aem88

I would try to keep a positive outlook. Earlier this week I saw someone post an interview for my top choice and I freaked out and assumed it meant rejection for me. I tried to calm down and tell myself that I have no idea how the committee is going about the selection process, and they could be doing the interviews in rounds. Yesterday I got an email to set up an interview! Just because you see results, doesn't necessarily mean it's over for your application. It's only speculation, and honestly, going through a second round of apps with grad cafe, sometimes I think the results section causes me more stress than if I never looked at it...but I still look. Can't help it I guess:) Anyway, keep thinking positive and try to focus on all the great things about your application. I think it helps during this crazy waiting game. Good luck!

Thought I would post here to see if we could keep this one going. I have all my apps in for 2011. Applying to USC, UW-Madison, and Univeristy of Michigan-Comm Studies this year. I've got good feelings about UW *crosses fingers* Anyone else all done and in the waiting game now? Where are you applying? Good luck to everyone!

I'm all done with all three of my apps. Submitted my final app and mailed out hard copy material yesterday. One of the LORs just got in the recs for a Dec 1 deadline, cutting it close, but now I am completely done. Now I get to obsessively check the status pages. My goal is to try to not be as neurotic about checking as I was last year. I think I can do that

Hi dgailen, From my understanding, almost all PhD programs in our field fund their PhD students through the entire program. There may be some that don't offer full funding, but I haven't come across them. Generally, what I have seen is that if you are accepted, you receive a TA position and/or fellowship, with tuition waiver, health insurance, and a stipend, funding over the summer varies among programs, but some offer summer research stipends. I myself was actually fully funded through my MA program, and while it wan't quite enough for me to live off of without taking out loans, it would be now that I've taken a few years off and saved up some money. Your best bet in terms of finding out the exact funding package provided for PhD students in any given program, is to look on the program website. Sometimes this information may not be readily available, in which case you can email someone in the program to find out that information. And, you can take this with a grain of salt if you want, but it's been my understanding and my opinion about PhD programs, that if you're not fully funded, you should probably decline the offer. I guess this just depends your own financial situation and the amount of debt you're willing to undertake. Hope this helps! Best of luck!

I wouldn't worry about it. I think a lot of people on these boards apply to a high number of programs, but that doesn't mean everyone should. It's something only you can determine for yourself, and what works for one person may not be a great idea for another. For example, I applied to 7 programs last year, and didn't get into a single one. Looking back, there were only three that were good fits and that I would actually really want to go to. My research focus is pretty narrow, so I should have be more discriminating last year and I regret the money/time I spent on so many apps. So, this year, I'm only apply to three programs, and I'm completely comfortable with that decision. It may mean I have less of a chance of getting an acceptance, but I have to be honest with myself about where I would be happy. Remember, as contrary to some of our personalities as this may seem, you're allowed to be selfish and egocentric in this process, applying to grad school is about you and no one else.

I'd have to agree that getting an MA is not necessary before the PhD, unless it explicitly states an MA requirement in the admissions info, and there's no reason to worry if you are missing conference/publication experience. My thoughts on this, since I did apply last year and have gotten a pretty good feel for this field's process of selection, it's all about fit. I have an MA, great GPA in MA and BA (not so great GRE scores), great LORs from relatively well-know scholars, a good writing sample that's been revised and critiqued many times, teaching experience, and a couple conference presentations. I didn't get into any of the 7 programs I applied to last year. While much of this was probably due to luck, and the not so hot economy, which results in less funding/fewer spots, I think the main reason I didn't get in was that I didn't express how my research interests fit with the programs I applied to well enough. I wasn't specific enough and I think that absolutely held me back. I am sure people with BA's and less experience got in ahead of me because they simply sold themselves in terms of how they fit with the program much better than I did. After getting some really amazing and detailed feedback from my top choice rejection last year, I am actually not changing much about my application other than the fit section of my SOP. I was told that what held me back was nothing more than they wanted students that were a good fit will all of the faculty in the area, it's a small program area. I was in probably the last 20 of the applicant pool, and the feeling I got from the feedback, was there was little more I could do other than selling my fit better this round. So, even though some may disagree with this tactic, this year I'm applying to only 3 programs, each of which I know are good fits and I would love to go to any one of them, though one is by far my top choice. Honestly, I have very specific research interests, and I'd rather forego the PhD rather than go to a program that just won't work with what I want to do. It's a waste of my time, and it's a waste of the faculty's time to support someone whose research doesn't mesh with theirs. That said, if you have broader interests, you should absolutely apply to as many places as you can that you believe would be a good fit. I think that my situation is kind of unique, in that I know very specifically what I want to study, and that significantly narrows down my choices. But applying broadly is a good call for people that aren't so narrowly focused as I am. It's a tough field and a tough time to be applying, so widening your chances can't hurt. Also, the previous poster was right about MA's being a bit easier, though not a sure thing, in terms of acceptance. Unfunded/partially funded programs just have more spots available. Also, MA students don't have dissertation requirements, so there is less one-on-one faculty/student interaction, which means they can support a larger cohort. This is a long way of saying, just apply to the places that feel right and sell yourself as best you can. I can honestly say, after a truly horrible year filled with not only grad school rejections but job application rejections, it's not the end of the world to not get accepted. I feel much more confident this round, both in terms of my application and on a personal level, and I'm going to be okay if it's rejections again this year. I won't like it, and I'll be upset, but there are other things I can do with my life that I will find just as fulfilling. Just my two cents on this whole crazy, anxiety-producing process.

