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AH! I forgot the Pixies went there!!!! EDUCATIONAL INDEED!

Officially gave the "yes" to UMass-Amherst Comp Lit! I couldn't be more excited!! AHHHHH! Thanks for all of the support, friends!!!

THANK YOU! So glad you understand, Katla! These things are hard! And they're huge decisions!!! Good luck in Seattle! Maybe our Comp Lit paths will cross someday? Who knows!

I turned down the offer at Alberta! Although I knew it was the right decision, it hurt my heart so much! It took me like an hour to hit "send"! Has anyone else felt that way?Last season I applied, I would have dreamed to have to have an offer down, but in reality, it's not so easy! They were even extraordinarily gracious in their response. I'm grateful for that! To UMass-Amherst I will go! Thanks for everyone's support!!! This was....grueling.

Thanks so much, friends. This is really encouraging and affirming. After 2 rounds of PhD applications, I feel really fortunate. To have stable, adequate funding for my entire PhD is just...too wonderful to pass up. Bah! I'm still so stunned!! What a good weekend...

Hi friends!!! I'm looking for some input from you very wise fellow future grads... I received an acceptance early on to University of Alberta's Comp Lit program—and I was (until yesterday) planning to accept. I loved the department's strong Slavic focus (especially in Ukrainian), and although the funding issue wasn't great (guaranteed funding only for 2 years and I'd have to pay tuition), I was willing to take the leap because it was such a good departmental fit. Yesterday morning, to my great surprise, I received an acceptance at U Mass Amherst. I was ready for them to reject me because it's almost mid-April! But they are giving me a much better offer: full funding for 5 years (tuition included), medical, I get to teach comp lit, and it's an amazing school with a great reputation, not to mention it would save me the headache of moving to another country. The reluctance I have is that I know my work and focus will change, as Amherst does not have as strong of a Slavic component. I'm not opposed to this, but I'm sad to lose the Slavic community that Alberta has. I'm leaning strongly towards Amherst because, let's face it, stability and financial support is important in this field. I want to be somewhere where my funding is guaranteed, and where I am given a livable wage. And I know it's a great program, and my MA mentor's have also mentioned a PhD from the U.S. is more secure. But I'm still interested in hearing what some of you have to say! Any feedback is welcome

has anyone heard from Toronto or U Mass Amherst? I'd like to get all of my rejections before accepting an offer!

Don't let them! I applied to 16 and (so far) I have only one acceptance, but it's one I'm super proud of. Own it!

I just want to say: Harvard sending both electronic and physical rejection letters is akin to someone breaking up with you twice, just to really be sure you know that they don't want to be with you. I got the message the first time, Harv.

Yeah, Canadian rules seem to be a bit different. I have some mentors who have done graduate work at Canadian institutions, so I'm asking them for feedback as well. I'll see what they say about getting a more secure offer—or at least a sense that obtaining continued funding isn't too difficult, and that the department will help me in this. I think, for me (unless I get another offer), it's worth the risk—given me fit in the department and the resources available to me there. It's a dream program/department... Thanks, all. You are all wonderful and supportive.

Hang in there, Katla! I hope Rutgers is a yes (I didn't even get an interview!). Did you get any other good news this application season??

Thanks, guys!! ME TOO!!!

thanks, thepriorwalter! That helps. Good advice—I wasn't aware of that. It is a Canadian program (I'm American). Do you have any experience with Canadian departments? I'd be inclined to accept if I can just have a little more security with support, or if they can give me a sense that continued funding is available and obtainable.

Thanks, lyonessrampant! Yeah, having done my MA in English, I was a TA and got all the grad goods that way. This, however, is a comp lit department, so it's not as cut and dry for students with respect to assistantships. There are available TA and RA-ships, but it depends on what the needs are and what languages you work in. Also, it appears that they might delegate those to students after the first year? And yeah, I agree that it's...not great to not provide tuition waivers for funded students... that would really make this funding package more appealing. The stipend is sizable, and perhaps they're assuming that I will use that to cover it? And being an international student, I imagine I'll be paying pricier international tuition. Regardless, I would need them to provide me with sufficient evidence that it will be fairly easy for me to find funding for the remainder of my program AND that I have the department supporting me in this. Ugh, I'm so bummed, you guys.

I received an official officer and funding information today from a program that I love. It was kind of a buzzkill, as the funding package was not quite what I had hoped. Essentially they said that I am nominated for a sizable first-year scholarship; however, I am responsible for tuition and fees. Additionally, they are "not guaranteeing" funding for the remainder of my program (PhD), but they "will continue to pursue funding options" for me. Also—I would be an international student, so it's significantly important for me to have some security in this. As of now it's my only offer, but I'm waiting on a few more places.... but this is my favorite. I'm planning to negotiate, but I'm interested if anyone has had experience with this kind of thing, or what advice you would give me for negotiating. Is it unreasonable to ask for a tuition waiver, or a way for tuition to be part of the funding package? That would help me significantly.

Me too Katla! Right there with you! I knew it was coming, but I was ready to cross it off my list

holy moly, IQ84! You were right! Also, I found out yesterday that I'm in at U of Alberta Comp Lit! I interviewed a week ago and was on the edge of my seat! Super excited—I love their program! After 2.5 rounds of applications, it feels so good...

Eeek!! I'm in at U of Alberta. My Thursday is made. Also, I found out right before my class...which made for a very frazzled lesson. I'm sure my students think I'm crazy now (as if they didn't already).

I feel the same way. Granted, I have not spent as much time studying as you; however, I have taken the test twice, studied as much as I could, and still ended up with mediocre scores. I really feel like there is a glass ceiling for me with the GRE. I don't know what the answer is.

Rejected from Oregon. Still waiting to hear back from my interview....Good news soon please, Universe!

Congrats! And jealous! I applied to CUNY and, alas, I did not receive an interview! I was pretty nervous for my interview with only two professors, but as everyone else says: stay calm, have some concise responses about your work and goals prepared, know your "project." I would definitely say be prepared to use your language skills. My interviewers "tested" mine. I thought it might be a possibility, so I wasn't too surprised by it. By no means was it very intensive, I think they just wanted to hear me use the language, especially because it's kind of a less-often studied language, but one that is big in that department. good luck!

Thank you, ComeBackZinc. This is something all applicants need to hear and think about.

You are all so great. I appreciate the encouragement so much. As a seasoned veteran of this process (1 MA round, 2 PhD rounds), I know how exhausting it is. Support from others is such a confidence-booster. No word yet, but hopefully good news soon!

Thanks for all the support, friends! The interview, I think, went fairly well. There was a moment when I wish I had more knowledge/reading background to draw from, but I chalked it up to a "this is why I'm pursuing this and why I want to be here" sort of thing. They did say funding could be an issue (I know comp lit people deal with this a lot)...and I can't do it without funding. So we'll see! Waiting to hear back from 10 more schools... so I'm still hopeful, but I would love it if this program could fund me. Fingers and toes crossed.

You are both amazing. Thank you! This helps so much. Also, Fancypants09, would you recommend seeing a follow-up email to my interviewers? I didn't even think of that!