uromastyx
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Posts posted by uromastyx
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yuuup. my rejection from Brown came today as well.
had i not gotten into my #1 i'd be suuuper bummed about not get in at #2-#5. such is life. we can't win them all. i didn't apply to NYU. -
Because they haven't made their final decision. They state it clearly, since they can't confirm your admission.
'Shortlist' means they have narrowed down their applicant pool and you are still in the running.
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shortlisted
No. I assume they actually mean 'shortlisted.' They have not yet made a decision, but you are of interest to them. They are basically asking if you still have an interest in their program if they were to make you an offer.
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Has anyone heard from their prospective college?
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The exception proves the rule. To advise people on the GRE based on a few that got by (who no doubt have a strong overall application) is not a helpful approach. Your story may not be uncommon, but it's also not common.
Last year I was rejected from all program I applied to. I contacted two. They told me I had a strong application and needed to retake the GRE. When I inquired further about other possibilities to strengthen my application they both reiterated "RETAKE THE GRE."
The particular program and particular adcomm will always make a difference. But I truly do not understand rolling the dice on this. It makes no sense. No sound advisor would look at a 30th percentile score and say, "no worries, don't retake." If you all wish to stay in academia then it will be your duty to position your students to do as well as possible, that includes submitting strong GRE scores. Surely people should be aware of the possibility to be successful with holes in one's application. But for the massive amount of people that apply ill prepared, glimmers of hope don't help to position them. Honest advice to improve is what they need. I repeat: anyone who fails to heed this warning is at a huge disadvantage.
For the record, Captain Crunch, congrats on acceptance. Since you're listing UNC I assume it was (close to) your top choice. Congrats!!
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Agreed, be prepared to speak with the professor. Even if they don't want an "interview" you should use this opportunity to your advantage. Show up with some questions.
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I think it's totally ok, though I doubt it happens frequently.
Departments understand that funding can play a huge role in a decision. If you're number one choice hasn't made you a great offer then it's quite acceptable to say, "Listen, you are my number one choice. I would like to commit to you, but funding is a concern for me. School X has offered me $$. Can you match this offer?"
I don't think this will work well for all schools, but as long as it's polite the worst case scenario is that you attend your #1 choice with a bet less than you were hoping for. This approach certainly works better with programs that have (access to) money. Also, don't create a bidding war. Do this only for one school.
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I had a writer offer to write me a letter when I mentioned my interest in applying to PhD programs after my MA. The person was a prof at a school that I had not attended, but was applying to for the PhD. We had a great relationship over the past two years. I provided them with a packet of materials that included a list of programs with deadline dates. We discussed this list in person and the letter writer had no problems with this, said the number of programs was fine.
The recommender submitted every letter very efficiently and then sent me a hate email after each one, literally starting with the first program. It would range from saying they were too busy for this, to name calling, to "you owe me SO MUCH for this," to "I never want to see you again." Complete psycho stuff. I would email them back apologizing and reminding them that they were very eager to write these letters and agreed to all the programs and dates multiple times. The recommender would then apologize and recommit. But I'd get another absurd hate email after nearly each time.
It was a terrifying experience and created a great deal of stress, as I feared it would affect my applications. I sure am glad that's over with!
Why is this crazy stuff so common?!?!?!
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I provided all of my letter writers with my CV, copies of my SOPs, two writing samples, a list of programs with the POIs and explanations for why I wanted to work with these people, transcripts, and copies of my teaching evaluations. An applicant can always provide information to letter writers without personally writing the letter.
During my UG and MA I've solicited letters from about 10 separate individuals for applications/scholarships/grants. None have ever asked me to write my own LOR. All of the people that I've spoken with find this concept unacceptable. Often times it is precisely because the recommender doesn't want to spend the time or simply doesn't know the applicant. If it is a matter of knowing the research of the applicant, this information - most of which ought to be included in the prospectus/proposal - can be given to them. Providing such materials is MUCH different from personally writing the letter.
Nevertheless, it places the applicant in a terrible position to comment on their own performance. I would hate to try to do this for myself, so I'm glad that no one has requested it of me. Upon soliciting the LOR I always mention that I will provide a folder containing the aforementioned materials (or any others of relevance). If I were still asked to write it myself I would give strong consideration to finding a different letter writer. But, if I had no one else, or if they were a potentially strong LOR, I would certainly write my own letter. But I wouldn't be thrilled about it.
If I'm ever a prof, I hope I don't ever ask a student to write their own letter. I feel it defeats the purpose.
- uromastyx and VioletAyame
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You mention that you don't have much time to study for the retake. If you honestly feel this way then I would reconsider spending the $175 for a retake. If you wish to retake it then you really must commit to serious studying. That Verbal should be somewhat within range for the schools you're interested in (although bringing it up would certainly help), and although the Quant isn't as important to your field, it is quite low.
I also agree that it's important to address the matter of grades with as few words as possible.
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Many people don't accept an acceptance after being waitlisted because it can feel awkward and the school didn't have them as a top choice. You also mentioned that the PI didn't show much interest in you.
Your situation seems a bit more shady. You may not want to work with people that you don't trust, regardless of the reasons that you feel that way.
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i think it depends on your style. I also rock jeans, but with a dress shirt, dress shoes, classy accessories.
