dr. t

You were admitted into elite programs. I am going to be extremely blunt and tell you right now to get over the ivy thing. It might sound harsh but you need this reality check. 
I got into an ivy, I chose NYU instead because I based my decisions on advisors and fit. I have a TT-equivalent job (we don't have the tenure system but full-time, permanent, "assistant prof", 50% research, 40% teaching etc etc) in my own country (I always intended to move home after the PhD). Recent graduates of NYU have had very good success on the job market. During the PhD the program supported me and many of my peers to apply for and receive significant external funding. Why would you do a MA when you have funded options for elite, fully funded PhD programs? 
If you need to go to an ivy then tell the other schools ASAP so that waitlisted candidates aren't waiting until April. 
Others might beat around the bush and provide replies that are worded more sensitively, but here's a straight answer for you. 

GOT MY ACCEPTANCE NOTIF FROM BROWN!

How much money are each offering? Which is more of a livable wage? Which offers better opportunities to fund travel to your archive?

After a multitude of rejections, I received word that I was accepted off the waitlist for Duke and have accepted their offer! Super excited!!

I urge prospective grad students to examine your funding packages. Ask other students how long it takes them to finish vs. how much money you're getting. Take into account that your may have to self-fund for a year or more. Is that feasible for you? Will you need loans?

I wrote this: https://www.historians.org/ahajobsreport2022
Let me know if you have questions.

Wait until you apply for jobs and you never hear back 😑

See if you can defer from school 1 for a year, and then use the time to reapply to school 2.

Also, getting into Yale means having to live in New Haven ? Really, rejection is the better option.

ND is one of the few schools wealthy enough to have a medieval studies center, but there aren't generally that many medievalists in any specific subdiscipline at any one school. It's not something that should worry you about ND, but it is something that should worry you when it comes to the state of academic employment. If you can tolerate South Bend for 7 years, though, you're probably pretty immune to suffering.

Funding is the most important criteria; you can't write a dissertation if you can't get to your archive. If you think school 2 is ok in that regard, there's your answer.

Funding is the most important criteria; you can't write a dissertation if you can't get to your archive. If you think school 2 is ok in that regard, there's your answer.

You don't know that, actually. They might have taken a mediocre application to a good one, but it's not about the quality of your applications, it's about the quality of the application relative to others. And a professor doesn't know what other applications they're getting. But it is useful information to know that a professor is enthusiastic and communicative.
Anyway, my signature line seems applicable here. Congrats on your acceptances; don't let them go to your head. Getting through grad school is pretty difficult if your entire cohort won't talk to you.
This will vary wildly based on the specific department and person. 

You don't know that, actually. They might have taken a mediocre application to a good one, but it's not about the quality of your applications, it's about the quality of the application relative to others. And a professor doesn't know what other applications they're getting. But it is useful information to know that a professor is enthusiastic and communicative.
Anyway, my signature line seems applicable here. Congrats on your acceptances; don't let them go to your head. Getting through grad school is pretty difficult if your entire cohort won't talk to you.
This will vary wildly based on the specific department and person. 

You don't know that, actually. They might have taken a mediocre application to a good one, but it's not about the quality of your applications, it's about the quality of the application relative to others. And a professor doesn't know what other applications they're getting. But it is useful information to know that a professor is enthusiastic and communicative.
Anyway, my signature line seems applicable here. Congrats on your acceptances; don't let them go to your head. Getting through grad school is pretty difficult if your entire cohort won't talk to you.
This will vary wildly based on the specific department and person. 

You don't know that, actually. They might have taken a mediocre application to a good one, but it's not about the quality of your applications, it's about the quality of the application relative to others. And a professor doesn't know what other applications they're getting. But it is useful information to know that a professor is enthusiastic and communicative.
Anyway, my signature line seems applicable here. Congrats on your acceptances; don't let them go to your head. Getting through grad school is pretty difficult if your entire cohort won't talk to you.
This will vary wildly based on the specific department and person. 

It’s a great networking opportunity - even if you did not get in, getting to know 15 profs in your field can definitely help, as can their advice. All I’m saying is if you are working and in school, you shouldn’t be at a disadvantage just for sending in an app without reaching out….

You don't know that, actually. They might have taken a mediocre application to a good one, but it's not about the quality of your applications, it's about the quality of the application relative to others. And a professor doesn't know what other applications they're getting. But it is useful information to know that a professor is enthusiastic and communicative.
Anyway, my signature line seems applicable here. Congrats on your acceptances; don't let them go to your head. Getting through grad school is pretty difficult if your entire cohort won't talk to you.
This will vary wildly based on the specific department and person. 

Cleaned up this thread a bit. We are aware of the trolling problem and are doing the best we can with the tools we have. Please report posts but do not engage; troll feeding will result in a 1 week silence.

Cleaned up this thread a bit. We are aware of the trolling problem and are doing the best we can with the tools we have. Please report posts but do not engage; troll feeding will result in a 1 week silence.

Cleaned up this thread a bit. We are aware of the trolling problem and are doing the best we can with the tools we have. Please report posts but do not engage; troll feeding will result in a 1 week silence.

Cleaned up this thread a bit. We are aware of the trolling problem and are doing the best we can with the tools we have. Please report posts but do not engage; troll feeding will result in a 1 week silence.

Files come in, profs look over those in their specialties, and then send them on to the overall committee, who makes the final selections. A professor can sometimes know if a file they've forwarded is going to make it through or not, e.g. if the three Americanists in the dept. all decide that Jane Smith is their number one pick for that year. That's likely what these acceptances are.
 
 

Files come in, profs look over those in their specialties, and then send them on to the overall committee, who makes the final selections. A professor can sometimes know if a file they've forwarded is going to make it through or not, e.g. if the three Americanists in the dept. all decide that Jane Smith is their number one pick for that year. That's likely what these acceptances are.
 
 

Files come in, profs look over those in their specialties, and then send them on to the overall committee, who makes the final selections. A professor can sometimes know if a file they've forwarded is going to make it through or not, e.g. if the three Americanists in the dept. all decide that Jane Smith is their number one pick for that year. That's likely what these acceptances are.