It's (Not) About Me

Of the schools on my list that have already made some decisions, I'm still waiting to hear from UW-Madison, Brown, Cornell, and Penn. UNC-Chapel Hill was on that list until last night, but I just got word that I'm on the waitlist. I wrote to UW-Madison last Friday (2/15) but haven't gotten a reply yet--perhaps they were closed on President's Day? It would be nice to get a reply from them. As for the other three, lolz, I think I'm just waiting for an eventual rejection. And of course Michigan, Rutgers-New Brunswick, IU-Bloomington, and Stanford are all still up in the air. Who knows when they'll start notifying?

Haha, we really did have similar experiences! I had to take the Subject test in my hometown because the Chicago test was full by the time I was able to register (which wasn't that late, I thought, but oh well). And yep, I took the General on a Friday night, coming straight from work. What a day that was. It worked out OK, though! My Christmas presents were all purchased after 12/15ish. I was in a weird position--I have a very strained/distant relationship with my parents, and I didn't feel comfortable telling them that I'm applying to grad school, but I also feel pressure to give nice gifts to my family because anything less convinces them that I'm "struggling" without them. Oy. I do feel worried about spending so, so much and having nothing to show for it. But I've discussed this with friends and I always come to the conclusion that I'd rather try and fall flat on my face than not try and allllways be wondering what might've happened. I won't regret applying. But damn, my savings are pathetic. Wonderful cheering words! I know you were talking to girlwhowearsglasses, but it helped brighten things up for me, too.

^ Lolz, at first I thought you had posted this song: http://youtu.be/hG9C0VwruXE Ain't complaining.

Hah. My first interaction with the results search occurred when my boyfriend was applying to MA programs two years ago... He avoided TGC like the plague, but it was mid-March and he was still waiting to hear back from his top choice. He told me that this place existed but he didn't want to mess with it. The suspense was driving me nuts so I sneakily checked, found out that he had most likely been rejected, and kept my mouth shut. Um, it was all very dramatic, I assure you. Little did I know how much time I'd be spending here just two short years later!

CONGRATULATIONS, Two Espressos! I can 100% relate to your joy, because I got waitlisted too! I am beyond shocked. Apparently the email was sent last night, but I didn't see it until this morning--I practically spit corn flakes all over my laptop. This is the first bit of positive news I've gotten, and it couldn't have come at a better time. I had basically given up hope. After beating myself up so much, it's surreal to think that someone might actually want me. Gaaaah I know I'm going to sound like a damn fool when I write to her. I mentioned her by name in my SOP because I would be super thrilled to work with her. Do you think you're gonna go to the Open House? I really wish I could, but it's looking like plane tickets will be at least $300, which I could swing if I REALLYREALLY want to, but it wouldn't be easy. But if it's the only bite I get (which is very possible), I'm sure as hell gonna want to visit before committing to 5-7 years there! Gah. It sounded to me like they do somehow organize the waitlist by subfield--my letter mentioned my specific interests a couple of times. Hmm! Thank you for throwing out this advice, even though it wasn't intended for me! Haha. Would it be OK if I PM you too? Guyzzz I'm freaking out. UNC was one of my tippity-top choices and I was so devastated when I didn't get an acceptance. I can't believe it's not over yet.

Don't forget the ridiculous Interfolio fees! I would've been happy to forgo that service, but one of my recommenders hinted that she'd be less likely to give a recommendation if I didn't use it. Hmph. It really does add up. I made a spreadsheet to keep track of all the expenses, what I had already paid, the state of my savings, etc. When I look at it now I just want to cry, hah. I could've gotten that new laptop that I so desperately need (to the extend to which anyone "needs" a laptop) instead of failing miserably at applying to grad school.

Yes, I don't know what I would have done if my job hadn't made me a full-time employee juuuust in time for application season. I get no financial support from my parents (or emotional, for that matter) so it would have been impossible to apply otherwise. I remember having to wait for a particular paycheck before I could register for the Subject test. Oy! Somehow things balanced themselves out, though--I didn't have any money to eat or go out in October through December, but hey, I didn't have any time for those things anyway because I was too busy working on my applications! Glad to hear that you could afford to apply without a job! As I said above, I couldn't. There are fee waivers, and I suppose I could have qualified for some of them. It would have felt dishonest to me when I knew I could afford it as long as I made some large sacrifices. Surely there were students who needed the fee waiver more than I did. Again, you are lucky that you didn't have to worry about this.