I think jeans and a polo would be ok, just as long as it isn't sloppy and you have you nice shoes. I love the casual styles of Allen Edmonds. And remember: dress shoes --> dress socks
But you can't go wrong with slacks/khakis.
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Indeed, this is often the case. Hence why I shake my head when people mention the irrelevance of the GRE in the context of applications. Very often these scores are particularly crucial for top programs. And if they are not used as initial cut-off marks they will almost undoubtedly be weighed in some fashion.
- John_Duble_E and Phil Sparrow
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I was just made an offer from Rutgers! Visiting next week
Congrats!!!
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My interview at Minnesota was similar. They were definitely trying to sell it to me. And it worked!
Well, I was waitlisted at Michigan today, post interview. I'm somewhat surprised by this, but this is the game we play.
I've gotten the ball rolling for a couple of campus visits, which I'm looking forward to.
I've heard nothing from Carolina-Duke, which I was hoping for. It seems late for them, so this is probably not great news.
But I'm really just twiddling my thumbs waiting for my prospective college at Oxford. My friend said it takes about 3 weeks to hear, but it's been 4 already. (The website states upwards of 8-10.) blah
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Well that was odd... the interview went very well (we talked for almost 45 minutes) and he said that they were "extremely, extremely interested" but really didn't give me a time table in terms of finding out whether or not I'd be accepted. He seemed to be trying very hard to sell me on Rutgers, but I don't know, it was very strange.
1) 45 mins 2) "extremely, extremely interested" 3) they are selling the program
You may expect the acceptance in the near future. Congrats!
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I think at the MA level it's fine to have a couple grad student conferences. It will show a particular initiative. If you will be applying to PhD programs then it's probably good to have a couple grad conferences on your CV. You may also consider mentioning that you were invited.
BUT I don't believe that grad students should do more than a couple of these. You should be looking into regional (as well as national and international) conferences.
This is simply my opinion. My MA advisor told me that grad conferences were a waste of my time, but I still did one before moving on to regional and international conferences. I do feel, however, that grad conferences will be fairly irrelevant if/when applying for jobs after the PhD.
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I have to agree with him. But that isn't always realistic. If you can't produce enough letters then you can't produce enough letters. However, if you plan to reapply for a PhD then approach your relationships with future faculty with this in mind. Set up positive relationships that might produce glowing letters.
Also, I'm not sure how this came up. Did you ask him about a future letter? Did he mention that he would be willing but that it would be best to solicit new letters? Because if he simply came out with it it may be a subtle hint.
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Harvard does do interviews and I didn't get one. But I have an interview with Rutgers tomorrow (well, er, later today I guess)!
Best of luck!!
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That's a tough question. I would start by speaking to your profs (in the field). But you could look into the factors that contribute to rankings: publications within the department, program diversity, professional development, course offerings, placement record, etc.
Also, if they aren't ranked then it seems appropriate to gauge personal fit.
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I would simply email them and explain the situation and ask if they'd be willing to submit (the letter is already written) one more letter. Four total schools is really not very many. Chances are it would be fine. Good luck!
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First, congrats! Certainly you've met the criteria for admission. There is NO question there. That's excellent.
But you probably weren't a 'priority' student. Sometimes it seems to be a matter of, they will take you, but don't want to (or can't, depending on how one sees it) pay for you. Some people will turn this down because it seems insulting (and often pricey!). Others feel that it's nothing personal. Of the people that I know that this has happened to none ended up taking the offer.
It could also simply mean that they want a candidate to complete the master's first, to prove oneself, in a way.
Best of luck with your decision.
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Uromastyx, I was in Marburg for the summer. Took classes at Speak + Write Institut. Did quite a bit of traveling apart from that, too. For those wondering about funding, Penn State offers about $17,000 plus $3000 summer support. UPenn offered me $24,000 plus $4000 summer support. I feel like those are pretty good indicators of range, from my understanding. So, anyone familiar with wait list protocol? I have no idea when I'll find out if a spot has opened up for me at Princeton, and I am very interested. They're having me visit on March 29th for their conference, which will be mad awkward if I don't get offered a spot. But I'm really hoping to know before then... Meh. Angst. Anyone heard from NYU, Toronto, Rutgers, Brown, or Harvard?
Very cool!
And the price tag with the Ivies reflects the amount of money there, and not always the quality of program. But 28K/year is suh-weet!
I do know that Harvard does interviews. Did you get one? But I didn't apply to these schools
In hindsight I should have applied to Harvard, Stanford, and Columbia. Such is life. -
Hi uromastyx! I am new to all of this, but do you mind me asking what program at Minnesota you applied to?
I applied to the German Studies track, but have already begun Swedish and would continue with Scandinavian Studies if I went there. As such, I would possibly look to switch to the German/Scandinavian PhD track.
German Studies 2013
in Languages
Posted · Edited by uromastyx
Indeed, Irvine has a theoretical focus, but Washington also offers this aspect. I believe the latter has a certificate. I think this decision will truly be a matter of personal preference. Which fits you best? Which faculty best align with your interests? Placement?
Hopefully you can visit each and see which fits.
Also, please do add your notifications to the results board to help document the method/date of these programs.