RomulusAugustulus

I am in almost the exact same position as you, but with even more discrepancy between verbal and writing. I also got a 169 V, but only a 4.0 AW . I'm embarrassed about it, but also think that the GRE essays are pretty dumb (and, therefore, didn't spend much of my time preparing for it). I am hoping that my writing samples, written about things that I actually know about and have an interest in, will negate it. It seems super high GRE scores are not top priority for most schools (?) so I am sure a 4.5 won't exclude you right off the bat.

You could say something like "Despite having to withdraw my sophomore year due to illness, I returned to..." etc., etc., something about how well you did when you came back. That way, you don't have to call explicit attention to that .5 credit "C", but if they're wondering, you've got an explanation for them. It is actually probably a good idea to mention something about this, since you were out of school a year, the admissions committee will probably expect some brief explanation of why you took a year off. (Does it say something like "medical leave" on your transcript?) Also, no need to mention that your illness is chronic (and frankly, don't, because it isn't relevant to an SOP).

Different fields start sending out admits at different times so don't freak out! This is definitely still early. You can search for the schools and field you applied to on the results search and see if they have sent any news yet, but even if they have it doesn't mean you're out. That will also give you a sense of when you might hear (although, I am sure it varies by year). Just relax and wait, and I hope you hear something soon!

Frostfire, I'm am relatively certain that Joukowsky invited interviewees already, so they probably won't be sending any other info (re: waitlist, rejection) until March.

rkg, a kid I know got an interview at Michigan and at Brown, he's an archaeology guy so I am relatively certain that it was for IPCAA and Joukowsky. I don't think either have sent waitlists or rejections yet so I guess we'll see what happens.

Veilside, where do you get that info about Berkeley? I was under the impression they had already notified for acceptances (I am pretty sure a friend of mine got in). Maybe they're just notifying waitlist/rejections next week.... lets hope not

oh also, for interested parties, I've heard through friends that IPCAA has invited interviewees, UBC has made acceptances, and UNC has maybe sent out some notifications (a friend received a 'view your decision online' email, but the link didn't show up on his application...?). Best of luck all around. I've heard no good news so far but it looks like IPCAA is off the table at least... bummer.

Veilside, I'm pretty sure AHMA contacts applicants seperately and as far as I know they haven't yet (though I can't guarantee this), but based on past years results it looks like we'll be hearing soon.

It sounds like you've been getting a lot of good advice here but I thought I'd just add a little. You seem really intent on trying to get an MA and, not to be a downer, but you really aren't at the right level to start a Classics MA. I don't know a lot about history programs with a focus on Classical history but my guess is that in a history focused MA you'll spend a lot of time in history/civ courses which won't really allow you to get your languages up to speed (my guess also is you would need better language prep even for such a program). In Classics MAs you take 3 or 4 languages classes a semester and applying to a PhD with an MA thats what schools would expect to see. I think you should look into taking more undergrad classes in languages, either transfer schools now and do an extra year, or enroll in language courses outside your intstitution for a year or two. Then I would say you'd ready for a post-bac year (schools want 2-3 yrs above intro level generally) and then could try your hand at MA and PhD programs. I'm in one of the terminal MA programs mentioned above and our 3 new grad students this year all came in from a post-bac, so even MAs are getting more competitive and need better preparation. If its what you really want to do, then don't give up, but accept that its gonna take you a little longer to get there. You'll have to put in the grunt work first. I'm applying to PhDs with 10 yrs of Latin and 4 of Greek and I'm not even sure if I'll get in, so especially if you want to go top teir, get the languages before you start thinking of grad school.

Does the results page say they've invited interviewees for this year already? If not, relax, most schools just got started up again over the holidays so its unlikely many admissions commitees have met yet.

For those who got terse or no responses, make sure to check the application websites carefully, often the school asks that you please not call about your application status (for exactly the reason Athenrein stated). A high volume of calls will only slow down their ability to process incoming mail. Most schools say they will call you if anything is missing, obviously this will happen after the deadline, but if they are calling to get the missing parts then they aren't just throwing out your app because it wasn't complete, so relax! They know transcripts and scores arriving on time is often out of our hands. And you don't want to get on the wrong food with Dept administrators by annoying them to death, you'll need them once you're in! Best of luck y'all.

is this a status check page that says 'transcript not received' or some such thing? sometimes it takes the schools a few days (or weeks, or never) to say online that they have your transcripts. but then generally somewhere it says that they will contact you if they are actually missing them at some point. obviously I realize this doesn't apply to the ones being sent to you, but I hope you receive those soon!

hm.. I was trying to find a good explanation of these directions for general graduate admissions but they are all a little vague. Here are the directions for Classics though, which makes it pretty clear how the whole "status check" submission thing works: http://www.utexas.edu/cola/depts/classics/Graduate/how-to-apply.php here's the general instructions from the grad school (particularly scroll down to 'dept reqs'): http://www.utexas.edu/ogs/admissions/howtous.html and I guess check the dept your applying for to see if they have any specific advice. Hope this helps!

The Texas common app (which Austin uses) makes it so you can (and in some cases have to) upload the actual important stuff for your application (like writing sample, statement of purpose, maybe even transcripts?) to your "status check" page AFTER you've submitted your application. So the application itself is mostly contact info, program info, etc. So it shouldn't be hard for you to finish up pretty quick, that way you can submit it, give your recommenders plenty of time, and still not need to have all the hard stuff done too quickly! I know its a pretty confusing system (and I'm not sure my explanation is helping that much!) but just take a look at their directions carefully and you'll see what I mean. Best of luck!

