had thought. No matter! I'm willing to dance to Timbuktu and back if that will secure me a spot in this program, so I'll just take this email at face value and review my notes on the program and the professor.
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octoprof
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« Reply #4 on: February 04, 2008, 06:52:44 AM » |
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Thank you both for responding. One reason why I am puzzled by the email is because I have already contacted the dream professor last spring and arranged a visit (I took time off after a business trip to the US to visit the school), during which we discussed research interests and why I wanted to apply to the program and work with the dream professor, etc. in fair detail, enough that my interest and motivations were very clear... or so I had thought. No matter! I'm willing to dance to Timbuktu and back if that will secure me a spot in this program, so I'll just take this email at face value and review my notes on the program and the professor.
The professor wouldn't know if you had ten other top programs courting you, of course. So, the professor is not assuming you still think this program is your number one choice. Just call/email and then prepare! |
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Let us consider that we are all partially insane. It will explain us to each other; it will unriddle many riddles; it will make clear and simple many things... Mark Twain
It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. Professor Dumbledore
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donstefano
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« Reply #5 on: February 04, 2008, 07:32:21 AM » |
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It says: we like you and want you here, and trying to arrange funding. If it's OK fo you, it's OK for us.
By all means arange for a phone call.
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pink_
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« Reply #6 on: February 04, 2008, 09:20:49 AM » |
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It says: we like you and want you here, and trying to arrange funding. If it's OK fo you, it's OK for us.
By all means arange for a phone call.
Or at the very least, it means, "We are very interested in your application. Are you still interested in our program?" Definitely call. |
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Horses don't have seatbelts. Listen to Pink, she's smart.
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rysal
New member
Posts: 39
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« Reply #7 on: February 05, 2008, 02:14:30 AM » |
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Thank you for the encouraging comments, everyone! I'm not exactly sure what just happened, but after I sent a reply confirming my continued interest and suggesting a tentative date for the interview, I got an email saying I am now accepted into the program with a fellowship nomination! I didn't even have to talk... It feels very surreal. Now, I can finally move on to worrying about concrete details like looking for housing overseas, relocation logistics, and... OK, I think I'll indulge myself by enjoying a few more precious days with my head in the clouds before I face the reality of the grad school grind. :)
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magistra
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« Reply #8 on: February 05, 2008, 03:36:31 AM » |
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Congratulations! <confetti and balloons float down around Rysal>
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First it was Wolfram and Hart, now it's Blackboard. There's not much moral difference, if you ask me. -- Malcha
Grammar is the chocolate in the buttery croissant of life. -- Yellowtractor
Okay, so that was petty. Today, I feel like embracing pettiness. -- Mended Drum
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octoprof
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Posts: 32,746
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« Reply #9 on: February 05, 2008, 07:11:38 AM » |
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Congratulations!
*happy dance!*
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Let us consider that we are all partially insane. It will explain us to each other; it will unriddle many riddles; it will make clear and simple many things... Mark Twain
It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. Professor Dumbledore
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octoprof
Member-Moderator
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 32,746
Dérailleur-in-Chief (nominee)
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« Reply #10 on: February 05, 2008, 07:22:55 AM » |
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What's to be worried about? It probably means... they would like to nominate you for a fellowship and want to talk to you about it. Email them back with a time they can call you or call them yourself at a reasonable time.
If I may gloat over my good advice earlier... *laugh* |
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Let us consider that we are all partially insane. It will explain us to each other; it will unriddle many riddles; it will make clear and simple many things... Mark Twain
It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. Professor Dumbledore
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rysal
New member
Posts: 39
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« Reply #11 on: February 06, 2008, 04:03:31 AM » |
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Yes, yes... I'll admit I am one of those desperate, high-strung pre-PhD students. Thank you very much for being so accommodating of my puppy ways. :) I'm sure that, like so many others before me, I'll quickly become more cynical and jaded about the entire process.
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pandamonium
New member
Posts: 41
Determined to live life with flair and laughter.
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« Reply #12 on: February 06, 2008, 08:17:00 AM » |
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Thank you both for responding. One reason why I am puzzled by the email is because I have already contacted the dream professor last spring and arranged a visit (I took time off after a business trip to the US to visit the school), during which we discussed research interests and why I wanted to apply to the program and work with the dream professor, etc. in fair detail, enough that my interest and motivations were very clear... or so I had thought. No matter! I'm willing to dance to Timbuktu and back if that will secure me a spot in this program, so I'll just take this email at face value and review my notes on the program and the professor.
Congrats!!! I found out yesterday that I got in and it is the most wonderful confusion. I am soaking it in for a solid week before I begin to think about what else has to be done. Let us now do the happy dance but just a short one. I have to call my third grade teacher who thought I had a future in waste management. |
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contemporary_
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« Reply #13 on: February 06, 2008, 11:53:57 PM » |
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Thank you for the encouraging comments, everyone! I'm not exactly sure what just happened, but after I sent a reply confirming my continued interest and suggesting a tentative date for the interview, I got an email saying I am now accepted into the program with a fellowship nomination! I didn't even have to talk...
Congratulations. For the other people waiting on calls...a word from the gossip mills of successful applicants past... It is in a department's best interest to nominate students most likely to accept an offer of admission. If a fellowship is offered to a budding star chooses another program, that money is not available to fund to another student. All Most phone calls are good. Most phone calls after the application deadline are part of the wooing process. |
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also fills the typical New Yorker reader with a warm feeling of bemused superiority.
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georgia_guy
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« Reply #14 on: February 07, 2008, 12:00:21 AM » |
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Just to put some perspective on things for you, sinece you are a self-identified "high strung" person: Most of your Ph.D. program will seem like Huge, gigantic, terrifying mountains in front of you, but once you have finished, they will seem more like hills.
I dreaded my comps. Now I laugh that I even worried.
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I'm the bad guy? How'd that happen
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