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Congrats emmd!!

Now I really want to get in somewhere to join the fun! (Also to get going on project, follow dreams, land teaching job, etc... But meeting you guys is up there ) People waiting to hear from Toronto: if this has any influence on how they offer funding and TAships going forward, this may be a factor in the delay: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/02/24/cupe-warns-teaching-assis_n_6746926.html

Awesome!!! And congrats you guys who made the Michigan waitlist, that's still really exciting

Ashiepoo, you're amazing. I would love to take you up on that. Part of me worries I've spent so long retraining my brain to write and edit non-academically and what if I seriously harmed by writing samples in editing? My last article was on pisco friggin' sours. Maybe I'm a lost cause. Maybe my brain has turned to candy floss from too many bar reviews and I just don't know how to interrogate academic questions anymore. I really wanted an acceptance before starting this new job. Sigh.

Indeed they are. Fack.

Wow, it looks like yesterday was crazy active. Welcome new posters, and congrats to all of you guys who are still killing it. This is already starting off as a run-out-of-upvotes-super-quickly day. Obviously the best kind of day! Looks like this week is starting off pretty hopeful, which would be an awesome trend. For those who had bad news, I feel your pain. USC rejection came in on Saturday morning, though to be fair, it was very nice. I know it only takes one yes, but it's a little scary to see those options shrinking. Based on the UCLA waitlist posts in the survey, I'm guessing they're done with admits? I've got everything crossed for all of us, guys. Come on, Tuesday...

Congrats Heimat!!

Thanks for all the support, guys! Still keeping my fingers crossed we all get some more (good) news before the weekend.

All the stress. I finally got a job offer today (yay!) on a lovely team and at a good rate (double yay!). It's a job I initially applied for because the contract end date syncs up perfectly with moving back across the pond and starting the school year. Meanwhile, I have a second interview with a HOLY F I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS BRAND HEADHUNTED ME company, at an even better rate, on a long-term/permanent basis, meaning I can stay and save until I get in somewhere rather than returning home in defeat when my visa expires. The offer wants to know by close of play Monday. This would be a really good time to get an acceptance.

Sorry to hear it Chiqui. Start the countdown to wine o'clock?

Ashiepoo, I think we're all a little giddy for you! You keep things so positive around here. Another Canadian chipping in: snoods are your new best friends. Such a great invention. Before: no matter how many layers you had on, no matter how many times you loop your damn scarf around your neck, you still end up with snow down your front and/or neck. By the time you get to class, you're warm from booking it in a massive winter coat (necessary) but there's still a trail of ice water down your shirt. After: snow trying to sneak down your neck? No way it's getting through the snood. Down your front? I don't think so! A lot of the winter boots will be going on sale around now so it'd be worth investing in a seriously sturdy pair. Realistically you'd only need them to get to class on a few of the very worst days, but if you're sledding and building snowmen and generally doing the awesome outdoorsy stuff kids love in that kind of climate, you'll need them. And waterproof gloves, which are also probably on sale by now.

I would like an acceptance now please thank you.

Holy whoa, looks like yesterday got active!! Congrats to everyone who got good news!! Everyone still waiting (or sadly crossing another one off the list), sharing your pain over here. JJWS, you're so right about the notifications and next steps. This week all my job hunt stuff is coming together and it's becoming a little overwhelming in the light of just not knowing where I stand. Had an awesome interview at a lovely company, got contacted by a headhunter from a seriously huge travel brand... Suddenly there's this huge range of salaries and contract types and start dates flying around, and it's like a puzzle of best fit vs. finances vs. relocation, all in the shadow of the not knowing. What if I get in somewhere and have to abandon a permanent job? Or take a 5-month role, counting on an acceptance that never comes, and have to repeat the job hunt AND the application process at the same damn time? So I may have an inkling of what you guys with multiple offers are going through, too. So much stress.

Congrats on the latest admits guys!! Fingers crossed for everyone today.

