autumnreads
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Posts posted by autumnreads
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Congrats!!! So were those all of the programs you applied to? Or are you waiting to hear back from some more? Best of luck making your decision
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Hi everyone, I sent an email to my POI to check the application status. Got reply saying he reviewed some applications last week but will only recruit 1 or 2 students due to funding limit, and suggests me to contact other professors to see if they are recruiting students for fall. Can someone tell me what that means, it implies I am rejected??? So anxious...
Hi! I'm not sure how it works for Engineering. Is your acceptance based mainly on your POI's interest in working with you? If so, I'd make sure to start looking for other professors asap. This isn't to say that you're rejected, but it seems like spots are limited and your POI is trying to find a way to make sure that if he / she doesn't have a spot for you, you still have options with other professors. Best of luck!
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I don't know if anyone else is in the same boat, but I'm very stressed out about having to make this decision by end of week.
I don't know about OISE - so hopefully someone else who does can speak to that. Did they give you an idea of when you may hear back?
I'm stressing too. I understand the reasoning behind decision deadlines, but it's so hard to make a decision when you don't have all the information in front of you. Maybe if all the programs gave out all their choices at the same time with the same decision deadline, it would make sense...but then, that would be too easy I'm sure haha.
Program 1 was my top choice when I was applying. It's a good fit for my research, interesting courses, professors and personal interests (or so it seems). My other acceptance (Program 2) has the benefit of great funding plus keeping my supervisor from my Master's degree. We already work extremely well together and accepting that offer would eliminate a lot of the stress surrounding finding / working with someone new (who may or may not be as fantastic). Program 3 has a really interesting program with a POI I'm interested in that has expressed interest in working with me. There's an open house, but that's after the decision deadlines of the other 2 programs. I'm envious of those who have everything together and know exactly where they want to go. I feel so indecisive about everything.
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^^ I haven't heard anything. Is this something being explicitly stated by universities / Phd graduates searchig for jobs?
As more and more schools are offering these types of programs - and calls for interdisciplinary approaches to research topics are common - That completely boggles my mind! I'm interested in hearing more if anyone has more info!!
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Yes, I have also been slightly lured by the seeming practicality of Com/Cult, but then again I think that, no matter what, a PhD has a low employment rate and one can never know what will be available upon graduation.
I'd be interested in hearing any further thoughts as well!
I feel the same way. I think that may be why when I was applying, Comm Cult was my top choice. I like to have options, especially since we know the current outlook for the academic job market. The program seems to fit what I'm looking for and fits my research. And true... who knows what may change (individually as well as the job market market) between now and when we graduate. Yet, I still don't feel like I'm 100% ready to accept the offer! (it's so frustrating!).
I have to admit, theoretically the SPT courses seem much more appealing to me but since my research falls into political communication (Habermas etc) more than culture, and some of the courses (and many of the professors) I like are actually common in both programs, I'm somewhat leaning more towards ComCult. Having said that I did notice on their website that should you need or want to take courses outside what they offer you could do so with director's approval, which I guess wouldn't be difficult to obtain.
on another note, I noticed the 3 mandatory courses at ComCult include research methods, I have already taken that course for my Masters (not in ComCult though), I wonder if you can get a credit for it? By the way how can anyone write a masters thesis without having taken research methods first??
Having said all of that I am still not sold 100% on ComCult. When Ann McLennan spoke to me she said they're trying ot get everyone out the door in 4 years, but I remember when I went for the info session Diane (the GPA) said they had very few students that could finish up in 4 years and usually students have to go into their 5th year. Do you happen to know how long SPT typically takes? 4 or 5 years? or how realistic ComCult'sclaim of 4 years really is?
I'm glad we are exploring this. My deadline to accept ComCult is March 6th and SPT March 16th. So I have to make a decision quickly.
It's possible to get it done in 4 years - but as we all know, there are a variety of factors that can affect that. It all depends on the individual, what's going on in their life at the time, priorities and external events. I think having the additional 1-2 more years to finish allows for a cushion - some may procrastinate more, take more time, enjoy the student life - while others will hold steadfast to their goal of finishing in 4. I know of people who took a 2 year Master's program, but were only funded for 1 - and finished in 1 because financially it wasn't possible to extend it. It's not the same as a PhD - but still an example of how a tight (or seemingly fixed) deadline can be a motivating factor.
I'm glad I'm not the only one finding it hard to make a decision!
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hey everyone! I just got accepted into the PhD program at Queen's University for Political Science. Any advice on this program?
Just got a positive response from the PhD program in Political Science at the University of Ottawa! So relieved to have at least one answer haha
Congrats to you both!!!
The first acceptance is definitely thrilling and a huge relief
I've been accepted to do my PhD at York, a joint York-Ryerson program and Queen's. I am over the moon happy - but somehow feel like more than one offer makes things harder. I can't seem to make up my mind. Anyone else find themselves in a similar situation? I'm still waiting on one more school to get back to me though. -
^^ I can totally relate to the dreams! I've been pretty lucky as my first acceptance happened way earlier than I was even expecting. Have you looked in the results search to see when applicants to your programs started receiving news? That really helped me as I wasn't even thinking that I would hear any news before early March.
Easier said than done, but try and keep yourself busy with other things (away from the computer!), I really think that when I was checking the results / my email multiple times that tended to increase my restlessness and anxiety.
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Congrats hazelnut.latte! I'm in a similar position - I've also been accepted to communication and culture and haven't heard anything back from the other programs I applied to (none from OISE so I can't speak to that). I'm debating whether or not I should contact the other programs.
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Thanks jeetlebuice!!
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I think there was only one POI that didn't even respond to my email. Everyone else (POIs and program secretaries) has been extremely nice and helpful.
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Thanks Tiggerise!!
Best of luck and I know exactly how you feel. I was waiting about a month before I heard anything and I thought THAT was hard! I didn't know that some applications have been re-opened. It sounds like a positive development for applicants
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I am waiting to hear back from York, Queen's and McGill.
It's comforting to know that I'm not alone in checking my email a lot - even though I know I won't hear back until March (hopefully!).
Best of luck, everyone!
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I think you can send thank you notes / emails for the reference letters now and then the small gifts and notes after your defence. Usually, when I send thank you to references, I typically state that I will keep them updated on the application process - and then would send another email once the acceptances came in to thank them again and notify them of my choice.
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@ wetheplants - I'm in a similar situation -my social science PhD program applications have a range of writing sample lengths! One of the programs I'm applying to wants a short research paper as a writing sample (less than 15 pages). I want to use my best work and my thesis is way over the limit. I was thinking of just adding a note at the beginning of my sample saying that I am submitting some excerpts of sections from a much larger research paper. I'm going back and forth between which sections to include as well. I can see including the abstract, shortening the intro, including my research questions and methodology (should I take out the literature review? or do they like to see that?) and then including my data / data analysis.
@birchleaf - a completed chapter also sounds like a good idea. Which chapter did you choose to submit??
Strange Rejection letter
in Waiting it Out
Posted
I agree that that kind of statement is used generally in rejection letters. It's their way of lessening the blow of being rejected by stating that they're sure you'll do great somewhere else.
Congrats on getting in to your top choice!!