Neist

Mmm. Braums. The secret that only people in Oklahoma know.  

I went to visiting days with my hair dyed a fluorescent blue. I also wasn't sure how to act - I was a first gen college student from rural Illinois visiting an Ivy League, the stress of figuring out how to present myself actually made me nauseous.
Looking back, I'm laughing at how much I overthought it. Just wear something comfy but modest. That's literally the only advice you need. Oh, and chill.

These ratings are nonsense, and pretty much everyone in the field knows it.
Hopkins' HoS is one of the best programs in the country, especially for early modern. Harvard's HoS doesn't have an early modernist. You can't make a compelling case that Harvard is a better choice than Hopkins for someone who wants to do early modern science.

I've been reading Don Quixote. Why haven't a read this book?
This book is amazing!

Ah! Thank you for the encouragement.

I managed to get off the waitlist for funding. I probably wouldn't be at this program if I hadn't been. 
Waitlist dreams do happen.  

I managed to get off the waitlist for funding. I probably wouldn't be at this program if I hadn't been. 
Waitlist dreams do happen.  

Been following this thread for some time, but just made an account now. This afternoon I was admitted to UCLA!

Wow. I don't think I could keep my mouth shut if I heard that. Or I'd just walk out immediately.

Like others have said, I haven't had an experience like this. I'm also quite surprised that you are intimately aware of so many others and therefore can generalize their experiences so succinctly.

What constitutes "least securely funded", quantitatively? Having a precise match on your adviser is much less important than having a funding package that will allow you to produce high-quality research, and so land a job.

I watched a short documentary many, many years ago about a relatively heavy man who ran triathlons. Was very interesting. He never lost any weight, despite being incredibly active.
Can't seem to find a version of it online.  

If it was me? I'd go to the program where I'd be supervised by the indigenous teacher, assuming there are no red flags regarding the rest of the program.
Then again, I'm not very risk averse. Where you're at seems to be the safer choice.
How's the funding at the program where you've been accepted? Funding would weigh my decision heavily, especially considering you've been informally offered some measure of funding at your current location.

Nothing's wrong with you. But, if graduate school were easy, everyone would do it, right?  
That said, you should research how schools get ranked. There's a significant number of factors which contribute to formal ranking systems, not just rigor of coursework. It's very possible that the 90th ranked school will be just as challenging as the 3rd ranked school.

Just thought I'd toss my hat in as an older student. I'm 33, married, and have a daughter. Our only income is my stipend.
To be honest, as a non-traditional student with more responsibilities than an average 22-year-old, I find graduate school easier than my undergraduate years. Graduate program environment is primarily adjusted towards the inclinations of 20-somethings, which means older students have skills which help better lessen a lot of potential issues. 
If you can deal with the level of frugality necessary to live without going to insane debt, it's great fun.

I watched a short documentary many, many years ago about a relatively heavy man who ran triathlons. Was very interesting. He never lost any weight, despite being incredibly active.
Can't seem to find a version of it online.  

How did I miss this thread before. God damn.
 

Whew laddie this thread is a mf m e s s.

The blatant display of fat phobia makes me honestly ashamed of academia right now. I sincerely hope I never have to call some of you colleagues. Seriously disgusting.

Congrats!  I think you'll enjoy yourself, from what you've written here.

I think you'll enjoy yourself more at the right school, especially if it's more right for you over the prestigious school. 
If you think you'll grow more at BostonU, I think you should stay there. Go where to a program that holds the most potential for you and your goals . 

I should preface that I'm of the mind that most things in moderation are fine, assuming one can moderate themselves. Also, I think it's worth emphasizing in this thread that there's a substantial difference between binge drinking and having a beer (especially lower point beers) or glass of wine in the evening.
The latter, even every day, is probably okay. Personally, I love a beer (note the singular) in the evening to unwind. However, the former is less helpful, and as one gets older, becomes increasingly damaging. I can drink quite a bit, and I always have been able to, but I rarely ever do because I feel like garbage the next day, and it's gotten worse as I've grown older. Graduate school is too intense of an experience to muddle up one's health. 
I think the most important thing is just to be mindful of one's actions and maintain a practical level of self-criticism. If you need to stop drinking altogether, then stop.

Something I've only learned with age is that success has more to do with perseverance than talent.
If you keep at it, you'll do okay. Just be more stubborn than everyone else.  

The only aspect of admissions that I'd think is not as arbitrary are letters of recommendation. If you get the right recommendations from the right people, then you're gold.
Also, someone found this website about this time last year as everyone was waiting. If you liked those memes, you might consider looking this over.
http://shitmyreviewerssay.tumblr.com/

I love grad school and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with it. The past 6 months I've learnt more than I ever thought was possible in that time, purely out of necessity. Most of that learning has come outside of classes. i do wish weeks were 8 days so I could work 6 and take 2 off. 5 days working is too short, but only having 1 weekend day isn't enough! Agh!

Yeah, and the second you inch away from the crest of the tsunami, it pummels you into the ocean floor.