I'm not familiar with all of these programs, but I can say that most schools which offer a ph.d track will probably not have funding available for a terminal masters (e.g. places like Berkeley, which barely has funding these days as it is). Also, archaeology M.A's are not going to help you focus on language skills as much as a philology program, unless you're interested in pursuing archaeology later, its probably not worth it for you to apply to those. You should add Vanderbilt to that list which is a fully funded M.A. program. I've also got a friend doing a M.A. at WUSTL, also funded. To be completely honest with you, 1 year of Latin is not going to get you too far. I think Classics grad school is getting more and more competitive (especially so for funded programs!) If you are serious about moving in to Classics, my recommendation would be to take Latin, and outside of your grammar classes, try to work on some real Latin (Catullus, Caesar, something easy) because in grad school you'll get thrown into seminars and will have to read lots of tough Latin daily. Since you have Greek, you could also start Latin with an accelerated grammar course over the summer, then take lit classes in the Fall or Spring, then you'll have essentially 1.5-2 yrs of Latin. The other thing I'd recommend is that you look into doing a post bac (UNC and Penn have good programs), this will help you get your Latin up to speed, you could apply to these along with M.A. programs as a back-up plan. They are, unfortunately, not funded, but they are way cheaper than regular school. As for schools that focus on one language: I don't know anything about these but what I will say is if you are interested in moving on in Classics (i.e. getting a ph.d.), you'll want to focus on both.

I don't think your problem is that you should be spending more time on work. If you are passing your classes and your adviser is happy with your performance, then you are ok. What it sounds like to me (and I have felt this as well) is that you need something more satisfying to occupy your free time. If your free time/work breaks are simply hanging around by yourself (as many of mine have been through my first year of grad school) I think it can make going back to work all the harder, and I have certainly felt like maybe I was getting burnt out. But if you have a friend to spend time with or a (non-academic) project to work on in your free time, I think you might start to find getting through work easier. Obviously I don't know your situation, so please forgive me if this is not the case, but I have known many people in newly-long distance relationships who tend to keep to themselves and spend more time talking with their SO on the phone than trying to make new friends. If this is your case, trying to make some friends in your department might be a big help to you. If you start to enjoy yourself where you are living now, it won't be so hard being away from home, and you may very well find yourself more motivated academically. The things that can happen when we're happy!

Hey guys, I'm going to Vandy too! Masters in Classics. by the way for apartment hunting advice, I was down there a few weeks ago, and a lot of places are just advertised with a sign out front, so if you are going down to look at places, you might want to plan to drive/walk around neighborhoods you want to live in and just look for signs as well as making appts with places you find online. good luck!

To continue the good music for working topic: I wrote several papers while listening to Philip Glass a couple of years back. Its all instrumental. I particularly like the Mishima soundtrack because its so repetitive, but I've also worked to Glassworks. Also, if you guys like Icelandic music, Mum is another good one. Faster music than Sigur Ros, but more instrumental. I like Finally We Are No One or Please Smile My Noise Bleed. Also, I like a lot of these ideas. Thanks!

wow, thanks I had no idea. I've never done it, we just do it for our dogs on long car trips so they don't puke. eep.

You can give your cat a quarter of a baby benadryl (we give our large dogs a whole one so I figure a quarter is enough for a cat). It is an extremely low dose so it will just makes them calm/drowsy so the aren't so freaked out and so they won't make too much noise on the flight!

I know my school will be sending them out around June 1, I do not know what they will include though. I would imagine info about orientations, how to sign up for classes, CIT info, basic requirements/expectations, and probably some general info about the school, city, and housing. I am looking forward to finding out though!

My guess is that your professors will have no influence on whether you get an RA position so I definitely wouldn't bother coming early to sweet-talk them. I would assume that you apply for those through the University. Check the student employment website and see if your school offer RA positions or GA (Graduate Assistantships- usually research work or Library/museum/etc day to day work) which can offer tuition & stipend. At the very least if you get a position as an RA you'll have money to pay tuition & probably free housing.

I also have no insight on the programs, but live in Philadelphia, and can tell you that while Temple isn't in the greatest part of Philly (North Philly), the campus is pretty safe and it sits right on the Broad St subway line so it is super easy to get into Center City. I think the Medical/health sciences school is further north than the main campus, but I would suggest living near the main campus which is safer and closer to some nicer areas of the city (pretty short trip to Fairmount and the museum area). I have never been to New Brunswick, but I hear its pretty ok, and it is super close to NYC. Sorry I couldn't be more help, good luck deciding!

I would be wary of doing that, particularly if your field is small (although that may apply to humanities more than it would to sciences). You never know what professors might be talking to one another and if they find out you accepted several offers, might view you as a bit of a loose canon and not someone they want to trust with their research. I have never heard of schools retracting acceptances, but there have been cases when they have withdrawn funding from a student they decide might not be the best for their program. I would rather, narrow down your choices to a few (best for your field, good location etc.) then ask those schools if they can give you an extension on making a decision, and if ask there might be a time you could visit, or a few profs/grad students you could talk to to help make a final decision. That said, the final decision is up to you, so good luck.

well, the only information your post added is that you are a nasty, bitter human being. I like being an idiot better (also I'm not, so score 2 on you, buddy).