strudelle

I would say yes. Be academic and wear what you would wear to teach. It's like the start of a new career. You want to make a good impression. Speaking of which, I have to learn how to dress like an adult one of these days. Sigh.

Yes! Congratulations! I've been meaning to tell you also that your username is tops.

Sarab is the best

I would say you definitely still have a chance of getting into one of the other programs, so don't lose hope yet! Did you get your original MA in the US or outside of the US? I guess it's possible that an MA in the US would help to improve your chances of getting accepted into a PhD program in the US later? I also wonder if there are other grants you could apply for because of your international status. A lot of schools offer special grants and scholarships for students who can improve their "campus diversity.".

Thank you so much for the support, everyone! I can't go out and celebrate because I have too much school work to do, but I did just dance around my apartment for half an hour to happy music. I'm all sweaty. Time to get back to writing this paper. I hope everyone else hears great news soon!

You guys. I've been freaking out for days since my call with my POI left things a little ambiguous....but they just called me and I got into UCSD with funding. I literally could not be happier. It's my top choice. I don't know what to do with myself right now.

When I originally wrote this post, I had been accepted to an MA program and figured I had no chance at all at a PhD. Then I got a very confusing phone call that makes me think I may actually have a shot at a funded PhD at a great school. So I'm definitely thinking that if that opportunity comes through, I'm going to take it. But it's still kind of "wait and see" at the moment. Honestly, getting a PhD is what I have always wanted to do for the same reasons as everyone else: to have the option to do more. I'm also really really interested in doing research and teaching. But I have also read a lot of conflicting views recently about whether or not a PhD is necessary. I've even heard that it can hurt your chances of getting some jobs - though I don't really understand how.

I'm wondering who got the rejection from UCSD? If you don't want to claim it here would you be willing to message me so I could ask you some stuff?

Sorry to hear that, colorless. I totally understand where you're coming from. If you already have a masters then why would you waste your time going for another unfunded masters? I really hope you hear some good news soon!

I am right there with everyone who is currently struggling with school work. Literally all I can think about is grad admissions. It's frustrating to say the least. I have to finish a paper that I have written less than half of that's due tomorrow. I never procrastinate this much, it is just taking me so much longer to do everything right now :/

I am freaking out quite a bit after a somewhat confusing phone call from my POI at my top choice the other day. Sigh. I want this so bad

AHHH Congrats daykid and sarab!!!!!!!!!!!! So awesome! Everyone else: Hang in there!

I do like the mug idea quite a bit. And it would be easy to send that to each of their offices. I think I will try to get them each something with a physical anthropology related design on it. I've seen some pretty classy looking bone mugs. Thanks for the suggestion!

Sort of unrelated: I was thinking I'd like to give my recommenders a little something to thank them for their role in helping my academic career along. Have any of you done this? One was my mentor and we were somewhat close (we're friends on Facebook), so I think I will send her wine. The others I'm not quite as well acquainted with and I would like to give them a small token while remaining professional. Have any of you done this? Would a card suffice? Any other ideas?

They didn't offer to fly me out either :/ though maybe it's because I've already been to the campus. It would be amazing if I could fly out because I'd like to meet the grad students and maybe sit in on a seminar or two.

Oh man, if you do get the chance to visit I would recommend it. The campus is gorgeous.

You guys are so much nicer and more polite than me haha

Had a phone "interview" today (not sure what to call it because I technically already met with my POI before my apps were even in) with UCSD. They are meeting TODAY FYI.

Good luck to everyone this week!!! I feel like results will be coming very soon.

That's why I will probably end up going for the PhD later too Daisy. Why do you say it's looking unlikely? If it's because you haven't been accepted yet, don't lose hope! Decisions are just starting to come out. You still have a chance!

Thanks for the input, everyone. I was basing my assumption about only needing an MA on job postings I have seen and the CVs of people that are working in the areas I would like to work in. I will most likely go for the MA and see what my options are after that. I'm with you catsrgods - I have very little interest in being a tenured professor. Definitely more interested in non-traditional education and research. Maybe I'll go back for the PhD to pursue high level museum work after I've done some lower level museum work for a while.

This is something I have been thinking about a lot because of the fact that I have applied to an MA program and PhD programs. I've read a few articles online that suggest a PhD is no longer really necessary, and you should think long and hard about what you want to do before you get one because it's incredibly difficult and competitive to get a tenured professorship (which is cited as the major reason many people get a PhD). I'm very seriously wondering if a PhD is necessary to do what I want to do, and if it's something I am ready to devote so much time and money to. I'm particularly interested in museum curation and education, community outreach, and teaching at a community college (I'm more interested in teaching under-served populations). I would also really like to be able to be involved in research. I'm not so sure I need a PhD to do these things - though maybe I will need it to do research? At the same time, I know I will have to take out many more loans to do an MA program, and a PhD is usually funded. Additionally, I likely won't make as much money with only an MA. If you are going for a PhD rather than just the MA, why have you chosen to do so? What is your take on this?

And I'm super happy to see everyone's good results today. Hopefully this keeps going for all of you who are waiting!! Sending good vibes!

Thanks everyone! It literally feels like a weight has been lifted from my body. Now I can get back to focusing on my other work because I know I have at least one option.

Congrats xstopfloating!!! I also had my first acceptance today to SDSU's MA program. This is my first time applying and I'm SUPER EXCITED RIGHT NOW. The acceptance letter didn't say anything at all about funding. I don't know what to do next! YAY FOR THE ACCEPTANCE dtpowis! I feel the same way, like a huge weight has been lifted from me and I can relax.