lisajay

there's also zeitoun... which admittedly isn't fiction & is written by a white author, but it deals with muslim america post-9/11 + hurricane katrina, so may be of interest to both of you.

have you read the zero by jess walter?

ahh, gotcha. i haven't looked into UCSB's program, but a friend of mine with similar research interests to yours plans on applying there due to strong fit & a good relationship with a POI. i can see how a preoccupation with numbers could be a turnoff, although the flipside of that coin could be being so vague that applicants feel as if there's no way to even try to gauge what their chances might be. six of one, half dozen of the other i guess

seconding the DC love. i lived in the logan circle/dupont circle area for a while, & it was fantastic. everything was within easy walking distance or at least accessible by metro. driving on the beltway is no fun, but i think i only did once or twice—seems like an avoidable evil

i second USC, & i also think UCSB could be a good fit for you. Based on your writing sample, I'd target Berkeley as well

Fair enough. I still feel confident that your acceptance is well deserved. Your quick wit throughout your posts seems indicative of your personality if not your scholarship, & I get a good vibe off it. As far as rejections, this entire process is just such a crapshoot. It's ok to be sad when you get a rejection, but don't let that cloud the big picture. You're good enough, you're smart enough, & gosh-darnit, people like you.

Question: did you submit the same WS to all of the programs to which you applied? I did, because I knew objectively it was the best & most polished piece I had. But my sole acceptance is from the only program that was honestly a good fit for my WS. Strategically, I know that wasn't wise, but I'm also completely satisfied because that's my first choice. Curious if maybe something similar is going on with you. I doubt you're an imposter. It's a fit, not a fluke

the general consensus was to wait until after the april 15 deadline, i think. wait until the current app season dies down. hope this helps!

if we were talking about every time i've applied for grad school, i could have fit in 3 of those categories

out of upvotes, so please accept this virtual high-five, champagne. *high-five!*

i feel like we need a veterans-of-borders thread. my all-time favorite anecdote: customer: i'm looking for that book that the new mel gibson movie is based on. the passion? employee: sure, our bibles are located— customer: no, not the bible. i need the book the passion is based on. employee: right, the bible. customer: no! the passion! that's one movie tie-in that would've come in handy.

bfat, I wholeheartedly agree with both katzenmusik & proflorax. think of all the dollars spent on application fees by all the hopefuls at all the schools... factor in acceptance rates, & I'd bet cold hard cash that the department can more than afford to spring for your visit right now

i'm pretty sure they picked that day cos it coincides with (dis)junctions. i'm sure you could set up another time to visit.

it's thursday 4 april from 9am - 2pm, but there will likely be an informal dinner with students afterward. more details to follow.

yay! congrats!!!!

FWIW, that check mark disappeared & reappeared for me a few times & would come back a day or so later. I think it's just a bug. Hopefully you'll hear good news soon!

this day just gets better & better: so much good news going around! & it's 5pm here, FINALLY! commence celebratory 3-day weekend in 3... 2...

i'm in i'm in i'm in i'm in i'm in i'm in i'm in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! riverside's my no. 1 choice in terms of fit, & at first glance it seems as though the package they're offering trumps what i'd get at davis were my waitlist to convert, i'll probably remove myself from the waitlist so someone else can move up. just gonna wait a little bit for the adrenaline to die down. *so not able to think straight emoticon*

& *that* is why you are my favorite. spoken like the class act that you are.

congratulations, you magnificent bastard.

nah, irvine *just* started notifying yesterday, so i wouldn't assume anything at this point. i assumed davis was a rejection for me after about two weeks of silence as notifications kept rolling in, & that turned into a really positive waitlist notification. stay strong! i'm keepin' the faith that riverside gets back to us all soon...ish, at least.

my guess would be that's someone with a non-departmental fellowship, like KeelyMK's yesterday?

ponies & bronies FTW

spoken like a true californian so happy for you. go speak for them trees gurrrl.

YESSSSSSSSSS!! if you do this [youtube clips & GIFS though], i will edit it for you, no charge.