Application / Pre-application jitters, anyone?

[TheOverachiever]

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Yay, more company. Where are others at in the cycle?

I've picked the programs I'm going to apply to, started drafting essays and a CV. But, it seems like people in my lab think I'm starting early and I'm like most of my apps are due in about 12 weeks. I'm a bit stressed because publications/posters haven't been accepted yet and my individual research projects are only currently underway. Yet, if I keep waiting hoping something will finish by app time it may be too late. So, I'll likely just pull the trigger soon and start applying in earnest.

I was also an early bird so I have my list of schools and POI, Statement of purpose, CV, emails to some of my POI and other little things done...I'm not ashamed to admit how scared and worried I am.

We're investing so much time and MONEY (such an expensive process! I have 3 jobs to pay for all of this smh!) into this. I hope it works out for us all.

 

[O Gurl]

I dunno. I know grad school is going to be busy, but even now when I'm working, researching, taking classes and applying to schools I still have a social life. In fact, it takes priority Thursday-Saturday after 8pm. I don't expect to give up my life for school, even grad school. Is this attitude going to cause me problems?

Doesn't have to.

I think that a lot of it has to do with your stage of life. I am single with no kids and on internship at the moment. I can honestly say that I have maintained an active and satisfying social life throughout my PhD training. Of course there were pivotal time periods like midterms/finals, thesis or dissertation proposals/defenses, and internship applications where I was a total hermit. In between those times, I worked hard and played hard. Besides, you run the risk of burn out if you operate like a machine. So giving yourself a weekend (or maybe a week) after a big hurdle to celebrate will be helpful in keeping you fresh.