pikatopia

small bit of UMass info - they have already sent out their rejection letters...so if at this point, you still have not heard anything - you're likely on their wait list.

I've asked around a lot about UMass-Amherst (as I'm going to visit this week)...and the way I've heard it described is "self-contained". And also a bit isolated...also hear that the campus is not the prettiest one around... But I suppose I'll be able to share a bit more about it after my visit! PM me if you would like!

After visits and a lot of debating...my final 3 are: UW-Seattle, UMass-Amherst & UNC-Chapel Hill. I eliminated two schools based on visits and faculty interaction...I have yet to visit the last two (heading to both this week and next!), but have long bee in contact with both programs. How about you??

Is Columbia your first choice? I withdrew from a waitlist because I am pretty tired of the waiting game! (And I am very happy with the choices that I do have, which helps!)

I think that anyone going through this process knows how completely agonizing it is and isn't PURPOSELY just sitting on an acceptance to drive others mad. Personally, I'm taking my time because it is a really big decision. I have 3 programs left to visit and since they have been at the top of my list since the very beginning of this process for me - I intend to do as much thorough research on them as I can. (And for the record, I turned down one of the places that I have already visited because I knew it wasn't the right match.)

RE UNC-CH...the Communication department and the Journalism/Mass Comm department are different. I don't know about the Journalism dept, but the actual Communication department IS holding their Welcome Weekend starting this Thursday, with events running through late Saturday morning. Chapel Hill seems to send all notifications via Postal Mail - I was notified around Feb 22nd. About UMASS - Carbaugh is away on his Spring Break this week and will not have frequent email contact. I don't know if Kathy Ready is in her office at all (she is the Grad Program Secretary) this week, but it may be more pragmatic to contact her.

I withdrew from a waitlist...didn't see the point of continuing to play the waiting game when I knew I wouldn't go there. But I know that's different than simply withdrawing an app.

CONGRATS!! : )

...this is a TOUGH question! I am probably not going to Ohio...and not the waitlisted school that I withdrew my app from!

Arizona sounds like a Waitlist...the second sounds more like "don't rush us".

I'm not trying to be the Negative Nelly (hahaha) here, but maybe they just tried to cover as many bases as possible with one single form email? (i.e. Let everyone know they are reviewing, when the letters will be sent and that if it's an acceptance what they will be sending.) Honestly though, that is a REALLY cryptic email. Very confusing!

I'm really sorry - I wasn't meaning to offend at all (if I did)... :oops: I'm just kind of OCD and need all loose ends tied up before something feels *done*. And I will agree - it does feel good to know that at least I have somewhere to go... Sending you good luck and positive energy!

I think the fact that you were accepted still speaks volumes - they wanted you, they just couldn't fund you. Is there any word on whether if a funded accept drops that you might be offered this funding? I'm obviously not on a grad comm and have no real knowledge of your field...but will offer any insight where I can!

two thumbs up, sixty bazillion cheers and 110% agreed with you on this one!! it's come to me screaming at the computer/email program/the air/imaginary grad comm - "JUST TELL ME SOMETHING!! ANYTHING!!!" i have callouses from hitting "send/receive"... now, in all honesty, i'm only waiting on my last two (and already have my top two in the bag - yay!)...but I just want this exhaustipating process to be OVER...and I can't really consider it "over" until I have all the results.

I got some of the BEST information - not just best, but the most HELPFUL - at the "pub meeting" that was set up for me. I heard the good, the bad and the in-between (and got to sample some reeeeallly great microbrews)...and while I enjoyed all of them as company for those several hours, I was really glad to have my hotel to retire to at the end of the evening. What I've learned: if they pay for a hotel, take them up on it...just make sure you get some quality time with grads in the non-academic setting.