2012 Rejections

wiak2 · Post by **wiak2** » Wed Jan 25, 2012 9:34 pm

Come join the support group for us rejects...

Rejected from Virginia astro on 1/21

InquilineKea · Post by **InquilineKea** » Wed Jan 25, 2012 9:40 pm

Rejected by Caltech ESE via departmental inquiry 1/23

(I really ****ed up my application essay because it was the first application due for me). Though other reasons may be involved too.

mrrsnhtl · Post by **mrrsnhtl** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 9:35 am

Rejected from;

- Virginia Astro
- Illinois U-C Astro

both mentioning how competitive the applicant pool was, which as they say is the best pool within past years, so they regretfully rejected good students whom they would give offer in previous years.

kangaroo · Post by **kangaroo** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:27 am

mrrsnhtl wrote:Rejected from;

- Virginia Astro
- Illinois U-C Astro

both mentioning how competitive the applicant pool was, which as they say is the best pool within past years, so they regretfully rejected good students whom they would give offer in previous years.

Like they'll say anything else. It's probably more discouraging if they said that the applicant pool was subpar, but they rejected you anyway.

ultraballer2000 · Post by **ultraballer2000** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 11:32 am

kangaroo wrote:
mrrsnhtl wrote:Rejected from;

- Virginia Astro
- Illinois U-C Astro

both mentioning how competitive the applicant pool was, which as they say is the best pool within past years, so they regretfully rejected good students whom they would give offer in previous years.
Like they'll say anything else. It's probably more discouraging if they said that the applicant pool was subpar, but they rejected you anyway.

No offense, but you're kind of a dick.

kangaroo · Post by **kangaroo** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 12:13 pm

ultraballer2000 wrote:
kangaroo wrote:
mrrsnhtl wrote:Rejected from;

- Virginia Astro
- Illinois U-C Astro

both mentioning how competitive the applicant pool was, which as they say is the best pool within past years, so they regretfully rejected good students whom they would give offer in previous years.
Like they'll say anything else. It's probably more discouraging if they said that the applicant pool was subpar, but they rejected you anyway.
No offense, but you're kind of a dick.

No offense taken, I understand that I can be seen as very direct, but that's just the way I am. I'm as harsh on myself as I am with everyone. Someone has to say the un-PC stuff when the PC is not needed.

mrrsnhtl · Post by **mrrsnhtl** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 1:50 pm

I didn't get the point. Why would they say "it was the best pool since this much years" if it isn't so indeed?

wiak2 · Post by **wiak2** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 1:53 pm

mrrsnhtl wrote:I didn't get the point. Why would they say "it was the best pool since this much years" if it isn't so indeed?

I think they say that every year. Look at the comments here:

http://thegradcafe.com/survey/index.php ... &t=a&pp=25

kangaroo · Post by **kangaroo** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 2:08 pm

mrrsnhtl wrote:I didn't get the point. Why would they say "it was the best pool since this much years" if it isn't so indeed?

It's called a white lie: soothes hurt egos.

grae313 · Post by **grae313** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 2:16 pm

wiak2 wrote:
mrrsnhtl wrote:I didn't get the point. Why would they say "it was the best pool since this much years" if it isn't so indeed?
I think they say that every year. Look at the comments here:

http://thegradcafe.com/survey/index.php ... &t=a&pp=25

Just because they said it last year doesn't necessarily mean it wasn't true then and isn't true again this year. If their stature is increasing they will be drawing a stronger pool of applicants each year. Or maybe they're lying dicks. Oh well.

TakeruK · Post by **TakeruK** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 2:19 pm

kangaroo wrote:
No offense taken, I understand that I can be seen as very direct, but that's just the way I am. I'm as harsh on myself as I am with everyone. Someone has to say the un-PC stuff when the PC is not needed.

Being "very direct" is not really a good thing. There is something admirable for not dressing things up and misrepresenting the truth, but one doesn't have to communicate exactly what one is thinking all the time. Even if the thoughts are true, sometimes a filter between one's thoughts and one's words is recommended.

midwestphysics · Post by **midwestphysics** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 4:42 pm

kangaroo wrote: No offense taken, I understand that I can be seen as very direct, but that's just the way I am. I'm as harsh on myself as I am with everyone. Someone has to say the un-PC stuff when the PC is not needed.

Someone does, and his name is Negru. He's actually got it down to a science, so just leave it to him.

bfollinprm · Post by **bfollinprm** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 8:21 pm

I actually think for the most part everyone's applicant pools have been getting better (at least on paper) year-over-year (the average physicist is coming in more prepared, due to things like this website, more physics departments across the country outside of tech schools, more interest from international students). Also people are applying to more programs. So, in my opinion, not a lie, though also I bet not very comforting either.

kangaroo · Post by **kangaroo** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 9:42 pm

TakeruK wrote:
kangaroo wrote:
No offense taken, I understand that I can be seen as very direct, but that's just the way I am. I'm as harsh on myself as I am with everyone. Someone has to say the un-PC stuff when the PC is not needed.
Being "very direct" is not really a good thing. There is something admirable for not dressing things up and misrepresenting the truth, but one doesn't have to communicate exactly what one is thinking all the time. Even if the thoughts are true, sometimes a filter between one's thoughts and one's words is recommended.

