CaitlinMarie

Best of luck! Please do keep us posted!

Thank youuu! Best of luck to you!

It seems that Temple is starting to send out notifications. I just got my letter of acceptance yesterday via mail. I had a "semi" interview in November when I contacted a professor with whom I am interested in working. So, on that note my admission might be early. Good luck to everyone!

Hi there! First of all, congratulations on pushing through the disappointment! I also had a similar experience the first time I applied to grad school (as so many people do). However, the key is to find new and creative ways to make things happen, get that research experience, and improve your qualifications. After I was only offered admissions into one PhD program in the US without funding, I decided instead to attend grad school at a fully funded program abroad, specifically in the country I was hoping to focus my research. I have now been offered admissions to a great Comm PhD program in the US! Anyway, my point is that I think what you have done so far is very admirable and honestly many professors will recognize your persistence and determination. This may not directly translate into guaranteed admission, however I think it will set your application apart as the adcomm will see that despite rejection and the lower GPA that you persevered to improve your qualifications. This is an essential graduate (and academic) trait. As for further steps to take, it honestly sounds like you have done most of what you can do. Contacting faculty, developing those relationships, and reiterating them in your SOP is very important. My advice is to continue maintaining those relatinships. If you only applied to one program, I would also suggest looking into some other programs which have later deadlines. Applying to grad school is a numbers game, so the more applications you send out, the better your chances of admissions. However, if most or all of the deadlines have past, don't worry! Take time to acknowledge all the hard work you have put into your application and to improving yourself as a young scholar and teacher. For me, the best advice I think any prospective, new, or current grad student can receive is to stay as positive as possible (obviously easier said than done). Remember: "Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you"

He might not be on the admissions committee but if you mentioned that you would like to work with him in your SOP it is very likely that they might reach out to him during the admissions process to ask whether or not you two have been in contact. I had a few schools mention that they consult with professors outside of the adcomm if they are mentioned in your SOP. So, I think speaking by phone or Skype would definitely be useful. Better yet, if you live within a reasonable distance of the program I would go visit. I visited one of my POIs and I think it made a big difference! Anyway, I would not necessarily send him your SOP unless he explicitely asks for it. Perhaps during your meeting/conversation you could ask if he would like to read it. I hope this helps and best of luck!

I would not be too worried about your writing score. The GRE writing section is incredibly subjective and honestly depends on the grader's mood. I took the GRE twice, wrote practically the same essay the second time, and got a different score. Go figure!

Texas A&M has also started notifying acceptees.

I think it depends entirely on the programs you are applying to. Like you my Verbal is quite high and my Math is low!

Thanks for the advice!

Woops, yes reverse.

Your scores are excellent! I wouldn't worry! On a related note, @Nowaynohow, my quant score is the same as yours and I am reconsidering taking the test. I am worried that such a low quant score will kick me out of the running. My verbal score is in the 81st percentile, though it could have been hire had I not second guessed on one or two questions... Any advice?

Hello all, I have taken the GRE twice. The first time was with little to no preparation and when I was sick so needless to say, my scores did not reflect my capabilities. The second time I did quite good on verbal (159, though I missed two questions I second quessed myself on, DANG IT!) and abysmally on quantitative (146). When I studied and did practice tests for quantitative I was scoring in the 150s and for verbal 160s. For some reason, I am having trouble channeling my abilities to this test. I am hoping to enter a Communication program so my math scores don't need to be excellent, just decent. I am confident the next time my verbal will be in the 160s, if I don't second guess, but I am nervous about math. Does anyone have any recommendations for what I can do differently? This last time I had a tutor, but I need to conquer the math questions differently I suppose. I appreciate any advice!

Your scores sound excellent to me. Your verbal score puts you in a high percentile and your math/quantitative score puts you just above average. I say stick with it!

I was offered the same. But, I am contemplating whether the debt is worth. it Most of the loans have fairly high interest rates and non-defered payments. It means interest would be accruing for 2 years. The cost for the MA would most certainly double when all is said and done. As someone who wants to pursue a PhD, that is a lot of debt to accumulate so early on. I wouldn't be able to being paying any of it back for at least 7 years. Based on rough calculations, I suspect I would be paying it off the rest of my life, or at least most of my career. I love the program, but not sure if it is worth the debt. I applied to all MA programs not really considering the lack of funding. Perhaps I should wait another year, build up experience, and apply directly to PhD programs. It is better financially. Such a hard situation!!! Any words of wisdom/advice would be welcome from others currently pursuing PhDs or hoping to pursue a PhD...

@Nowaynohow, would you suggest emailing them? Are you paying a 1/3 tuition or did they give you funding up to a third of the cost of tuition. Also, is you RA thing as a resident advisor or research assistant? Thanks for the advice! I am really hoping to go but I definitely need a scholarship of some sort! SORRY FOR ALL THE QUESTIONS!

I just got an email too! Really excited but cautious as if I am not offered any form of scholarship, I can't go. Crossing my fingers!

Haven't heard yet either. But even with funding it is still going to be very expensive for me. They seem to only give partial scholarships...

I haven't heard back yet, either! Waiting impatiently. Good luck to you both! Do either of you know about their funding scheme? I calculated tuition and it is pretty exorbitant!

I was thinking I would hear this week as well! I emailed admissions and it seems that they are on Spring Break, so I am guessing that may have delayed notifications. Is NYU your first choice? What are you hoping to focus on? Good luck to you as well!

Hello all! I was wondering if anyone has heard back from the MCC program at NYU or the Comm program at Washington about the status of their MA application. THANKS! Good luck to everyone!

Hello all! I was wondering if anyone knew how much the 21st Century and Steinhardt Graduate scholarships offer to MA students generally. Thank you!!!!

Hello! I was wondering if anyone new how much the 21st Century and Steinhardt Graduate scholarships generally offer grad students at NYU Steinhardt. Thanks for all the help!