Horb

Thank you so much for this information! I'll make sure to double check (I totally believe you, but it just sounds so amazing) and report back. This is making my decision harder.

Wait 5 years? He told me 6 on the phone...That is worrisome.

I'm visiting this week. How did you find out about their top 5 ranking? I'm just curious to see other ranks too. But wow, a dedicated committee? That is impressive.

It can even vary within the country. Some places (like the UK) give you more in you are in the London area because it costs more, while others (Germany) give you a set amount, which sucks if you are in Munich (rent alone could be 500 of the 750 allotted). My friend figured this out the hard way.

I think it is more that you have to have the resources to fund those things. BUT to get into the schools that have those resources, you need to have done awesome things in high school along with being ridiculously smart and have money to both a) fund those awesome things in HS and pay for that awesome university for undergrad. Now, not EVERY Rhodes scholar is rich. That isn't what I'm saying. I'm just saying that if you look at the unis they are from, 95% of them are probably Harvard, Yale, Princeton, or Stanford. Harvard and Yale actually freaked out one year because they didn't get as many Rhodes or Marshall spots as they thought they should and revamped their departments. It is actually pretty funny to read about it. I just know I could never have done summer after summer of refugee work and when I went to ask if I could apply, my advisor literally said that unless I saved a village, I probably wouldn't get one. I almost laughed then realized how serious she was.

When I mentioned the idea of applying for a Rhodes, I was told because I had to work to pay for college, I had little chance of getting one. Apparently, there is a reason most of them come from the ivies: these schools have more financial opportunities for students, so they can get funding to do this cool stuff. But hey, I feel like most of the people I met here are worthy of any scholarship they choose! Y'all are awesome

I opened it but didn't enter any information or even click on anything. Would that have messed it up? It was a day or so ago though.

I'm deciding between UConn and Tufts, and am leaning towards Tufts, but I'm visiting UConn next week to finalize my decision, make sure I give them both a chance.

I'm finalizing my decision and am freaking out.

I heard back two days ago. As did all the other UK people. It is my understanding all the notifications were sent out. We were told mid-April, but I'm not sure.

Traveler_5563, I did think about postponing my PhD program, but financially I cannot afford to do it. I had to pay for undergrad on my own, which meant loans that are triple the national average. I had to work during undergrad too, which meant I couldn't do unpaid internships. As I pretty much prepared for doing MA/PhD work since my freshman year, I never really prepared for anything else. Even if I just did retail, I wouldn't make enough to pay back my loans once the grace period ended and be able to pay for grad apps and whatnot, though I appreciate you posting that website. It may be helpful in the future

I might! I mean, worse case scenario, I work hard so that I can teach in England. I'm planning on applying for a DAAD scholarship for the summer, so maybe with that and bit more work, I might make it in a few years, once I'm in the PhD phase.

It is not my top choice, but my top choice based on what I was accepted into. I was really planning on getting the Fulbright, as silly as that sounds, and hoping that I'd be able to reapply next cycle. I don't know why they won't offer deferment, especially considering how the program is set up. Perhaps I could spend a year during my dissertation applying, but I doubt I would get it then, as it would be weird, I think, to apply for a research grant to the UK, rather than a study grant. Either way, I must take what I was lucky enough to get and move forth!

My university that I'll be doing a PhD at does no allow me to defer for a year nor does it allow me to take a leave for a year.

This was my only chance to apply for it, but I'm trying to be positive As we all should be.

Yeah, unfortunately, due to my massive undergrad loans, I'm unable to take on more debt. Otherwise I would. I have funded PhD offers here, and though that should be a silver lining, I started planning for this since I was a freshman in college and I'm just a bit in shock, but still really happy for those who got the award. It brings a smile to my face just thinking that their dreams at least came true Especially considering how amazing this gradcafe community was for me throughout this process

Char, where did you apply to?

It just...leaves me in a horrible situation. This was my only chance at doing what I wanted to do and to have it be over, after preparing for 4 years for this opportunity, and without an explanation...I'm sure others were more qualified, I just wish I would have at least been an alternate.

Congratulations!

Rejected from the UK Leicester Program. This is literally the worst day of my life. Wow. Good luck to everyone else.

I'm waiting on the UK. This is driving me crazy.

I'm not sure I would recommend that contingency plan. I actually would find that rude as an admin. Imagine if you get that letter, start this search, then the person decides to stay on. You wasted all that time, energy, money. I understand your side of it, not wanting to put in a letter until everything is set in stone, but you have to respect your employer too. I would say give yourself another week to decide, then send in the letter, stating when you will resign. Just be professional and understanding, which I am sure you are

For LOR, I asked in October/early November if they would be willing, attaching a list of schools and deadlines. When they agreed, I sent a thank you email and noted that I would send a reminder email a week before the deadline, which all of them appreciated.

Thanks guys! It happened so quickly! A three week turn around. My US programs didn't even do it that quickly.

I got accepted into the Leicester program. Any idea where I send the notification letter? (For the uk partnership)