Some quick questionss

[absinthexfaery]

I've started my applications and have sent in the general university app for the three schools I'm applying to, however I'm still working on compiling all of the subsequent information for the individual departments and assistantships.  That gap period in sending information, while I wait for recommendation letters and the like--is that okay?

Comments

[tisiphone]

I think it's expected that there will be a gap between parts of the application, and you're supposed to start getting stuff in as soon as you can.

For visiting, I guess it probably depends on what they prefer. It's likely that when you arrnage a visit someone senior will be on hand to greet you anyhow, but if there's a particular reason to meet with the department head I'd email them and ask about it. There's no hard and fast rule though, it varies a lot.

For the submission - are you submitting the entire magazine, or just a portion of it? If it's just a portion, I'd just clip it out and neatly write the publication information on a cover sheet. If it's the whole thing, then yes, I'd say go with a PDF.