Jade

Hi - Long story short: I applied to six PhD programs and was rejected from five. The one acceptance came with 2 years funding and is where my recommenders work. I took it because it's my only offer and neither my wallet nor ego can take another application season of abuse. I feel embarassed now that I have to update my LOR writers on the outcome. What have some of you said when stating your final stats? Any special advice on how to sound excited about the only place that would take you? Thanks for your help.

No, don't do anything. The only appealing thing you wrote about the second school is that you want to live in that city. You can move there after you graduate. As far as the girlfriend situation, two hours is not bad. You should be focused on school anyway and the distance is just long enough to do that. She's choosing her own path by moving to city B; you need to choose yours . She's your girlfriend; not your wife. (I sound harsh, I know. But I read # 1 school, ivy league, good funding and shorter time to graduate and thought "what's the problem?" You'll do great.)

Go with the excited school. A school heavily recruited me for my Master's, but I chose the "higher" ranked program. The first program offered full funding, interesting opportunities -- and I should have attended. It didn't have the big name, but I think that initial boost would've gotten me further. In my chosen program, I felt awkward and never on par with the superstars. If I had to do it again, I would've selected the former. There's something to be said for being someplace where you're really wanted. Go there and be a star.

That's how I feel. I'm such an idiot for believing I could get into a PhD program. I'm in my 30s, working in a dead-end, miserable job, surrounded by my happily-married, baby-making friends and I just lost the only thing I've ever succeeded at. I have to lower my expectations and stop this Type A dreaming/goal-making bullshit. I'm a single, childless, black female in my 30s with an advanced degree and a job. I personally have nothing to live for, but as far as America's concerned, I've done well for myself. I really envy people who don't dream outside of their limitations and only accept what's in front of them. They're happy with what they have because that's all they know. I never thought I'd say this, but I'd give anything to be that ignorant.

I'd look at local community colleges in your state. That way, you can get in-state tuition. In the Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill area), there's Wake Tech Community College. It's mandatory that you show up for the micro final, however. It looks like it would cost you about $800, for the class and books. schedule: https://webadvisor.w...NSTITUENCY=WBCE cost: http://registration....-fee-policy.php I had to fulfill the same requirement for my master's. However, I did an 8-week, in-person course during the summer. Be prepared though; it's not the same caliber course as a traditional university class. Lots of spoon-feeding, but you'll do fine.

A lot of us applied back in early December, some in November. So we've been waiting for several months, at this point.

You're right. I was fine before I starting visiting here regularly. Didn't check my status, no freaking out when the phone rang... forget it. You can't prepare for judgement day no matter how hard you try. I'll list my results whenever I get them, but I'm done with the site. Good luck to everyone and thanks for the post.

That's a new one. Wow. I'm so sorry. When did you ask him to write it? If it was the week or two before, he might have been rushed at the last minute. Well, no. If you asked at the last minute and he knew he didn't have the time, he should have said no.

Yeah. Being proud of having a good academic record is good, but they need to be careful. I've served on my grad school's adcomm and the sense of entitlement sometimes reeks in these students' SOPs. You need good grades and scores, but after a certain point, it ceases to matter. That's when fit comes in and I'd prefer to get a perfect score on that.

I'll be 31...I love my 30s. The baby and spouse issue will be officially closed, if I get into a PhD program, but that's no love lost.

lol. Yes, basically (the wording is funny, sometimes). The program will recommend you to the graduate school for admission and it's extremely unusual for the graduate school to oppose them. Congrats!

I served on my MA program's admissions committee my second year. We'd get the apps, individually review and then met as a group several times.

I wouldn't chance it. They might not mind, but they could be offended and that would hurt you. Plus, they won't tell you about her specific application because of privacy issues. I would check the Results page first for 2010 announcements or do a search for previous years' responses. If you see that your school has usually sent results by now, then she can email them. Otherwise, just wait it out.

I was too!

Yes, it's the norm. For the Master's program, too. They anticipate you'll work while going to school or take out loans. They give some funding to individuals, but you can't rely on it beyond the first or second year. It's unfortunate; GWU's field options looks amazing. Living in DC/NoVA while paying private school tuition for four years? Not so much.

No, that's not bad. I received an email two weeks ago from a prospective program saying I had checked a wrong box for something simple. I felt like a doof, but it was minor. Yes, contact the DGS. It's a professional question. I would also contact the Graduate School to see if there's a way to fix it in the system. They'll be the one to send the email notification and not getting that ASAP would be a doozy!

Remember the Name!! Yes!! I was just about to post that, too!!!! Regardless of your feelings towards rap music, this song fits the application and graduate school processes, perfectly.