smurpy2

Headed to Chapel Hill. =)

Turned down my offer from Penn State today. It was a very hard decision. It's a fantastic program and the people with whom I interacted were fantastic. I hope someone out there will benefit from the open space I've made. Best of luck to all those wait-listers! (the only programs I got into where from the wait-list, including PSU).

Thanks--this is all good information. I do see the sense in wanting to go on the market as soon as possible (ABD) even though you may not do as well as you might a year or two later, when your diss. is finished. Getting the experience seems smart--like a trial run. On the other hand, I can definitely see how applying would be horribly distracting from the diss. If it's anything like applying to grad programs from undegrad--and I actually imagine it's far, far worse!--then it would be no picnic. The last thing I would say is that, in some ways, the question doesn't seem too dissimilar from the one I asked myself this past fall. Many people told me to take a gap-year before applying because it would give me time and energy to put together a better application. I decided not to wait, and I think, for some reason beyond my comprehension, I did pretty well. Maybe I would have done better had I waited... but who is to say? After going through it, I have to say that this whole application process feels like it's way more about luck than I would have ever anticipated. Re: the student experiences--I have talked to students at both schools representing various stages in the process, and I certainly haven't heard anyone say they've felt pressured to go on too early (or, alternately, that they were held back from applying when they felt ready). I certainly think this flexibility is a pro for both programs. I suppose I'm just intrigued that two schools with roughly comparable recent placing success can have such divergent strategies. Part of me wonders how much one should take into account the type of job desired (research heavy, teaching heavy, liberal arts, state school, etc.) before picking a strategy. It feels hard to know what my preference for a future job is... given that I don't have the experience to know what I really like... And I guess that's what I would generally say about this whole topic. The reality is that we are expected to choose where to go for the next 6 years based on where we think we can put ourselves in the 7th year. I understand why this is the case given the market.... but, frankly, i think it sucks. I get so wrapped up in thinking about where a program might place me that I almost forget to consider whether or not I actually like the program--how did I feel when I visited, what faculty would I work with, etc. All of this is compounded by the sheer flux of higher education. I get the feeling that so many things are changing so rapidly. Who is to say what things will be like in 7 years, for better or for worse? Anyway--those are my thoughts.

I'm trying to choose between two great programs (at least, i think they're great). I'm taking into consideration every factor I can think of (funding, faculty, 'fit,' cohort, atmosphere, location, you name it). And, of course, job placement. To my finding, this last factor is really a bundle of things: 1. What is the statistical placement rate of people in academic positions? 2. How many of these positions are tenure track or other desirable setups (meaning not academia's version of cheap, abused labor)? 3. How does the program go about professionalizing students? At the moment, i'm most interested in the last point. The programs that I'm looking at seem to have diametrically opposed philosophies about how to best professionalize students for the job market. Though they both have structured, mentored approaches, they simply each take a different tact. University A: Expects students to teach a lot through the degree and does not advise that students go on the market before diss. has been defended. This program tells students to wait until they are finished with their project--then, when they are done, degree in hand, the students go on the market in an additional year at the univeristy while they serve as postdoctoral lecturers (with relatively minimal teaching loads). They think students who have taught a lot and taught widely in different areas--and who wait that extra year before going on the market--do best. University B: Expects students to teach, but much less than Uni. A. In fact, students teach only when/if they must to meet stipend requirements. Students are expected to finish diss. and go on the job market at the same time. Though this may initially be more work, students are though to do best when they are shaping their professional scholarship in light of their job search. In this sense, the diss and the student's resume/portfolio are designed more deliberately as a package. According to Uni. B., waiting even a year may actually hurt your chances by marking your dissertation as 'stale'-- the longer you wait, the harder it is. I'm intrigued because the schools seem so different, and, yet, they both do (relatively) well in today's market. Their results are quite comparable. I'd love to hear anyone's thoughts about the 'philosophies' as I've set them out. Whether you're in a position similar to me or you've been on the market, let's hear what you have to say.

Hey all-- I was one of the two acceptances on the results board (the second one, I think). Like I indicated on the board, I was lucky to slide in from the wait list. I'm afraid I don't have any insight into their process, timeline, or the possibility of remaining spots. I would say that I didn't even know I was on the wait list until I emailed to ask about my status; at this point, I would say you're justified to send an inquiring email, but maybe that's just me. Good luck!

Why in the world would a school dictate financial support for an advanced English degree on the basis of a math score from a standardized test?I'm not criticizing you, Bunny; nor am I suggesting that you've been misinformed--that may be the way they do things. But... why? #ifiwasgiftedinmathiwouldntbestudyingEnglish

I just wanted to reiterate and refresh "crazyhappy's" original goal in starting this thread: tell us the offers you've turned down so us wait listers can cling to some scraps of hope.... Surely some decisions have been made, even if people aren't fully settled on a final choice, right? Best of luck to all making difficult decisions (and to all hoping that they too will be in a position to have to make difficult decisions...).

I'm not sure if you've found out more since posting, but I thought I'd mention that I contacted the DGS directly via email a week ago and received a response informing me that I am on a 'functional wait list.' The information i got was minimal--nothing about my chances, position on the list, a timeline, etc. I believe the department has scheduled an open house for the beginning of April, so i imagine if you haven't heard back one way or another by now then you are either in the same position as me, or you will eventually hear bad news... Hope this helps!

I have nothing constructive to share. I just want to say that I hate being on wait lists. I also want to say that, though I'm mostly a lurker, the cybercommunity running throughout these threads has weirdly meant a lot to me in the last month. Solidarity in stress; good luck to all still waiting. & thank you.

I've been wait-listed at two programs this season. One notified me promptly at the same time acceptances/rejections went out. The other didn't say anything--I sent an inquiring email and was told that I'm on what is a "functional" wait-list. I'm not actually sure what this means, to be honest... Aren't all wait-lists functional? I'd sure hate to be on one that isn't functional! Point is, it seems like most people are notified (at least semi-promptly) if they are wait-listed, but there may be some programs that don't communicate as quickly and directly. I would say that at this point in the season you would not be out of line sending any program an email asking about your status. hope my experience helps.

the national, miles davis, and the mountain goats. a strange mixture that mirrors my dramatic mood swings throughout this hellish process: equal parts discouraged, hopeful, and delirious. i'm 0/5, two wait-lists. let's go.

As my user name suggests, I'm new to this whole thing--both the grad school process and the forum postings. But I've spent enough hours scouring this site to finally justify making an account... It's been a comfort knowing that i'm only one of many many similarly suffering peers... Anyway, I've been wait-listed at my top choice program. I simply want to get as much information as possible because my world is currently ruled by obsessively checking both my email and this thread... *sigh. So, the previous poster said that chances are pretty good for wait-listers... would others agree? Is it normal for wait-listed applicants to be invited to visit sessions? Should such an invitation be read as an informal (but extremely important) interview? For those who may understand the process more, how do schools usually manage wait-lists? Are applicants notified as soon as a slot opens, or does the department usually wait until a pre-determined date to fill all slots that have opened in the time leading up to it? Lastly, how long does the process usually take? I mean, I imagine that departments don't know for sure who can come off their wait-list until other applicants are forced to make a decision... so when are the standard 'decision dates'? April? May? thanks for humoring me. good luck to everyone!