Shoelle

The android app for Evernote does have a document cam function. I haven't used it very much, however, so I can't really vouch for it yet.

Technically, I have already accepted an offer for a *wonderful* and exciting, top-ranked MA program in my field. I was forced to, to be competitive in the consideration of TA-ships (which only confirmed students were allowed to apply for a few weeks ago). Kind of horrible that they forced our hands early in this way with no guarantee of funding, but I can understand the logistical nightmare of creating a schedule and having to redo it whenever people change their minds. Still. Thing is, I won't go without the tuition remission a TA-ship would net me. I just can't risk putting my family into debt for the sake of a master's in a humanities field. I should find out today whether I got the TA-ship or not....by the end of the week Friday at the latest. I *cannot* stop checking my inbox compulsively; it's even worse than waiting for acceptance decisions. If I don't get it, all my carefully laid plans go out the window. I don't have a good alternative. I'm so nervous. I think I have a better shot than most because I have a few years of professional teaching and curriculum design experience. But I (and all the other master's students) am also competing against PhD candidates. So who knows. If only I could stop obsessing. Sorry, just needed to vent. (Edited for coherence. I'm that skittish right now.)

Thanks for the confirmation Citizen Snipes! I'll move it up to #1 on the neighborhood investigation list I'm compiling for ASD.

Ah, I was rejected by School B, hopefully in time to be competitive for funding from School A. I guess that worked itself out. Thanks!

Any locals familiar with Koreatown as a place for families? I'm a single parent with a three year old, so safety is pretty critical, but I've heard Koreatown is both affordable and reasonably safe, as well as not too far from USC. Not looking for anything in the lap of luxury here, we're on a budget, but I also need to know there aren't bars on the windows of neighboring buildings or anything. Would appreciate any insight!! Thanks!! Edit: I'm aware Westlake is nearby, which is something to avoid. Are there any overlapping streets I should be aware of, or microcosm I should aim for? Thanks again!

Good luck! I think that must be good news...

I didn't see a thread, so I'm starting one! MA Critical Studies candidate here. Anyone else going to Admitted Student Day on April 10th? Always looking for roommates to split costs!

Same boat here (but in reverse!). Single parent for the time being (partner is at another grad program far away), so I'm actually less worried about adjusting than I would be if I didn't have three years of experience parenting and working alone. Relocating to L.A. for a grad program this fall. Childcare costs in L.A. though....yikes. USC doesn't offer any kind of stipend or help with that either, I'll be relying entirely on savings. If any single parent households could chip in regarding how much childcare they routinely use for full time graduate studies, I'd be most appreciative. I'm assuming AT LEAST full-time care. But what about those weekends when you're slammed with research and paper writing? Babysitters are so expensive, and I'm spoiled by my current daycare which lets me drop my kiddo off on a Sat or even a Sun for only$30.

Also rejected by MIT, but at least it makes "deciding" easier, haha. Best wishes to all who got in, it's a great program! USC, here I come! If anyone is planning to attend SCA's Admitted Student Day on April 10th, please shoot me a PM!

8 years is crazy, I don't blame you at all for passing that by. The CMS program we're referring to is only a 2 year MS program.

I emailed Taylor about a sticky situation I'm in regarding decisions and deadlines (committing to USC early for funding purposes vs. waiting to hear back from CMS, explained in). Didn't get much feedback other than the date of the meeting itself...I expect we'll know either next week or the week after at the latest! I'm nervous! Best of luck to you, and to anyone else applying! CMS is so tough to get into but it sounds so amazing...

Update: I emailed School B and was told the admissions committee is meeting on Tuesday 3/10; did not answer whether I was on the "short list" though I asked...said she would have more information then. I can't tell if that's a good or bad sign, unfortunately. I guess I'll just try to be patient for now.

Best of luck to everyone with their decisions! And CONGRATS hermes, wow! I'm still waiting on one more school's decision...MIT's CMS committee is meeting on Tuesday of next week. Fingers crossed!

The TA-ship does not have an impressive stipend, and it's in a very expensive area. It doesn't provide scholarships to help cover my childcare expenses either. I don't expect either program's funding to fully cover living expenses, though I do have savings for that. 1. School B offers research assitantships to ALL candidates; they are guaranteed. I don't have information about the exact stipend. They also help cover childcare expenses, however, which is a big draw for me. 2. I cannot be sure A will give funding, but the program coordinator told me they were able to secure funding for "most" students last year for all four semesters of the program. There are no guarantees, which is why I feel pressured to commit early. There is also the possibility of need-based scholarships that I think I have a good chance for, but I may be grasping at straws here. I really like the program...

