InHacSpeVivo

I've heard of movement after April 15 (which you can see on the results board from years back), though the latest I've seen/heard of is April 21. From my understanding, this is pretty much the reasoning behind the "loophole" that allows you to retract an acceptance with written consent from the program. Theoretically an acceotance would need to be really fantastic to motivate one to go through the trouble. Unfortunately, I've had the pleasure of having an offer retracted for not committing by a pre-April 15 deadline. I can't tell which is crummier, that or the feeling of leaving a funded offer on the hook while I wait to hear from other programs. Basically, it seems like its tough no matter what end of it you're on.

Agreed (I would have done two if I could have)

It's around $11,500 for English PhD, but stipends usually vary across disciplines. It's completely normal to inquire about stipends with your program director if you've already been accepted with a TAship.

I'm in a somewhat similar situation, so I've been asking around. If the waitlist offer comes before April 15 you can get out of the contract by just letting the program know. Personally, I've held off on accepting anything in event there's a last minute change just to avoid any potential awkwardness or ill feeling that could result from retracting an acceptance. As for after the deadline, per the graduate council resolution, you can get out of a contract signed by April 15 with the written consent of the school that has you under contract. I've heard anecdotally of this happening when someone in my program a few years back accepted an offer then got into their dream program off the WL. From what I understand there was no ill will because they were going from a school in the US News 75-100 range to the 20-30 range. I hope this helps. As I mention, this is mostly hearsay so I'm hoping others will have more substantial answers.

I can only offer anecdotes, but I left the publishing industry to return to school, and in acquisitions its not uncommon to see PhDs. Publishing is mega competitive at the trade level (worse than academia tbh), but academic publishing, especially for the sciences, is relatively easy to get into provided you're willing to start in development and worm your way up. I also know a defense contractor who has worked with several English PhDs over the years. From what I've seen (fwiw) the jobs are there, you just need to be willing to look beyond the traditional alt-ac route.

Second this.

I don't think this affects any regulars, but I turned down University of Rhode Island's funding offer by default (didn't accept by their deadline). Re: MSU... Are you English or WRAC?

Marmot: I don't think I would be weird to visit twice, especially considering you live super close by and that your prospective advisor wasn't available when you visited. Meeting your advisor is crucial, and I couldn't possibly imagine anyone thinking it strange that you made a short drive to meet with your advisor in person before formally accepting.

I ended up e-mailing them and found out I'm on an unofficial waitlist, so it may be worth contacting them.

Jealous. That's one of MSU's big selling points for me.

I contacted them the first week of March because I had a deadline with funding tied to it. They don't have a formal wait list, but said I was a "finalist." Since I have so much pending I told the school with the deadline I couldn't let them know before 4/15, so they withdrew the offer, and I asked Kentucky to keep me in consideration if a spot opens up. ETA: I realize this is a convoluted, somewhat non-answer, but it's the whole truth of it. In short, I think it's worth emailing the DGSfor an answer if you haven't heard yet. Good luck!

Caroline: I honestly don't think there's any harm in negotiating UNC's offer (by way of saying UNC is my dream school, but another program is offering X, Y, and Z, which is making it difficult for you to accept). Yes, you were on the WL, but now you're accepted! Obviously they want you, and there really is no harm in seeing if they can come up with more money. That being said, it might be worth holding off until visit weekend to be sure they are still your dream school. It's not worth negotiating if you decide it's not a good fit after all. ETA: By the way, this is totally a real problem. A good problem to have, yes,but a real problem nonetheless.

Congrats, allplaid! And thanks for sharing!

Congrats, Ramus! Here's hoping for a pre-open house conversion!

Yeah, I would say funded MA and then add a teaching assistantship if/when it is received.

My most recent MA is indicated as funded on my CV (I have a teaching fellowship). I also (very) briefly mentioned it in my SOP, as it was a competitive position awarded to about 1/4 of the cohort.

You were contacted personally about the waitlist, right? If you're comfortable with it, I don't think it would be inappropriate to contact the DGS to see if there's been any movement on the list (I did that with another program and received a good response). I'm also waitlisted at UMD, but I was told in my case it was unlikely to convert, so I feel like they would be fortright if asked.

Here's my current dilemma (well, the biggest of them): the DGS at my #1 acceptance emailed me the day after the visitation weekend thanking me for coming and assuring me they'd let me know about funding the second she heard anything (while I was there I mentioned word on funding was the only thing keeping me from committing). I haven't heard anything since then so I am nearly certain that there is no news, but it's been almost three weeks. Should I check in? If so, I'm wholly unsure how to breech it. On a similiar note, I was notified of my waitlist status at one school two weeks ago. Would it be acceptable to check in expressing my interest and inquiring if there has been any movement? As you can imagine, I'm more than a bit antsy with so much in flux, but I also don't want to bother anyone during what I'm sure is an already busy time.

Congratulations, Caroline!!!!!! That's amazing news! I'm guessing you're headed to UNC this fall?!

Good luck, Beatriz Bear! And welcome to communal limbo

Thanks, morristr and 1Q84! Your sunny outlook is much appreciated. I appreciate the confirmation, NowMoreSerious! Honestly, I almost asked if it was (I don't remember there being that many WLs for anyone in the 2013 season). It's a HUGE improvement over my las app cycle, for sure (0/11 for PhD programs), but I can't help but thinking there's some fatal flaw that's stopping programs from pulling the trigger. Unfortunately, two of the programs are pretty pessimistic about my chances, but I do feel better at least being carefully considered. There is a better chance at the other three, I think. One DGS in particular was really hopeful about making it off the waitlist (and possibly getting a fellowship, which I'm also waitlisted for), so we'll see. It wouldn't be nearly as stressful if my only offer from a ranked program had information on funding yet. *sigh* Honestly, if any of you more successful applicants would be willing to read my SOP and/or writing sample to help me identify what is keeping me perpetually on the bubble I would greatly appreciate it! Feel free to PM me if you're up for it.

Waitlisted at the last school I had left to hear from... how are five wait lists even possible?!

Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to commit anywhere. I REALLY enjoyed the one visit I had, but I'm STILL waiting to hear about funding from that program. It has already cost me one funded acceptance, which I had to decline on Friday because there are so many variables. Im really hoping visits clear it up for some people, though, which would ideally result in a trickle-down effect for some others of us to narrow options. :-/

I'm not sure what it says about my application that I've ended up on so many waitlists, be they official or not. That aside, it is really nice to have a group of other multiple-waitlisters so I know I'm not the only one being driven slightly crazy by the process.

Yeah, I've expected it for quite a while. Though, I can say many of my implied rejections ended up being unofficial wait lists. Given that there were some recent rejections for PSU I'm thinking it could be a possibility with them. Of course, I'm certainly not counting on it!