Hey, I discovered this site when I applied to PhD programs five years ago, and it helped inform me that I had no chance of being accepted. I was in fact not accepted. But one masters degree, two foreign languages, some seriously improved GRE scores, and a great project idea later I'm applying again. This time 11 programs. I've had some good news so far - an informal interview at one great school (seemed to go well), and a call from another great school saying that the only reason they don't think they can take me is that one of the professors I had hoped to work with will no longer be taking new graduate students - but they'll see what they can do. I'll take this as a hint that people are in fact reading my application.
To everyone on here who has spent these past few weeks (and will continue to spend the next month or two) with these decisions weighing them down, just know that whatever happens is at this point largely out of our hands, and that these decisions don't really reflect on our actual ability to do historical work. There are just a few spots for a lot of really intelligent people. Either way, you can always improve your chances for the next year or apply again a few years down the road if it doesn't work out.
But to everyone good luck. I hope you all get into at least one school.
