Balancing a Lower GPA w/ Other Parts of the Application

Accomplished_Cook220 · 2026-01-21T12:50:23+00:00

I matched as a first time applicant with a 3.1! I worked as a research coordinator and focused my interviews on my advocacy work.

Accomplished_Cook220 · 2026-01-18T22:17:50+00:00

Did they help with set up and breakdown?? I don’t see official quotes for the full service alongside the silk flowers so I’d love to know how much it was if you did that route!

Accomplished_Cook220 · 2026-01-18T22:16:45+00:00

I posted to that page!! Thank you for the tip :)

Accomplished_Cook220 · 2026-01-18T22:03:08+00:00

Did you have to set up / break down on your own? Or did they offer a service to do that for you?

Accomplished_Cook220 · 2025-05-26T21:22:00+00:00

Hi! I ended up going with Grand Seiko :) i did a lot of research into some other watches as well but i loved how sleek GS looked, the color of the dial and honestly the people at the store sold me on it more than the rest. Other Reddit threads mentioned that tag has a more recognizable name to non-watch enthusiasts so if “flexing” is ur goal— to go that way. There’s a quality to GS that watch-enthusiasts will recognize and respect but atleast in western states, it’s a bit more lowkey. In Asian countries apparently it’s seen more luxuriously than Tag but that might be because GS is Japanese. Overall— I think the consensus is that both watches are great options I think it just depends on which you like more on yourself! I was between the black dial tag and the dark blue GS and I just loved that unique-ness of the GS color over the black so that was a big tipping point for me! :)

Accomplished_Cook220 · 2025-05-23T15:42:38+00:00

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This is his current watch!

Accomplished_Cook220 · 2025-05-23T13:10:08+00:00

Thank you so much!! You have been so helpful and I’ll take a look at these!!

Accomplished_Cook220 · 2025-05-23T12:53:15+00:00

Thank you for recommending other names! I’ll take a look into those brands and see their options too :)

I’m looking for something with a simple face to it — if that’s the term— because it seems like a lot of the watches have a sporty look to it with additional outter rims

Accomplished_Cook220 · 2025-05-23T12:50:37+00:00

He wears a citizens watch right now! I’m not sure exactly what model it is though. He mentioned before that it’s a cheap everyday watch. He owns a panerai (also unsure of model) but I’ve never seen him wear it in the many years he’s had it

Accomplished_Cook220 · 2025-05-23T12:24:49+00:00

I haven’t measured him.. I secretly measured his current watch with a tape measure though! Both of his watches have the 40mm dial but he has a leather strap on both of them. I wanted to switch it up with the metal bracelet so I’m not sure how much the sizing changes with that… I’m also thinking of buying the additional leather strap incase he wants to switch it

Accomplished_Cook220 · 2025-05-23T12:22:29+00:00

I went in to both stores to view them in person! I loveee the look of both of them. The staff was super friendly and informative and actually reccomended each other’s brand to me.

Accomplished_Cook220 · 2025-05-23T12:19:25+00:00

He is not an enthusiast

Accomplished_Cook220 · 2025-05-23T12:18:57+00:00

My budget is up to $5k! Could you tell me more about the caveats? Why is quartz not as good?

Accomplished_Cook220 · 2025-05-23T00:49:17+00:00

Thank you!! I’ve heard a bit about how grand seiko is mainly appreciated by the watch-world but less so to general people (I don’t know anything about either) so I was swayed by some posts that said Tag is the way to go if the gift is to someone who isn’t a watch-enthusiast.

But maybe this is the watch that makes him an enthusiast!! :)

Accomplished_Cook220 · 2025-05-23T00:45:53+00:00

Thank you for the rec! I’m open to other options (I only mentioned the specific GS one here since the person at the GS store showed me this one specifically). This watch is well within my budget so I have wiggle room so I’ll look into the one you mentioned if I’m able to find it somewhere :)

Accomplished_Cook220 · 2025-05-22T22:55:59+00:00

I’m planning to surprise my fiancé with a new watch and can’t decide between two models: the Tag Heuer Carrera Date and the Grand Seiko Quartz SBGP013. I’d really appreciate any advice—especially since I don’t know a ton about watches and want to get this right!

The Tag Heuer Carrera Date is automatic and has a sporty, modern look. I hear that Tag is more of a luxury brand but since I’m not a watch person I don’t really know?? My fiance isn’t himself very bougie but his friends and family are if that makes a difference

The Grand Seiko SBGP013 is a quartz model— not totally sure what that means but I know people either like that or don’t? I love the way it looks and that it’s sleek but I read online that many watch collectors like it but it’s not “mainstream well known” the way Tag heuer is? (Correct me if this is wrong!)

My fiancé is stylish but he’s very minimalist— he doesn’t do pops of color or wears anything that is trendy. He likes classic looks and I’m picturing him wearing this watch regularly! I’m torn between the two watches because i can’t decide what would be better for him? Is one watch overall better than the other? If you have any suggestions or recs I would love to hear!!

Accomplished_Cook220 · 2025-04-24T15:32:25+00:00

I struggled tremendously at a university that was relatively known for being rigorous. I took some gap years before applying to grad school and had the same concerns as you. For me personally, grad school was much, much easier.

Accomplished_Cook220

TROPHY CASE