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Congrats!!!

Well, I'm from MAPSS. just graduated from it last August. Though I'm in sociology not history, I do know couple history people. For your question, yes, different people get different funding. I knew a history guy went there for free. I knew a soc girl went there for 1/3 tuition. I get none.... (let's skip this.) For detail funding, you probably have to look at your own package. Overall I think the experience in MAPSS varies. I was lucky enough to have really good thesis advisor and other good mentors. I'm in the application process, so far I got one admission from Wisconsin (though w/o funding.) But I also heard tragic story like irresponsible advisors or huge pressure because of the super heave pressure both from the program and from the school. I can only say be sure to talk to people and get info before you choose your advisor and planned well. Chicago professor can be really self-absorbed and totally forget about you, esp. you are just as MA student. I think the program furthers my chance for application and so far I hear good record for application from last year cohort. According to the stats MAPSS sent us last April, the application result for history, 2009-10 academic year: four out of five applicants got funded offers, the left one was on wait list for a school when they sent us the result stats. And the schools that made offers included Chicago. So. I don't know whether PhD programs prefer not to have their own MA students. I hope not, and I don't think they strongly disfavor that 'cause I see offers from Chicago in the reports of every discipline. Last thing to say. I don't think it's like you will automatically get accepted by MAPSS just because you got rejected by their PhD program, although my rejection letter came with MAPSS admission. Think about it. It's a program consisting of around 180 people from Psychology, Sociology, Anthro, Poli-Sci and History applicants. Take Soc for example, there were about 40 soc people in my cohort. Do you think there are only 40 rejected soc PhD applicants every year? (or say if there are 300 applicants every year and about 270 got rejected. That means 230 people turn down MAPSS offers. Humm...) But I'm convinced that with a decent stats you can get in. Anyways, hope the info helps.

:lol:I thought about it when I saw the e-mail, too. My friend and I even simulated every situation to reassure ourselves that there didn't seem to be a chance of mistaken e-mail. No worry.

I haven't got my letter either. What are you worrying about? It's great news they nominate you for fellowship, and I'm not sure they will tell you in the admission letter. I also got the offer without funding. Although it's one of the top choice, funding is a huge concern indeed. I asked the personnel at Wisconsin about funding. They basically say that most funding opportunities, including RA of professors' own projects, other RA positions, and TAship come out between May and August. This means it possible that we need to make a choice before anything is set. For the first one, you may be able to get some sort of guarantee from your professor, but for the latter two, you need to depend on your own (but knowing a professor may help you get some insider info.) And by depending on your own, according to the e-mail they sent me, I mean you have to apply for it yourself. I guess this is why people say we need to fend for ourselves. Plus the e-mail describe the chance for TAship as "although the department gives priority to ongoing graduate students when awarding teaching assistantships, first-year graduate students are eligible and can apply." Uh....... (the e-mail did say that every fall 2009 student who applied to TAship got one, though.) I don't know how the situation is going to be this year. Who knows? Maybe the situation will better off even more. I don't really want to increase everyone's anxiety with a lot of hearsay. As for me, I am still going to wait for other schools.....

totally agree with you. I also work in front of a computer, so I completely understand what you're saying. It's even worse if there are two applicants in the same apartment. Now it's a forbidden topic.

I also got the interview e-mail. am kinda nervous about it. Can anyone share what you talked about broadly? Is it like the normal interview which they ask you why you're interested in the program, what is your strength and weakness, stuff like that? Do they ask you a lot of serious academic questions? I know it's kinda weird to ask potential competitor for help, but I'll be really appreciated of anyone could share that. thanks!!