artemislyre

To the person short listed at Harvard, have you heard anything more? If admitted students been notified already (unofficially or officially)?

Art Schoolhopeful: I feel exactly as you do and even prior to entering the application round, I was having hesitations if the academy was truly the way of life I wanted to pursue. I have already had a taste of gradaute life and I don't know if I can sustain it for the rest of my life. I also appreciated Bobo's input. . I have some really good friends, who are finished with their PhD's at UChicago who are having difficulties finding jobs or what would be their ideal job. One found placement in a small liberal arts college in god knows obscure city; whereas a friend of hers was lucky (or the demand was there at the time) and she was placed in a bigger, more prestigious institution. Or another, who spent 2 years looking for a position, was finally placed in a state school teaching Intro to Art. A friend once told me "Even if you did everything right, you might still not find a job, or the one you were hoping for." Its hard hearing the depressing realities of post-Phd because it makes us question our path. But, although doubtful, if I was admitted to my top choice institution, I would attend

Oh, sorry, I hope I didn't sound brusque, I meant wait-listed...I thought the terms were synonymous. Yes, that's what one would normally expect, offers first then wait-list...Well, if students have been notified then I have not made the cut

hi georgica, my heart dropped too when I saw the shortlisted people on the results page...but if after searching prior year's pattern for UPenn., it seems they notified a few shortlisted first in early-mid feb whereas the acceptees were notifified slightly later, ~ Feb 14th and early march...here's to hoping...and good wishes to the wait listed individuals, too.

Haha, I agree with you ladies (? !) if I don't get in, I'm moving to New York or closer to the San Francisco area and finding a job...I like that comment ---pfft I'd also be wasting my gorgeousness on academia! only I'd like to break into something in the realm of magazine editing or linguist/translating (possibly for the EU). Although I'm sure it may be a while until we achieve our ideal jobs esp. with the state of the current economy.

Just wanted to add, there may be a change in teh situation, one never knows for certain. also, if you receive a university wide fellowship (rather than departmental) that may also fund you for a time

UC Berkeley isn't offering any funding for any of incomming students this year...the department is broke (ain't no joke). Funding for current students has even been cut (the situation is so dire ). Unless you can bring your own support, I don't know how wise it would be to accept any offers from berkeley, at least this year.

Not a downer at all, but practical-minded. I'm thinking of becomming a hobo and moving too New York. Actually that might be too expensive, so, I might stay in San Francisco and try to find a job...possibly teaching at a private school. I was also considering writing for a literary journal or magazine but I hear those institutions/professions are going under (?)... This will be my second round of application, and I'm not going to try again after this round. I've been preparing for years, and I'm quite frankly tired, and ready to move forward. Whether it be gradaute school or other, let it come!

I was wondering if anyone knows what kind of reputation this institution has? Is it considered at least in the top 30 or 35?

Hi jmb sorry this response may be a little late, but your assumption is probably unfortunately true...if you apply to work with faculty on leave that your chances of admission this round are not as strong--because they the on leave faculty will probably not be there to fight for you. but one never knows...it may be the year in which it is their turn for a student...and the committee is obliged to select certain students with certain interests. I had the same problem in a few programs I was applying to so I made sure to include a few other faculty not on leave who can also fight for me....but lets see how chance unravels---applying is really a crapshoot. on another note---this board has been really quiet--i'm anxiously awaiting news...but also planning for the possibility of not getting in anywhere--better to expect less than be heartbroken, I say. There are other paths other than the academic one, and just recently I've been thinking that even if I got into the program of my first choice, that I would hesitate. I have been anticipating and preparing for graduate school for so long, that I feel like I've missed out on other possible experiences and routes...and I regret it, somewhat. Anyways, I've applied for the southern Renaissance concentration, cross cultural studies in the following programs: University Southern California Rutgers, Brunswick Yale Princeton Harvard NYU UPenn

this was an issue that I was also concerned with. I got a 650V 490 Q ...I'm at a tier one Uni and my advisor told me that Quants score figure very little in the admissions process, and that quants average for incomming students ranged from 450-650. So don't despair! however it might affect you if you are applying to public institutions and a minimum cumulative is required. But generally like a previous poster mentioned, it will not be because of your quants score that you are rejcted

HI Georgica, do not mention your prior SOP or application. You don't want to bring to attention your past rejection and 97% chance that they will not remember you nor your application. Some schools take notes on past applicants but I think that would be more in teh realm of writing sample topic than SOP. Just emphasize the progress you have made this year and your intellectual evolution, issues you are interested in. Make sure it follows logically and coherently througout your statement. Brevity is best. Don't bring focus to anything that might deter from the strength of your app... Don't mention things like "my app is stronger this time...or I have addressed weaknesses"--it will be them who decides whether it is stronger this time 'round. Have you really progressed in the span of a year? If not,and if you are still feeling unfocused, I would reccommend waiting this application round till you are more grounded in your interests. Hope this helps, good luck everyone.