NCHistory

Thanks a lot for all the replies. I think a major factor in my disappointment was that one of the schools that rejected me was my #2 choice and one in which I felt quite confident- my SOP named several POIs, and I even listed various factors about the university itself, such as particular library archives, that would be beneficial to my research.

I applied to 7 History PhD programs (all top 15 programs) and today received my first 2 letters- both rejections. Of course I was hurt, and also a bit surprised, as I had a 170 verbal GRE, 153 quantitative, 5.5 writing, a 3.94 undergrad GPA in my major, a senior honors thesis as my writing sample, and [what I assume] are good LORs and a SOP where I mention specific professors and compatibility. Does anybody have any advice? Reassuring comments? Or perhaps a healthy dose of realism? It's quite a hit on the chin, to get 2 rejections within a few hours of each other.

So, I know this is probably nothing, but I'm really worried. I took GRE on Thursday in a country in which I am not a citizen. I did really well on verbal and math and felt confident on writing. However, my fear is with the signature. On my 6-year old passport, I have a very official looking signature, but on the first sheet at GRE I just gave a typical squiggly signature. The guy there asked me to rewrite, which I did. Then I had to sign the sign-in sheet, which I signed looking like my passport. On the sign-out sheet, I was tired (after 4 hours of the exam) and signed it more "in-between"- that is, not a squiggly, but still not as official looking as my passport and the sign-in signature. When I was leaving, I thought I heard him say something about the signature (to himself, not to me). So, am I freaking out over nothing? I am afraid that my scores will be cancelled or withheld, which sucks as I gave what I think is my best performance on this exam. Also, the country I am currently in is well-known for corruption- although at the testing center everything is very professional.