Hi all, I thought I would start a new topic for those of us applying to film/media studies programs for Fall 2011. I'm re-applying to Media Studies PhD programs (I already have a MA), after across the board rejections last round. My focus is in television studies broadly, but more specificlly my research interests are in fandom, participatory culture, media paratexts, and industry studies. Right now I've just got University of Wisconsin-Madison, Comm Arts, Media and Culture; and USC, Anennburg, Media, Culture and Communiation on my list. I applied to UW last year, and came very close, but was unltimately rejected, so I'm really hoping this round will work out as it is my top choice. Anyone have any suggestions for programs that fit with my areas of study? I applied to UCLA, UCSB, UW-M, U Michigan, Indiana University, and UT last year, and honestly, the fit wasn't right with many of them, so I'm trying to be more selective this round to places that would be a great fit with my research. Anyone know of any other programs? Canadian or UK schools would interest me as well. Thanks for the help and good luck to everyone!

Thanks for the advise. I think I'm just going to email them, let them know I'm reapplying, and see if there is anything in particular I should work on this round. I was told "fit" was an issue, and I can definately improve on that in my SOP. As for taking the GRE's, my scores were just okay, and I know it's not that important in my field, but it will be five years in November since I took them the first time, so I figured updated scores can't hurt, unless I bomb it... I had really good LOR's the first time (I didn't read them, but I know they were good because I have a very good relationship with all the professors who wrote for me). The pontential advisor actually knows two of them pretty well, so I don't think my LOR's need to change. You're right about it not being a whole lot of time to change things. Around the time of all the rejections last round, I was also looking for a job, and started a new position about four months ago, so I haven't really had much time to add much to my CV or anything. At this point, all I can really do is work on my SOP, refine my writing sample, and study/retake the GRE. Hopefully it will work this round, cause this is an exhausting process and I don't even want to think about having to go through it a third time. Thanks again!

Thanks for the advice. I think that makes complete sense. It's funny, because I stressed over this last year and came to the same conclusion, but I think my confidence has fallen down a few pegs since last year's rejections. I'm going to start sending out emails to potential advisors, and my old professors that helped me last round, to see where they think I should focus. Personally, I think that if I work really hard on expressing fit with faculty, especially in the program I was interviewed in last round, that I have a good chance of being accepted this time around (at least that's what I keep telling myself). Any suggestions on how to approach faculty after previously being rejected? I'm a neurotic nut when it comes to sending out emails to potential advisors. I wasn't sure immediately after I was rejected last year if I wanted to go through this all again, but I absolutely do. Hopefully the determination will pay off and it won't feel like an exercise in masochism any more. I hope that your applications go well this year and you are admitted to a program that you are passionate about. Thanks again for your advice and good luck!

