scarvesandcardigans

Oh weird, well that's definitely something interesting to note. I've heard that's it's a super program so it must be really competitive. I applied to 6 places, and if I had to rank Austin I'd probably put it at a #6 of the places that I wanted to go. It's a good program, we just weren't a good fit. Also, just got another rejection from Berkeley. A bit surprised at it but it's fine. They have one Spanish linguist so it would have been hard to work there anyway. I imagine they accept mostly literature students with that information.

I know that Rutgers has made their "definitely no" decisions already, so if you haven't heard from them that's good news! Also heard from UT Austin last night. Generic email to check MyStatus, and the decision says 'denied,' which I think is interesting. Not upset though. Has anyone heard anything new?

That's the plan - and it's 100% the truth. I mean there was definitely a "we support whatever decision you make" tone but at the same time the implication was just, yeah, disconcerting. Thank you for the input.

Hi everyone! So I'm in a weird situation here. I have two offers from my top two choice schools, and just finished an interview/recruitment event with one of the schools, Program A, we'll say. I visited, talked with faculty, current students, etc. It was a lot of information in a short period of time, a lot of very intense things to learn about and experience. I think that I gave an awful impression of myself and my interest in Program A because I personally felt like I wasn't enjoying it as much as I thought I would, but I think that's because it was just so much to take in that I wasn't exhibiting a super excited attitude 100% of the time. I just received an email from my POI at Program A saying that it sounded like, when I talked, I gave the impression that I was more interested in Program B from which I have an offer. It says that the decision is supported either way, whichever I choose, but to let them know if that's the case, that I'll decline the offer they've given me at Program A. The thing is, when I was there, I felt a lot of questions were thrown at me regarding "why Program B over A?" And various people asked if I had other visits or offers, and this was my first visit, but I do have a visit coming up with Program B. I don't want to lie, but I didn't realize that my feel for the school came off so negatively. I'm just a harsh critic, I guess...Maybe a lot of how I acted was comparing or thinking of questions to ask at Program B, but they are extremely similar in a lot of ways. I just felt like a lot of questions were meant to dissuade me from Program A, and now this email from the POI is distressing because I feel like they think I don't want to go there. I do, but I really, honestly, have no clue until I visit both places and get a feel for both. In gradcafe users' experience, am I interpreting this totally wrong? I'm just distressed about it because I felt like I gave them the wrong impression the whole time I was there, but every time we had a conversation they always steered it toward Program B and comparing the two. I really do love both places, and I could see myself at them, so I have no idea what to do... Thanks!

night watch

Hi everyone! I will be visiting Penn State later this month, and I will have some free time before/after the official program itinerary. Does anyone have any recommendations for places that I should definitely check out? I am a fan of local favorite restaurants, cafés, bookstores, local biz, the like. Also, if anyone has any tips about housing, I would love to hear them. Thanks!

Agreed. The MA really helps you to solidify what research interests you want to focus on. It helps you really lock in the programs that you like when you're applying, and you'll learn so many things that make you very prepared to pursue doctoral studies. On UNC, they have a low stipend comparatively, but living in the right place can prove to be very affordable (like going outside of Chapel Hill to Carrboro, or living with a lot of people in a house). It's very appropriate for the cost of living in the area, but as many of my advisors have said to me, "You can live, but you won't get rich." Such is grad school life.

Some updates- I received another two offers, the most important of those being from Penn State (!!!!!). And I just finished my first campus visit at Rutgers! In two weeks I will visit Penn State as well. Nothing from Georgetown (though I saw someone posted there), Berkeley (they sent a few rejections) or UT Austin (assumed no). How is everyone holding up?

I'm definitely guilty of looking at apartments and dreaming of what life would be like in a given program/town. And incessantly checking the results page to see if there is any news.

Also has anyone heard anything about penn state? Someone I know has an interview.

CONGRATS!!! As you know I'm super excited but still congrats a thousand times over. Yes of course! Happy to answer any questions that come up!!

I just saw someone posted an acceptance to the NCSU MA program in FLL - Spanish. Is that persona a forum user? I'm finishing the second year now so if anyone has any leads I'm here to answer questions!

