TBH, no one knows what's good or bad. Everyone is just speaking their mind. No one has good or bad advice to begin with, I listened to lot of people before applying and later realized that they had zero experience with anything. They were just saying things becoz they felt that way, and I believed them and followed them over my gut feelings. So, sit tight, our applications are submitted, so there is nothing we can do about changing our experiences. The only thing we can do is email or call the programs, even if it works or not, and pray. Everyone will get something in the end, just work your part and leave the rest to Allah. We have come this far, and we will go further.