Aperio

Personally, I went to a very small and relatively unknown liberal arts college where I received an excellent education, due largely to the small class sizes, and was still able to have some success in the PhD application process. I interviewed at a few of the schools above and ultimately decided to attend Duke. Although, I will say that the majority of students at the interview weekends were from Ivy League caliber schools. However, it certainly can be done with a degree from outside that circle.

I am also not certain, but I can confirm that my invitiation was sent by email. I would guess that they would send international invitations at the same time. You could very easily be on a waiting list. Back when I was applying for MA programs, they put me on a waiting list without informing me. I didn't find out until I sent them an email. Edit: concering UCLA, in response to @Thyestes76.

Thanks for the advice @likeavirgil. I am significantly less stressed after the info you guys have shared with me, so I am sincerely apreciative. I'm actually headed out there this Tuesday, so I guess not. The Cotsen Institute sent me an itinerary that is chockfull of structured events, including formal interviews with the chair and one on one interviews with faculty. It is interesting how differently the departments I'm visiting aproach these visits/interviews.

Thanks! My app to UCLA is for archaeology, although all of my others are for classics. The indepartmental nature of the Cotsen Institute really appealed to me. And thanks @pro Augustis for the insight! Definitely looking forward to the visit.

I was wondering.... do a lot of graduate students live on campus due to the high rents? If so, what's that situation like?

Hey there! Long time time lurker, first time poster. Congrats to eveybody who has received good news to everyone else, keep perservering! I have some interviews coming up and I am incredibly nervous about them. Just for context, they are at Duke, UT Austin, amd UCLA (it's going to be a busy couple of weeks haha). I am totaly not sure what to expect. What are the odds of getting rejected after interviewing? My greatest fear, which I am told is somewhat unreasonable, is some sort of pop translation quiz. I am an archaeologist and sight reading still terrifies me. I dont even know what to wear! I have a suit, but that seemes like it might be overkill... Any advice would be greatly apreciated.