I am currently applying to 3 summer research program and am considering adding a 4th unpaid internship (aside: did I not apply to enough?).
Anyway, I was hit with some pretty bad luck today. My laptop went missing a little before my skype interview with one of the programs (luckily I found it, some student saw a laptop on the floor with nothing else and turned it into the front desk). I am currently trying to work something out with them for a reschedule but I am not confident that it will happen. Since I am assuming that program is no longer on the table for me, I wanted to maximize my chances with my other two programs by ensuring that the other two applications were as good as they can be. I have had some recent points that have arisen in the past month after the applications were due and I was wondering if I should contact the admission committees about this so they can be added to my application. It was a small gpa bump and a research opportunity (implies I will get about 2-3 months of experience before coming to the program).
I did post this in the internship form but I don’t want to potentially hurt my application chances and really need as many opinions as I can get (perhaps they would be annoyed that I am trying to do this, or they would see it as trying to finish an incomplete application, I don’t know but I just wanted to cover all bases on this).
@“Erin’s Dad” @happy1 I am currently working in the lab but I just started recently
@“Erin’s Dad” In terms of luck, I don’t think I was very “lucky” today. I left it unattended and someone (another student, janitor) probably thought someone lost it and turned it in. Irresponsible? Possibly, but I have done this in the past and seen people do this all the time with no problem. I don’t think I will do it again though
Also, from a parent’s perspective, is it better to tell my parents that the interview happened (and just say later that I was rejected) or should I tell them the truth and explain that I missed the interview because of this weird situation and I am probably going to be automatically rejected because of it. I guess a parent wouldn’t tell a random kid to lie to his parents but if you knew you would berate your kid if they told you the truth, would you want them to do it?
Goodness don’t lie to your parents. Tell them you had an issue with your computer and missed the interview, and you are very disappointed you will likely lose out on that opportunity. You don’t want to tell them you were rejected and have that cloud hanging over you. Own it. You didn’t commit a crime. Just an oops.
Why can’t you just update your gpa and tell them about the lab work during the interview? Usually they ask if there is anything you want to add or ask, so just tell them about the lab and say “I’m happy my gpa rose to X.xx”