augustquail

This isn't a big deal, because I've already accepted an offer at Maryland, but I actually still haven't heard anything from Vanderbilt. Is this weird? Is anyone else still in the same boat?

yay! i'm so glad you got a spot this season!

Yes--ecstatic is just the word! I had really given up hope, and I didn't have any other offers (just another waitlist). That was the best phone call ever!

Accepted off the waitlist yesterday!!!!!!!!! Dr. Ray said there was one more person to notify....good luck!

AHHHHH. The suspense is literally killing me...

I see from the results page that five Vanderbilt "secret waitlisters" (it sounds so much cooler than it is...) have been rejected. Is there anyone else (like me) who is on this list but hasn't heard anything? Also, have any Maryland waitlisters heard anything?

All of this advice is really sound--and congrats to you for doing such serious planning ahead! I just want to reiterate what others have mentioned: foreign language. It's super important, and it's the one thing you can do now that might actually decrease the amount of work you'll have to do as a ph.d. student. I'd suggest continuing in German, since you have a background already, and perhaps trying to take some beginning french (or spanish, if you prefer) classes, if you have room in your schedule. Getting involved in the departmental events is also a great idea; not only will you see great films/speakers, you'll strenghten the relationships you have with professors (your future recommenders), you will also get a bit of insight into how these events are connected to the all-over workings of the department. Two things you might also want to do: try to present a paper in an undergraduate conference. We had ungergrad conferences at my school in the spring, and I had to present at one as part of a requirement for a course (I hate speaking publically, so I probably wouldn't have done it otherwise). It's a great experience, allows you to gain some knowlege of how to field questions from the audience, see how panels are put together, etc. The other thing you may want to do is take a history course in your area. Since you're more or less interested in 20th century american lit, it may be a good idea to take a course that is focused on ww I and ww II, the depression, labor movements, and so on. Lastly, it's awesome that you've already tried to narrow down your interests, but just remember that there is a big chance your interests may change. Try to take a variety of coursework. And I think theory is extremely important (though I'm a bit biased, I suppose): if you do decide to change your field, a strong foundation in theory will help you do that without losing depth to your interests. Good luck!

No, sorry! My guess is via email or phone...

I was told that notifications are going out this week, and that Albany saw a very large increase in applications this season. Good luck to you guys!

Today is the first day they are back from break. My guess is they'll notifying this week or the next.

Does anyone know what the College Park area is like? Is rent really expensive? Are there any good neighborhood close to the University? Thanks!

I'm going in on thursday too... this way if I have some sort of traveling catastrophe it will not affect friday plans...

I'm waitlisted at two schools...and I've been rejected from 6 already. I still have to hear (officially) from Yale and Upenn, but it isn't looking good. I can't believe I'm going to have to wait for another month and a half to find out if I have a spot or not!

Yesterday I got an email from the DGS saying that I had been rejected, and then today I got a form email saying that I should check the site, which also said I had been rejected. I don't really know why the had to tell me twice...I was actually hoping there was some mistake! If they're updating some people's accounts online, then the rest should follow... better luck to the rest of you!