Hi all! So as I'm in the midst of visiting schools, I have been scheduling flights, and want to know if anyone has any recommendations for carry-on travel bags. I prefer backpacks with lots of room (but without bells and whistles) that are convenient for a lot foot travel, and that aren't too cumbersome. I also want to be able to use this bag not just for academic travel, but also for things like exploring cities or places on weekends, like if I took a weekend trip to NYC. I was wondering if anyone has a bag that they just really love when they're traveling, or any tips for light traveling as an academic which might come in handy for weekends away, conferences, etc. Thanks!

Congrats @Spanport!!! That's awesome! Keeping my fingers crossed for some good news for you as well @Yak1030!!

Agreed. It does feel super early. This is definitely good to know.

Ah okay. That does make sense. Just to clarify - that includes them knowing that you have other offers? Because I can see them responding to a general "status update" email that way. It's just nerve-wracking because the program from which I have an offer accepts 2-3 people and they don't want to lose anyone on their presumably short list of applicants in case I say no, if that makes sense. But this is definitely useful info! Thank you for the update!

Our offices are small - there are two for all of the TAs in the program. They used to be mixed in terms of cohort, but this year they switched to first years in one and second years in the other. There are ~8 desks in each office, each with its own computer, filing drawers, overhead shelving. There is also one printer in each office, a general use cabinet for office supplies, and one wall with shelving for old editions of textbooks, reference books, etc - but we don't really use them. There are some extra chairs but not much room for lounging. Some of us have decorated with pictures, tapestries, lamps, etc., but for the most part it's a relatively plain office. The worst part is that there are no windows, but it's a good excuse to get up from the desk every once in a while.

Boston harbor

Agreed. Plus having a bit of an idea of what you're looking at will help you compare offers as far as cost of living, and you'll have to do less research later!

In terms of when they look at your application, that depends on the program and when/how they review applications. Some schools might look on a rolling basis and earmark ones they want, and some might only look when the deadline has passed. I agree with @Yak1030 that if you submitted before the deadline then you should be totally fine.

Hey everyone! (Hoping to revitalize this a bit...) I have an offer at Rutgers and I have been in contact with people in New Brunswick, but I wanted to poll the masses a little bit more and see what you all have to say about (more recent info regarding) housing, student life, cost of living, etc.

Exactly!! One one hand, I feel as though contacting them and letting them know is just an annoyance and makes them more likely to discard your application than really consider it, but on the other, I feel like that is a ridiculous assumption to make. (With the situation at Rutgers, they accept 2-3 people, so they are looking for a decision quickly to not lose their first/second/third/etc. choices, which I totally get). I'm going to consult with a professor in my department tonight on how to word something like this in correspondence, so I can pass along the info if desired! BUT back to the main point here...Just saw an accepted notification at Western Michigan on the results page and I thought that would be you! CONGRATS!! That is awesome! So so happy and excited for you!

First, congratulations! That's amazing! It's definitely a good feeling to know that there is an option on the table. But question for everyone - this has to do with the "I want to hear from the rest of the programs" thing - I've heard it's a thing to send emails to other schools when you start to receive offers to help expedite the decision process for the schools that have given you offers. One of my current profs and my top POI at one of the schools I have been in contact with have told me the same thing, does anyone have any experience with this? Thoughts?

Gotcha gotcha. That makes sense! Like I said, there are tons of programs with their own protocols. And those are really reputable programs. It's actually surprising, in my opinion, when programs don't do interviews, because of the aforementioned point - how do they know what your language skills are like?!

In my experience I've never had a pre-admissions interview, but there are tons of programs, so that might just be luck of the draw. I know that at NCSU and UC Davis and Berkeley, at least when I applied, I had to send in a recording of me speaking about myself and various topics, and for the UC schools, I had to read a paragraph provided by them as well. I'm not sure if any schools do interviews for language programs, but I could be totally wrong and definitely welcome someone to say they had one, it would be great to know what they are like. I've had some admissions without interviews, but afterward there were usually some questions exchanged between me and a POI or the program director!