Summit_Bid

I have awesome stats just like you folks but I think I'm being rejected across the board as well--for the third year in a row--and I applied to 15 schools this year. To the OP, apply to more schools. PhDs are sooooo competitive that amazingly good people like you should still apply to tons of safety schools. I'd apply to at least 10 schools or different ranges. Your SOP could be a problem. I think most schools use your SOP to determine if you are a match. I think you should be really clear about what you want to study and why at that school. What faculty have similar interests to you and why is it that at that school compared to other schools must you do you degree there. You could take some related research classes at another university in your year off. That way it will kind of put the whole music practice vs. music theory thing out of their minds.

Thanks for the update on Michigan. Any news on UCLA? Last year I heard from them bright and early in January and this year...not a peep yet.

I believe U Chicago already made desicions. I already got my reject letter from them via postal mail a few days ago.

I'm sorry for what happened. It think it happends more than we think and like the above poster mentioned, I also think it was all politics.

I'm sorry for what happened. It think it happends more than we think and like the above poster mentioned, I also think too that it was all politics.

I'm sorry for what happened. It think it happends more than we think and like the above poster mentioned, I beilieve it too was all politics.

I have a MA from a top school but it's a tad more production oriented rather than research--which many say is my problem. I think I'm an exact match with UT Austin since Mary Celeste Kearney and others are there and they are into girls' media culture which is my thing too. There are so many apps for so little spots so I think you have to have a more than flawless app to get in and mine has a few dings in it.

Just heard from Brown...yuck! So that leaves only Michigan, UCLA, Harvard and Iowa. I don't think I'm getting into these schools which probably means I'm going to be 0/15 this year. For those of you who got in, why do think you got in? I don't get it, I've been trying to get into a PhD program for 3 years with no luck. Aarrgg!

I haven't heard anything yet either. I did hear from Northwestern: Rejection. I saw another post on the board saying they were rejected via website. I checked myself and lo and behold. I'm still waiting from Iowa, UCLA, Brown and Harvard. Likely these are rejects for me.

Love Muffin

Since 1997 every year on March 3rd something really bad happens to me. Sometimes I think it's the power of suggestion so I try to have a positive outlook...but it never works. March 3rd is always my personal Friday the 13th. The past two years it's been across the board PhD rejections on 3/3. If that's not what's happening to me tomorrow then I bet I'll be called for jury duty.

I care. I know what it feels like to be rejected so when I find out I feel bad for them. If I get an acceptance--which I haven't yet--I know I'll feel even more bad that I got in and they didn't. That's not to say I wish I didn't get in of course. None of my friends are applying to programs but if they were I'd of course want them to get in-I have to admit that I'd then also really want to get an admit somewhere too! Most people "I know" are other forumites who are pretty much strangers so I get where your "don't care" attitude comes from. I agree with the above poster that I'm glad PhD admissions are selective. In a way I wish everyone (well, almost anyone) could get a PhD if they wanted. I see why it's impossible (funding, lack of one on one advising etc.) so I respect the competitive process. I also know that if EVERYone who wanted one got in then yes, we'd have more research done, but it wouldn't all be quality. It makes the application process more stressful but and the same time fun and more rewarding when that acceptance letter does arrive.

The soft whirl of air in the ac (yep, I'm in a hot state! Yeah!). My co-workers at the other end of the office speaking in Chinese (gossiping around the water cooler?).

Cereal Bowl

@cinemaaa: Congrats on all your admits! That's awesome! You got into some top schools. Wow. I'm impressed. Good job. Also, what exactely do you mean by bodies in pain/peril? I'm curious to know more. Sounds interesting...

We actually have had this discussion before on other threads but anyways, thanks for your intentions. It's nice to hear some positive stories. I agree with what you said entirely although it's not working like that at all for me. I've been rejected across the board for two and it looks like three years in a row at this point. I haven't been able to find fullfilling work at all. I was unemployed for a year and work a miserable job now. I think the economy is a major part of this. I'm hoping and I'm sure I will find a job that allows me to do something related to my interests. It's just that it takes a lot of time and affort to even find that-as much time and effort it takes to get into a grad school program. So what's one to do in the mean time until you even find that job or similar opportunity? The way things are for me at his point-no time for volunteering even-I'll just have to kind of ride out this thing with this job I have now until things change. What you said is true. I don't think it's the end of the world or anything if you don't get into a program. One can Still have a fulfilling life but it's just as time consuming and agonizing to find that happiness--at least it has been for me, but that's just me.

flame retardant

fire extinguisher

sky blue

Yeah, good question. How did you find out?

