sebastiansteddy

I'm wondering if I should try to contact someone other than the grad secretary... ETA: I just e-mailed Dr. Dobrin. Will let you know if he replies.

Good luck, I really hope you are offered the funding there. Just as a point of comparison, GWU offers it's PhD students somewhere between $22-23k to live in DC.

I guess I am underestimating you! DC is one of my favorite US cities, but it is VERY expensive. Even if you can get a cheap place to live, say even $750 a month which is probably impossible in DC - that's $9,000 a year. With Georgetown's stipend, that'd give you $1,000 to live off of for the year...in DC... food, books, transportation, utilities... You would certainly gain my admiration (more than you already have) if you manage that! I don't mean to be a jerk at all, just making a point that a loan-free MA can be difficult since funded MAs often (though certainly not always) provide a substantially lower stipend than PhD programs. I also do not mean at all to take away from your accomplishment of being accepted to Georgetown - I do really think it is a great program that tends to place very well into PhD programs.

It really really depends on the circumstances. Some unfunded MA programs cost much more than others. Mine was fairly inexpensive, and I am not too worried about the debt I am in from it. I also had no debt from undergrad, and that factored quite a bit into my decision to take on an unfunded MA. TwoEspressos - what about Georgetown? Even if you are funded there, their website says the stipend is $5,000 a semester. $10,000 a year to live in DC can't be easy, where rents are often $1,000+ a month. Would you take out loans for living expenses?

None of my letters were written by incredibly famous researchers. I didn't get in anywhere like HYP, but I got in a few places. My undergrad institution's name did not help me at all. My GPA and GREs are both pretty good - good enough to get me through a first cut at most places, I suspect. On my statement and writing sample: I've NEVER worked so hard on anything in my life. I have no publications, and only one conference presentation. Beside some minor tutoring and coaching, I have no teaching experience. I do have an MA from what seems like a fairly respectable institution, based on the acceptances that our MA students tend to receive. I cast a wide net and applied to a variety of places varying in rank. But.. let me reiterate. I have never ever worked as hard in my life on anything as I did on my statement and writing sample.

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!

You could potentially ask about what the program's policy for taking a leave of absence is, without specifying the reason. I know nothing about the issue of parental leave, but if a program allows a leave of absence for a certain amount of time, maybe you could take advantage of that? I'd still be careful who and how you ask this: you don't want to make it seem like you already want to leave.

Thanks - I figured the reply would be something like that.

You forgot luck.

Umm yeah. Where are they??

I'm really hoping they send one your way!!

Has anyone in limbo status at UW contacted the department? I have not (yet) but am just curious if anyone else has.

Hmm, I feel kind of stupid for not having really considered average time until degree. I just figured 5 years would be enough - I did recognize that 4 years would be tough, and I have asked all my programs about 5th year funding. I thought 5 years was average as long as the student stays on top of everything and is responsible for meeting degree requirements.

Thanks for the info Phil and Datatape. Phil - can I ask what you mean by "faculty support?" Do you mean availability of advisors to meet with students? Or if a faculty member is on leave for a semester? Thanks!

This might be a really stupid question, but why does the time it takes until the degree vary among programs? Say you are entering a PhD program with a PhD - shouldn't it take you 4-5 years? Why would it take longer in one program than it would another? Most programs seem to have the same requirements, more or less.

Good luck on the wait list! I hope it comes through for you!!

Buffalo? They were competent enough to reject me!

Hmm, they might be considering you for their MA.

Thanks for the update. I am assuming it's the same for PhD applicants? I am also assuming I'm rejected, which is fine, but I am still just baffled at their one e-mail at a time approach. Good luck everyone!

I am not attending the open house, but I am going to visit the school and meet with my POIs and the DGS. For that, I am nervous. I am sort of treating it like an interview. But yes, nervous.

I don't mean to be too overly critical. This is mostly just stuff I've heard. There are some great, innovative scholars coming from the program.

You'd probably have to talk to individual program for specifics. It seems like something that would vary greatly between programs.

I think it is a great program with a great reputation, but a few professors have told me they feel like it is in a state of decline, largely because of funding problems. Also, I've been told that the department is known for in-fighting among faculty members. Anecdotally, someone I know who visited the program last year was told by a POI that s/he does't work with students who also work with another professor. And... how can a relatively highly ranked program not even have a visiting day to recruit?? Again, I think it is a great program, just food for thought. ETA: I think I was pretty unclear about the anecdote. Professor A will not work with students who also want to study with Professor B.

Some programs allow you to apply (competitively) for that extra year of funding through a visiting professorship, or as a visiting lecturer.

De rien!