lifetimestudent

If someone can just call and ask the same question I did - when applicants should hear back - we can see if they give the same answer that they gave me yesterday. I just don't want to call twice... Thanks!

Completely agreed. Having my professors send in hard-copy letters, while it might not seem like a big deal, took a lot more work on my end than for the other schools.

FYI - I called Stanford, they said that results should be out "next week." I didn't pry as to whether that means the beginning or end of next week.

Which field are you in, if you don't mind sharing?

OK. So either all 3 of us are being rejected, or my info was wrong. Any other experiences? I got into UCLA and their visiting day is on 3/18. So this seems a bit early if there is any correlation.

So I just got off the phone with the secretary from U Penn's history dept., and she said that the letters should have already gone out by now since the visiting day is scheduled for next week. Has anyone heard from them, either positive or negative? I only see one or 2 items on the results board so I figured it was still early. Thanks!

Re: stanford, are they emailing people with information or just putting it up on the apply-yourself website?

I agree. It's great to know that I got in *somewhere* - amazingly great. But now I am going nuts to hear from the other schools!!

I'm also interested in studying in Canada, but I don't have questions about specific schools. However I was wondering if any American students who studied in Canada could chime in on what was the biggest change. I'm OK with the cold - but how is it most different from American schools?

I concur 100%. Last year when I applied, I was able to just use one chapter of my BA thesis since it was just 20 pages, but now I am using my MA thesis as the base for my writing sample and I've had to cut it down a bit. My whole thesis was around 200 pages, and the central chapter was over 50 pp. I cut it down to 10 pages for my smallest writing sample. Yes I had to cut a lot of good examples but the result is something which is to be honest much better than the original. Remember if you can cut it - do it, even if you are already under the page limit. The professors have a lot to read and you don't want anything superfluous to take away from what it really stellar in your writing.

Is that high, low, or average for a history phd applicant? I really have no idea.... it would be pretty nice if the GradCafe folks offered a similar database to the applications one where people could enter their GRE scores so we could get some kind of aggregate data on what people who are applying to different fields are getting.

I am working on my resume and have a question: I have submitted a paper for publication in an academic journal, and would like to make some note of the fact that I am trying to publish my article. I probably won't hear back from the journal before I have to send in my applications, so is it wrong for me to list it under "relevant publications" as "submitted for review"? If so, should I list the publication that I submitted it to, and what is the right way to put it? Thanks

I know that cold calling is generally a bad idea (both in sales and also grad school apps!). But here's the deal: In September, I emailed some professors who I am applying to work with, and we have writing back and forth a bit but they are not so fast at replying to my emails. I need to get my travel plans put together (read: flights) for the meetings and prices are rising... what do you all think: Should I call directly to seal the deal and set up the plans, or should I wait it out and see if they email me back? We've already agreed to set up a meeting - we are just trying to figure out the exact time. I don't want to come across as nuts or overbearing, but I want to make sure that I get to meet the professors I am applying to work with since I know that it's a crucial element to getting in. Thoughts? Thanks

When you reapplied, how did you change you SOP to reflect what you did in your "year off" (at least for me, it definitely isn't a vacation) but still remain within the page limit?

How early do you usually find out about adjunct positions? My understanding is that it has a lot to do with how many students enroll and they hire pretty late sometimes.

So I didn't get into the programs I applied to... bummer. Since I found out, I'm now working on my Plan B, which is to get a job to support myself while I get ready to re-apply for next year. However I do have an MA in my field, and would like to do something that really makes me a stronger candidate. I was speaking with someone who suggested that I could teach as an adjunct at a community college with an MA. It would be perfect, because I could get real experience and also work in my field, even if it's only part time. Does anyone have any experience trying to get a job as an adjunct lecturer with an MA? Is it possible, or is it just a pipe dream?