I feel so directionless (aka I hate waiting)

[Reel]

I am graduating with my BS in Computer Engineering in 2 months. I have three applications out for PhDs in Computer Science and that is really what I'd like to do. Unfortunately, I have no idea if I will be accepted or denied. I am stuck waiting in limbo now until I hear from these schools. This waiting is really getting to me. I check the mail every day as soon as I can hoping to have some letter, either acceptance or denial. I just need to know what is going on so I can plan my future. The only thing that I tell myself is that they probably already sorted the applicants to three piles: Must have, Middle, and HAHA. I figure they already notified the Must Have and the HAHA groups and I am stuck in the Middle waiting on the Must Have's to decline.

I know that UF will be having the committee meeting again on March 9 to decide on applications. UC-Irvine says that I will hear any time from March to May/June and UT has nothing on their site at all regarding a date. Would it be looked upon poorly if I called up Texas and politely asked them when they plan on notifying applicants?

I just feel so directionless because I have no idea where I will be in Fall, one of those grad programs or a career if I am so lucky to land employment. As it is, I am almost definitely going to be moving in to my parent's house for the summer (and possibly longer if I get denied from all my schools) to save money. As exciting as it is to be nearing graduation, it is definitely stressful to think about what comes next.

 

[neutralizer]

Hmm... I'm going to college next year and I have no idea what I'm gonna do.

 

[StageLeft]

I can feel it. I hate waiting like that too.

 

[Reel]

Well I called the department admissions person just now from Texas and she said that they offered 80 students to join the program already. Clearly, I was not one of them but they should be deciding soon who else to offer admissions to and then she will notify by email as soon as she knows which she expects to be in mid to late March.

 

[VTBigBear]

good luck!!

 

Can you get a PhD in CS without a Master's?

 

[AgentEL]

Yes. If you enter into a PhD program and feel like it's not for you, you can settle for a Master's (assuming you finished the requirements for that as well).

Some schools are different in how they handle MS degrees with PhD students. Some PhD graduates also get a MS diploma. No PhD students cares much about it obviously. Some schools don't get that formal and don't bother issuing a separate MS degree.