Maybe this belongs on the Students Board, but I like you guys more...

peekaboo2011

This is kind of a rant/kind of an "I'm feeling helpless"/kind of an AW

So, I've applied to FSU and am in the process of applying to UWF for shark research.  In the case of UWF, I emailed the prof and asked him if he was accepting students, blah blah blah, and he told me he was on sabbatical next semester, not taking students until spring, but I should contact him then.  I told him that wasn't going to fly, so he had me send him my stuff, and I had a phone interview on Friday.  Well, he wants me in his lab, and despite being on sabbatical next semester, he's planning on pushing my application through committee as soon as it's in so that I can take classes in the fall - read, I GOT INTO GRAD SCHOOL!!!

Problemo:  Base pay for TAs at UWF is $10,000.  At FSU, it's $18,000.  I visited FSU in the fall, clicked with the prof and his students (or so I thought), and put in a kick-ass application.  I wasn't planning on hearing from FSU until next month, which is slowly creeping up, so I've been getting anxious.  I got back from lab this morning, and found an email from them, saying my application had been unsuccessful.  I'm crushed.

I have no idea what to do.  I want to go to grad school, but I wanted it to be FSU.  They're doing fieldwork, which is where I want to be.  UWF all but flat out said no field work.  I don't know what I did wrong.  I sent both the prof and his students all thank you cards post-visit and kept my mouth shut after, not because I wasn't interested, but because I didn't want to be overbearing.   I mean, I wasn't sure what to say in emails to him, and he didn't go out of his way to get in touch with me afterwards either.  But his grad students said that he wouldn't waste his time to bring me down there if he didn't intend on taking me.

So, now what?  Are rejection letters always hard and fast, or can they come back and say "Oh wait, we do have a place for you"?  I'm losing my mind, and I really don't know what to do.

bourgehm

You could call the professor and just ask why you got rejected. It's a little odd that they'd just send you an email.... Normally there's a letter that goes along with it.  If I were you, I'd call though. Maybe you would be able to reapply or something? Just call and talk to him about it.

marleylikeair

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_maybe-this-belongs-students-board-but-like-guys?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:2f5771db-8fe0-44a2-97da-4ee9b6567542Post:29079e5c-87b6-47fd-8e40-418bc69c6333">Maybe this belongs on the Students Board, but I like you guys more...</a>:
[QUOTE]This is kind of a rant/kind of an "I'm feeling helpless"/kind of an AW So, I've applied to FSU and am in the process of applying to UWF for shark research.  In the case of UWF, I emailed the prof and asked him if he was accepting students, blah blah blah, and he told me he was on sabbatical next semester, not taking students until spring, but I should contact him then.  I told him that wasn't going to fly, so he had me send him my stuff, and I had a phone interview on Friday.  Well, he wants me in his lab, and despite being on sabbatical next semester, he's planning on pushing my application through committee as soon as it's in so that I can take classes in the fall - read, I GOT INTO GRAD SCHOOL!!! Problemo:  Base pay for TAs at UWF is $10,000.  At FSU, it's $18,000.  I visited FSU in the fall, clicked with the prof and his students (or so I thought), and put in a kick-ass application.  I wasn't planning on hearing from FSU until next month, which is slowly creeping up, so I've been getting anxious.  I got back from lab this morning, and found an email from them, saying my application had been unsuccessful.  I'm crushed. I have no idea what to do.  I want to go to grad school, but I wanted it to be FSU.  They're doing fieldwork, which is where I want to be.  UWF all but flat out said no field work.  I don't know what I did wrong.  I sent both the prof and his students all thank you cards post-visit and kept my mouth shut after, not because I wasn't interested, but because I didn't want to be overbearing.   I mean, I wasn't sure what to say in emails to him, and he didn't go out of his way to get in touch with me afterwards either.  But his grad students said that he wouldn't waste his time to bring me down there if he didn't intend on taking me. So, now what?  Are rejection letters always hard and fast, or can they come back and say "Oh wait, we do have a place for you"?  I'm losing my mind, and I really don't know what to do.
Posted by peekaboo2011[/QUOTE]

