crazyhappy

Thanks everyone! Rachelann, the library is a good idea; I was able to go to the local university and get a visitor library card to check out books. I can use the databases while there. The only downside is that I have 5 young kids, so it's hard to go and work there (and probably cheaper to buy access to the databases than pay for a babysitter ). Proflorax, that's a good idea, and Shortstack, you're right: I think I always got to the MLA international bibliography from EBSCO. I am finding JSTOR rather confusing to subscribe to...arg! You'd think they'd somehow make it easier for people to get access to scholarly books and articles. Thanks again for all of your help everyone.

Hello everyone, I no longer have access to jstor/mla . . . through the school at which I received my masters, but I have conference proposals to write, papers to tweak, and grant applications to do this year while I'm reapplying to PHD programs. Does anyone know how I go about getting access to the databases to get scholarly articles? I'm most interested in jstor and mla--I think that there may be a way to buy access? Any info would be appreciated. I wonder if there is an affordable way to get access to more than one database. Thanks!

Mine was 18 hours, 3 of which had to be some kind of project or independent study.

Writer, sorry my tablet corrected the spelling of your name. I did it while I got my masters. I made some great faculty connections, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Hope you can figure out the funding.

Writer Tiger, I have one. I am glad I did it; I learned a ton, and I use a lot of the information in all of my research.

I'm right there with you. I am limited to 3 schools. This year I got a wait list and two unfunded acceptances. My wait list is my dream school. Proflorax, the DGS at my dream school told me to let her know if I visited this fall. Do you know if and how to go about this (is it generally a good idea to visit . . .). I am two hours from the school, so I just can't pop in. I'm feeling pretty down, but I think that timing will work out the best for my family if I don't start until Fall 2015. Also, I wanted to see what you guys thought about changing my research goals a bit. Is this looked down on if they remember you and your app from the previous season?

Thanks again, Proflorax. I am in a rather unique situation in that I am unable to move, so I have a very limited number of options within commuting distance. Luckily, these programs are excellent fits for my research interests. I am waitlisted at my dream program, and I have been accepted to the other programs without funding at this point. These acceptances allow deferrals but stipulate you must reapply for financial aid. I am just trying to figure out the best course of action since I may need to wait until 2015. I would like to reapply to my dream school (the one I am currently waitlisted at), so I am trying to figure out if it is best to simply reapply to all of the schools and hope for an acceptance from top choice or funding from the other schools or if it makes sense to defer one of the schools (good fits, just not my dream school). Argh, it's just all so confusing, and I definitely want to do this right and maintain good relationships with my contacts from all of the schools. Maybe I will be able to attend this year, and this is all for naught--- this will definitely be a stressful wk. Thanks for your help.

Thanks, Proflorax! It is an extenuating circumstance, and I am on the wait list for funding (in addition, the information about deferral from the program indicates that financial aid can not be deferred but must be reapplied for each year). I am just worried about committing to the program and then not receiving funding for 2015--that would make it impossible for me.

I am curious about the protocol for deferring admission to a PHD program. If it is allowed, and you do defer, can you still apply to other programs as well for the next cycle or are you committing to that school. Thanks in advance for any info on the proper etiquette here.

Proflorax, your gifs always make me smile (I can never upvote anyone from my tablet, though )!

I definitely don't think so. I received one A- during my MA, and, all things considered, I had a pretty good app season. I was only able to apply to 3 programs due to kids, spouse, and geography, but I had good results in both top tier programs and lower tier ones. I think that your sop and your ws are a trillion times more important to your app. Although, I do understand how frustrating that one A- can be!!! GL!

I second, PsyD Girl. I'm a mom to 5 young children, and I find school vastly easier than being a mom. While my sleep has suffered, I almost feel like it was easier working on my MA as a mom than it was working on my BA before kids because I was forced to use every spare minute so I could never procrastinate. I was still able to be on school boards, the PTO, and be room mother, so it is completely doable if you want it. I actually enjoy school as an opportunity to get some adult conversation .

Kamisha, I just start typing. I don't worry about it being exactly what I want to say or it being well worded. After I get a page or so of this down, I form a brief outline, and then I go back and start shaping what I've written. Good luck! I hate it when I have trouble crafting what I want to say.

Thanks for all of the responses. I'm hoping this thread will get busier and busier as we near April 15th. Good luck to all of those on wait lists.

Hi all, I was wondering if we could start a thread where we let each other know when we decline offers. This way, those in wait list limbo get a little bit of hope! Congrats to all who have received offers!!!!

I think it really comes down to fit, sop, and writing sample, and, I agree, as a PHD candidate, you are hopefully a better paper writer than the consultants. Plus, only you can determine fit and your research interests. Maybe consult with a trusted professor to get a critique on your sop and writing sample???? Good luck, and I'm sorry. I may be applying next year with you if I don't get off this wait list!

I have 5 kids ranging from a baby to a 9 year old. I think I personally tended to not realize how much I procrastinated (I would get up and get something, check something . . .) until I had all of these kids. Now I must make every free second count without getting distracted. I usually start with a summary of what I need to read (if I can find one) and then make sure to use every second I have. *Note: Procrastinating or getting distracted without realizing it was my problem with reading and writing; I'm not implying that it is anyone else's ETA: I also find those post it strips that I can put exactly on important phrases or info very helpful.

I received a letter several days after the status update. In the meantime, I contacted the program contact, and she was very helpful. Congrats, JimE!

Proflorax, I have attended two conferences with a baby. I brought the baby as well as someone to help me. I would attend sessions while my helper watched the baby, and my helper would meet me after each session so that I could feed the baby. It worked out well for me, and no one seemed to mind. Good luck!

I'm wondering what exactly to say in my email. I was thinking something along the lines of "I'm delighted to see that my status is accepted, but I do have several questions before I make my final decision". Does that sound acceptable? Any advice?

As someone on the Wisconsin wait list, I say NYU is terrific: you should go there! I'm just kidding . I don't have any insight, but a huge congratulations to you and good luck with your decision.

Thanks for your response. It is University of Wisconsin Milwaukee's Lit and Cultural Theory program.

I found out I was admitted to a school on Tuesday by checking the website. I haven't received any emails (even an email to check the website) or any word about funding. Today I received a letter from the IT department of the school thanking me for choosing them and telling me how to get set up in the system to register for classes or whatnot. Should I contact the Department or the DGS? Should I just wait? There was no place online to accept or decline the offer (and I definitely wouldn't do so without info on funding ). Thanks for your sage advice! ETA: the letter also gave me a university email account which I set up and checked. No info there either.

Jocko, I just wanted to say that I am sorry you have been through such tough times! Don't give up hope yet!

I'm waitlisted at Madison too. Thanks for the info BostonClem. My fingers are crossed that they start accepting people off wait list!