cyclingonthemoon

I am here because I am a 2017 applicant. This thread is for people like me. Seriously, if I am in the middle of doing my PhD, and finding myself spending hours and hours on a thread for new applicants, I might just quit the PhD and go get a life.

Maybe you are right. If there is only me seeing it as a problem, then the problem might be on me.

Although being rejected is not some subject anyone likes to dwell on, I still want to say that appropriate wording (in academic context) of a rejection letter is appreciated. Here are letters from UChicago and Brown. Which one is more respectful is quite apparent. From UChicago, Dear XX, Our faculty have carefully reviewed your application and I regret very much to inform you that we are unable to grant you admission to graduate study in XXX Department. Admission decisions to our graduate programs are made based on a combination of qualifications, preparation and academic fit with the faculty. We thank you for considering the University of Chicago and sincerely hope that you will have the opportunity to pursue your academic interests in another graduate program. Sincerely yours, xx From Brown: Dear XX, I regret to inform you that your application to the XXX, PHD program was not approved for admission to Brown University’s Graduate School for Fall 2017. Admission decisions are made on a comparative basis and are the result of a careful evaluation of each candidate's application, taking into account academic achievement, preparation for advanced study, and other supporting materials. Most of the applicants to our graduate programs possess very strong qualifications indicating an ability to do advanced academic work. Our graduate programs also receive far more applications from applicants than they can accept at any one time. These programs must select the very best from their applicants pools. Unfortunately, you were not among those selected. Thank you for your interest in Brown. I wish you the best in your academic endeavors. Sincerely, xx By the way, for those self-appointed coaches hanging around in this forum, your comments are not welcome.

FYI, I'm waitlisted by UCLA. The notification came about a week ago. I also applied to Stanford and it remains SILENT.

As a 2nd-round applicant, I'm still struck by the idea that "I'm not accepted by xxx I must be a moron"from time to time. Got a bit luckier this year. My take away is that faculty fit is more important than overall credentials. Accepted to Harvard while rejected by Northwestern. Not surprised by that. Meanwhile, best luck to you! Hope you get into your dream school!

East Asia in plain history here too! Are you going for the campus visit? Btw, can i ask which country and time period you focus at?

One year a long time ago, there were penguins who didn't wear hats when swimming. This made their mothers livid. "Unacceptable!" Frightened, they screamed, "Bears!" Nobody seemed convinced so instead of going swimming they tried juggling. Their mothers tried everything they thought would teach her a skill. However, she couldn't even make oatmeal without disastrous results. So, the penguins gathered money (obviously) trying to purchase a bear. Towering over them, a grizzly beast danced, devouring all bears with such ferocity that even God enjoyed it. Afterwards, God congratulated the penguins and applauded them. "You did it!" Suddenly, the grizzly beast started dancing vigorously. There was an acromantula nearby. It challenged the preconception that magical mushrooms were magical. Sparkling, the magical mushrooms were spreading throughout town. Nobody with pyromania thought grilled cheese would spontaneously erupt into nine identical squirrels! Nevertheless, the penguins elucidated the benefits of sparkling water from Iceland. Suddenly, Iceland exclaimed, "Enough!!! No more penguins. Kill all of the arcades on Monday because King Arthur suffered from sphenisciphobia." Tragically, everyone forgot lasers cure bug madness, meaning none of them stripped the violet beast of his powerful jaw bones. So while some arms spouted Kool-aid, others chopped nuts. This phenomenon halted commerce. Together twenty-five yellow dragons danced sporadically inebriating all anger gods, while academics drank champagne profusely. Who were they? Snotty undergrads eating free Tetrahydrocannabinol Chlorate. Homicidal kittens emerged from congressional hearings purring rhythmic improvised melodies, infuriating the associate

Unfortunately what I heard is that American history is a field that schools plan to take in less, because the job market is too crowded. Judging from your username you are an Americanist? It is a tough time really.

Harvard history department had sent out unofficial acceptance letters. So did UChicago. Both schools claimed that they had downsized the acceptance pool significantly. So if there is no news, it may be a bad news.

Well, hope you end up in your most ideal place!

If you can not tell apart what's sympathy and encouragement and what's arrogance, then I have nothing to say.

You know what? This kind of talk maybe well-intentioned, but I don't find it helpful at all. Everyone has their own way to adjust to things. Tough precautions are only good when there is real substance. I've heard too many "don't do a PhD" from too many PhDs. I will never say this to anyone telling me that they want to do a PhD.

By the way, did you apply to Harvard this year? can i ask about area focus? I'm doing Chinese history.

I didn't get email notification either. Just went to check the portal and the decision letter was already there.

Anyone finds Brown's rejection letter a bit harsh in wording? Fortunately I have two offers under my belt at this moment. Otherwise this blunt you-are-not-good-enough message may really break my heart. So for those yet to receive an offer but got Brown's rejection, please hold your head up! Don't take it literally. The faculty may find someone fitter in research interest and that's all.