Hunting Season

It's all quiet on the Western Front...I haven't heard a peep from these places. I thought I saw one acceptance for U Chicago a while back.

Last week I was rejected from USC. Then, three days a go USC calls me and is like "Hello, we are calling in regards to your application..." I got so excited thinking maybe they had changed their mind. Then they said, "...your job application". I forgot I had applied to some jobs there! I had an interview...not sure if I got it yet or not. But maybe I'll still be able to go to the school--just in a different capacity then I would have wanted.

Coyabean, thanks for the advice. I actually did this. I worked with an admissions consultant in my field and had editor go over my SOP, writing sample and resume. All the work WAS MY OWN - I know, there are those of you out there that think this is cheating-so far, it appears the big bucks I spent (I work full time too) didn't work, although I'm still waiting to hear from some schools. In the past I called schools and they all mentioned my low GRE score but said it wasn't the GRE score that is a make it or break it detail. I never got a straight answer from anyone but all-in-all I think it was just that other people were stronger than me in every area. Knowing that is really frustrating because although vague it's probably true. I've talked to others in my field who have been accepted and their stats are similar to mine so I don't get what gives. It's still a mystery and probably always will be. Yes, I agree with you Coyabean, that something is definitely wrong with our apps but I still can't figure out what. Frustrating.

I'm soooo glad you posted this. I'm in the exact same situation as you (although I'm in a different major-Cinema Studies). You and I are the exact same on pretty much every level. This is also my third year applying to schools (I did 15 apps this year) and I don't think I'm going to make it. I don't know why. I suppose we never really will. I don't know anything about math but it seems like your stats are good so I don't know what's going on. I know for me a big problem I'm having is that my MA is not closely enough related to what I want a PhD in. I think that's a possible problem-that and my super stellar but not SUPER stellar stats. It is competitive out there and a lot of people are so desperate to get in that they lie on their apps. I worked a little in admissions so I know this is sometimes true. My professors from where I did my MA and BA tell me if I can write a really good statement of purpose I might be able to "sel myself to them" or "persuade the adcoms" or whatever. It appears I'm not a writer. I'm so sorry to hear your story. I know exactely what you are going through. If I don't get in this year I will not apply again unless something REALLY changes my application. For example if for some odd reason I get something published, get a teaching position or something like that I'll apply again but for right now I think I really did everything I could do to make my app the best it can be so after three years I'm going to finally give it a break for a while. I'm not giving up on it entirely, just taking time off to try other things, broaden my perspective and see what I can change. I hate doing this. It's not what I want to do or planned. I'm ashamed of myself. I think I'm a failure but...I don't know. I think this is the way I guess. I've said this before on other threads but if a PhD is what you want then continue to go for it. If you have the time, energy and resources to apply again then do so. I think it's wise to take a step back, and asses your situation and apply again later rather then right away but it's up to you. Others on this board have said to me that I'm wasting me my time. Someone on another thread similar to this one said he knew someone who applied to schools for years and could never get in and after a few years realized he was spending so much time on trying for PhD that he missed out on having a family or real job etc. Don't end up like that. Don't hold off anything while you apply. Just keep going...on something. Continue with your school if you are still in school, try to find some jobs you like (easier said than done) and think of other ways you can still get to your goals without the Phd-it's possible actually. It really is. Maybe it's a small chance but it's possible. I've got stories to prove it. Anyways, I understand also what you mean when you say you don't like anything else. I'm in the same boat. Many people don't believe or understand this but I get it. It makes total sense to me. Your life is going to go on...it has since the first year you applied. I'm realizing things take longer than expected. So maybe the timing is off. Don't give up entirely just yet. It is the economy, it could be other people have more impressive qualifications than you--for now at least-you'll never know. It could be a lot of things. If math is what you love, keep pursuing it. When you don't want to any more than don't. Throughout this whole process don't forget to live life. Never under any circumstance take anything personally. I worked in admissions for a while and learned that admissions is so crazy and messed up. But again, don't take this as personal. I wish I could drill this into your head. Take time and explore for now. I know, easier said than done. I can't express how much I just know something better is out there waiting for you and for now this thing is controlled by time. I wish you knew how much I understand you and what you are thinking because I know many others don't.