Cell Biology, NSF GRFP E/VG E/VG VG/VG. I got an honorable mention which is nice, but sad I didn't get the award. Congrats to everyone who did!
Added on March 23, 2021
Rejected
on 23 Mar Fall 2021AmericanPhD
Archaeology, NSF GRFP VG/VG, VG/VG, G/G The first two reviewers were very kind, mentioned that I had a strong background, though didn't offer much in the way of improving my application next time. Third reviewer took issue with specific parts of my methodology as well as significance of project. Senior undergrad.
Added on March 23, 2021
Rejected
on 23 Mar Fall 2021AmericanPhD
Chemical Engineering, NSF GRFP VG/E, E/E, E/E. Second year grad student rejected once when I applied senior year of my undergrad. Very excited!
Added on March 23, 2021
Accepted
on 23 Mar Spring 2021AmericanPhD
Computer Science, NSF GRFP E/E, E/G, E/E
Returning to grad school after doing some work in the industry.
Added on March 23, 2021
Accepted
on 23 Mar Fall 2021AmericanPhD
Mathematics, NSF GRFP Reasonable and expected. Based on the feedback, it sounds like my application was good overall (although, I got conflicting feedback on my Broader Impacts section). Imperfects aside, the real deal-breaker for them was my lack of research experience. Undergrad. Next year, hopefully!
Microbial Sciences, NSF GRFP Wow...still unbelievable. Postbac at the NIH, third gap year. E/E, VG/VG, E/E
Added on March 23, 2021
Accepted
on 23 Mar Fall 2021AmericanPhD
Social Sciences, NSF GRFP Honorable Mention. G/G, VG/Excellent, VG/Fair. Senior in college. Comments were very helpful. Will apply next year!
Added on March 23, 2021
Wait listedFall 2021AmericanPhD
Earth, Environment, And Planetary Science, Brown University POI replied to my follow-up with an unofficial acceptance! Literally fell over onto my kitchen floor! What a ride, didn't finish undergrad until my 30s!!
For anyone using this page in the future to gauge their competitiveness:
Undergraduate GPA 3.35 (Personal Statement explained a long, "non-traditional" undergraduate journey)
Masters GPA: 3.78 when applied (will graduate with over 3.8)
2 Conference abstracts
GRE: not required
Basically.... on paper probably not the top of the list. Likely accepted because I had a clear vision of what I wanted to study, shared my NSF GRFP submission which I worked on for about 6 months, and kept in touch with POIs throughout the process to show my level of interest and share research Ideas (tried my best to not over email), Strong LORs likely helped.
Even if its a longshot you always have to apply!!
Added on March 10, 2021
Accepted
on 9 Mar Fall 2021AmericanPhD
Computer Science, Cornell University Area AI/ML. 3.97 gpa, 166V, 169Q, 5.0A, math and CS dual degrees from top 20 US university, 3 years research, previous pubs, current pubs submitted, received national undergrad awards. Anyone think it’s funny how AI is supposed to be encouraged this year for NSF GRFP applications, but it’s almost impossible to get accepted into a grad program in AI?? People are going to get the fellowship but not be able to use it anywhere. Gotta laugh at this brutal year.
Added on March 04, 2021
Rejected
on 4 Mar Fall 2021AmericanGRE 169GRE V 166GRE AW 5.00GPA 3.97PhD
February 2021
Biology, College Of William And Mary Got very lucky with some strong alignment in a PIs past research and a current grant. I was a great fit and worked with the PI on a GRFP as well. Was notified of my likely acceptance in late Dec with the official acceptance coming in late Jan.
Added on February 10, 2021
Accepted
on 28 Jan Fall 2021AmericanGPA 3.37Masters
January 2021
Virology, Harvard University Undergrad GPA: 3.85, Masters GPA: 4.0, 5 years of research experience, 5 peer reviewed publications, 3 first author, NSF GRFP recipient in 2020
Added on January 23, 2021
Wait listedFall 2021AmericanPhD
Cell Biology, NSF GRFP Has anyone been rejected without review by NSF?
Added on January 13, 2021
OtherFall 2021AmericanPhD
December 2020
Neuroscience, Harvard University 4 fellowships, 1 publication, 6 presentations, summa cum laude, 2 prestigious research awards, NSF GRFP applicant, multiple honor societies.
Added on December 23, 2020
InterviewFall 2021AmericanGPA 3.96PhD
April 2020
Neuroscience, NSF GRFP Honorable mention. VG/VG E/VG E/VG. Applied as a post-bac. Will reapply as a grad student.
Added on April 21, 2020
OtherAmericanPhD
Social Sciences, NSF GRFP VG/E E/E E/E - Post-Bac
Added on April 21, 2020
Accepted
on 30 Mar AmericanPhD
Biomedical Engineering, NSF GRFP E/VG, E/VG, E/E - 2nd year grad student
Added on April 21, 2020
Accepted
on 31 Mar AmericanGPA 3.96PhD
Physics, NDSEG Not too upset, I had been convincing myself I wouldn’t get it for awhile. I made the mistake of getting my hopes up last year with the NSF GRFP.
It’s not nearly as bad if you just remain skeptical and remember that just because you don’t get it doesn’t mean you’re not a good researcher :) good luck to everyone who got it!
Added on April 17, 2020
Rejected
on 17 Apr Spring 2020AmericanGRE 167GRE V 158GRE AW 4.50GPA 3.77PhD
Chemical And Biological Engineering, Northwestern University They completely ghosted me until this moment. I'm fairly certain they only accepted me because I received GRFP (they specifically mentioned it in my acceptance letter). Will be rejecting, as I've already accepted an offer from MIT BE. Maybe if they'd reached out earlier I would have considered them lol.
Added on April 02, 2020
Accepted
on 2 Apr Spring 2020AmericanPhD
Chemical Engineering, University Of Texas At Austin I was surprised at how late this is, but I got a call from a ChE professor at Austin who congratulated me on my NSF GRFP award and then accepted me to the program (the order of this news delivery I'm sure is very intentional and I appreciate that they are honest). They explained that due to a humongous class last year, this year they were limited in the students they can accept. I take all of this to mean that because I now had funding, they were accepting me. I did get officially rejected on March 11th, though.... and yes, they did call me on April 1st, but I highly doubt they were joking. I'm most likely attending elsewhere but thanks for your honesty, UT Austin!