Anonymona

I echo what people have already said - focus on your applications now and worry about how to deal with hearing back after your applications are in. When it comes to the time leading up to and then hearing back, though, I think it's smart to have some sort of plan in place to make the anticipation (and sometimes the disappointment) better. Something else might work better for you, but I'll tell you what I did: - I second FantasticalDevPsych, I only talked at length about how I was thinking and feeling about the process with just a few people who I was close to and either were very familiar with academia or were willing to learn. People outside that circle still asked questions and made comments that made me really anxious, but I tried to let those people know that I wanted to be distracted and talk about other things. - I blocked this site from mid-January until I heard from the two schools I was most nervous about. I was accepted to one and rejected from the other, but I was glad to be spared from a few days of seeing that other people were accepted and not knowing my own standing. This site was a great resource for me during application season, visit days, and the decision making process, but when I was waiting to hear back I had to remove myself. - The other thing I did, which my friends thought was neurotic but I was glad I did, was to print out a "reject kit" for my boyfriend. I wrote a cheat sheet with information about how I thought I would feel and how I'd like to be reassured for each school individually in case they rejected me, and I sealed them all in envelopes. When I got into a school, he'd throw the envelope out and we'd celebrate. When I got a hard rejection he was able to understand exactly what I was thinking and say insightful things about why those schools weren't as good a fit as others. Again, I don't know how well any of those things will work for you or anyone else, but I definitely think having a plan helped me. Good luck with your applications!

Just accepted my offer from UCLA, SO THRILLED to start the program this fall.

I have a different perspective, I'm pming you now.

Just called Cornell, they have not contacted all accepted students yet.

I called about ten days ago, and they said they had their first meeting that day. It sounded like they are behind schedule because of the snow. (Side note: I've been impressed by how early schools in the northeast have been getting their offers out considering the weather/how frequently the schools have been closed. Kudos, adcoms). Not sure if this applies to development sociology as well.

Has anyone heard from UCLA about funding yet? The wait is killing me.

I'm sorry Philly, it sounds like you're a really excellent candidate. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you this round, and I hope you do try again next year should it come to that. Have you considered contacting members of the admissions committees of the schools you were rejected from? I haven't done it, but I know some people on this board have asked how they can improve their application next year and gotten honest feedback. Sometimes it's hard to sort through all of the advice that gets thrown at you during this process, and if I were you I would try to get feedback from people who are familiar with your entire application (perhaps mentors or fellow soc students as well).

Out of curiosity - was she more specific about why this was an unusual application season?

Agreed, this site (and this thread!) have been really helpful throughout the application and waiting process. I would be ten times more anxious without it. I tend to get really anxious, though, so staying off the site for the week and a half when I was waiting for those decisions was the best choice for me, personally, at the time.

Also, this thread might have more ideas for you:

In January before I heard from Princeton and UCLA, I blocked this site using the app selfcontrol and I made a conscious effort to avoid talking about grad school in conversation. It wasn't easy (nor was it 100% effective), but it did help me focus on other things. Other than throwing myself into my work/friendships, I also made myself a list of things I wanted to do (paint, read certain books, etc). Whenever I had free time and I started get anxious/waste time googling the same grad-related things, I picked something from the list and did that instead.

I don't think Yale does interviews, and it seems like they notify applicants pretty late. Don't freak out yet!

Yes, I got waitlisted today and I had an interview a couple of weeks ago. I also checked my status on the portal, it still says "no decision." Hope that helps!

Just got into Brandeis! I'm so shocked, they admit so few each year. Everyone who's still waiting to hear from UCLA - apparently they had a final meeting this past week to discuss a few possible additional admits and funding. It sounded like there might be a few more admissions offers to make?

I spoke to someone yesterday. Apparently Rutgers sends funding & admission decisions at the same time, so I think that's the hold up. She said they were hoping to send out offers in the next week or two.

I'm still waiting for funding info from UCLA (and I'm super anxious to get it). The person I was in contact with said they'd likely circulate funding info at the beginning of February, but I'm also curious if anyone has heard yet.

Hi all, I just got an e-mail from Rutgers for an interview (I can claim one of the posts in the results search). I'm trying to stay off GradCafe for a few weeks, but PM me if you have any questions!

Hey all, I just got into UCLA. I'm so excited - my excitement matches my level of anxiety over the past few months. Holy wow. I'm trying to stay off GradCafe for the most part (so as not to feed my anxiety...), but PM me if you have any questions.

Glad I'm not the only one freaking out. I think I just sent 30 texts and all were jibberish. It looks like UCLA accepted someone on the 8th last year, and then a bunch of people about two weeks later. I wonder if this has to do with funding?

It's such a struggle. I've been forcing myself to go to the gym more often, and as a result, I haven't been that stressed out. Just impatient. I've been filling my other free time with working overtime and hanging out with friends as much as possible. I feel like the days are moving unusually slowly. What about you?

Hi all - Hope I'm not jumping the gun here, but in years past, there's always been a thread discussing acceptances, interviews, and (for those brave and kind souls willing to share), rejections. I know I stalked these a whole bunch this summer, and was especially appreciative of people who posted their stats and past experience - maybe we can do this too. Anyway, it looks like someone posted the first sociology acceptance of the season today, to the University of Cambridge. Does anyone want to claim it and share details? Best of luck to everyone in the coming months!

For this dream to work, the front of Columbia has to be in downtown DC, and the back has to open into the Forbidden City in Beijing. Columbia University is also only one building. Go with it. I was visiting DC, and I passed the entrance of Columbia. I thought I'd just drop into the department to which I am applying (why not?!). Tour groups were gathering in the entry way, and I went up to the guy who, according to my dream memory, gave me a tour a few months earlier. He was so friendly - SO friendly - until I told him I hadn't registered for a tour, and just wanted to stop by the department. He got SO MAD and drove me from the building. On my way out the back, I passed two faculty members I admire, but couldn't get up the nerve to talk to them. Then I just sulked around the Forbidden City, considering making calls from (but not actually making, ie. looking emotively at) the QWERTY phone I had in high school and apparently still used in this dream. I woke up and was super upset with myself for not talking to those faculty members. Then I remembered: I didn't even apply to Columbia.

I agree with many of the statements already posted, and would add that I don't think most applicants are "confident" when they apply. As you point out, the odds are against all of us. Hopeful might be a better word. I think most applicants know that despite the odds, they don't stand a chance of admission unless they submit an application. Other thing I've been thinking about recently: Does applying to more schools necessarily increase one's chances of admission? I've been debating this with myself since the end of November. If an applicant has very specific interests, and applies to all of the schools that do similar research (let's say that number is seven...), does applying to other schools with a weak fit increase that applicant's chances of admission? (Spoiler: I thought not and decided to only apply to those seven schools, but I'm interested in what others think).

We talked about e-mailing professors a few months ago in In addition to us applicants, a faculty member who sometimes posts on this board gave us her perspective. I think you'll find it a relief. I wouldn't stress out about sending e-mails at this point - instead, congratulate yourself for finishing your apps and find a fun distraction until the end of January.

This is my first round of applications, but I browsed the boards from previous years and it certainly feels that way. For those of you who are applying for the second time, what did you do differently this year, and do you have any stellar advice about how to make it through this waiting period? I know it's only mid-December, but I'm so ready to hear results.