Haha, yes, this keeps happening to me! Normally I don't answer phone calls from numbers that aren't already in my phone, but just for the past week or so I keep getting tricked into it. I think deep down in my heart I know it's not a department calling me, but I'm so desperate for ANY kind of news. The worst! Same goes for spam/gray mail messages. I posted this elsewhere, I know, but I've probably unsubscribed from at least 20 mailing lists since February 6th.

Hear, hear! Don't leave me hanging, Michigan...

Ooh! Please keep us posted. I am counting that as a rejection right now, but it's been hard to let go because I liked that program soooo much. It looks like they have had a waitlist in previous years, though--perhaps a glimmer of hope?

Hi hi, I emailed Robyn Shanahan on Friday (2/15) but haven't heard anything back yet. I will definitely let you know if/when I get some news, although it may only pertain to my app. That is, I don't necessarily assume that I'm on the waitlist just because someone else got that news, hah. I hope that's what it means, though!

Nice!! Congrats to him, and definitely sending good vibes your way, too! My dude isn't applying to PhD programs yet, but the other day he casually mentioned that IU-Bloomington might be one of his top choices if/when he does, hah. Not sure if that means that the pressure is on for me to get in there, but that's just one more reason why it'd be GREAT if I did.

I had them sent directly to the school via Interfolio, so their status as listed on the original application isn't very meaningful. Thank you, though! Good, good! That's a bit of a load off my mind. Thanks for responding.

Mine were marked as received on 12/18 but were definitely sent (electronically) much earlier than that. Hmm. Now a question for YOU (and any Michigan applicants): when you log into Wolverine access and "view credentials," does it say anything about your letters? I would expect some record of the letters to be on this page, but mine only has confirmations of my transcripts and test scores. I have no reason to think that the letters didn't arrive and I figured that they would'e contacted me if something was missing, but it's been making me a little paranoid.

Huh! UChicago recently switched all of the professors over to a totally new email system, and from what I hear (from my boss and her colleagues) it's been a shitstorm. It must be a coincidence that Michigan is doing something similar at the same time. Now that you mention it, though, I wouldn't be surprised if that affected the speed of their admissions decisions!

Eh, someone else posted that UW-Madison had responded to their email very quickly, so I was hoping to have the same luck. I certainly wasn't complaining. Perhaps they wrote to a POI--I wrote to Robyn Shanahan. I already have a job (how else could I have blown $1500+ on applying to grad school?), so I'm counting my blessings in that respect! Thanks for the reminder. What kind of jobs are you looking for? Just making small talk, hah. Also, shoutout to Notre Dame! My dad went there.

I feel you. But repeat after me: http://youtu.be/Wmc8bQoL-J0 "I'm a survivor (what), I'm gonna make it (what), I will survive (what), keep on survivin' (what)!"

The University of Chicago is definitely open today. At least one (non-English) department is interviewing prospective students today, too.

My confidence is at an all-time low right now. This weekend was brutal--like many folks on here, I'm assuming that UNC, Brown, and Cornell are all a "no" at this point. So, 3 of those + 2 official rejections + 2 "never had a chance"s (Stanford and UPenn) = 7/11 schools that I'm kissing goodbye. Nearly 8/11, since Michigan should probably go into that last category. So unless UW-Madison*, IU-Bloomington or Rutgers-New Brunswick wants me, I'm out this season. Womp womp. Arrrgghh I know I'm being SUPER NEGATIVE and I hate it because I'm usually a pretty sunny person! Or at least I try to be. Sorry for being a buzzkill. I just need to vent a little. *I wrote to them on Friday but I haven't heard anything back...?? I'm starting to wonder if I exist at all.

Lolz, I wish I could join you all in being nervous about U Penn, but I'm not holding out even the slightest bit of hope that I'll be accepted there. Nor do I really care. Whenever they get around to rejecting me, I'll take it with zero surprise. But aaahh, I REALLY hope that someone here gets good news, soon! I like sharing in other people's joy.

Ugh, I literally *just* got my Duke rejection too! Are we the same person? Fingers crossed for something to pull through for you! Maybe we'll get waitlisted at UNC or Cornell, eh?

Me too. UNC and Cornell were two of my favorites, and it's hard to lose both in one day. I didn't expect a bite from Cornell, but it still hurts. And I actually thought I had a chance at UNC. I feel pretty awful right now. Edit to say: I know I haven't technically "lost" anything yet, but it sure as heck feels like it.

Just want to second this request! I have been pussyfooting about it for this same reason. I would be grateful for some suggestions. And thanks Pericles!

D'aww, I love the raw emotion of people's acceptance posts. YOU GO, GURL! Congrats!

I don't suppose your username is in reference to this? How funny!