MsScarlet

Why is that? I was under the impression from my German friends that the requirement is simply that for the PhD to be considered complete it must be published, but not that in the US we are not Doctors, assuming that the publishing requirement is met.

Well, i don't really see the problem with three courses and a language. I am a 1st year PhD student and I took four my first semester and three my second, including working as a teaching assistant in charge of 50+ students and two sections and having a job on the side. The only time that I found it difficult is that end of the semester crunch when final papers are due, but with proper planning you can manage this quite easily. I also did a master's and took five classes at once... I am in history and I do the regular reading load, one book plus a few articles per week per class. Especially if you're not working, I don't see any problem with taking four. I still had a life, went out on the weekends, and got all As in my courses. As long as you plan and budget your time well, you should be just fine. As for TA assignments, you learn really fast how to cut back on that time. 1) stop assigning writing assignments in addition to the regular assignments. 2) keep the in-class assignments simple and stick to lecture. 3) all those comments you take great pains and time to write? no one reads 'em. Keep it short, brief and to the point. if they have questions, they'll ask you. I know some people have said that students like personal touches but by the 2nd paper I know who will read it and want to think about the comments and who won't.

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Someone posted something like this last year: Dear Professor X, Thank for your letter of April 16. After careful consideration, I regret to inform you that I am unable to accept your refusal to offer me admission to your department. This year I have been particularly fortunate in receiving an unusually large number of rejection letters. With such a varied, promising and qualified field of candidates it is impossible for me to accept all refusals, particularly in this difficult economic climate and given as I have already served notice at my current job. Despite the University's outstanding qualifications and previous experience in rejecting applicants, I find that your rejection does not meet my needs at this time. Therefore, I will join the ranks of graduate students in your department this September. I look forward to seeing you then. Best of luck in rejecting future applicants. Sincerely,

My exceptionally large state university has had to cut the budget, and the first thing they decided to cut was TA lines and we don't even have MA students, just PhD students. They're having larger classes and fewer TAs to save money and eliminating the possibility of continued financial support of any kind from any part of the university past the 5th year. Money is tight these days and it seems like it's only getting worse. The DGS asked if he could give me a hug when I said, "I'd like to finish early and transfer classes so I can take prelims earlier than anticipated" because I wanted to be done as quickly as possible.

Current students are also handing in funding paperwork and applications for things for summer/2010-2011 fellowships, instructorships, etc. now so they're SUPER busy with other things.

Actually, last year they sent an email for rejections. Michigan is a kind, considerate department who said normally they send letters but since they had taken so long they decided to send out an email and put people out of their misery. If I have to be rejected by anyone, it would be Michigan- they reject you with style, sophistication and class.

I think it also really strongly depends on your field. What I research, for example, the big names (while come teach at places like Penn) for the most part did not attend those schools but went to a variety of non-ivy places, including state schools that were not Berkeley. I know a few really successful ones who went to UCLA and UVA in particular.