- #1
grrrrrrumpy
- 4
- 0
Hi guys,
I've been visiting the forum here for months now and really enjoy some of the discussions that go on here. I'm hoping you can help me out with this issue which is a huge source of nervousness for me. I know most if not all of you have gone through this so I'm hoping to get some advice.
After applying to grad school I was hoping to have a month or so where I can sit back and relax and wait to hear back, but this morning I got an invitation to visit a pretty good school out east (#6 on my list of 14). I was all excited but after awhile I realized that it wasn't going to be with a huge group of prospective students as I was hoping for, they said I could come whenever I want (paid, of course) and I chose January 11.
Apparently, I am touring four labs and going out to lunch and dinner with some faculty.
I know I'd have to try really hard to fudge this opportunity up, but I'm profoundly nervous (as in, I will not sleep well until it's over). I am not a guy who is laidback, hilarious, and a social butterfly - I'm extremely awkward and nervous around people. I doubt that my admissions is at stake (my professors said they invited me so early [one day after applying, even] because they want me to go there), I just want to make a good impression since they are sacrificing so much time and money for me to visit.
I'm really not looking for the "just relax, be yourself" type of advice... what do I ask the faculty about? What do we discuss at dinner - research? Family? Local events? Sports (heaven forbid)?
HEEEEEEELP!
I've been visiting the forum here for months now and really enjoy some of the discussions that go on here. I'm hoping you can help me out with this issue which is a huge source of nervousness for me. I know most if not all of you have gone through this so I'm hoping to get some advice.
After applying to grad school I was hoping to have a month or so where I can sit back and relax and wait to hear back, but this morning I got an invitation to visit a pretty good school out east (#6 on my list of 14). I was all excited but after awhile I realized that it wasn't going to be with a huge group of prospective students as I was hoping for, they said I could come whenever I want (paid, of course) and I chose January 11.
Apparently, I am touring four labs and going out to lunch and dinner with some faculty.
I know I'd have to try really hard to fudge this opportunity up, but I'm profoundly nervous (as in, I will not sleep well until it's over). I am not a guy who is laidback, hilarious, and a social butterfly - I'm extremely awkward and nervous around people. I doubt that my admissions is at stake (my professors said they invited me so early [one day after applying, even] because they want me to go there), I just want to make a good impression since they are sacrificing so much time and money for me to visit.
I'm really not looking for the "just relax, be yourself" type of advice... what do I ask the faculty about? What do we discuss at dinner - research? Family? Local events? Sports (heaven forbid)?
HEEEEEEELP!