Bacchanalia

I will be attending in the Fall as well. I also have not heard back about housing *GULP* Just got the email about the orientation week, and I'm pretty excited! Ready to get this PhD show on the road!

Hello everyone! Just wanted to vent for a second here.... I just went to my mail box yesterday and FINALLY heard back from UCI. Seriously? Over a month after April 15?! I think I had already figured out that you "couldn't act favorably on my application." I'm just trying to figure out if it was worse when they didn't send anything or when they sent it well past a reasonable date? I'm assuming it just took this long to confirm that all their spots were filled and that's why its so delayed. It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth, which will be interesting when I have to take classes there next year How is everyone doing with preparations? I am so ready for it to be Sept!

@ucdude and @er120 I don't know a lot about apartment buildings that are pre-furnished, but there are a lot of houses that you could rent with a roommate or two and could be really affordable. Apartments are just now starting to go up all over Austin (like in the past 5 years) and houses are still the most readily available option. Also, the last time I heard a news story about this (maybe 6 months ago) Austin was at 98% occupancy, meaning only 2% of housing in the city was vacant. This is apparently a crazy high occupancy rate, so since then there has been a lot of new construction. I would keep checking on whats available online in the area you want to live. 20k is a lot more doable here with a roommate.

MintBrad, I wouldn't put too much on any one round of applications, things are so bizarre in the way they work out. In my experience most programs are either looking for one specific type of student OR they are interested in having no two students overlapping. This, along with departmental politics of which POI needs more students or has too many play such a huge role in acceptances each year. Grad admissions, is such an intricate dance, and who is retiring, going on sabbatical, just coming back from sabbatical etc is just as, if not more important than your actual application. Also, I second the idea that its not over until its over! I didn't hear back from my M.A. until a month after they told me I would hear because of weather, a small fire, and technical difficulties. So don't despair!! We will all continue to send good vibes in your direction, and applying multiple times is the norm, not the exception. Almost everyone I know that is currently completing a PhD in theatre/TAPS/PS was either rejected by all but one school or were on the 2nd, or 3rd round of applications.

CONGRATS!!!!! So excited to see awesome things happening! Can't wait to hear about even more acceptances I'm sure are coming up soon!

Hey folks! Sorry I've been off the boards for a while, it's been a little crazy around here. MintBrad, I just accepted my offer from UCSD, and according to the department, so did the other 3 admitted students for this year. Sorry I don't have better news for you. Welcome to all the newcomers! I can't wait to hear more results! I hope everyone is finding the perfect fit! Omidance: I definitely am hoping to teach after I get my grubby pas on that PhD. Here's hoping there is an explosion of tenure track jobs in theatre and dance departments in exactly 5 years...

Hi there directors, I've been lurking on this forum when the PhD forum hasn't had anything new for a while. I'm visiting UCSD now, and I just heard some news that might explain the delayed response. Apparently there has been some position shuffling in the directing department, and who will be the chair of the department is still undecided. The chair of the whole theatre/dance department is acting interim chair right now. I heard that no one left the program, just changing positions, so that might expect the delay. Best wishes to all!

I haven't heard anything from UCI if that helps. The due date was only about a month ago, so I wouldn't think too much yet. Same for the others as it seems none of them have posted results. I would say to be very cautiously optimistic about a wait list. It is definitely something that can and has happened, but it is dependent on a number of factors. I would hold off on asking where you are on the wait list, from my experience most schools won't disclose that information. The waiting really sucks, I tried to ask UCI when decisions would be coming out and got no response, but it's got to be in the next few weeks here. (He says without conviction).

I love this thread! At least I know I'm not the only crazy one.... I've just started a new stage where I'm convinced that when I go visit the campus they will realize that I'm actually a moron and rescind my offer. Because, forget logic, that's why!

MintBrad, very true about the winters. Also, my SO was VERY unhappy last time we lived in NYC and was willing to try again for my sake, but its a relief that I don't have to ask, though its always tough getting rejected from anything. I'm afraid I have no more insight on SD... I told them I wanted to visit before I made any decisions. I know I'm at least partially responsible for holding up the works, and I'm sorry! Just trying to avoid rushing into anything without all the info. Glad Maryland was exciting! Is anyone else visiting anywhere? I've asked elsewhere on gradcafe about things to look for on a visit, but does anyone here have any theatre/PS specific questions that would be good to ask? What has surprised/impressed you on your visits? I know this is a loaded question, but has anyone heard anything else from UT? Sorry if I just made your heads explode...

I would just avoid being overly specific in your response. Don't say, "you are my number one choice" Say, "You are at the top of my list." I know its semantics, but it might help alleviate the feeling of dishonesty. That way you are honestly conveying your interest without making a promise you may be unable to keep. Also, if they think you are a competitive, strong applicant who may have other offers they may consider offering you a stronger package in the hope of wooing you away.

Does anybody know about applying for loans when I'm already in the workforce? My wife and I both work for the state, so we're definitely not rolling in it, but I'm not sure if it would even be worth it to fill out the fafsa? Anybody have any experience or knowledge in that area?

Great! Thank you for all the help! Now I just need to teach myself how to build a desktop computer.... youtube here I come!!!

I did a skype interview recently, and the best thing I can tell you from my experience is that you should expect technical difficulties. The institution interviewing me had to turn off their video feed, so they could see me and I couldn't see them. This was the only way we could maintain a good connection. It was unnerving talking to a blank screen, but it ended up going really well. I was totally prepared for the whole thing to not work at all, so even a bit of functionality felt like a win. Also, the best advice I got was, they want you, or they wouldn't be interviewing you. Make sure you ask them questions about the program and how your work would fit in. It lets them know that you are taking the process seriously and that you are thinking critically about the program. It may help to think of them as colleagues instead of big scary professors making decisions about your future.

Similar laptop question: I'm starting next fall and I was just given a gently used MacBook air with pretty minimal harware (128GB SSD, 4GB RAM, 2.7GHz processor) I love how portable it is and it handles web browsing, PDFs, and word processing well. I think that is all I would really need it for, and I have a big portable hard drive for storage. Does that seem like it would work, or is it a no way?