CP3

Crap, I never saw that on the faq section! Thanks for the heads up!

At this point, I would be jumping up and down for joy for a waitlist, but yeah, I would eventually begin to pull my hair out waiting on another applicant to make a decision

The most hilarious, absurd, but true thing I have seen in a LONG TIME! Thanks for that!! LOL!

Database shows that Stony Brook doesn't notify until mid-late March, but maybe that has changed. I hope you are right about mid-Feb., I applied there too.

Got an email today telling me they are missing Rec letters. Really!!?? I told them the letters were sent 2-3 weeks ago. That's what happens when a school wants letters sent in the snail-mail. It's not the 18th century anymore, have the letters sent ELECTRONICALLY. Ugggh, at least that was my last school I applied to, shouldn't have to worry about anything now other than waiting on decisions.

According to the board, U of Chicago composition applicants were notified early March last year. (however, only rejections were posted) but yes, Musicology students have already been notified (once again, according to the board). Last year most acceptances for musicology were sent in early Feb, one rejection was sent in early March. Perhaps this means all acceptances were already sent, and rejections are coming early March?? Who KNOWS!!?? It would seem completely absurd to send rejections a month after acceptances (I'm pretty sure U of C doesn't do waitlisting)

I'm a first generation college student applying to PhD programs, I feel your pain! I talked to my military buddy the other night, whom I grew up with. I told him that I received 2 rejections so far. He replied "What!!?? You're kidding me!" I appreciate his confidence in me, but obviously he doesn't QUITE get the process. Oh well!

Absolutely. I started out with 15-20 schools on my list. Eventually, I narrowed it down to 10-11. Financially, I couldn't afford all of the fees for December deadlines (there were 6-7 schools on my list with the same deadline). So I had to make a tough decision: Apply to the "safety" schools, or apply to the Big Shot schools with the same deadline. I decided it would be more worth my money (and future career) to apply to the big names. One of those so far has been a rejection, but I feel better about giving that school a shot. On the other hand, I achieved a lot at a lesser known school while working on my Masters. Basically, ANY school at the doctorate level will give me better opportunities than my masters program did. BUT, in the real world, a Big Name at the doctorate level=a Big Resume boost. It will take a lot of great awards, publications, references, etc to equal the Big Name on the future job resume. Fortunately, I was able to find a few Big Name schools that seem to be "safety" schools in music. So, anywhere I get in SHOULD lead me to a bright future in academia. Crossing my fingers:)

I came to the realization recently that the only safety schools are those which don't offer good funding. When I applied for a masters, my "safety" school gave me full funding, it seems to be the opposite with a PhD, but who knows!!?? maybe I will get a good offer from a "safety" school

I couldn't imagine waiting since September! Then again, it may have been easier to forget about it if I could've applied that early. Applying right before the deadlines created even more suspense!!

Yeah, my main professor studied at Berkley. He told me last year to make sure I apply to some "safety" schools. He also told me a degree is a degree. Then again, later on when I showed him which "dream" schools I wanted to apply to, he told me "oh, those schools would be better for your future career." Who knows!? I've had people tell me that a doctorate is all that matters. Others say a doctorate only matters if it comes from a Big Name School. I had a current PhD student tell me on the phone several months ago "Don't even bother applying to "safety" schools, if you don't get into a Big Name school, try again next year. A less-known school won't get you anywhere." I think this subject would be a great thread in another forum.

One of my online apps says "in progress" your situation sounds the same, in progress

Same here, my wife and in-laws get it. They all went to grad school. My parents didn't go to college, they have been very supportive, but they are getting impatient with waiting on me to have kids. I'm not having a kid until a few years into my PhD, but if I don't get in this year, that will postpone having a family even longer

I'm thinking about applying to some schools I have no interest in, what's another couple hundred bucks!!??!? Same here! Slept AT LEAST 30 hours this weekend, now another week of biting my nails and drinking too much cheap wine!

I think it's kind of like the Price is Right---the committee members chose random numbers, then the closest one runs up to the spinning wheel. Once they spin the wheel, they wait to see where it lands, and the decision is made!

hahaha, it begins!

I pretty much have the same thoughts as Musicmage09. I don't know those programs, but it sounds like they wouldn't make you happy in the long run, nor land you a good job down the road. (maybe they are good schools??) I'm in the same boat, I had 2 swift rejects a few weeks ago, I have 6 left to hear from, most of which are stretches. I have been beating myself up lately, thinking "I should've applied to less competitive programs." But why would I spend all of that time and MONEY applying to schools that don't interest me. I don't think I could handle going to a school for 4-5 years that I am not that interested in. I REALLY want to get in this year, so I am contemplating applying to a few more "safety" schools, but I don't think a PhD from a little-known program would do any of us any good down the road. If you look at the faculty profiles at many schools. a lot of them received their degrees from top-notch programs. For instance, my former professors received their degrees from Northwestern, Berkley, and Peabody. Of course, some people become very successful after studying at a safety school. It's a tough decision that some of us have to make, right now I'm leaning towards waiting it out, and if I don't get in anywhere, I will try again next year rather than frantically submit more apps to safety schools. GOOD LUCK!

So, as we wait to hear decisions from schools, does anyone have any conspiracy theories out there? Meaning, any irrational OR rational thoughts on the admission process are invited!

This is true. I'm sure there are plenty of people who "exaggerate" their stats

Turning 30 in a few weeks, will turn 31 during my first year of a PhD (if I get in!)

Yeah, I'm jealous of people who have already received accepts/rejects. Most of the programs I applied to in January, so it's going to be a LONG WAIT

Some people are bitter, and say things they shouldn't, but I agree that posting stats helps the rest of us get a better idea of what we are up against. Of course, I write music, which is completely subjective. Nonetheless. if someone posts how many publications, awards etc they have, and STILL get rejected, then it helps the rest of us realize just how competitive this process is, and it also is a reminder that stats don't matter nearly as much as how we FIT into a potential program. There are rock stars out there getting rejected because they don't fit into the program they applied to.

I turn 30 in a few weeks, got married 8 months ago, I'm scared to death of not getting into a PhD program, I can't really do much in music without a doctorate. I want to start a family in a few years, if I don't get accepted this year, it will really throw off my life plans. Uggghhh...

Greetings fellow composer. There is a big thread underneath the forum Waiting it Out titled "anyone else losing their damn mind?" you can find a lot of support there. my only advice is to read posts on this site, it helps to see what everyone else is going through, you're not alone!! I got 2 rejects a few weeks ago, hopefully we hear better news soon:)

yeah, I've been getting a lot of alumni email lately, fortunately the email always shows the school name