TMP

Honestly? I'd rather not know whether or not I'm on the wait-list right now. I would only be even more anxious... and annoyed at the top applicants for taking their sweet time to "carefully weigh" their decisions among top programs. Better to leave me in the dark and let me "weigh" my own decisions so that when offers actually do come, I'm prepared. And as for rejections? You have a pretty good idea if you are rejected if waitlists and acceptances have already been handed out. I like the idea of an unofficial list, really.

As a distance runner myself, it's been much more of a marathon. You trained long and hard because you're committed to getting that acceptance into a PhD program. You can't just run a marathon from nothing. You need a good foundation to finish that marathon, especially endurance, both mental and physical. That means you had to spend a lot of time in the lab/archives doing the research, or go through the GRE vocab for the upteenth time. On the course, Your fluid stations on the course are your friends, professors, family, and colleagues who feed you "feel-good" drinks to help you think positive when things get tough. The hills on the course? Those are your difficult moments (like... rejections), and long stretches are just the waiting parts. Right now, I'm just running straight ahead, not quite sure where the finish line is, or the next turn is. Either you finish or you don't finish, depending how well prepared you are and whether the course was gracious to you. Anyhow, when I ran the New York City marathon last November, I actually debated whether or not I'd rather run this or work on my applications. I decided the former was better, and then I really enjoyed the marathon! Of course, then afterward I had to face a couple of interviews with professors... and I began wondering if I should run the marathon again...

Nada. I strongly believe in the system of "who-knows-who."

For what it's worth, people, I still have FIVE more decisions to go! And yes, it's just the beginning of March and April 15th is 6 weeks away... which means I'm going to face with a flood. Or more silence because I may be on a waitlist somewhere. Someone, please hand me a barf bag as I get ready to go another emotional roller-coaster ride.

Wait until you get to Ann Arbor. I think you'll be quite surprised how family-friendly it is.

stunt man

Thanks! I appreciated those replies!

But what if the offer is unfunded and there's no way you can attend?

shift gears

One of the best threads on GradCafe indeed!!! Yo momma so dumb she consulted Rosetta Stone for her translation of Heidegger's Sein und Zeit. Yo momma so fat she learned French in a Cajun restaurant in NOLA Yo momma so fat she learned Spanish in a taquita. (and so forth for languages) Yo momma so old she wrote her dissertation on the American family life using one source: HER. Yo mama so old she cited an interview with President Woodrow Wilson on the Fourteen Points. Yo momma so short she had to ask one of her own undergrads to reach for that ass heavy book on the top shelf.... and so dumb she gave that bloke an A! Ahh... good stuff for history folks

As others have said, you must visit both schools before making any generalizations about Ann Arbor. I've lived in both areas at different stages of my life. Both places are great for raising kids if you're looking to have a family in the next 5 years. Princeton, however, pretty much requires a car. Do you have a car? Ann Arbor is much more student-friendly in terms of housing availability, costs, and public transportation access. NJ has gotten ridiculously expensive (except for the gas and they pump for you!). So you need to think about the quality of life in your free time. However, I will say that you are welcomed to seriously consider Princeton over Michigan if you are truly an urban person. I know of a Michigan history grad student who really didn't want to go to Michigan because it's not New York, but her MA (now PhD) adviser put her up to it (and Michigan was far better than her other choices). She got used to it and made pretty good friends in the program. Good luck!

This. I completely agreed. I got my offer of admission from American University last night (erm, day). But no funding.

Go the other way around. Ask for the airfare and ask to be placed with a student host and you will pay for your own food.

Unfortunately, I have to peace out for a weekend trip but I just wanted to drop you a note to say that: 1) Look at my signature. I'm still alive. 2) I'll PM you on Monday with some of my thoughts! Chin up. Remember, nothing's over until it's OVER! So keep hoping and crossing your fingers.

Brave! Thanks for the confirmation. Now I can reeeee-lax this weekend!

Oh, okay, thanks, Katya! Really appreciated your insider info! Now I can reeeee-lax this weekend.

Don't worry about that. Wait, now there's a Doctor of Engineering?

solar phone

Of course, address them formally until they decide that it's too formal! Do this until you get to the campus when you have a better idea of how relaxed the department is. I know of one campus where professors continued to address one and another "Dr. X." This drove me nuts for several reason. One is that I have REAL doctors in my family and every time I hear "Dr." it's MD, not PhD even though I know that the PhD does entitle one to be called "Dr." The other is that I come from rather relaxed departments where everyone talks to each other on first-name basis. Oh yeah, I agree about people signing e-mails with first AND last names... In any case, if you can always use formal address, it will certainly show that you were raised by a good mama!

*fingers drumming on desk* Waaaaai-ting. Waaaa-ting.

baseball game

Also, from what I understand, if you applied for joint-PhD programs, you aren't invited to the PSW largely because your application is first reviewed by the "studies" program and you're admitted through those people and the History department just approves the application.

clutch purse