#visit weekend

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Grad Visit #1

I had my first graduate school visit this weekend and it was SUCH a whirlwind!!!

Learning about the program, exploring the campus and town, and relaxing with the grad students were probably the highlights of my trip. It’s so important to look beyond the schmoozing the school you’re going to is doing because the happiness of the grad students and their experience is really the most important tell for what the school is like.

That being said the research advisors are all so different! I’m glad that my top choice from this school is still my top after this visit weekend. Though I will say my second choice was so intense: she basically told me she could fund me independently for 2 years and then described to me the 4 papers that would make up my PhD!

This is going to be such a tough decision going forward. I have my next visit in two weeks and I need to go in just as open minded, though I’m expecting a similar experience with the research advisors I’m meeting with in two weeks as I got with my second choice from this weekend. I’ve kind of already been prematched with a research group at this school.

I haven’t heard back from two schools (still!) and I was waitlisted by the school I was invited to visit in December. It’s so crazy how certain schools pick people! I met a student this weekend who was waitlisted by Univ of Washington, accepted by the school we were visiting, hasn’t heard back from his dream school (Northeastern), but was accepted to CalTech! It really goes to show that grades and scores don’t always make up for a the kind of PhD candidate a school is looking for.

If anyone is interested in a more comprehensive review of schools or what I’ve been considering through my application and now in my decision process. And if anyone has questions my inbox is open! Feel free to ask!

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What to wear to grad school visit weekend, part 3. If you're already in, you still want to look a little nice. Put a blazer on it!

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What to wear to grad school visit weekend, part 2. Skinnies and a button up toe the line between business and student. Don't forget comfy flats and a notebook!

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The season of grad school admissions decisions is upon us. After you get the letter/email/phone call that 1) you're in and should come visit, or 2) there are interviews or waitlisting and you should come visit, your next question is obviously "what do I wear to visit weekend?!?" No? Just my first thought. Well even if it's last on your list, Emma and I have some suggestions about what to wear to grad school visit weekend. If you're not in yet: Emma (left) is styling our picks for this. Go business casual if it's an informational weekend (nice sweater, dress pants, and oxfords are good choices). If it's an interview weekend that will actually impact the decision making, we suggest upgrading to a button up shirt at the least. If you're in: Rebecca (right) is going for casual-but-still-presentable. Dark jeans and a button up are comfy but still nice looking. No matter what, pack this: -comfortable shoes! non negotiable. programs like making you go on walking tours. -aspirin, tums, bandaids, water, snacks. visit weekends can feel like a 48 hour marathon. programs will sometimes forget to feed you. -a list of questions for professors and students, and a notebook. everyone I met at every visit weekend asked me if I had any questions, it's good to come with a lot even if you kind of know the answer. -a jacket. someone didn't have a jacket at ours last year. weather can change quickly! -you might not need a laptop. you would be surprised at how little time you have to yourself to do work. no need to carry around a heavy bag. & the best piece of advice no one ever told me about visit weekends: there is no such thing as a non professional interaction at visit weekend. don't talk trash about any programs or people. even if you're already in.