a fragrant plant

I second this. Go with your bf.

For those who are awarded multi-years fellowship, what are your GRE scores? If your GRE score is not particularly strong or you don't think it's the GRE score that won you a multi-year fellowship, what are the determining factors in your opinion?

You can certainly mention it but I don't think they would change their mind. Also, it's really rare that professor is so eager to give rejected applicants feedback about their application. For this reason I think you should take this opportunity to gather as much information as possible about your application (what went wrong and how could you fix it).

EEmpey, since you're in Davis, would it be possible for you to ask the graduate coordinator (in an informal chat) about the review process (if they're still reviewing)?

When I contacted the graduate coordinator on the 25th of Feb she said no final decision yet. EEmpey reported that he/she has received an offer from the department a day after I talked to the graduate coordinator. For this reason I doubt if the department has made their final decision as there is no report on the result page other than EEmpey's report.

I can't believe that I've missed this post! I too have applied to the UC Davis (sociocultural). I really would like to know when they'll announce their final decision as I already have an offer and would like to make a decision soon. Does anyone know when we're supposed to hear from them?

Really? That is terrible! How will international applicants plan to relocate if they are notify a few months before the first day of classes?

Also, are there risks of deferring enrollment? I talked to a staff at the International Office about my worries and he thinks the department will NOT look negatively upon me because of the deferral. He said many people do that. Is that true?

This is purely speculation. But I wonder if your husband has become a victim of departmental politics? You know, the professor who likes your husband wasn't in the admission committee and the director of admission committee hates your husband's potential advisor? You have my sympathy.

Is it a bad sign if a professor has only supervised two PhD students to date since he secured his tenure track five or six years ago?

I'm also in the same quandary. My instinct told me to go with my heart, which I don't think is entirely irrational. If you can visit the department this will be the best way to find out if it's for you. Let me know what you finally decide.

Thanks modernity for the encouragement! I'm in your field. What advice would you give to second-round applicants?

I am considering to defer their offer partly because the department does not offer me any funding for the first year. I'm not prepared to pay $30,000 outright this coming September. Since this is likely the only offer this year, I want to try again next year to see if I can secure a better offer. I wonder if someone on this forum could offer advice on the etiquette of deferral. If I defer enrollment to September 2011 but manage to secure an offer with funding in my second round of application, will I be permitted to decline this university's offer? Is it unethical to do so? How may I handle this diplomatically?

I am accepted to a program that offers no funding the first year. They said in subsequent years I will be eligible to apply for TAships or RAships, both of which offer a living stipend and tuition. Should I accept this offer? If I go I'll need to pay $30000 for my first year (tuition and living expenses) as an international student.

I've just got my first acceptance without funding and I'd like to investigate into the possibility of deferring admission till 2011. In fact, it is recommended by the department's secretary as she thinks a deferral would give me time to seek and sort of financial resources. Now I have a few very basic questions about deferral: 1. Do I have to accept an offer before I defer? 2. Do I have to apply again for the year of 2011?

Bloomington is gorgeous. But they offer no funding. As you may know even less funding opportunities for international. It's a very difficult situation.

anyone else accepted to IUB cultural?

To those who have secured an acceptance this year but were rejected by all schools last year, can you please give me some advice on reapplying? What did you do to make yourself a better candidate (in a year time)? Did you reapply to the same schools?

I've only heard of the New School in New York.

May I ask when you received your MAPSS offer via postal mail?

Actually I've just got a response from one of the schools that I contacted!

Thanks Ziz. Also, what do you think of LSE? I've heard that they've undergone major renovation. Do you know anything about it? What's your impression of LSE academically and culturally?

I emailed three schools about my status. None of them responsed. However I'm glad that I have emailed them instead of passively waiting to hear from them. I really don't think a call or an email will alter their decision. As long as you do it politely and professionally I'd say go for it.

Have all of you who applied to Cornell got a response (good or bad)?

I'll keep my current job, do some more volunteering and take classe that I've always wanted to take. I'll also retake the GRE.