melonseller

Thanks to kareneliz for starting this thread. I am an international application to the PhD program in English at Binghamton this year. I haven't got a result, but I know my application is still being considered. The thing that bothers me is that I have been warned not to go to Binghamton. Again, as an international applicant, I don't know much about US universities, but the ranking of the English department at BU seems decent enough for me. I know that some universities have very unbalanced reputation in the States and abroad. I wonder if this is one of the cases. Also, I know that the professor who warned me against BU might hold a very high standard (she went to Minnesota). And because studying abroad is more expensive than studying in my home country, people usually only consider the "best" universities as worth going to. Thank you

Well, I am kicked out the list of UConn. It really sucked to wait this loooooooooooooooooong and to be rejected. Hope I have better luck next year. And wish all the people still waiting to find out good news in the end. Cheers!

Congrats! Scarf in the Wind. I haven't got rejected yet, so I guess there are still few spots in flux. Wish me luck!

Dear hj2012, thank you for your encouragement. I did actually apply to some universities in Ireland last year, and I was offered a placed in the PhD program in English at University College Cork. But they didn't offer enough funding. So that's why I turned to the US in hope of getting more funding opportunities. But to my disappointment, I didn't get any so far. So I can only hope I have better luck next year. Thanks

Hello, hj2012. Thank you for your reply. I chcked the tuition fees of NYU, and that is horrifylingly expensive. And the living expenses are also very high in New York City. So I don't think I can afford to go. Otherwise, I really do think that getting a MA degree at NYU will really help my application to PhD program in the future. As for your question. I am interested in Irish Literature because of its history. I am especially interested in the mid-twentieth century history of Ireland, when the nation began its modenizing project that would finally lead to its economic miracle (Celtic Tiger phenomenon) in the 1990s. My current research topic is an examination of how contemporary Irish writers re-assess the modernizing values after the disillusionment of the economic boom in the 2000s. Thank you again for your reponse : )

Thanks for your advice : ) Based on the applications results this year, I know I am not a very strong applicants. I cannot get a funded offer anywhere. And that's why I am considering doing a second MA at NYU, hoping that would boost my strength next year. But still, I am not sure if it's worthwhile...

Thank you, Mr. Scarf in the Wind. I guess folks like me would have to wait after April 15. And maybe if there are still few spots left, I will have a chance. I don't want to keep my hopes too high, but I really do hope I can get an admission. It will be a lovely story that "unofficial waitlisters" still have chance, won't it?

Thank you for your reply. I am actually thinking the same thing. Maybe I should try another year. Thanks : )

I am an international applicant. I completed MA in English in Taiwan, with special interest in Irish Literature. My only two offers are MA program in Irish and Irish-American Studies at NYU, and PhD program in English at SUNY-Buffalo. And I am torn. I already had a MA degree, so it seems reasonable to choose SUNY-Buffalo over NYU, but there is absolutely no funding from Bafflo. And I had only enough personal funding to support myself for two years, which would cover MA study but not PhD study. Both institutions are good fit (NYU is extremely good fit). NYU is such a reputable institution, if I were to take their offer, my goal is to make myself a stronger applicant for the PhD program and scholarship when I completed my degree there. So my concern is whether or not I should spend another year and a half doing second MA. Please advise! MA in Irish and Irish-American Studies at NYU pros: very good fit. very reputable institution. possibility to make myself a stronger applicant next year for PhD program. I have enough personal funding for MA study cons: I already got a MA. I have to go through the excruciating PhD application again, and god knows how it would turn out. PhD in Enligh at SUNY-Buffalo pros: good fit. it's a phd program. phd student might have better chance to get funding than MA students. cons: not enough funding. not as reputable as NYU (am I being snobbish?) I appreciate any advice : )

I think it has to do with the types of funding. Some institutions consider TAship as part of the training, so they would like you to take their packet of funding.

Thank you for your reply! I applied to the PhD program in English. I didn't get an interview and wasn't on the waitlist. So I guess I don't have much chance. I can only hope that the accepted applicants and wailisters all turn down their offers this year. Good luck with the waiting! If you're placed high on the waitlist, I think you have a good chance : )

Did anyone ever get accepted off an "unofficial waitlist"? I applied to UConn and never heard from them. There were already admission, rejection, and waitlisters a long time ago. So I finally e-mailed them, and they replied that they are still pending some applications. So I guess I am on some sort of "unofficial" waitlist. Is there any hope? I only got a self-funded offer, which I cannot afford. So UConn is my last hope. I hope that miracles do happen... Good luck to everyone on the waitlist!