Philip, I first read your blog 2 years ago when I was starting to think about a PhD and I had a decent academic admit season in Fall 2011 when I finally applied (headed to CMU later this year). Recently, I was going through a slump since a paper out of my undergrad thesis I submitted to a conference was tossed out with very harsh reviews. This manuscript once again has come at a very opportune moment. You are an extremely gifted writer. Congratulations on finishing.