hellofandom

I agree with all of you: personally, I am still mystified at the admissions process. I got flat-out rejected at places where I thought my interests were an awesome fit with faculty, and offers at places I'm shocked I even heard back from. I applied to 10 and got 3 funded offers and 1 waitlist. I'm just excited to get in anywhere. I am convinced it has all to do with random factors we can't possibly imagine. And magic, of course (like the Internet, which I still maintain is magical. There's no way Muggles came up with this awesomeness.) I know it's tough, comicalgirl, but I'd hang in there and apply again next cycle.

Yeah! I finally just heard about funding! Do you happen to know if they have summer funding? I couldn't find any info about it on their website and it wasn't in the letter.

Have any of you that have been accepted to UMass actually heard from the department? I keep trying to contact people, but haven't heard anything. About to accept on PSU if I don't hear soon...

College of Comm. Still never heard from Pitt, either! Oh well. I can't imagine they have the funding to offer many spots, anyway.

I think she's still making calls. Only heard from her about 2 hours ago but I think you should expect to hear back soon!

Got an offer at Penn State! :)

Hi! When I've emailed other programs, I've just been extremely generic and asked about the timeline for admissions decisions and when the program thinks I will know something. Personally, I wouldn't mention your other offers or anything - they all have April 15th deadlines, and if you already told them on your apps which schools you'll be applying to, they know you'll have other offers. Unless they offer you something and come out and ask you what they're competing with, I wouldn't offer up any extraneous info, you know? You don't want them to think they're second-best if you really would like them to make you an offer. Hopefully that made sense. Haha.

I study fan communities ("online participatory communities"). I usually get, "Oh, aren't fans crazy?" But my favorite people by far are the ones who think I study actual fans. Like air conditioners and crap. Umm....just, no.

Same. I wasn't invited to visit day and I'm expecting an outright rejection, but nothing yet! Looks like UMass is sending out rejections today, too. Also: Pitt applicants - you guys hear anything yet? I emailed last week and heard nothing about the timetable. Their online system still seems to be a bit out of wack.

CONGRATS!!!!!

Haha same! Just got the official rejection now. I start to wonder if I never contacted these places, would they even have bothered to send a rejection? Or should I just assume the worst LOL?

Just heard from Indiana (department of culture and communication). They're still making decisions, so if you haven't heard anything, expect something in the next week or so. FYI in case any of you applied there and are still waiting to hear (as I am).

Haha thanks! I hope you're enjoying lovely Pennsylvania (LOL). But I hope the visit is going well!

Thanks, guys! Just excited not to be rejected haha. The department sent me an email with a pdf letter attached. And it just came like an hour ago so I wouldn't give up hope yet!

Just got waitlisted at CU-Boulder! Not an outright rejection, at least.

Aww, thanks! I'm very excited about Kentucky and I will most likely go there. As for your previous post re: Temple, unfortunately, funding is always an issue there. (My MA program is/was unfunded.) But congrats to you, as well, for being accepted to the MM&C program there - I have really heard wonderful things about it and I hope they can provide you with the funding you need to attend. There are some fantastic profs there (Dr. Campbell, Dr. Fernback, Dr. Lombard, Dr. Vacker - just to name a few) doing some awesome work (depending on your particular focus, of course).

I was rejected by UT, as well. Bummer, but the hot weather would never have worked for me, anyway. Looking like my only acceptance this cycle is Kentucky. Oh well, I'm just happy to have been accepted somewhere.

I agree! And I have to say, I find the whole process confusing. For example, I have the opposite story as igetwrecked: I was invited to Penn State's open house, but never had any interview. And I've a bunch of places where my status is still "in review" even though I know those places made decisions. The entire process seems incredibly arbitrary to me. I guess if you're accepted anywhere straight away you're super lucky. As for the backup plan comment: isn't that literally the most terrifying question ever? Lol.

Sad to say this, but I've actually just cancelled my Penn State visit. Too much snow in the way! Looks like a Skype interview for me, instead. Foodie, JL24, TrizzleYO: let me know how it goes! And safe travels!

Yup, I'll be there! I'm flying in Wednesday, too, but driving from Philly to State College. Might not end up making it there until Friday if we really get a foot of snow! Yeah, based on the schedule, it didn't really seem like this was a "competition" weekend, which was a bit confusing to me...I imagine that perhaps those of us who aren't offered first round might get the waitlist?

FYI - those of you going to the Penn State open house on Thursday: there's a major nor'easter expected to hit most of Southeastern PA (particularly Philadelphia) coming on Thursday. Probably won't be as bad in the State College region, but just be a bit wary - especially if you have a layover in PHL.

Any of you guys get the UMass admit on the results page?

Not me

I contacted the grad secretary last week about the timeline for decisions, and heard nothing back. Literally have no idea when their committee is meeting or anything. I hope it's before March - that doesn't really give us a lot of time to decide!

Congrats, JLRC! And all the UPenn people today - congrats leblebleb7 and VioletAyame! Also: anybody hear anything from UMass? Like when they'll start the selection process?