Perhaps, but dissent has its role in challenging the reasoning capabilities of individuals, by critically analyzing and re-examining their assumptions and logical flow which lead up to them. I'm not saying that everyone should be thrown to a rotting stew of Hell, but we are not in Teletubby land either. And you can look at me as a counterpart to you to create the balance and tension needed in intellectual discourse. As long as I'm not infringing on the individuality of other people, I think my aired opinions fall within the acceptable range of civility and tolerance.

midwestphysics wrote:
kangaroo wrote: No offense taken, I understand that I can be seen as very direct, but that's just the way I am. I'm as harsh on myself as I am with everyone. Someone has to say the un-PC stuff when the PC is not needed.
Someone does, and his name is Negru. He's actually got it down to a science, so just leave it to him.

Well, say hi to me.

asdfuogh · Post by **asdfuogh** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 11:00 pm

The applicant pool isn't necessarily getting "better" but probably *** like the Flynn Effect makes it SEEM like it is. In any case, I'm sure it's a lie. :/ Rejected from University of Wisconsin-Madison on Chinese New Year's, that's not a good sign.

negru · Post by **negru** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 1:32 am

And what is this? A young apprentice?

InquilineKea · Post by **InquilineKea** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 2:21 am

asdfuogh wrote:The applicant pool isn't necessarily getting "better" but probably *** like the Flynn Effect makes it SEEM like it is. In any case, I'm sure it's a lie. :/ Rejected from University of Wisconsin-Madison on Chinese New Year's, that's not a good sign.

It might have been the economy. Applications to a lot of astro programs jumped up after the 2008 economic crisis.

That said, they've stayed steady for the last couple years.

==

Meanwhile, undergrad colleges have gotten far more applications for some reason. Acceptance rates are now at like 5-6% for the top Ivy League schools - down from over 10% barely half a decade ago.

kangaroo · Post by **kangaroo** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 2:22 am

negru wrote:And what is this? A young apprentice?

This Grandmaster needs no teaching.

midwestphysics · Post by **midwestphysics** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 3:06 am

kangaroo wrote:
negru wrote:And what is this? A young apprentice?
This Grandmaster needs no teaching.

Ah, while at first I'm sure some thought you two would be fast friends it's now clear............... There can only be one!

kangaroo · Post by **kangaroo** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 12:25 pm

midwestphysics wrote:Ah, while at first I'm sure some thought you two would be fast friends it's now clear............... There can only be one!

Yes, it's like the Republican primaries. They will self-destruct from all the in-fighting.

grae313 · Post by **grae313** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 3:21 pm

kangaroo · Post by **kangaroo** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 5:38 pm

^^

The fallacy of Edmund Burke...

holycow · Post by **holycow** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 3:55 pm

rejected from UW madison, notified by email

mrrsnhtl · Post by **mrrsnhtl** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 8:37 pm

holycow wrote:rejected from UW madison, notified by email

Same here..

tpatt · Post by **tpatt** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 5:08 pm

Rejected from CU Boulder yesterday; via me bugging them.

Now I'm too paranoid to bug the other schools.

asdfuogh · Post by **asdfuogh** » Thu Feb 02, 2012 1:25 am

Yeah, actually, anyone got some history on the percentages of rejections via bugging them? :/ I'm anxious, but I'm scared to bug for that reason..

grae313 · Post by **grae313** » Thu Feb 02, 2012 12:49 pm

asdfuogh wrote:Yeah, actually, anyone got some history on the percentages of rejections via bugging them? :/ I'm anxious, but I'm scared to bug for that reason..

It's still really early in the process and these people are really busy this time of year. Just be patient.

Dreaded Anomaly · Post by **Dreaded Anomaly** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 3:58 am

InquilineKea wrote:Meanwhile, undergrad colleges have gotten far more applications for some reason. Acceptance rates are now at like 5-6% for the top Ivy League schools - down from over 10% barely half a decade ago.

I think that's primarily because of online applications and the Common App; one can apply to a dozen schools with the effort it might have taken to apply to just a few on paper.

Hellas · Post by **Hellas** » Fri Feb 10, 2012 5:55 pm

rejected from UC Santa Cruz Astro

InquilineKea · Post by **InquilineKea** » Fri Feb 10, 2012 9:29 pm

also rejected by UC Santa Cruz Astro.

Doesn't matter to me since I got into Chicago.

Hellas · Post by **Hellas** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 12:55 am

nice. im still waiting for my first acceptance so ill be on edge until then. U Chicago has an awesome campus...albeit in a rough part of the city. being from chicago i should warn you, the winters are brutal.

CarlBrannen · Post by **CarlBrannen** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 1:17 am

Washington State has the advantage that the crime rate is so low that pretty much the only way to get involved in something is to drink heavily at a frat party.

TakeruK · Post by **TakeruK** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:05 pm

Berkeley rejection via email today. Only 6 spots out of 130 apparently. At 10% international student rate, I guess they average 1 every two years?

