Schools Physics REUs 2016: Applying & Updates

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The discussion centers around applicants sharing their experiences and updates regarding their applications to various research programs, particularly in astronomy and physics. Many participants report rejections from prestigious institutions like Duke, SAO, and UCLA, with acceptance rates highlighted for context. Several individuals are still awaiting responses from multiple programs, expressing anxiety about the lengthy decision process. Some have received updates indicating they are waitlisted or have been accepted into other programs, such as LSU and Columbia. Participants discuss the importance of following up with program coordinators for updates and share advice on handling interviews and managing expectations. The conversation reflects a mix of hope and frustration as applicants navigate the competitive landscape of research opportunities.
  • #31
I was fortunate that my first acceptance came from my top choice. They give you one week to decide!

MIT Haystack -- accepted 3/1, offer accepted - 11 positions out of ~200
Chicago Physics -- accepted 3/15, offer declined - 24 positions total out of unknown # of applicants
NASA Goddard -- informal phone offer in January, offer declined - applied directly to the department, so 1 out of 1 as far as I know

Keck Northeastern consortium
Boston University Magnetic Fields
American Museum of Natural History
National Solar Observatory
 
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  • #32
halebopp5294 said:
Update for astro people:

MIT Haystack - Accepted

Kudos!
 
  • #33
Decided to take Columbia. Good luck to those waiting on CLASSE.
 
  • #34
Anyone heard back from U of M or UCLA yet?
 
  • #35
Ramor said:
Anyone heard back from U of M or UCLA yet?
Yes. It seems UCLA has already filled their spots. There were 12 chosen out of 400 applicants.
 
  • #36
Finesagan said:
Yes. It seems UCLA have already filled their spots. There were 12 chosen out of 400 applicants.
do you know what the date was when they filled them?
 
  • #37
Vanderbilt said my app is in final selection. Said they are waiting on NSF grant info before any offers can be made. what exactly does this mean?
 
  • #38
rangerazlm said:
Vanderbilt said my app is in final selection. Said they are waiting on NSF grant info before any offers can be made. what exactly does this mean?
How did you hear this? Did they email you or did you ask them about the status?
 
  • #39
I asked about the status
 
  • #40
rangerazlm said:
I asked about the status
Okay, thanks. It just means that they need to ensure that the NSF will give them the money for your REU before they can send out offers.
 
  • #41
But what exactly does "final selection" likely refer to?
 
  • #42
Should I be worried that I applied to four REUs and haven't heard back from any? Has anyone heard from UC Davis, University of Michigan, TREND (University of Maryland), or Georgia Tech?

I know Georgia Tech extended their application deadline a couple times, so they might not have their decisions until later.
 
  • #43
idkidk1212 said:
Should I be worried that I applied to four REUs and haven't heard back from any? Has anyone heard from UC Davis, University of Michigan, TREND (University of Maryland), or Georgia Tech?

I know Georgia Tech extended their application deadline a couple times, so they might not have their decisions until later.
Email them
 
  • #44
rangerazlm said:
Email them
I've thought about it, but I didn't know if it would make me seem impatient. You think they wouldn't have a problem with it?
 
  • #45
No, they have coordinators to do exactly that. Email people.
 
  • #46
I received an email yesterday from UC Davis asking if I am interested in an offer from them.
 
  • #47
Waiting to hear from UC Davis, CU Boulder, UWashington, MSU, Vanderbilt, Lehigh...
Plus the IBM internship, don't know if anyone else on here applied to that.
 
  • #48
idkidk1212 said:
Should I be worried that I applied to four REUs and haven't heard back from any? Has anyone heard from UC Davis, University of Michigan, TREND (University of Maryland), or Georgia Tech?

I know Georgia Tech extended their application deadline a couple times, so they might not have their decisions until later.
To add to the "email them" comment, the faculty member who runs the REU at my school said that it's generally a good idea to phrase the email along the lines of:

"You are my first choice for an REU. Please tell me when I can hear about your decision so that I can make plans for any offers I get from other REUs. Ideally, I would love to accept yours."

In your own, more courteous, words, of course.
 
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Likes Jody
  • #49
yeshuamo said:
To add to the "email them" comment, the faculty member who runs the REU at my school said that it's generally a good idea to phrase the email along the lines of:

"You are my first choice for an REU. Please tell me when I can hear about your decision so that I can make plans for any offers I get from other REUs. Ideally, I would love to accept yours."

In your own, more courteous, words, of course.

That's great advice! Thank you so much.
 
  • #50
Yea, I still have not heard from Vanderbilt. Its making me very nervous.
 
  • #51
Lehigh Univ. offer for Theoretical Plasma Physics 3/24/16
 
  • #52
I emailed U of Michigan. I am on the short list and am set to interview with the REU director in the coming days.
 
  • #53
Grrrr. I haven't heard back from :

Michigan State University
Pennsylvania State University
University of Pennsylvania
UC Boulder
UCLA
UC Davis
U Michigan

The only schools I've heard back from were MIT, (rejection), and Columbia (wait-listed). I am really nervous now. Definitely will send out some emails to check on my status...
 
  • #54
I feel like this REU year, the schools are taking much longer to get back to students. I hear someone got into Lehigh, So I will assume that I am in that denial category. Vanderbilt is my number one choice and my last one at that. Still nothing from them either.
 
  • #55
I emailed Vanderbilt again. They responded that the have not received confirmation funding confirmation.

Further I was told I was the first choice for TPP at Lehigh, so I imagine only the first round of offers is out from Lehigh.
 
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  • #56
MIT emailed the full REU roster yesterday. 12 positions filled. From what I can tell about the names, at least 10 of them are women. 2 are from the same school in Kentucky. Wide selection from schools throughout the country. Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors.
 
  • #57
Vanderbilt should be soon , please post if anyone gets anything from them.
 
  • #58
Cornell rejection 400 applicants 8 positions
 
  • #59
A friend of mine received an offer from UC Davis.
 
  • #60
Expanding on Rangerazlm, Vanderbilt said they should've gotten confirmation of their NSF grant renewal three weeks ago but due to an in office error they just got it yesterday and they're doing final selection and will be sending out offers this week, best of luck to anyone who applied!
 

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