RJR08

I want to say around 29. The total class size ended up being 23 this year. hope this helps.

Well, that is a well presented argument! giving it a winking smiley face does not make it an appropriate response. Columbia GSAS marches on, likely with fewer candidates in the classes this year, but continuing on with their articulated policy of full funding. teachers college, like law, obviously is responsible for the dispersal of its own funding, separate from the other schools. i'm not sure what you're questioning about their separate endowment- even if the money isn't separate, the budget dispersal is. and in that case, it is important to note that Columbia's endowment on the whole has been effected far less than the average university. normally i don't comment much, but this whole argument has been absurd, perpetuated by the wild statement of facts without specifying the clear limitation of programs they pertain to. To be fair, no one set out here to prove anything, only to clarify which programs were actually involved with the funding freeze. That clarification is not about insulting anyone, so get over it.

As someone who has been through the process, I feel like it would be entirely misleading to even begin to determine the impact of one element of an application for a broad range of schools. Keep in mind that the evaluation process for each of these schools does differ. What is important then is not that you worry about one negative element, GRE's or GPA, especially one which you can do little or nothing about, but adjust the rest of your package to make your sell. Recommendations are key, but make sure the people who are vouching for you are people who are going to be respected by those evaluating your app. I agree with everything that has been said about writing samples. There is no other element of the application that will tell a school more about your potential than your basic style, it can also demonstrate whether or not you're actually ready to shoot for a PHD or whether you should maybe take some time to do an MA first. I really screwed up with my sample though- it was a solid piece of work, but unlike redwine, I never offered to give them the rest if they wanted it- there were 25 more pages to that baby! So don't fall into the trap of limitations if you have a longer work. My GRE's were abhorrently low (I'm talking upper 500s on verbal here), but thanks to my research background, writing, and recs, no one cared because they knew I was qualified and I got accepted to any Ivy league program. The key is finding a way to show them that you have skills that can't be quantified. I'm an Americanist (no Colonial hist here) so you can trust me when I say there is some ridiculous competition out there for US.

Email was sent from the department chair, indicating acceptance and funding. It notes that it is unofficial and that official package will follow in the mail.

To the people inquiring re: Northwestern- I received acceptance today via email from some sort of graduate head type. The prospective dates are 3/16-3/17. I study 19th century US history/ race and law. Funding is fairly generous, $20,100 for 5 years, but I'm uncertain about how standardized their offers are.

Also, have Harvard admits been getting notification primarily first through postal or personal notification via email or phone? kudos to those who have gotten in!

Hi, I would prefer not to post the name of the professor who called, but as I said, it was a call from my potential adviser. My field is 19th c. US. In terms of what this means for others, I would not necessarily be too nervous. It seems (based on some of what posters have revealed) that admission can come much later, even as most are getting rejected. At least, that's the way it seems to have gone for at least one person who got into Yale (and congratulations to you). Partial rolling one might call it? For my own part, I still hold hope for a school or two on that list, and I believe myself to be a competitive candidate, so I really hope not all the decisions have been made. I will post on the admission board.

Hi all, Just thought I would give a heads up, I was notified via phone by my potential adviser that I was accepted to Columbia on 2-14. He knew that I would be receiving full funding (which, I believe Columbia is trying to standardize, so that may not be valuable info . However, I have not received any further info through the mail. Visiting day is 3/31. Hope this helps. Good luck!