AriAstronomer · Post by **AriAstronomer** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:48 pm

Got the exact same reply upon inquiry to Berkeley Astro.

TakeruK · Post by **TakeruK** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 10:16 am

AriAstronomer wrote:Got the exact same reply upon inquiry to Berkeley Astro.

According to GradCafe, they have been using the "enthusiasm for science" rejection form letter since at least 2010 now, lol.

qed · Post by **qed** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 1:51 pm

Cornell phys rejection today. Bummed.

ccj1 · Post by **ccj1** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 7:37 pm

Rejected from Virginia, but apparently so were a lot of more qualified applicants than I! oh well, 13 more schools to hear from

baconface · Post by **baconface** » Thu Feb 16, 2012 11:33 am

UC-Davis, by website

holycow · Post by **holycow** » Thu Feb 16, 2012 6:28 pm

yale applied physics. Expected.

gentan · Post by **gentan** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 3:30 am

Stanford applied physics. Email reply from Paula. For those of you still waiting to hear from Stanford,
"Please know that we sent e-mails on the 15th to those applicants we admitted. Those we were not able to give an offer to will receive a letter mailed through the U.S. postal service, probably within a week to 10 days."

ccj1 · Post by **ccj1** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 7:06 pm

Anybody received a Michigan rejection? I know they have sent out their admits already, I am just wondering if they are hanging on to a big waitlist or not? Haven't heard anything

GeorgeThe4th · Post by **GeorgeThe4th** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 7:46 pm

Rejected at Brown University 2/17 through website

asdfuogh · Post by **asdfuogh** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 11:54 pm

Do colleges usually send rejection mail via snail mail? Or has there been an ongoing trend of e-mail rejections? :/ The waiting in the unknown is most annoying. Grr.

hyc34 · Post by **hyc34** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 7:23 pm

asdfuogh wrote:Do colleges usually send rejection mail via snail mail? Or has there been an ongoing trend of e-mail rejections? :/ The waiting in the unknown is most annoying. Grr.

Can't agree more. I just want to say "waiting is horrible. Rejection is better." Well, it looks like both Caltech and Princeton has sent out most of their offers, therefore at least rejections from Princeton will come soon, may be next Monday (according to last year, they sent out their offers and rejections at the same time, I don't know why they did not do the same thing this year since most of their offers are out). However, it seems Caltech will delay official rejections to March according to last year. Harvard is hard to tell right now, although last year they sent out all their offers on 2/17, not sure about this year, and the worst part is Harvard never send out any rejection via email, always snail mail and you have to wait until mid-March to get it. So for those of you who are still waiting for top ones(including myself), the only hope could be either MIT or Chicago since they do accept people in waves (Berkeley is crazy this year, 800+ applicant). Just hang on there for one more week!

giga17 · Post by **giga17** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 9:06 pm

hyc34 wrote:Can't agree more. I just want to say "waiting is horrible. Rejection is better." Well, it looks like both Caltech and Princeton has sent out most of their offers, therefore at least rejections from Princeton will come soon, may be next Monday (according to last year, they sent out their offers and rejections at the same time, I don't know why they did not do the same thing this year since most of their offers are out). However, it seems Caltech will delay official rejections to March according to last year. Harvard is hard to tell right now, although last year they sent out all their offers on 2/17, not sure about this year, and the worst part is Harvard never send out any rejection via email, always snail mail and you have to wait until mid-March to get it. So for those of you who are still waiting for top ones(including myself), the only hope could be either MIT or Chicago since they do accept people in waves (Berkeley is crazy this year, 800+ applicant). Just hang on there for one more week!

I emailed Harvard last week about the status of their admission decisions, and this is what they wrote:

"Admissions decisions will be going out over the next few weeks."

in reponse to this question I asked:

"I understand that some offers have been given out, and I was wondering if there would be any more offers extended, or was that the final wave?"

A bit vague, but I think it means there should be another acceptance wave.

hyc34 · Post by **hyc34** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 11:54 pm

Nightmare has started, first rejection from Chicago.

GeorgeThe4th · Post by **GeorgeThe4th** » Sun Feb 19, 2012 12:13 am

Chicago 2/18 via email

bfollinprm · Post by **bfollinprm** » Sun Feb 19, 2012 12:44 am

hyc34 wrote:
"I understand that some offers have been given out, and I was wondering if there would be any more offers extended, or was that the final wave?"

A bit vague, but I think it means there should be another acceptance wave.

Hang in there, it's only mid-february, second week in March is the end of admission season. The first pass through at most schools is all that's been divvied out, as those students who were accepted into every top 10 school start to become apparent, another set of acceptances will go out. Some schools don't even have their budget finalized yet, so they can't send out acceptances/rejections to everyone, just a subset on either end.

ale87 · Post by **ale87** » Sun Feb 19, 2012 3:33 am

GeorgeThe4th wrote:Chicago 2/18 via email

Me too. I got a fellowship from the Astronomy department. I think it is quite strange.

mrrsnhtl · Post by **mrrsnhtl** » Sun Feb 19, 2012 10:27 am

Chicago Phys rejection via e-mail today.