Neist

At this point I'd take any news. One of my programs might make decisions by next week, but I'm not sure. Decisions last year were posted about this time, but it went significantly later previous years. I sure am getting bored.

Drown my fears in cheap booze? That's what I'd probably do.

@nevermind and @A Librarian, I appreciate the kind words! I did look at UCSD, but probably not as much as I should have. I'll dig back into it if this cycle doesn't pan out. I also did research U. Mich. and NYU, but U. Mich.'s abysmal acceptance rates scared me off. However, I would fit fairly well into their English department. "Science and Literature" is one of their stated emphasis. And NYU I dismissed almost immediately. I'm married with a daughter. NYU would be astronomically expensive. I'll definitely get into contact with you about library programs. My current research is, for lack of a modern term, bibliographic. It's not bibliographic in the traditional sense, but I've used bibliographic research to inform my historical analysis. If I continue my current research, I'd love to dig into bibliography more, but finding a program that focuses on bibliography is about as easy as becoming a formally trained horologist. The only place that I can fathom receiving relevant training is at OU, where I'm currently located. There's a dual masters program in MLIS and history of science here, and the bibliographer for Isis is one of the history of science faculty members. Any of the programs I applied to can support my interests, but OU is probably the best place to approach them bibliographically. I'd probably have to consider other methodologies and/or mediums elsewhere. As for Drexel, I've been told it's a great program by people I trust, but there's not a lot of financial support. I received a Dean's Fellowship, but it's only for up to $5,600 a year, and the program doesn't seem to give tuition waivers. I'd have support myself, my wife, and my daughter for two years, in a private school. It would get costly. Apparently there is the option of becoming a research assistant, but I imagine such a possibility is unlikely until one's second year. It's a good option, and I'm glad it's there, but it's an expensive option.

I wouldn't worry too much. And I'm in a similar situation. I have 4 transcripts to bother with. I'm very jealous of those who have only attended one university. Ugh.

It's only off by .04 points? I'm not sure if that's enough to fret over. I'm only assuming, but I'd question them dismissing your application entirely over it. I can't say definitively what you should do, but I'd consider telling them in a polite email. I know that has to be a common mistake. I had to calculate my own GPA as well, and I know it's not exactly a trivial process. It's somewhat annoying to do.

I probably far less impressive background than both of you, but here goes! I'm an undergrad at the University of Oklahoma majoring in History of Science, Technology, and Medicine. I've been lucky to be reared in a strong program in which I've excelled, if I might shyly boast. I'm interested in cultural artifacts and technologies that act as mediums of societal bias and rhetoric and how such mediums affect and reflect professional identities. At the broadest definition, my interests include any medium, but up to this point I've focused on biographies. I've worked in libraries for over a dozen years, so a monographic focus has been natural, but I'd like to expand my focus in graduate school. I've given one presentation (with a second likely soon) and am currently polishing a paper in hopes of submission this spring. I also have strong letters from known figures within history of science and STS. Even so, Cornell is definitely a reach school. Both Cornell and RPI are both PhD programs, and while I'm completely confident I'm ready for a PhD program, I know there will be many, many applicants, many of whom already hold graduate-level degrees. It's been fairly difficult to locate any program that aligns with interests, let alone any specific individual. If I don't get any decent offers this spring I'll probably apply to programs next round that train me in technical skills necessary to continue my existing research. I could very easily study what I've studied and how I've studied it within library programs. A lot of my work has delved into the digital humanities as well, so I could consider that direction as well. Heck, a information science or library PhD is probably far more practical than a history or STS one. It's something to consider if this round doesn't go well for me. Thanks @nevermind! It's a long shot, but it's worth attempting. Cornell STS only has around a 7% acceptance rate. It's not terribly high.

i think any of us who haven't heard much are starting to get a bit antsy, but there's still plenty of time. Seems like February really is the turning point in timelines. If I don't hear anything over the next several weeks I'll be slightly more concerned. I drink quite a bit of tea, or used to. It still bothers me now. I might go into some more soothing herbal blends. I love me some chamomile.