Hi all, I'm reapplying to Media Studies PhD programs for the 2011 year, after going 0-7 in applications last app round, some new programs and some that I applied to last year. I asked this qusetion I think last year, but I'm still mulling it over. I have a writing sample that I used last year, it is my best writing sample from what was basically my MA thesis. I by no means think it contributed to the rejections, but I guess you never know. There is one program that I came really close to getting into last year, that I am reapplying to, so my question is...should I use the same writing sample or start from scratch? Starting from scratch would allow me to cover a more updated topic, and show that I am still capable of graduate work, I received my MA in 2008 and have been working in higher ed admin since. But, at the same time, I don't really have the same support group of being in a graduate program now as I did when I wrote my thesis, so I'm not sure it would show the work I'm capable of. Any suggestions? Do you think submitting the same writing samlpe, with some updates/revisions, would be okay? I want my app to be different from last year, I'm retaking the GRE and writing a new SOP, but really I don't really have much else new to add from last years app. My stats are good UGPA: 3.9 MA GPA: 4.0 GRE: Q-570 V-630 (I'm retaking it in the fall); two conference presentations, fellowships, scholarships, internships in the field and teaching experience, so I'm just trying to figure out how to tweak everything from last year. Also, for the program I'm reapplying to, I did have a interview with a prospective advisor, who was really nice, we have VERY similar research interests and he contacted me directly by email to inform me of the rejection. He said the main reason for my rejection was that there was so many applicants and they were trying to find people whose research fit exactly with the three faculty members in the program subfield I was applying to. He said my app was excellent, but others fit more cleanly into all the faculty research interests. Obviously I will address fit more closely in my SOP this year. However, I would like to contact him and let him know I am reapplying, I was also thinking of contacting the two other faculty members as well, which I didn't do last year. I'm just not sure how to go about this, what to say, etc. Many of my questions were answered last year, and I really feel it's the perfect program for me, so I guess this round I need to make sure my research fit is expressed perfectly. Any suggestions on how to go about contacting these professors this time around? Thanks ahead of time, and good luck to all those applying (or reapplying) for 2011!

Geez, you are all very awesome with your persistence. I too spent a few days/weeks crying and feeling sorry for myself. I was extra hard to deal with because I've been looking for a job during the whole of the admissions process and got just as many rejections on that front. But now I have two job interviews lined up that I'm optimistic about, and we're looking for a new apartment (which is exciting for me because I've always had to start renting sight unseen because I move around so much), AND I already feel like because of various issues concerning my partner finishing his MA, that waiting one more year might be better in the long run. Anyway, I'm absolutely going to work on my SOP like a crazy person, and try to build some connections. I can't help but feel like everything will work out if we just keep on trying.

Wow, it's really great to hear from someone in the field. I contacted a letter writer the other day, and she seemed surprised that I did not get any acceptances. She's going over my statement of purpose now, so I'm already trying to get more feedback on that. I am convinced, like you, that this is largely about luck. But I really do want to continue in this field, so I'm just going to keep applying until I get lucky. I think my statement was good, but weak in the fit area, so I can work on that. I'm not sure if I will apply to the same places this year. I am absolutely applying to Wisconsin again, because it's my top choice and I was very close to getting in this year. I've taught before, guest lectures and TAing. That may be an option this year, but I think I'll work on trying to get published since I have no publications. I was thinking about trying to get into FLOW. Anyway, thanks for the advice. I hope that you get acceptances this year. It's wonderful to hear from someone that just kept trying, because I think this is a really discouraging process, but if we really want it we can't give up. Good luck!

Thanks for the advice and encouragement about my application. I think a lot of it comes down to luck too, so I'm trying to just stay positive. I am going to consider taking the GRE again, it's been a few years, so hopefully if I study a whole lot I won't do any worse. I'm applying for a PhD, I already have a MA in my field. I contacted a few people before I applied this year, but I definitely think I will make a stronger effort to make contacts at every program I apply to this time around. Before I applied everyone I talked to who knew my academic history was without a doubt convinced that I would get into several if not all the places I applied to. I was hopeful, but not as optimistic as they were. I knew going in that funding was low, and the number of applicants was high. I'm just crossing my fingers that next year brings me better luck. Thanks again.

