grad_wannabe

congrats! I'm lucky in that I've already got an admit and some rejections. so, at least I know where I'm NOT going (no longer going to be living in Cambridge, and definitely not moving to the Bay Area), but it's weird to be a limbo mode where I'm beginning to look at housing and buying a car near my lone admit but can't commit to anything there quite yet ... I really feel for the people who have spouses and families of their own whose futures are also dependent on this process. it's tough enough as a single girl! keep your heads up, everybody.

DTY you're not alone. I'm a polyglot as well, and obstinately interstitial (as you can see from my signature). This PhD application process has really cemented me for me the increasing professionalization/specialization of academia. I look at so many programs and think, "I could see myself fitting in there!" but convincing the adcomms of that is a whole 'nother kettle of fish. I'm very lucky to have found some programs that encourage that type of thinking (one acceptance so far!) but the rejections have indeed been tough. I have a friend who's in the same boat: he studied piano performance in undergrad, then collected graduate degrees in theology and law while publishing several pieces of art criticism. After working as a lawyer for a few years, he's decided to commit himself fully to art historical/curatorial work, and applied to several programs ... and has been met with silence. BRILLIANT guy, spectacular marks at all schools he's attended, but that's not quite enough anymore...

Iron fist

I applied to a grad program at a school that rejected me for undergrad ... so I can feel 17-year-old me longing to get in and be validated finally! weird how long that stuff sticks with you.

Another week begins. Here we go, everybody...

Still waiting on three. But one is a uk school so that will take quite some time yet.

CONGRATS Hermes!! KILLING. IT.

Have you checked the results search? Checked the forums for your field? Talked to other applicants?

I did my UG at UCI and took some VS courses, I thought they were awesome. Fascinating department, and I remember thinking the VS grad students were the absolute coolest people on campus. Irvine is a very quiet suburban city with no city center or nightlife, so if you're looking for culture and/or activities be prepared to drive to LA or at the very least neighboring Costa Mesa.

there's a current thread on this board about moving expenses:

I have a slightly different-yet-similar situation. I applied primarily to west coast schools, because 1) it's closer to my rapidly aging parents, and 2) I had no relationship to hold me here on the east coast, where I live now. I applied to only two schools in the northeast, and both are outrageously difficult to get into.I've been single for about two years, so it felt like it was time to "go home" so to speak. of course, a week after I submitted all of my applications, I met someone. who obviously lives here, in the east. after which I was rejected from one of the east coast schools, and accepted to one on the west coast. I'm now kicking myself for not applying to more schools up here. "the best laid plans of mice and men..." and all that.

I know a couple people who have done this. I mean, things change over the course of the loooong application process. It could be that you chose a school way back in June, but now (8+ months later) are second-guessing that choice. I think that's fair and understandable. FAR better to back out of a choice of which you're unsure now, than spend the next five years wondering what could have been. As for me, I definitely know WHY I got rejected from the schools that I did. I don't plan to ever reapply. BUT there are a couple schools that I regret not including on my list this time around ...

this is simply the reality of PhD admissions, and why most people apply to more than one school per round. I applied to seven schools and took the GRE twice. I know it's painful to wait another year, but if this is REALLY what you want, you can do it!

Rejection from Berkeley iSchool. Not the greatest fit so not unexpected.

I just wanted to reiterate that these all ring so freaking true.

The accepted date is April 15th in the US. Some schools ask for earlier confirmation for funding and fellowship decisions, but that's rare.

another day, another day of waiting ... how's everyone holding up?

I've never heard of this but it's sure as hell not a rejection!

Yes, I'm torn on how to answer this, for precisely the reasons that you stated. I had several unofficial meetings with POIs last fall, and they all asked where else I was applying. My answers were mostly met with "ooh that's a great program" and "why don't you check out [X], I think they're a good match for you." I was not met with any "that's an odd choice" responses, which I was worried about because I am a bit diversified in my interests, as you can see in my signature. I've only had one official interview, and they did not ask at all about my other applications. We did talk a bit, though, about how their program measures up against others in their field, so there was some subtle "jockeying" language going on.

YAY congrats!!!

How so?

sitting ducks

Boston schools were indeed closed both Monday and Tuesday.

those are all top-tier schools. all of the applicants will be stellar. did you have good letters of recommendation? research experience? and most important of all, did you demonstrate a good fit with the programs to which you applied?

maddening!