I checked it off too as a way of securing it, but it's not a contractual agreement. We should be able to opt out later. I'm inclined toward opting out later anyway, because I've been told it's not that nice and there seem to be cheaper options. Would love the input of a current student on this matter though!

I'm in a bit of a conundrum! School A (an excellent fit for my research goals, one of my top choices) has accepted me. Unfortunately, funding is not guaranteed. To be competitive for TA-ships (which my ability to attend is contingent upon; taking out substantial debt in a humanities field like mine is not an option), the coordinator suggested I commit early....as in early March early. Like now-ish. School B is also an excellent fit for me, and another top choice. They offer full funding and a few other financial benefits that School A does not. The program is very competitive, however, and I don't expect to hear back from them until mid-March at the earliest (based on a very consistent history). I definitely don't want to commit to School A only to be accepted by School B and want to change my mind! It would technically be before the April 15th deadline, but I understand the difficult position that puts a program in. The crux: do I wait it out and hope the TA-ships hold out for me (a possibility--I have a few years of teaching experience at the secondary school level that my MA cohort likely will not) or refuse the gamble? School A would be more expensive overall to attend, but both programs would work really really well for me. I can't say I have a definitive preference. I'm considering emailing School B to explain the situation. Perhaps if they could indicate whether I'm at least on the shortlist, I'd know what to do. Would that be an appropriate thing to ask? I don't want to be pushy, but surely they can understand that I don't want to screw over another program? I'd appreciate any advice, thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for the info! That helps me out a lot.

I was told directly by a faculty member that all expected Comm Arts program spots have been filled (including Film), except for Communication Science...that was on 2/13. I was also told that they couldn't send out official rejections yet, but was encouraged to spread the news "unofficially". Sorry for the bad news, I was very disappointed as well. MCS was my top choice.

Berkeley should be this week. Based on past history, it's already been just a bit too long. I'd swear programs are moving more slowly this year than in the past, but I'm certain it's just my eagerness for rejection...

According to results search, I wouldn't expect to hear anything before mid-march. I know, I'm dying too, but their deadline was so late it makes sense. if they accept me i'll totally forgive them for the wait haha

Seconding the question about grad/family housing vs. off campus (and hello again, roguesenna!). Prices seem comparable--seems like I could find something $200 cheaper off-campus, but the is transportation cost/hassle worth it? For people with cars, is it worth paying for on-campus parking? I haven't heard of many students driving at all. Also, if anyone has any helpful advice for parents in the area about childcare (both recommendations for affordable preschools and child-friendly housing options), I'd be most appreciative. I'll have to single parent it until my partner can join me in a year, so daily childcare isn't something I can compromise on. Thanks in advance!

Congrats to both of you!!! Best of luck to all those waiting for the other shoe to drop (i.e. the funding one...)

Hey everybody, I think most of you know this already but I got confirmation about UW-Madison from Jonathan Gray. They can't send out "official" rejection notifications yet, but he wanted to inform curious parties "unofficially": "Media and Cultural Studies; Film; and Rhetoric, Politics, and Culture have each admitted 4 people so far. There is a possibility of a further admission or two per area being freed up later, though in each case these picks would come from those already interviewed. If someone applied to one of those areas and hasn’t been interviewed, this is a fairly clear sign at this point that they’ll receive a rejection letter in due course. Meanwhile, Communication Science hasn’t yet finalized its admissions; they’ll very likely have the same number as the other three programs, but nobody should assume they’re out of the running for CommSci yet."

Weeeeell looks like it's been rejection week all around for me, three in a row. Five left but I really only have hope for 1. At least it's better than not knowing. Still. I hope everyone else has had better news.

I should preface this by saying that I'm new to this whole process and am totally speculating, buuuuut.... Logically, I can't imagine they would waste time asking for a second writing sample from someone they wanted to reject. The faster they reject apps, the faster they get to the final few, so they have mega incentive to reject asap. If they delay that process to ask for more info, I'm thinking they either: 1. Want to accept you but have a reservation (maybe based on a test score, or a committee member not liking something about your original writing sample or something) or 2. Are really torn between you and another candidate, meaning one of you may be waitlisted. I think outright rejection seems unlikely, but again I'm talking out of my ass here. Just wanted to throw in my two cents because it would be a shame to panic over what seems more likely to be good news.