Okay, this bums me out, but not because of the realities we're probably going to have to face during our early careers. Guys, when we're all fighting for jobs, we've got to be a little more badass and a little less terrified. The current employment trends are not sustainable. We might as well fight for ourselves on this one, whether that means forming an adjuncts' union or some other protection. It sucks, but no employer ever woke up thinking, "hey, how can I improve fair working conditions, regardless of cost?" This is what I dislike most about the level of competition in academia. I don't know about you all, but it would suck to finally get a decent, secure job and then stop caring about your colleagues' situation. Agreed about London feeling like home, first "moved" here for a summer when I was 16. One of those summer abroad AP lit classes, spent most of my days roaming and reading around Camden, I think. Those were the days... I get both sides with the NHS frustrations, honestly. Some serious operational improvements should've been brought in years ago, no one likes inefficient spending/processes. I'm still trying to track down test results/a new appointment from friggin' 2012. (On the other hand, I'm not dead yet, so is it worth wasting taxpayers' money again? ) But it's an awesome institution, and they all have their flaws. I've heard that France's emergency service is the most efficient in the world, extra screening saves them mad cash while improving quality of care. Kyjin is right about Alberta being awesome, too. Every private doc has to spend a certain amount of time in the public system, so quality standards are pretty high across the board. Anyway, sorry for getting so political and off-topic guys. Roll on, today's acceptances...

Thanks kyjin! That's really good to know. Do campus health centres vary a lot by university? I know U Toronto's has a really awful reputation, but our international student health coverage was somewhat similar (campus docs and emergency clinic coverage), so it was the only place some kids could go. One friend was (mis)diagnosed with a disease that hasn't been around since the 18th century. I think it actually turned out to be a cough...

Sometimes things get rescheduled, but it depends on room availability, professors' workloads, aligning students' time (i.e. a prof may have an hour and find a room on a Wednesday, and if it works for at least half the class, that's when it'll happen)... Just more proof that winter blows, except for the Olaf-building (lookin' at you, Ashiepoo)

Gambaosaka, I'm a Canuck, but I'm applying for American history! If I get in, it'll be the first time I ever live somewhere without free healthcare. How exactly does that work with regards to the insurance included in a typical funding package? Like, if you break your arm or you need antibiotics for tonsillitis or something, do you have to pay anything? I also had an admission dream, only in mine I got rejected from the University of Western Ontario (where I did not apply) and they sent a detailed analysis of my app (and Twitter account, for some reason) determining I had only a 6% likelihood of success as a PhD student. I'm really glad that's not what real rejections look like. Can you imagine? Congrats wacyeah!!

Ah thanks JJWS, good intel! I'll keep my fingers crossed for both of us. Will PM you about Kew

Fingers tightly crossed, but since USC has apparently finished notifying about acceptances and we've seen a few UVA admits, I'm trying to "manage my expectations." God I hate business-speak. From an academic point of view, I'd be thrilled with a funded offer from any of them. Each program and POI offers an opportunity to take my proposed project in a slightly different direction, which really excites me. In terms of schools and campuses, I would be facing the same problem as you, having never visited the cities (or states) in which they're located. I know there was some discussion earlier of the extent to which location factored into people's decisions, but just curious how many are considering a move from a big city to a smaller university town, or vice versa? Leaving London behind is going to be weird, but it's definitely something I'm ready to do regardless of acceptances. Culturally, living here is really different from studying here, when you're surrounded by fellow expats. It will be curious to see if/how that compares at an American institution. At the very least, it'll be nice to watch hockey in a bar again!

Gambaosaka, I haven't been but may have some details for you! (UNC and Duke were both really high on my list, but POIs at both said that my project wouldn't be a great fit. Actually, one 'couldn't imagine a better fit' than Northwestern. Sad face.) According to a grad school buddy who lives in the area, it's a pretty fantastic place to be. Great food, music and bourbon (important factors) and a really easy going vibe influenced by the wealth of colonial towns. I'm basing this entirely on one brief exchange, but it certainly sounds like an excellent backdrop to the next five years. Can anyone confirm?

Yes!!! This is an excellent plan. Seriously, one of the greatest things about this board is turning competition into camaraderie. I like being excited for you guys when things start looking gloomy on this end. It's nice to have a community. I've never been a big fan of the cutthroat competition thing; ambition is great, but life isn't friggin' Game of Thrones. (I know, history forum, a well-considered early modern court reference would probably be more appropriate ) Considering how difficult the academic career path looks these days, collaboration and support networks will have to be the way forward.

I want to upvote this so hard but then when we all get good news later I'll be bummed to have run out. You speak such truth, though.

Congrats Telkanuru!!! Right guys, I have a good feeling about today. I got a couple of restaurant review commissions, two job interviews and an email from a headhunter. Things are finally looking up, and I think this calls for a round of acceptances to really push it over the edge.

Done Oh yeah - and huge congrats!!!