Just Jeff

Don't feel bad. I felt upset when I got rejected from my school too, but it turned out okay. I just got into another great school today.
 
Your only biggest competition in life is yourself.

Transferring really isn't an option so I think you should either take the offer and stop being upset and just be excited to study what you love or wait and apply again next year.

63 isn't a horrible ranking and some unknown school. Most of the schools around that ranking are good state schools. If you are that upset about it though then I would get a job and apply again next year.

What is the goal after the PhD? It is likely that the education at school you were accepted to is good, but perhaps not adequate for your dreams ( rankings do somewhat matter for academia, and my perception of the english phd job market is that it is very saturated). I think it would be very easy for you to have a fulfilling teaching job with that PhD in hand, perhaps at a community college or even a Private HS. All my HS teachers had masters and PhDs , it was really great for us students there. 
 
I'm not really sure you can improve your application after completing a masters. Thats kinda the last stop, unfortunately. If the offer is funded, you might want to take if you want to complete a PhD.  

Don't feel bad. I felt upset when I got rejected from my school too, but it turned out okay. I just got into another great school today.
 
Your only biggest competition in life is yourself.

No offense man, but aren't you that angry dude from that chatroom?

Don't feel bad. I felt upset when I got rejected from my school too, but it turned out okay. I just got into another great school today.
 
Your only biggest competition in life is yourself.

I would recommend a LoR from your grad advisor for sure. Then two other LoRs from whichever professors you can get the best ones from. Could be UG, could be graduate. But definitely one from your grad advisor.

No offense man, but aren't you that angry dude from that chatroom?

I have no idea. I am super bummed about it. I don't think I've ever been this depressed before. But I overheard one of the professors saying that NYU rarely accepts its MA students into the PhD program.
 
I did an independent research paper in college, but I don't think that's enough. I would like to gain more research experience, but I'm not sure where to start.
 
I actually also want to get my MA thesis on Homer published, but I don't know where to go.
 
I feel so lost...

No offense man, but aren't you that angry dude from that chatroom?

That's a good idea. I did call NYU, and I'm just waiting to hear back on how I can improve my application.

I think its very telling that you would have to "call" NYU when you've been apart of their department. Surely there is someone there you are friendly with. if i ever have a problem i could just walk into 1 of 5 professors at my current schools office no notice needed. Maybe NYU is a bit different, but its been that way no matter where i've been.
 
Getting into a PhD program can be as much about stats as it is being likeable. Not saying you arent, but perhaps you just havent networked enough ?

No offense man, but aren't you that angry dude from that chatroom?

Have you tried contacting departments you applied to and asking how to improve your application in the future?

Ask a professor! Surely someone can help you publish. Where there's a will there's a way.

Hey! It's you again.
 
At this point, you know what the problem is. Those GRE scores are way low for the schools you applied to; at places like my undergrad institution, your application would be immediately thrown out.
 
From what I remember from your past posts, another problem is likely your lack of focus. (What do you want? Philosophy? Lit? Crit theory? Narrow it down.) Make sure to really tailor your interests in your SOP. Did you only apply to Philosophy programs?
 
If you already have a master's degree, I don't really see additional coursework benefiting you. Focus on creating a cohesive application package (everything from your writing sample to the SoP should be connected) and apply to a diverse set of schools with strengths in your AOIs.
 
Good luck.

Even if you don't get to network, I think it would be beneficial to take the classes. If you make sure to do well, it will look good on your application next year.

Sure, if you can afford it then do it.
 
If you already have a great gpa though ( I think i remember reading that you did) then you probably dont really need more courses, there are probably other parts of your application that need work instead. I would say that it is more beneficial to focus on those other parts of your application. If definitely wont hurt to take the classes though.

Mkay. Distraction game.
 
1. What are you currently doing?
 
2. What did you do this weekend?
 
3. What would you do if you won the GRF?

I vote "no" for listing your GRE scores on your resumé for job applications. They are irrelevant to your ability to do the job, unless the job description includes taking standardized tests.

I did twice as much field work today, just so that I don't have to do any tomorrow.

Nada. Undergraduate.
 
E/VG
Reviewer acknowledged that I had worked closely with my POI to write the research proposal and that I have a lot of outreach.
 
G/VG
Reviewer noted several research conferences and a manuscript in preparation, then says that my research proposal is vague (tell that to review#1) Acknowledged that I have a lot of outreach.
 
VG/G
Reviewer noted lack of field experience, which makes sense for my application at the time, but I wish he could see me at the largest field station in Central America now (sigh). Acknowledged that I have a lot of outreach, but gave no indication as to why this score is lower than the other reviewers'.
 
 
The best confusing line of the review was: "Her academic record is biology is good, but it is stronger than her record in other scientific disciplines." At the time of application, I had no grades below a B and all grades toward my specific subfield were A/A+. Is it bad now to be better in biology when you're a biologist?
 
 
I think that I got some odd reviewers, although it could have been worse. With more field experience this year, I'll strengthen IM, although I'm maxed out on BI regardless of what they say. I'm guessing an HM or award next year.

A lot of it is also in the lack of feedback that can actually be used for improvement. When reviewers consistently say "great outreach", "good broader impacts", etc. but they vary from E to G and there is nothing about improving to go beyond the lower scores, it makes you wonder what you're doing wrong or what you can improve. This is not positive feedback. This is an empty comment that doesn't help with improvement or explain the differences in scoring.
 
Yes, it's good to get feedback when a lot of applications don't give it to you, blah, blah, blah. A lot of my feedback was very helpful. But there are other applicants who only got the vague responses like I stated above but get varying scores without any notes for improvement.

Maybe you should conquer whatever makes you uncomfortable about traveling alone, if possible. Traveling alone can be very rewarding.
 
If you can't, see if any of your friends are interested in traveling with you, at least part of the way. I'm sure there is someone who would travel with you, if you ask around enough. Even look at an adventure/traveling club in your area.

I have already formally accepted an offer to a Ph.D. program and declined another.
 
This was the format of my decline email:
"Thank you very much for your offer of acceptance to University of X. I enjoyed visiting the program and learning about the research going on there. Unfortunately, I am declining the offer, as I have accepted an offer at another program. Thank you again, Momo"