I received an email today from “UMN CogSci” and was very excited at the possibility that it was telling me I was or was not accepted to their summer program. I should have known better.
Due to the large number of highly qualified applications that we have received this year, we will be unable to notify you as to your acceptance into the program by April 1st as originally stated.
However, in the next four weeks, you will receive an email and a letter if you have been selected to participate in the program.
Grr.
But, I was today pointed towards another reu at Colorado State, that also has some folks I’d like to work with. Unfortunately, I will need to do all the work for that application (and perhaps even submit it) before I hear from Minnesota.
Why does it only snow once I’ve given up on winter and am eagerly awaiting spring?
The convention of measuring the concentration of alcohol in “proof” originated in the British Army, where they would test the potency of their beverage by pouring it on a small pile of gunpowder. If the gunpowder would still ignite, it was “proof” that there was a proper concentration of alcohol. The threshold amount of alcohol that is necessary for this is actually a bit more than 50% (57%, I think), but the U.S. standardized some time ago on 50% alcohol being 100 proof. (The Brits use a system with the above-mentioned 57% being 100 proof. More accuracy, but more math. There is undoubtedly some conclusion to be drawn here about the fundamental differences between Americans and Brits, but I have homework to do.)
Courtesy of my rocking Psychopharmacology text.