Edit_Undo

I did a completely new research paper on a topic that is relevant to my interests (last season I used an ethics paper, this time, I wrote a paper in philosophy of logic). Also, If you look at my list compared to last season, you will find that I applied to more reasonable programs with very high fit. By 'high fit', I mean that I did not only look for professors that work on the areas I'm interested in in general, but on specific topics (especially the topic I had my writing sample on). This made my statement of purpose very specific and tailored for each program. Also, this sample is much better researched than the previous one. Last sample had about 4 sources, while this time I have about 25 sources (most of the sources are used more than once). I have also worked as a TA in my home country's university. This is how it happened: I left my C.V. at the department of philosophy in my home country's university and within an hour the head of the department called to set up an interview. I went to the interview. He was very impressed with my C.V. & transcript and the department lacks someone who focuses on Logic. He offered to send me via my home country's University on a scholarship to get a PhD degree on the condition that I get a Masters first (or the equivalent of a Masters. E.g., 2 years of a PhD program that does not require a Masters). After attaining the PhD degree, I will be guaranteed and required by a 3-5 year contract to work as an TT in their department. If I decide to take this track, I am guaranteed a job that pays around $120,000 a year (no tax in my home country). As for maintaining relationship with my letter writers, it was not tough at all. I told them that I got shut out and to expect to hear from me soonish regarding a new sample and reapplying. They were very supportive and helpful. Moreover, I had 6 more MA programs to apply to if I have not heard any good news from the 10 I have applied to. Note: I did not proof read what I have just written because I am a bit in a hurry at the moment. I'll be happy to answer any question that you have. I may have not had a stellar result in my second season, but I am happy with the results so far.

Rejected from CMU. I have been rejected from way too many schools, but I have got to say that this has to be the nicest rejection letter I have ever received. Better than Ted Sider's last year letter in my opinion. "Dear [Applicant], I am sorry to be writing with bad news. Unfortunately, the department of philosophy at Carnegie Mellon University will not be offering you admission into our graduate programs. This year we had a record number of applicants. Because of financial and other constraints, we were not able to offer admission to all qualified candidates. I am sure this is a disappointment, but I do hope that you do not take it personally. We utilize a number of criteria, including fit to our program, background in relevant fields, and distribution of interest in our student population, that do not necessarily reflect badly on your intelligence or ability to succeed in graduate school. It is probably little solace, but I can tell you that I was not admitted to the PhD program at Carnegie Mellon the year I applied. The department would like to thank you for your interest in Carnegie Mellon and also to wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. Sincerely, Kevin Zollman" Edit: I have reread Sider's letter, and I take my word back. The above letter is the 2nd nicest rejection.

Thanks! Yea, I applied there because they have a lot of faculty members that are interested in different topics in logic. I Hope you receive an acceptance soon.

Waitlisted at Texas A&M (MA)

Thanks Nathan! Do you happen to know when will UConn release acceptances/waitlists?

Thank you, it is such a relief! Thanks! I have never really experienced real cold weather. I'm from the middle east and done my BA in California. I hope that I don't freeze to death if I went there.

Accepted to University of Calgary (MA)!!! It won't be a shut out this year, Wooooooo!!!

http://www.thegradcafe.com/survey/index.php?q=carnegie+computer&t=a&o=&pp=250 Reading the comments of the people who got admitted to CMU by mistake... So sad and depressing.

As reading the article, I've checked the url more than once to make sure that this was not The Onion. How awful!

Same here, haven't heard from any of the 10 programs I have applied to (5 PhDs & 5 MAs).

For Minnesota, if you look at 2012, the acceptance with fellowship nomination (which was posted late) was on Jan 27th, while the first acceptance without mentioning a fellowship was on Feb 3rd. Also, the only acceptance this year suggested a nomination for a fellowship in the comment.

Isn't it the case that many schools send acceptances with fellowship nominations first and then they send other acceptances?

I really admire your decisions. Those things do indeed seem shady. If you asked me a year ago of whether I would accept the offer that Professor A has suggested, I would have said no. But if you ask me now as I am applying for the second time, I would probably do it. Just because I am disparate in finding ways to improve my application and ways to get ahead of other applicants.

I do not think that that implies that your letters are fine ( I am not suggesting that they are not fine). I think you reading too much into it. They probably do not want to say anything about the content of the letters, and that is if they have read the letters themselves (not sure who you're contacting). If I was in their position, I would probably just talk about objective application requirements (e.g., number of letters required) without discussing anything about the content. In short, I do not think that her emails suggest that the content of the letters are fine nor do they suggest that they are not fine. After all, I think letters of recommendation should be handled with confidentiality.

Where is that hibernating tub machine like in the movie Interstellar when you need one?

I have just figured out how to do it (for Gmail). I have created a filter in gmail that says 'if the email has the word 'admission', then move email to label 'admission'.' It is very easy to create the filter. I've created a filter for each relevant word such as 'decision,' 'graduate,' etc., and they all move to the same label. Now, on your phone (assuming android), go to Gmail => settings => choose your account => manage labels => 'admission' [or whatever you called the label], set it to receive email and choose a unique message tone. Edit: I have just received an email with that unique sound. My heart fell to the ground. It was just a reply to a question I had for some school though. I have to warn you, hearing the unique sound is frightening as fuck!

TGC was busier last season for sure. Last season we had a poll on areas of interest and we had 74 members who have cast their votes. This season, we have 28 members who have cast their votes on a similar post. That number might increase in the following days but I don't expect it to get even close to 74. However, this cannot be taken as an indication of decrease of applicants. This only shows that fewer members are active in this forum.

I've got shut out last season and I think what hurt my application the most was my writing sample. It was on ethics and my areas of interest are not close to ethics at all. I have changed my writing sample for this season and it is now aligned with my areas of interest. By the end of this season, I might be able to tell you weather it matters or not, albeit, that would be a sample of 1 person.

Please stay on topic, otherwise create or use an appropriate thread for your comments. All of these off-topic comments make it harder for someone who is looking for relevant information in this thread.

The main aspect that I have changed is my writing sample. My writing sample for last season was on Ethics (unrelated to my areas of interest). This time, the sample is on philosophy of logic. Other than that, you can see from my previous list that I was over ambitious, so I lowered my target. Also, I am going to spend more time on my statements and look deeper on how some professors' works are aligned with questions I am interested in. However, I still feel that I have not changed much from last time, and I am guessing that you feel somewhat the same because of your question. How about you, what have you changed?

Hello again! I am reapplying this season.

You'll find the most helpful and caring professors in SDSU (assuming you mean San Diego State and not South Dakota). The department is small but very welcoming. Having said that, if you are interested in doing a PhD afterwords, SDSU might not be the best choice. Mainly because your letter writers will not be famous people. If you have any further questions on the department or particular professors, don't hesitate to PM me. Good Luck!

http://phi-sigma-tau.org/dialogue.html It is an undergrad/MA journal but edited and reviewed by philosophy professors.

A rejection from Brandeis.

Also, Professor Greg Restall has great videos on advanced logic and non-classical logic (On Vimeo, search Greg Restall) You can also look at Graham Priest's 'non-classical logic'.