FlamingoLingo

1. Congratulations to all of you that have made such exciting decisions! I hope I can be in your shoes this time next year.
 
2. Though this should be a thread of celebration, I feel like contributing this appropriate quote considering the conversation above:
 
"There is only one way in which one can endure man's inhumanity to man and that is to try, in one's own life, to exemplify man's humanity to man." -Alan Paton
 
Wherever you end up and whatever path your career takes, always remember your obligation to be the best piece of the planet you can, everyday. If we keep this in mind, the world will be fine.

As I clicked on this thread, I was hoping someone found "dirty secrets" in the GRE like the "dirty secrets" of The Little Mermaid. Major disappointment. 

Hi there. First time applying to graduate school, and while I have done ample research and have frequent meetings with my mentor and recommenders, I would love to hear what you have to say 
 
I got into University of Central Florida (UCF), Florida Atlantic University (FAU), Georgia State University (GSU), and University of Houston (which has no chance for funding, so it's a for sure "no"). FAU offered me a sick deal: 80% tuition waver + 12,000 per semester. I'm waiting to hear from UCF and GSU about GTA offers (::fingers and toes crossed:. 
 
(FYI: Still waiting on Alabama University (who offers assistantships to all accepted students), and San Francisco State University (again ::fingers and toes crossed:
 
I want to know your opinions about these programs. I am pursuing an MA in English Literature.
 
THANKS! And I hope you have such awful decisions to make 
-CabinFever

Me, of course.
 
 
 
 
 
(Okay, that was hilarious in my head.)

gradcafe studies.

What I felt when I saw this topic:
 

 
What I felt when reading the rankings:
 

I just found out that I'm on Buffalo's waitlist! It sounds like they're funding PhD's this year, at least- they said they only have 10 TA spots

If it makes you feel any better, I got into their Ph.D. last year and was offered no funding. That's an even harsher blow. "Oh, sure, I'll go to your program for 5-7 years with no funding. I'll also blowdry my hair in the bathtub to save time! What could go wrong?"

Man, I WISH having knowledge of women writers actually helped on the subject test.

This comforts me for some intangible reason.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpfQSqfpuac

May you all enjoy the rest of application season as much as a baby elephant playing in the surf.
 

For everyone who is feeling a lot of feels about recent decisions--I know we all are--here is one of my favorite songs:
http://youtu.be/L3nMfS10_1Y
 
"It's okay to say you've got a weak spot, You don't always have to be on top. Better to be hated, Than love, love, loved for what you're not." You are not a robot! We are emotional creatures, and that's OK. 

It isn't over until its over!

Datatape: Ha, so simple! Thank you.
 
Here's my contribution:
 

Oh, yeah, if I do this again this Winter, I am casting a massive net. A net the likes of which even Finnick Odair has never seen!

After two years of posting on these threads, rejoicing in others' acceptances, commiserating in others' rejections, and constantly questioning whether or not I really could be a scholar, I'm ecstatic to report:
 
I'VE JUST BEEN WAITLISTED AT UNC-CHAPEL HILL! 

I feel you. But repeat after me:
http://youtu.be/Wmc8bQoL-J0
"I'm a survivor (what), I'm gonna make it (what), I will survive (what), keep on survivin' (what)!"

You guys!!  I just got in to Penn State!!! 6 years of full funding!!
 
AAAAAHHHHH!!!

Ps. I have a YouTube playlist called "Shit Happens" that I listened to throughout the latter half of my applications, and it is just FULL of gems like this one.

The best advice I can give:
 
1.) Do your homework early.  Research programs as soon as you are able to pull yourself together from getting rejected.  Last year, I got my last waitlist rejection in late April just before I defended my thesis.  I graduated in May and spent most of late May and early June researching programs and professors to try and find the best fits for me.  If there are particular things (authors, genres, forms of criticism) you like, go onto an academic database and start searching for who's writing on them.  You will find scholars who you want to work with in this way.
 
2.) Start saving.  Squirrel away money wherever you can to foot the bill for as many application/GRE fees you can.  I applied to thirteen programs and the total fee (GRE scores, application fees, transcripts from three schools, GRE subject test) was close to $2000.  It was a huge financial burden, but so many of these applications are dice rolls and you need to give yourself as many rolls as you can afford.  Eventually, boxcars are going to come up.
 
3.) Make contact with professors who you want to work with, even if it's just to inquire about whether they are able to take on students.  You never know when one of them will give you a huge amount of inside information or will let you know that they are on the adcom.
 
4.) Unless you have no other choice, don't be restricted by geography.  Look at programs across the U.S. (or international programs).  A number of schools offer stipends to help you move across country.  It's also good for you as a person to experience living somewhere you never have before.
 
5.) Rewrite and rewrite and rewrite your writing sample and statement of purpose.  These are the single two most important parts of your application.  Unless you have an absolutely brilliant piece of writing outside your area of expertise, make sure your writing sample lines up with what field your statement of purpose says you want to work in.
 
6.) Be prepared for the fact that, even working extremely hard and preparing as much as you can, you may not get into your top picks.  Half of this battle is mental preparation.  Getting rejected always sucks and even if you have an acceptance in hand somewhere else it stings to have a program tell you "no."  There are a lot of very talented applicants who strike out every single year, and even if you feel a program is perfect for you, you can't predict whether a school took four students in your specialty last year or your POI is the black sheep of the department who has serious enemies on the adcom.  These things are out of your control.  Getting rejected is a part of this experience; people who get in to every single program they apply to are an extreme exception to the rule.
 
7.) If your GRE (or TOEFL) scores are low, work to increase them.  Yes, these tests are horrible and don't give an accurate picture of you as a scholar.  You still do not want to give an adcom any reason to cut you, and unfortunately this is an objective number they can look at when it comes down to the nitty-gritty.
 
Above all else, try not to get discouraged.  If this is your dream, keep at it.  Last year, I got three waitlists, none of which converted.  This year, I had an acceptance the first week of February and have two other waitlists, with half of my schools still to officially tell me anything.  It may not feel like it now, but you can always strengthen your application and try again.  These schools aren't going anywhere.  If you really want this, take a long, hard look at your application materials (or have a professor you trust look at them) and determine what you need to work on in order to make a stronger run at it next year.

Can't sleep.

Come on, Maryland: you know it; I know it. We're perfect for each other. Let's not wait for tomorrow, or the day after, or the day after that. After all "love's not time's fool." 
 
Thinking of you,
xoxo
HHEoS

Lemme tell you why assumed rejections are a bad idea...
 
From the looks of the results survey, UMass Amherst had already contacted its applicants for an interview with their Writing Program. Yesterday, I sighed and crossed them off my list mentally. It's cool, I told myself. I never really wanted to live in Massachusetts (that was a lie). 
 
It is 6:03AM in California. I woke up five minutes ago to check my email (because I can't help it). When I saw that I had two emails, I whispered, "curses Groupon Getaways!" But then I saw the subject line... "Acceptance from UMass Amherst." 
 
Holy shit guys, I GOT INTO UMASS AMHERST!!!! 
 
The email says they I will be contacted by the Writing Program for an interview soon. It also says that I GOT INTO UMASS AMHERST! I got into a PhD program, ya'll! I already called my husband at work, but it's too early to call my friends and family... So I'm sitting in my bedroom, hopping around my mattress because I GOT IN. Weeeeeeeeee!

Hey friends! Just wanted to throw out there, I heard rumors today that the adcomm here at UNC is finalizing decisions basically as we speak and will be starting to notify soon! I know I got my e-mail last year at about 8 pm, so keep your eyes out! I am crpssing my fingers for all of you!!

I love the picture that corresponds with this example: