Swagato

Yes, the personal attention I've received so far from Chicago has been a powerful motivator. That and my desire to pursue a career in academia (which automatically implies Chicago's backing will be useful) have persuaded me to grab this by the horns. Would you mind sharing in private the sort of discussions you've had with Chicago regarding funding? I made a few suggestions which I can share with you but so far there hasn't been a positive reaction.

I'll be in the MAPH for Cinema and Media Studies. Anyone else for this, going to the campus visit days on Apr 11/12 ?

That's a useful piece of info, Film_Freak. However, I received an official notification from the Laney Graduate School yesterday alerting me that they won't be offering me admission this year. I emailed Dr. Bernstein and he was gracious enough to respond almost immediately -- said he's going to the airport at that time and will respond to me in detail next week. I suppose I shall just have to wait. It's a bit odd that the notice came on March 26th. My suspicion is all 6 who were offered admission accepted it, or I just wasn't the very next waitlisted person. Either way, a decision when April 15th is still far away seems to indicate either of those two things.

I don't suppose there is still any formal word from Emory anywhere..? I'm getting really antsy because I need to decide on one by April 22nd while staring at my first choice (Emory) hoping for something positive.. >_<

Hmm...I'm not quite sure how to deal with this situation. I'm waitlisted at my top choice, and I'm waitlisted at my third choice. On the other hand, I have a firm admit to my second choice -- and they require a decision by April 22nd. Of course, as we all know, being on a waitlist means I may not know anything until April 15th, plausibly even later. Right now I am doing my best to sustain frequent contact with #1, and have a good rapport going with the DGS. Should I, however, update him of this decision issue? I -really- do not want to imply I'm using it as leverage or suggest that I may opt for #2 over #1, but at the same time, I need to make a decision one way or another... ..help?

I found out that I'm on the waitlist for Florida. Can anyone who knows, share with me details regarding this year's waitlist size, entering class size, and the waitlist -> admit rate for Florida? Thanks so much!

Update: Waitlisted at U. Florida. Applied to the PhD for English (Film), but they sort it out into an MA first for those who are fresh off a BA (with option to continue onto PhD later) and the PhD (for those bringing along an MA already). Anyone knows any details on size of waitlist/accepted class/% of waitlist -> admit?

Damnit. I found out I'm on the waitlist at U. Florida. ¬_¬

I am waitlisted at Emory, for the Film Studies MA program. If anyone else has any contributions regarding that, make yourself welcome!

Hey guys. Anyone else here with anything on Emory? Film_Freak, any word? This waitlist stuff is driving me up the wall...

Film_Freak, any word? Did you manage to find out anything re: Emory?

Good form. 1. How much lurking on GradCafe helped me. I discovered the place and actively browsed it pretty late. Nevertheless, reading the exchange of ideas certainly changed many of my views. 2. I was prepared for a round rejection. With my stats...my GPA is below 2.5...it was a holy shock to find myself waitlisted at my top choice and accepted to UChicago's MAPH. Whether I eventually can afford UChicago or get off the waitlist/not, my greatest fear -- that I would never even be looked at for graduate admissions -- is now gone. I honestly cannot express how much that means to me. 3. The striking difference between professors and responses. Despite being rejected, I am nothing but impressed with the promptness and consideration displayed by Dudley Andrew of Yale. Oddly enough, faculty at other, somewhat less glamorous places were far more tardy. It seemed weird to me. 4. Waitlists suck. Unranked waitlists suck even more. 5. How in hell did I avoid a round rejection in a year like this? C'est la vie.

Reviving this thread for a bit. I noticed someone posted an accept for Emory's Film Studies MA program recently (on the 8th). Has anyone else heard anything? Apologies if this isn't the right place -- couldn't find an Emory film thread.

Okay, so I just noticed someone posted an Accept from Emory on the 8th in Results Search. Will that person or anyone else post here regarding whether they have heard any details? Size of waitlist, etc.? Thanks so much. Congrats on the accept, and once again -- if you know you will be declining, please inform them and message me ASAP. Really sorry to sound like a broken record.

MAPH in film -- if I can come up with funds! [God I'd love to say "Yes, please" to Chicago]

Thanks so much! I am waitlisted at my top choice and have an admit to UChicago's MAPH, but that is unfunded. I've heard from everywhere else but Florida. I know a couple people posted Florida English/Film admits weeks ago, but I've really had no information on the progress. I noticed most of the admits said they got a phone call -- my phone is currently inactive, hope that won't bugger me. :\ Interesting wording there with the "top" thing. Here's crossing fingers. Congrats on your admit BTW.

Sorry to interrupt -- do either of you know if Florida is done making their admits/waitlist announcements? I haven't heard anything at all (I'm an applicant to the PhD program in English, Film track). I emailed Wegner a week ago or so, but haven't heard anything yet. Thanks!

So apparently I've been accepted to the MAPH program at the University of Chicago. While I'm still in shock over how this could've happened, could someone direct me to the MAPH thread (if there is one) or otherwise help me find resources for funding opportunities? They're unable to offer me any institutional aid. Also, I'd love to know the pros and cons of the MAPH program in Cinema and Media studies compared to a direct MA or a PhD.

Well, I don't really intend to attempt finding a job with just an MA. Like I said, for me, having an MA would actually help me when I am seeking to apply to PhD programs. I fully intend to apply to PhD programs at the earliest opportunity.

Cinemadam: Film_Freak answered most of it. I'll add why Emory is my first choice. My undergraduate performance isn't that great, and I strongly doubt I'd have an easy time getting into a top PhD program. And as we know, grad institution really does matter if you're going to try and pursue a career in academia. Emory is a top-notch Master's program, and while it isn't a "famous" program, it is very, very well respected with academics in the field of film criticism. The department is rich in theoretical studies, plus they have an excellent film archive. Plus, it only accepts upto 6 admits every year. And lastly, I feel that an MA from Emory would allow me to prove my merits for PhD applications. So yeah, I'm really, really set on Emory. That being said, I freaking wish things would get moving. Waitlisted status is in some ways worse than a direct reject/admit.

Nobody else heard anything from Emory yet I'm guessing? I don't know if the formal acceptances have been announced yet, however I'll reiterate -- if you have an admit/waitlist position and will be declining, please let them and me know. Thanks (and don't smack me for being eager )

^ Is mostly true. Emory, for example, only admits 6 people to their MA program (which is what I applied to). Logically, the waitlist can't possibly be a very big one. I read that Emory's undergraduate waitlist is non-ranked. In fact, it says right on their webpage that they'll look for factors that would help "round out" the class, when they're taking people from the waitlist. I don't know how the graduate waitlist works, however. I did email the DGS back promptly and (hopefully) expressed my eagerness sufficiently without seeming too desperate. Emory'd been my top choice all along -- mostly because the idea of a funded Master's program offers both a good introduction to postgraduate study while not ditching you into the deep end. Coming from a small liberal arts college, I felt the Master's program would serve me best, and allow me to flourish without risking too much.

Figured I'd post this here as well since its the other active Film thread. If anyone has been accepted to Emory and will not be declining, or has been placed on the wait-list and will not be waiting it out, please let them know as soon as you can. Thank you.

Film_Freak: I don't know if Emory has already alerted the admits. Keep in mind that this is information I received personally from the professor I'm interested in working with, so maybe they haven't made "official" notifications yet. The trend shows Emory announcing rather late in March. I'm really crossing my fingers here. You're safe now, right? Think you got USC + UCLA? 'Grats on them.

Film_Freak: Yes. I received an email early this morning. Frankly, I'm shocked because my stats in a year like this...yeah. I don't know anything about the size of their entering class or my rank on the waitlist yet. I hope to know more soon. Edit: Sorry, I forgot to ask whether you've heard anything on your end.