Sash23

American Studies rankings are all a bit out of date, so I wouldn't look too much at those. Currently at Purdue here and we've probably got some of the smartest minds I've ever encountered; my fellow graduate students impress me all the time. Also an incredibly diverse program btw. Indiana is still horrendous and always will be though. Unfortunately our funding situation and research opportunities have been less than stellar. Supposedly this will all change in the next couple of years with stipends significantly rising and more money for research/conference travel being available but who knows.

Yes! Good luck to everyone here! <3 P.S., I remember you from when I applied for my Master's, still recognizing your user name haha.

Yale also seems late-ish in terms of acceptance letters. The always notified students on the last Friday of Feb in the past.

Wow...not sure why anyone would do this but thanks for posting!

I had kinda given up hope on NYU until I just read your post. The result also sounded weird to me but it fits the NYU acceptance time line from past years and I think someone shortly before it was posted said (in the forum) that NYU had already decided on who they would be accepting.

Nothing on Yale yet either?

Finally got some news on funding from Purdue this week. Had almost given up on them but I will now definitely start my graduate adventures there this fall!! Since it's all still a bit overwhelming, does anyone know anything about orientation week or what kind of events are planned before instruction starts?

That's good to hear. And I've had to get apartments in numerous cities before being able to actually visit the place. I studied abroad (at UCD) during my undergrad and Craigslist was really quite helpful when it came to finding an apartment/roommates. I've also seen housing groups for other schools on FB before. Not sure if there's anything for Purdue though.

@Wisdom-Lover Thanks for sharing your experience there!. This actually helped a lot! At the moment, I'm probably tending towards living in Lafayette rather than West Lafayette. I just hope we will have some updates on funding soon. It feels like the waiting game never ends when it comes to graduate schools/admissions.

Thanks for all the info! I will do some more research on basically everything once funding goes through (and annoy you with some more questions then).

Let us know how you like it there! Guess that makes you a bit of a guinea pig haha.

I would mostly focus on sociology and issues of sexuality, gender, race, and class. Already got my B.A. in American Studies and I miss being in school and actually being able to use my brain. My wallet doesn't really allow me to see (West) Lafayette and Purdue before August. Could you maybe tell me a bit more about your experience there? I was a bit worried about the small town aspect and how open/accepting people were there (I'm gay). I guess Purdue would be a bit different anyway though because there are so many people from all over the world. I'm mostly just really excited!

Hey! If funding goes through, I will start working on getting my MA in American Studies from August on. I'm an international student from Germany. Never been to the Midwest. Should be interesting!

Thank you for the link! I'm still in the early stages of figuring everything out myself. I won't be able to get a car, so getting a bike or using public transportation are kinda the only options for me. From what I've been reading it seems like grad students tend to move to Lafayette while the undergraduate population mostly lives in West Lafayette. Would be great if you could let us know about the housing situation there once you settled in and everything!

Seconding Paige's request! It looks like I'm going to start my graduate studies at Purdue this fall and - since I'm an international student - I won't be there before early/mid-August. Any advice on which areas are best and which I should avoid? I don't want to live on campus (mostly to escape drunk freshmen on the weekends). From looking at Craigslist, it seems like I should be expecting to pay at least $350/400 a month (in a shared apt.). Can anyone confirm that? Also, how bike-friendly is West Lafayette/Lafayette? Not planning on getting a car there and don't necessarily want to rely on public transportation. Thanks everyone!

Fortunately, I got into Purdue. Congrats to you, too btw!

Ugh, I didn't get anything. :/ Did you get an email, call, or via mail?

Thanks a lot! Didn't really see your post as that negative. It just confirms what I've read about Purdue/West Lafayette. I'm not 100% sure I'll be there this fall (mostly because of funding) but I think it's worth the experience. Hope it's okay if I ask you more questions at some point in case it works out.

Can you give us an update? I might be going to Purdue this fall. Only really familiar with California and NY. Never been to the Midwest.

Thanks!

A bit OT I guess but I got into another grad program at Purdue (MA American Studies). Does anyone know when the 2014 class schedules will be officially released?

Got a rejection from them last week. Didn't post it though. I don't really see any kind of pattern there so you should still hope for the best! Has anyone heard anything from William&Mary btw? I think they originally said they would make their decisions in early March.

Thank you! My first acceptance letter! What a relief!

Claiming the other Purdue (MA) acceptance. Not sure about funding yet though.

Has anyone heard anything from Purdue? Also still waiting for William&Mary but according to the last couple of years I shouldn't expect anything before March, I guess. Congrats to everyone who has gotten acceptance letters!