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?

I definitely do, if you're going to write them make sure you personalize each one and try and connect it to your interest in the school or a connection you made in the interview. It's one of those can't hurt gestures that lets them see your name again.

Just got the no from CUNY. I emailed to check my status and got a nice personal note back. I'm feeing a little relieved to be out of limbo and one step closer to knowing where I will be next year. Hope all of you are hanging in there!

MintBrad, I would say that a follow up email is totally acceptable, particularly if you feel that you made a connection with a particular professor. Personally I would avoid any overt attempt to try and "make-up" for what you may perceive as a bad interview. I would stick more along the lines of, "I'm very excited about your program and if you have any more questions about my application or research interests I would be happy to speak with you about them."

I'm not familiar with Camino la costa specifically, but after googling it, it looks like it's close to the Highland Mall area. I've been told (by the same person for the past 4 years) that that area is "up and coming" it can be a little rough around the edges, but I have never felt unsafe there. I know a haunted house happens around there every year and every time there is some kind of fight that makes the news. As far as you car getting broken into, it is something that happens, I would just avoid leaving anything of value in your car, particularly if it is not parked in a garage. Most apartment building in Austin do have parking available, just make sure it doesn't cost extra. Hyde Park, in my humble opinion, is your best bet. It can be a little pricey, more so recently, but it is easy to get to campus, quiet neighborhood with a lot of character, coffee shops, restaurants, etc. That is just my personal opinion, and others might tell you another story. I would look at information like crime statistics in the area and use google street view to get a feel for the neighborhood, see if it is somewhere you would want to be.

ThatGuy, I have not heard yet and it's driving me crazy! I got an email on the 6th that said they are notifying in the next 10 days... so I would say contact them on Monday if you still haven't heard. I've been working under the assumption that they will probably send out a lot of emails as they are closing the office today, to avoid a lot of angry/confused phone calls. That's only my guess after working in admissions throughout my undergrad, but CUNY might be different? I've seen at least 4 people post acceptances on the results board, so my hopes are pretty low at this point. DoctorTheatre, I would say that it's good news they are asking for more info! Just make sure you frame your response in a positive, "I've grown since then" mentality. Its all about selling your strengths while minimizing weaknesses. Think like a politician and use a question about a potential weakness to talk about a strength.

GeoMex, I would be happy to help! Let me know what I can do.

I have the opposite problem! I'm planning a visit (to a program I was accepted to) and the chair of the department gave me the email of a student and told me to make sure I get in touch with that person before I came so they could set up a meet and greet. I've emailed this person twice, a week apart, and gotten no response. I don't want to start off my tenure there by tattling on another student, but talking to other students there is a big reason I'm taking the rather expensive trip! I was thinking of emailing and saying "Do you have another email for this person?" Do you think that is ok? What should I do?

Yes! Austin is awesome! I love living here, but there are some things to be aware of.... 1. We have some of the worst traffic in the country (SOURCE:http://www.forbes.com/pictures/ehmk45mihf/4-austin-tx/).This is largely due to the fact that Austin's population is rapidly expanding and the infrastructure is struggling to keep up. It's particularly bad right around the downtown/UT area, which means living closer to campus is definitely desirable, unless you just enjoy sitting in stop and go traffic... luckily UT busses are awesome and all the neighborhoods people want to live in already are pretty close to campus or at least have bus service 2. We have lots of good food. Like more than we have any right to. Check out local restaurants, food trucks, food trucks that have turned into restaurants, food trucks that refuse to turn into restaurants despite 2 hour lines every day they are open. For a mid-sized city our food scene is ridiculous, make sure you take advantage of it. 3. Ditto on the bar scene. For a trashy night out, go to dirty 6th or the warehouse district. For a classy/yuppy night out, go to W 6th, for a trendy/hipster night out go to E. 6th or Rainey St. All of these are a quick bus ride from campus and there is always something going on and live music is EVERYWHERE. 4. The people here are really nice, I moved from New York and it took me a while to adjust. Everyone is REALLY friendly, and it is not unusual for the clerk at a store to talk to you about your weekend/life or to give you personal details about themselves. That is just the way it works here, so don't fight the Southern Hospitality, just embrace it! 5. It gets HOT. This is not an exaggeration. During the Summer (which starts in April and ends in October) do not leave things that you hold dear in your car. Phones will explode, plastic things will melt, your groceries will get cooked. Fortunately, we have developed coping mechanisms. Barton Springs is beautiful and the water is always 68 degrees. Great for a quick cool down, bring a book (or a research journal) and jump in the water as needed. Also, air conditioning is a necessity, luckily it is everywhere. If you can't afford it in your apartment/house, find a cool coffee shop/library/lab where you can spend all of your time other than sleep time. Those are the main things off the top of my head, but if you have specific questions feel free to ask! People in Austin love talking about Austin!

I am DYING to be done with work! Luckily I am a teacher so I already have the summer off to take a breath and pack everything up. I still haven't told my students I won't be back next year, which will be tough when it comes for sure. Motivation has become a big issue... It's also hard for me to get mad at my seniors for having senioritis, when I've developed a bad case myself!

Wow! Congrats asco and Mint Brad! That is all great news! And congrats to the people that have gotten acceptances, the results page seems to have some new ones every day. I haven't heard anything from CUNY yet, the status of my application hasn't even switched to "under review," it still just says submitted. So, I'm guessing that is not good news