Okay, so this year was not a good year. I applied to 7 schools in Media Studies, got one interview (only one of the programs actually did interviews, not very common in my field), and ultimately 7 rejections. I'm looking for any and all advice on how to improve my app for next year. I'm optimistic about the program where I was interviewed as my POI was positive about my app, but said they simply did not have enough space and other candidates had a better fit with all the faculty members. So I'm thinking I should contact the places where I intend to reapply. Does anyone else plan on doing that? When is the best time? Here are my stats. Undergrad GPA: 3.97; MA GPA: 4.0. GRE: V-630 Q-570 A-5 (not good, I know, but I'm under the impression that it doesn't really matter in my field, but I'm willing to retake it), 2 conferences presentations (one at a major conference in my field), a writing sample that I was told by several professors was publishable, 2 excellent letters of rec (and one from a well-known professor that I'm not positive about because she runs hot and cold with people, but we always worked well together), multiple guest lectures, multiple scholarships/fellowships/grants, various internships/jobs in my filed and in higher education. I wrote multiple versions of my SOP and it was absolutely destroyed numerous times by one of my LOR writers, who was gracious enough to go over it with me on the phone until we got a final version. So, I know that my SOP did not express fit well enough. My LOR advised me not to "name name's" as it might lead to resentment among committee members. I'm thinking that was a mistake now, and may have made me look like I lacked focus. I have been considering trying to get published through an online journal since I have no publications. I will probably retake the GRE. I'm currently unemployed, but I may get a job soon that would allow me to add more teaching experience or guest lectures. Also, I'm going to refine my program list, with more focus on faculty fit. So those are a few of my thoughts about how to approach the coming year. I'm optimistic even though I spent the past month as the rejections came in crying and being generally mopey. My boyfriend deserves a metal for putting up with me. I've realized that this is what I want to do. I know I am capable of it. Now I just to get someone to say "YES!" So, anyone else in the same boat? What are you doing? How are you coping? Are things starting to look up? I'm actually excited about it again. Looking forward to new prospects and all that. It took me a while to get here, but I'm glad I made it. Who's with me?!

I have an MA in Media Studies, but it looks like I will likely be trying again next year. I think in this field it has a lot to do with faculty "fit". I received an interview with a top potential professor, great fit, but ultimately got a rejection. The letter was personal and very sincere, saying that there wasn't anything wrong with my application but that other applicants simply had interests that fit better with ALL members of the faculty. I think mine could have fit in with all the faculty, but I could have expressed that more clearly in the interview. So I know to work on that aspect more closely for the next round. Hope that helps a little. Also, I get the feeling that Film/Media Studies is seeing a huge influx in applicants and a decrease in funding, as with most programs, so also, it's just a really tough time to be applying. Anyway, for those waiting on UCSB, I emailed the grad coordinator and she said decisions should be finalized by next Wednesday at the latest. I'm expect a rejection, but remain VERY cautiously hopeful.

Thanks for the info. I guess that's another for the reject pile. I heard from Michigan about two weeks ago.

Anyone heard from UCSB Film and Media Studies? And to UCLA admits...when did you hear from them? My status has not been updated. So far I've been rejected from UT, Madison, Michigan, USC, and Indiana, so these are my last two hopes. I'm thinking I'll be giving next year a go.

I'm going through something kinda of similar. I graduated in May 2008, but there were recently lay offs at my company, so I'm looking for a new job. I'm assuming I won't hear back until February or May, so I'm trying to find a job right now. My advice would be to keep applying for jobs while you're waiting, just in case.

I'm kinda in love with Tucson too, but sadly I had to leave. The department is actually pretty split in terms of faculty working in either television or film studies. I focused on television, and felt very supported, but there were other students that focused strictly on film and had their research supported. There's been quite a bit of faculty movement since I left, so I can't say that this is still the case. Do you live in Tucson now? If so, you should set up a visit. They're pretty open to prospective students visiting.

Thanks so much for the advice. I think I've decided to leave it as is, though of course with proofreading by myself and everyone I know. neoreeldancer- Awesome! Good luck to you too! We should keep each other updated as the deadlines get closer.

I'm in the process of writing my SOP and reviewing my writing sample at the moment. I'm applying to PhD programs in film/tv studies in the fall, and my writing sample is the best work I completed during the MA studies in the same field. It is the result of several months of revision, with consultation from three faculty members that are very knowledgable about the subject matter. I presented a draft of my research at a major conference in March 2008. Overall, I felt that the paper was exactly where it needed to be. My question is: Should I update the content? The subject matter is very contemporary, and while it's not out of date now, there are several updates that I could add concerning developments in the last year and a half. I think that it is an excellent example of my ability to perform graduate level research and writing, and it completely aligns with the my interests I discuss in my SOP. I just don't want to compromise the final draft I have now by including updates that may seem tacked on. What do you think?