dgswaim

My entire cohort (which is just 4 people, granted) started out on the waiting list. Probably 75 percent of folks across all the cohorts were wait-listees to start. I can affirm that nobody cares.

I had received an informal rejection. I had emailed the DGS about my status, and he told me that since I hadn't heard back, I would not be receiving an offer. I received an offer on April 13th lol.

I was admitted to U of Maryland last minute from their "hidden wait list" last year. I had already accepted another offer, but yeah. These things exist. It was sort of odd.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about Cincinnati, Utah, or Notre Dame. I visited all three last year and might have info that could be helpful to you in making decisions!

There's definitely less traffic this year compared to last, and last year there was less traffic than when I applied to MA programs in the 2014 cycle.

I felt this hard last year. It sucks. A lot.

I had applied to several unranked schools that were sort of "boutique" philosophy of biology departments (Utah, Cincinnati, Arizona State HPS, etc.). I seriously considered attending them over other "higher ranked" offers.

One piece of advise that I got from my MA thesis advisor was this: Make it clear what your interests are, and try to provide evidence that you've been doing work in that area in a meaningful way, but try not to come across as "closed-minded." Your interests will change, and in a sentence or two, it's good to express some sentiment to the effect that you're open to such change. It was pointed out to me that this can help to make people who are outside of your area (and who might be looking at your file) more disposed to think of you as someone they'd like to have around.

^^^ All wonderful advice. The choice of program stuff, especially. The first time I applied to PhD programs my packet must have looked like a joke, and at least part of the reason why was probably just that I didn't really know what I wanted to do, except in the sense that I was vaguely interested in doing stuff that was vaguely to do with philosophy of science. Could not have been very appealing. So, I think two things really helped my application this time around. (1) I was able to give a much clearer picture and what kind of researcher I aim to be, partly on the basis of the research I'd done for my MA. I'd demonstrated an ability to "carve a niche," so to speak. (2) I did a better job of identifying people in various departments that would be likely to see my work as interesting/important. In particular, a lot of the stuff I'd been doing is very in sync with a what a lot of the "younger generation" of philosophers of biology are doing, and a bit out of step with the older generation. This ended up being reflected in the places that admitted me.

When I created my online application portfolio thing this last time around it didn't require that I submit a GRE because they already had it on file. There my have been a few other things too. I think they had all of my transcripts from undergrad, too.

I applied to the University of Texas both after my BA and after my MA, and they had quite a bit of my old info saved (GRE, for instance). UT is the only one that sticks out in my mind, though.

Yeah. My most expensive one last year was U of British Columbia, which I think was something like 200 bucks. Edit: my spreadsheet says I paid 180 to UBC. Maybe they liked you 60 dollars worth more than me.

Good luck! Although I'm sure you'll do just fine.

Not a 2017 applicant, but will be around lurking and posting from time to time, probably. I'm in my first year at Penn, and would be happy to answer any questions that folks have, if they're applying/end up wait listed/get admitted. Cheers!

This thing lost me at "Three-Stage Mix Level." Prolly makes some good cocktails, whatever that is. Also, I could use a drink.

Ummm.... I got nuthin'.

I wouldn't count out Georgia State. I know people with backgrounds very similar to yours that have been admitted. You should definitely apply. Your chances are probably stronger than you think. Given your interests, I'd also recommend looking into Miami University of Ohio's MA program. Well respected program in continental circles. I'd be remiss not to throw in a shameless plug for my MA alma mater, LSU. There are people here doing stuff that would interest you. Greg Schufreider regularly teaches courses in continental aesthetics and philosophy of art (John Protevi is interested in that stuff too), Mary Sirridge has done way cool stuff on aesthetics and the philosophy of dance, Jon Cogburn is (among many things) interested in philosophy of literature and fiction (he just taught a course on the philosophy of HP Lovecraft), and then Francois Raffoul and Debbie Goldgaber all things French and continental. I was the token analytic dude in the department doing phil science stuff, so I didn't work with any of these folks very closely (except Cogburn, who was on my thesis committee), but they're all really smart and super nice. You should apply! I'd recommend against Gonzaga, unless you're okay with doling out some cash. The funding package is pretty meager (I was admitted there when I applied to MA programs), and you should really aim toward a fully funded spot. That's a lot of debt to take on for a field without a lot of income prospects. Anyway, Miami of Ohio, GSU, and LSU all seem like they'd be nice fits for you. Best of luck, and hope this helps!

I can tell you that Houston is very competitive, or at least for funding, anyway (I was admitted but denied funding when I applied two years ago). They normally get 75+ applicants for 5-8 funding slots. I don't now about the others. Houston would be a good fit for your interests, though.

This may be to your advantage at the places that have someone working in your area, actually, since there probably aren't that many students wanting to work on this stuff. The faculty that are involved in this area probably haven't had the opportunity to work with many grad students, so you might be seen as a very welcome opportunity to do so.

There are lots and lots of past threads about this. I'd recommend you go look at those. Has been covered many times.

OH MY GOD YES!!! I've been rooting for you so hard. Really happy for you!!!

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Seems like your performance in philosophy courses has been pretty solid, and committees will be sensitive to the fact that math major courses are likely to depress your overall GPA. As long as your GRE is fairly strong, there's no reason your GPA would necessarily take you out of consideration at the first cut, which means your writing sample and LORs will likely get a look. So, focus on strong letters and a tight writing sample.

False.

Funding counted for more than I care to admit. I mean, I do have a 1-yr-old daughter, so the money matters. Penn offers very good funding, and it mattered a lot in my decision mainly for reasons to do with my family.

@kant_get_in, have you heard from UC Davis yet? Millstein emailed me a rejection last night, and I'm just thinking it might be a good sign if you've still not heard.