sillyrabbit

Agh mind blown. Thanks for the list!!

Wow! Congratz whoever it is!

That's crazy! I'd be so startled if that happened to me.

...so...I just got accepted into one of my programs today! I just wanted to let you all know (since you have all been part of this excruciating process), and I am super excited! I think the program is a great fit. Just FYI, I applied to both English and Am. Studies programs, so these programs notify at different times. It's crazy, because I just submitted my last application 2 days ago...and have already heard back from the first program I applied to. Ahhh! I'm super excited!! I don't know what to do with myself now...gughhgsggdjh

How did the DGS even identify you on GC? I'm just curious what would prompt a DGS to message someone via Gradcafe...

I tried to refrain from talking about sexuality explicitly my research-focused statement, but expected that readers could potentially infer based in my interest in queer theory, etc. If a school asked for a more personal/diversity-focused statement, I made sure to mention it. I'd be curious to see if this additional statement helps my apps or not.

A class I took called "Gender and Sexuality in Asian American Literature." In many ways, this class was the perfect nexus for a bunch of my varying interests. It also greatly informed the questions that eventually became my undergraduate thesis. I also appreciated how this class opened my eyes to interdisciplinary work...I can probably trace my decision to apply to Am. Studies PhD programs AND English PhD programs back to this class. The professor from this course also became my unofficial mentor during this whole application process (reading over the SoP, helping me narrow down schools, etc.), in addition to being a letter writer.

I still find it super weird that this year's GC cohort is super small...I thought that maybe once applications ended, more people would come out of the dark...I guess not...

I've been there...

Ok good. I was thinking along the same lines. I just know that for the MD application cycle (which is so cut-throat and competitive), many schools specifically ask if your partner is an MD candidate applying with you. I have a friend who got into his current MD program largely due to his partner (the program really wanted his partner, who was a stellar applicant...she actually ended up going elsewhere - so...a bunch of drama there). But, it makes sense that these programs don't work like that, especially if partners aren't even applying to the same program.

Great question! I'm actually applying this year with my parter (from college for 3.5 years). He's applying for MD/PhD programs, so his process is equally (if not more) competitive than mine. We both are pretty young and ambitious (2 years out of undergrad) and have decided that we will try our best to make it work this next year. However, if we are both offered great programs in separate locations, we would both accept the offers and, most likely, not pursue a long distance relationship. It would be heartbreaking for sure, but I would definitely not want him to compromise anything for me (and vice versa) His process is much earlier than mine, so he was already admitted into one program (X). He really likes it there and definitely would go (he's waiting to here back from interview results from two other programs, including his top choice). I recently did a Skype interview at X for their Am. Studies program, so fingers crossed that things will work out on that end. On this note, I am curious if anyone else is in a similar situation. How have you and your partner talked about dealing with grad school offers in the same application cycle? Oh I just thought of this...Even more specifically, have you communicated this situation tactfully in any way to your grad schools? For example, I was toying with the idea of telling the DGS at X that my partner is very likely going to be attending another grad program at X next year. I ended up not doing it, because I was unsure of how to phrase it. I was also unsure of the exact purpose of the interview (it was pretty brief, and I mostly asked the questions)...whether it was to gauge my interest or actually gauge my competency/knowledge. Should I send the DGS at X an email just stating this other factor in my own admissions process? Would they even care?

^ Second this question...I've always wondered if there's a place in the forums where people have posted stats/(maybe SOP/WS), and we could see where they did/didn't get in. Could be interesting to see the correlation.

Just checked last year's Emory interview notification dates, and this year's came a week early...am I reading too much into this? (probably)

Congratulations!

Someone posted an Emory interview today in the RESULTS...I didn't apply to Emory, but crazy that results are coming back already!

Just out of curiosity, does anyone have any insight into how the admissions reading process works, behind closed doors? Do individual adcom readers read a random bundle first, just filing people into general categories for discussion later? Do a few key readers read all applications, then send appropriate apps to potential POIs to read in depth? I'm sure this also differs by school. I really have no idea but am curious if anyone has thoughts beyond speculation.

Sounds good - MTL has quite the odds....! Yes, you've got quite an impressive list there. Are they mostly English or Am. Studies or Comp Lit. departments you are interested in?

Any particular reason for your comment, bgt28?

Ended up applying to 7 Am. Studies programs...already had an quick interview at one. I must say that now, this process feels so real, now that I know that real adcom members are reading my app! (Before, it just felt like I was writing apps into the abyss).

Just saw this thread, and I must say that these dates are starting to feel intimidating...especially now that we are officially in January! And yet, I have three more apps to submit...

Happy new year to you too!

Thanks for the info - really helpful!

Hey lyoness - just noticed your profile says Minnesota. I am applying to a mix of English and American Studies programs this year, and one of the programs on my list is UMN's American Studies program. Do you know a lot about the Am. Studies department? Is there a lot of mingling between UMN's English and Am. Studies departments?

Just wanted to revitalize this thread...how did everyone's apps turn out? I only have a few more to go...

Gah! Submitted the first English app on Monday! (+3 others for Am. St. programs)...things are getting real!