cupofnimbus

Awesome! That will be very helpful, especially since I don't want to bother people who have enough on their plate in transitioning! And I'm certainly not despondent, or without hope! I'm disappointed that it looks to be going that way, of course. Of my remaining applications, one is a presumed rejection (Vanderbilt), one is a long-shot (UPenn), and the last is a wild card that has started distributing decisions (Maryland). I'm lucky that I'm in a good place in life right now, and maybe now isn't the right time for me! It'll happen, if it's going to happen for me, and when the time is right. I'm optimistic for the long-term.

I'm staring down a solid red cycle and, even though I was directed to this forum pretty late in the game, it has been a huge help the last couple of weeks. A select few of my friends have even dipped a toe in this river, and the rest think there's no chance I won't be admitted anywhere, which makes explaining that I'm being rejected (so far) universally pretty awkward! I'm disappointed, of course, but a tiny community of support from people who are running the same gauntlet is just as nice for me as it is for lonestar. As for the second bit, believe! I am hoping like crazy that I get some good feedback on my application so I can pull off a better one next year, but I've seen the data and it's not hopeless for people who go to "second-tier" schools, particularly if you frame your expectations a little differently. The tenure system is struggling and adapting to see opportunity in different places can afford you satisfaction and success beyond what you might expect from a "second-tier" institution.

I'm going to be watching this thread closely, as my cycle is likely to wrap up this week or next. Is it possible for people who respond to indicate whether they're interested in conversing further about advice for the next cycle of applicants?

Very helpful, thanks! It helps to get an idea if they're done or sending a slow trickle.

Anyone claiming UMD willing to describe what their email was like?

Ahhh, congrats to the Maryland admit! Anyone claiming it? (Or is it another mystery admission?)

I've actually been rating my rejection letters! So far, Ohio State's the best one I've received, with points granted for tact, gentle comfort without condescension, and writing more than a couple of lines.

Rebel.

Penn was another one thrown around, but they've been silent.

You know, when I was a kid, I thought it was two separate songs, because coffee-clouds have absolutely nothing to do with vanity!

Really?? Oh dear. (But it's probably the most famous of them all!)

You have to earn them, though! Every level has their own mark of rank. Pre-Comps graduate students have coffee stains, ABDs have permanent key imprints on their cheek from falling asleep on their computers, assistant professors have a haunting weariness in their eyes, etc. Once you're a real boy full professor, you've earned your patches! And the right to fall asleep mid-lecture, give a big snore, and then go back to it.

Also, gender assumptions are pretty interesting! I'm pretty sure everyone must assume I'm a girl (Carly Simon referencing username; baby ducks), but the profession is 2/3 male, so...

No, no, that doesn't apply to suits. The only thing you have to keep out of your wardrobe is the elbow-patched jacket.

Think Vanderbilt will wait for the end of the month to clean up the rest of their applicants? (Come oooooon Penn! I'm ready to tie up this cycle and start studying for the GRE again!)

Maryland is open, too, for others waiting. Do we know how long they usually take with decisions, since the deadline was only a couple weeks ago?

My partner is a fed here in DC, and I've had a few years of professional research experience (including my current job), so we'll stay here if I don't get accepted anywhere. I'm thankful we don't have to contend with working out how to be together now, and glad he's flexible enough to roll with this quirky desire of mine to run away to Grad School: The Sequel. I'm glad I'm not the only one wrestling with that. I picked schools east of the Mississippi so we could be close enough to at least see each other often, so I think I had the same issue as you, Cazorla, in picking programs close enough to my interests and physically closer to my partner, if he stayed here. Some were (and are!) great fits, and some are less so. I'll prioritize differently next year, strengthen my application where I can, but I want to keep Mr Nimbus close by, too!

Actually, this leads me to a question I've had for a while: How are folks with partners coordinating their applications and plans for (probably) moving away from wherever they're at now? Are you planning to go long-distance, or will they move with you and find another job? Are they also enrolling in programs? This year, I narrowed my search to the east coast with two slight exceptions (Michigan, because Michigan; and Vanderbilt, because it's a few hours from my hometown), but next year (I'm 4/7 rejections right now, with another presumed), I'll be widening my application net and wondering how to convince my partner--husband by then--to move across the country.

All these second-rounders getting acceptances are so heart-warming

Congrats to the second rounder!

That image will sustain me for the rest of this process.

Print the e-ticket, if you can. When you arrive at the airport, go to the appropriate kiosk, swipe your credit/debit card in the slot and enter a little bit of your information (usually first three letters of your destination?), and it should pull up your reservation right up. If it doesn't, flag down one of the people at the kiosk and look very sad. It can be daunting if you don't do it often, so there's no reason to feel like a moron. Edit: Gosh, you guys are fast.

Misguided kindness, surely... I stomped out in the snow three times to check the mail yesterday before realizing--around 21:00--that mail wasn't coming.

You think they're trying to give us a break?

You can send her a thank you note, if you like, but I think following up with a quick email reiterating your interest and thanking her for the time in the interview will be sufficient. Hang onto the note for after you hear back from the program, then send her a personal thank you note thanking her for her time and for considering your application.