Well, congrats on getting into UWF! Sorry to hear about FSU. I'm pretty sure most rejection letters are final. They could always have put you on a wait list instead. BUT. If you have someone in the department you can contact--the prof you met with when you were there?--I say, do it. You never know what might come of it. Shoot them an email saying how much you enjoyed meeting with them. Let them know you do have an offer from another school, but FSU is your first choice. You're curious to know whether they have a wait list and whether there's anything you can do to make your application more competitive. It can't hurt. I had a friend get into Columbia med school off of the wait list just because she took the time to meet with someone there and made a good impression.

If all FSU efforts fail, hey, you still have a great opportunity at UWF! Good luck.

ETA: Okay, I read a little too fast. I didn't realize it was just an email you received. In that case, I would *definitely* email the prof you met with, stat. It's weird that they would send an email like that before letters went out and I would almost wonder if it was a mistake!

calindi

I always feel like if you're already rejected, they can't do you anymore harm.  Unless you can think of a reason that's not true, I say go for it - reach out to the people you met with, let them know that you really want to go to FSU because you are very interested in field work, and ask if there's anything they can do or any suggestions they have.  Worst they can say is "no", and you'd be in the same spot.

I'm sorry you didn't get into your top choice.  It definitely stings.  Congratulations on getting into a great program, though, and good luck however it works out!!!

motoLyn

I'm sorry to hear that news that your application to FSU was unsuccessful, what's weird is that it was an email.  I would try emailing the professor and asking politely why it was your application was unsuccessful and contacting the application/registrars office as well.  Was it a technical issue like test scores or classes that meet the requirements, or issues with the professor and his lab.  I know hearing the news from you top choice is a total bummer, we've all been there.  You can always try to appeal.  If you really want to go FSU can you wait a semester and try applying again for the following semester. Also can you explain why there isn't any field work to be done at UWF.

peekaboo2011

Thanks for all the love guys.  I've left a message with the graduate secretary for the bio dept at FSU, and emailed the grad student I felt closest with.  His most recent one was not their top choice - she also got a full ride to another school and went there instead, asking about their experiences with the process.

As far as email is concerned, that's how they're doing things now. I was really confused last year when my roommate was getting emails from schools, but FSU said that the decision would come via email when I submitted the application.

In the way of field work, FSU has grad students that are doing things that involve endangered species nursery habitat, stable isotope analysis, etc.  UWF wants to focus on getting students done in two years.  Which is great, but they don't agree with a largely field-based project.  Whereas FSU seemed to embrace it.  I also think UWF doesn't have as much research money as FSU does, which hinders things.

DanieKA

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_maybe-this-belongs-students-board-but-like-guys?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:2f5771db-8fe0-44a2-97da-4ee9b6567542Post:269ea21d-7d47-48b6-93e3-23d902a79623">Re: Maybe this belongs on the Students Board, but I like you guys more...</a>:
[QUOTE]... In the way of field work, FSU has grad students that are doing things that involve endangered species nursery habitat, stable isotope analysis, etc.  UWF wants to focus on getting students done in two years.  Which is great, but they don't agree with a largely field-based project.  Whereas FSU seemed to embrace it.  I also think UWF doesn't have as much research money as FSU does, which hinders things.
Posted by peekaboo2011[/QUOTE]

<div>Congrats on getting into grad school! But I know it sucks to get rejected by your first choice. I had a question about the field work aspect, but this answers it. I'm glad you reached out to the people who you're comfortable with for some answers. </div><div>
</div><div>Are these the only two choices for the line of work you want to be in? If field work is going to be important, or give you a huge advantage when you are done with school, I'd maybe research more choices that offer field work. If it's crucial, there's no point in going to a school that doesn't offer it. If it's not, I'd consider UWF. Maybe you can intern or do some field work during the summer with FSU or another program, institution or organization?  I'm not exactly sure how it would work, but it couldn't hurt to try.</div><div>
</div><div>Good Luck! And congratulations again on getting into grad school!</div>