PhdWannabee

Or, accept the offer you've had for nearly 3 months and then I get rejected on the 16th. Either way.

And a question: since the program has strung me along this far, do you all think I can ask for a consolation prize? Like a coupon to cover my application fee next year? Wouldn't that be a hoot?

Congrats to those of you bumped up off watilists. Regrets to those who have not. There's always next year, and a waitlist is a heartening thing. Think of it like those old computer certificates you used to get for being "the most versatile fullback" in soccer in first grade. It may not be a trophy, but you're on the right path. I am still unable to join either the jubiliation group or the disappointed group, which seems really weird. Maybe the next day or so? The longer it goes, the more likely they chickened out and sent a form rejection letter. Best of luck to those still floating in the breeze .

Many PhD programs stop updating those websites after they show all materials completed because frankly, that is what most people call non-stop about! If they make an offer, they usually call and/or email, and there isn't much reason to sign back on to change your status when they've already let you know. Now some masters programs are a bit more slavish (large numbers of admits are easier to admit/reject via website) and update regularly. If you received a physical offer, and its not from some friend with a terrible sense of humor, you should be fine! Congrats.

Best of luck on the biggest decision of your lives! JK. As for us waitlisters, let the offers trickle down!

I'm a little less knowledgeable in this area (and thus invite those more learned to chime in), but those seem to be pretty well represented interests at most larger programs, and even well represented at some of the smaller Lutheran schools. I'm surprised that you named those three authors and didn't mention Pannenberg? JK. It may be better to focus then on conservative-leaning but intellectually rigorous schools since most of these will have Barthians, etc. Off the top of my head, I think of Andover-Newton, Fuller, maybe even Duke (not that they are conservative, but they do have a strong preference towards Christian orthodoxy (taking this from many friends of mine who have come out of the program). I'm going to think on this. Others?

So this is a really good question, but I think no one has replied because the question is a bit of a landmine. Someone throws out their opinion about X School, and an X School alum gets angry because that is a generalization, a bias from another theological preference, etc. For instance there was (a year or two ago) a link to a ranking of theological programs on the First Things blog, and calamity ensued with some defending and some slamming. I'm glad to help, but it might be better to maybe say what topics interest you, and perhaps what authors, because this will drastically change what a strong theology program will be for you. And for anyone else who joins this discussion, lets go ahead and keep it clean. People have different theological interests; some methods or traditions are more intuitively plausible to other people.

I visited nine programs in Boston, LA, Bay Area, Chicago, Nashville, and Atlanta while working full time and going to school. All before February let alone April. No excuses.

No surprise that Dukies are all homers. Don't let Duke grads tell you that Emory's faculty isn't as good as Dukes, that's ridiculous and dependent on the field and actual research topics in which you are most interested. If I were you, I would basically look for 2 or 3 people at each program that you would be willing and able to study with enough that they would write you a glowing recommendation. Two year Masters degrees give very little time to establish good relationships with letter writers, so you basically need to decide now whom would be best to get a letter from. Letters will make all the difference since subdiciplines and particular research interests are very fraternal. Certainly as far as academic reputation is concerned either Duke or Emory would be a good choice. Also, as someone who has spent plenty of time in the Research Triangle area, I can say Durham is not a desirable place to live. Compare that to Emory's campus bordering Atlanta and Decatur, two of the coolest cities in the southeast, and it blows Durham away. The only thing that might make Durham cool is its relative proximity (10-30 miles) to cool places like Raleigh and Chapel Hill, which are very exciting digs but a bit of a drive. Durham, not so much.

I would definitely call them. Don't feel uncomfortable though; you can let them know that they are your first choice (hence your emails), but you can't accept without an official offer of funding. Though it may seem that they are being evasive, academic types tend to be bad at returning calls or emails (the archetypal absentminded professor). You have nothing to be afraid of in calling. Now if the 15th comes without getting any kind of formal offer, that is a really difficult situation. I would probably accept the formal offer and funding from the other program (to be safe). If program #1 comes through with a formal offer of funding, then ask to be released from your acceptance of #2's offer. Not an ideal situation, but ultimately you need to be safe when it comes to offers of funding. Best of luck!

I think the waitlists are being drawn out longer this year with fewer overall admits going around, so many folks have offers but are waiting for programs they prefer to admit them off the waitlist. Wouldn't be surprised to see the active acceptance period stretch well into May (which is pretty unusual in my field). As for the poster with two offers who had to do research and visit the programs, are you KIDDING me? Do your homework before you apply! How do you even know you "fit" with the program? Or quit being a nervous nelly and pull the trigger already! Last year I applied to 12 programs and I knew good and well the various funding levels at each program and which I would prefer. I would venture to say most thoughtful individuals do the same.

I'd just accept School #2. Fortune favors the bold. And Job placement favors the better program.

Any news out there? Am I the only surviving waitlister? Anyone else think it is particularly rude to be strung along for this long?

I'm afraid the rest of us are just stuck on waitlists . Not much movement this year folks.

As someone waiting for a bump, I wanted to praise the subtitle of this topic: "Yet another reason to be timely in turning down offers "