EccentricAcademic

It's too early to hear back from the programs I have currently applied to. Heck, I still have 4 more applications to do. But that doesn't mean my anxiety isn't just a constant, and like my title says, I already have issues with anxiety. So, in all, I feel like I have strong applications. I'm doing well on my Masters course, I have a solid research project, a forthcoming publication, good LORs, etc, but this doesn't stop my anxiety. Back when I contacted the POIs they were all extremely interested in my project and wanted me to apply. So I have applied, but when I applied it was in the midst of exams and I wasn't feeling well. I'm sure it affected my SOPs. It probably affected my writing samples. Also, my supervisor is the most un-encouraging person about these things -- we had someone be the only admittee to a competitive program last year, who was his student, and he wasn't encouraging for that student until they got in. His mantra is "it's all luck anyway no matter how good you are" so he won't encourage anyone. Not even his most talented students. So, in the midst of all of this the anxiety is driving me crazy. It's not rational...apart from some typos and perhaps not being the perfect fit at one school, I keep telling myself I don't have to worry. It's not working. I'm having nightmares every night. Even the advice to "work on your thesis" or something to keep my mind off it is unhelpful, because my thesis is so much a part of my applications that I can't separate the two in my head. Chatting on here would be nice. Especially if I can get a better perspective than that of my supervisor's...

I need a hobby...unfortunately, hobbies that don't involve people just make me think more, and I'm so much of an introvert that I struggle to find friends to engage in a communal hobby with. I have taken up a random appreciation of wildlife documentaries on parrots. And cats. I can't drink alcohol, though the combination of wildlife documentaries and getting drunk sounds interesting and someone who can drink alcohol should try it. Back to agonising and dreaming about my applications...

You title the writing sample correctly, but put the wrong university in the filename. Fatal error? Or will they literally not care? I emailed the admin person to notify them that it was an honest mistake and to double-check that they received the proper file. Oh Dear.

So, I am currently studying in the UK, and am applying to US universities (I did my undergraduate degree in the US so I know US institutions). But an SOP in the UK is really a very confident and slightly detailed research proposal. I was cautioned by one department in the US to not be too research-obsessed or I will come across as unteachable. Which leads me to a question -- is it good to have a less research-oriented SOP for US institutions? Like, should I be saying things like what I hope to learn at these places, as well as what my research will entail? I'm very confused. I'm worried my SOP is far too much like a research proposal for US institutions' likings...

Still waiting on a college.

I completed the FAFSA and used the IRS data retrieval tool. Now - I found out that I might have to amend my taxes. Fortunately the amendment doesn't affect my eligibility for loans (I quadruple checked that with FAFSA). But, can my loans be processed by my university while the tax amendment is being processed by the IRS? Especially since I already used the Data Retrieval tool? Anything I google automatically assumes that the person hasn't used it yet, and I have. I need to meet school deadlines and don't have time to wait until the IRS amends my return to make my loan application, especially since the amendment is inconsequential to the FAFSA itself. I can't be the only person in the world to have this problem,but can't find any other info out there.

Two things: - AGH WHY the INSOMNIA!!?!?!? I've pulled all nighters on the freaking WEEKEND. - Getting into top schools, without aid.

They're all government loans. The problem is that my school runs on a later schedule than normal, putting enrollment after I've already entered repayment.

Bump, as usual.

Hey all, So, I was under the impression that if you are in grad school your loans from your undergrad degree are automatically deferred. Is this correct? Or, do you have to apply for them to be deferred? How long does that take? I've been accepted somewhere and will be going to school in mid-fall, and am going to take out more federal loans. I don't want to accidentally enter repayment while I'm preparing to go to grad school full time!

MPhil Islamic Studies and History

I applied and haven't heard anything. I heard on student room that they were supposed to have already interviewed people by now….I don't know if this is hearsay or fact.

I had multiple deans at my school say that I should make sure that there aren't any hitch ups, esp. with funding, etc. Then, after that, they said that I could decline the other schools. According to them, it's ok as long as you do it before the deadlines, and ok to accept but then make sure all is straightened out before closing all the other doors. Just don't accept multiple offers or enroll at multiple places. You don't have to notify anyone of anything until the deadline. At least, 3 deans said that to me. Anyone else disagree with this?

I don't mean that I've accepted multiple offers. I just have accepted an offer at one school and want to know how soon to decline the other offers.

If you get multiple offers from schools, and then accept an offer, when should you let the other schools know that you will be declining? Is it ok to accept at a school and not make the decline decision with other schools, for a few weeks? What if something comes up with the accepted school? What's the polite, legal, and normal way to handle such a situation?

I just got in!

I was asleep dreaming about the school, and then I woke up and checked my email, just for kicks. THERE IT WAS. I started crying tears of joy and told my parents I was accepted and they started crying joyfully too.

I'm waiting on some schools. Waiting does feel endless. I refuse to make a decision until I hear back from everyone that I applied to.

Bump

Except that now graduate loans aren't subsidized, right? This is rather bewildering.

Will the fellowship committee be the same people who looked at your graduate application? Is this a separate thing altogether? If it's part of the same school, then no, I would write something else. Base it off your SOP, but be creative and share some other aspect that shows you're the best fit possible. If it's a completely different institution/group of people looking at your writing, then why not use something good that you already have?

What's wrong with talking to people? If you contact multiple people it will show your interest. Where I would worry is if you start pestering professors. Don't do that. Besides, if you haven't gotten in, feel free to contact whoever. Your POI might not be a good fit. If you contact someone, they might end up being a better fit. Unless, you have a POI that's already super attached to you. Then hold off and contact them again and let them know you're interested (if it's not pestering).

There probably are. It's not my field, but I've learned that you don't take "typically" for an answer. One thing to consider - I was like you, trying to get into PhD. programs straight from an undergrad degree. I very well might (waiting to hear from two) but I've learned that while one might feel ready for a Ph.D., getting into any PhD program is difficult as an undergrad simply because most programs take people with experience (through a Master's) more seriously. But, don't take my "typically" for an answer. Go for it. You and I might get into Ph.D. programs from a BA. And, if you're competitive enough, try Oxford or Cambridge (in the UK). There are theoretically full-scholarships for people seeking a Master's in the field, (they won't let you do a PhD there without a Masters). You could go to Oxford or Cambridge, possibly fully funded, then go to a Ph.D. program that's fully funded later. Other foreign schools offer a good degree program in your area, especially the UK, which may be able to offer you funding. It's a long shot but an idea nonetheless.

Hey! A Middle Eastern Studies person like me!!! Maybe take out loans this year and do a FLAS next year? Does your school accept FLAS?

So, I finished my FAFSA and got my aid report. This popped up: Based upon data provided by the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and your grade level, we have determined that you may have received a total amount of undergraduate student loans that is close to or equal to the loan limits established for the federal loan programs. It then goes on to say something to the effect of: "your ability to take out loans might be limited." What does this mean? That I'm not eligible for graduate loans? Or is the "loan limit" here meaning undergraduate loan limit? Do they mean I might be limited in taking out undergraduate loans? I thought you could borrow up to around $130,000 in graduate loans…. Certainly I'm not reading it right? I only have under or around 27,000 in undergraduate debt.