Do you drink caffeine? I've been trying to avoid it of late. It's been making me a little too anxious. In general, not necessarily because of applications.

I'd be happy if my applications' status went to anything other than "Submitted" or "Completed." I feel like this is a simple request.

Same. No Dogfish Head in Oklahoma. I've had some visiting inlaws a few years ago. Ta Henket. It was good, if not a little weird. The day I get either an acceptance into Cornell STS or NSFGRFP is the day I go buy a bottle of Lagavulin 12 year cask strength. Mmm. Lagavulin.

Hello, and congrats on the interview! I'm also a little curious to hear about your interests. That sort of mix of programs sounds remarkably similar to what I was initially considering. I might even apply to some communication programs next cycle, assuming I don't get any solid offers this round. There's someone in the Life Sciences Communications program at MadWis that would be a pretty decent POI for me. I didn't apply this year because I was a tiny bit afraid of their funding situation. In hindsight I probably should have applied.

I've been constantly amazed how supportive and positive folks are on these forums. I haven't found a friendly group of people anywhere online, and I mean it. Also, tonight is a gin on the rocks night.

Thanks a bunch! It's not a well-funded offer (that program doesn't fund much), but it's an offer, none the less. RPI's STS program has replied back as early as this week or next, so it's possible I hear from them soon. However, like you, most of the programs I applied to had deadlines in middle January. I fully expect to hear nothing for another month.

Yeah, it's just reasonably expensive. I wouldn't have applied if I thought it was crazy expensive. I didn't apply to Harvard because it's just way too expensive there. And I didn't even consider any schools in NYC. Far too expensive.

I'm hoping it'll be a little bit easier this year. When I visited, they said their last two entering groups for Pop. C. were significantly smaller than they usually were, and they were going to try to fill back out the ranks this year. Good year to apply, I guess? I applied to BG, Cornell, RPI, U. of OK, and Drexel. I was accepted into Drexel, but they really don't offer financial assistance. I'm hoping I get a more attractive offer elsewhere. It's not as if a MA in STS is really going to be worth going 70k in debt, you know? I wish you the best! You are on fire with your applications, you know? Congrats! Just be sure you double check the cost of living if you're seriously considering the offer. Ithaca isn't cheap. I mean, it's no Boston or New York, but it isn't cheap compared to a lot of places.

Nice to meet you! There doesn't seem to be many of us about. But then again, there isn't all that many STS programs, either. Heard back from anything yet?

I might hear from two of my schools this week. They have responded this early in the past, but who knows? I've said it before on here, but I can't stand the bored of waiting. I'm like a shark. Want to keep moving forward.

Wonder if the Pop Culture program results came out the same time as American Studies. You applied to American Studies, right? I still think it'd be neat if I ran into someone on these boards in the eventual program I attend. I think you'd be the likeliest of people, although there's a few of us applying to Cornell STS. However, the likelihood of more than one of us getting into that program is probably pretty small.

I know we all know some academics who have to be terrible interviews. I don't think interview quality accounts for much unless you're an MBA applicant. They are probably just feeling you out, like most job interviews.

The main reason I wouldn't worry if it was my application is that if the results are to believed, the HASTS program doesn't appear to do many interviews. I mean, maybe they just have a really small pool of potentials? It's also possible that they only interview people that they're more borderline considering, not full considering. I think it's probably okay for another couple weeks.

Oh, at the very least I've put a deal of effort into this paper. It's a 500 word essay, and I spent over an hour grading it. The real issue is if the student is going to take the criticism and apply it to the next paper or turn in another bad paper. I hope it's the former. It's easy to grade a good paper.

I think the issue with me is that I'm grading in the humanities. I'm expected to give meaningful feedback. It's really hard to give meaningful feedback when you just tore someone's paper apart. I kind of just want to write, "Please have the writing center look over your paper next time. You'll get a much better score."

We have learned the true struggle of graduate school. Grading bad homework.

So, I'm killing time by grading papers for the class I'm a grader for. I weep for the future. One student misspelled a major character's name four times. In 500 words. Ergh.

Lol. That sounds like an awesome faculty member.