Abigail

Congratulations!

Hi there - nice to know I'm not alone out here. Fingers crossed for both of us. I just checked my online application status - everything has finally been received (had one transcript hanging out there) by the institute so now I'm waiting "pending file review" whenever that is. Eventually my heart will beat a normal rhythm. :-)

It's for a master's program. I already have one in another field, but am switching to a related field and then to continue on with the Ph.D. The medieval program has both spring and fall admissions, though only the fall is eligible for funding (I'm self funded). The need for the second master's is to cover a language deficiency I have that the Ph.D program requires.

Hi everyone, I know this may be an odd question, but I just applied for spring admission and was wondering if there was anyone else out there waiting to hear? I know how insane the first part of the year is with everyone waiting to hear. I was part of that group - unfortunately calling a potential committee member on something was basic suicide for that application. So I've started anew, but with the focus on spring admissions. I checked the results page for the university I've applied to but didn't see any entries outside of the normal (Feb/Mar) entries. So either I'm a complete oddball for applying now or a genius. I'm leaning strongly toward oddball. :-) Just wanted to wave to anyone else in the next wait phase.

UPDATE: It was explained to my husband that with budget cuts and the loss of two faculty members and an impending retirement (in two years), they were only taking a few students. His work is primarily in Europe so that put him out in a department that focuses on the mid-west. It would have been nice to have this information last August - that being a europeanist was going to hurt his chances so much.

Thank you for the suggestions. I'm sorry I didn't make it clear that a Ph.D is what he's going for - just thought with the change of direction he would need to start at the Master's level. In reply to your suggestion on the other thread - you are absolutely right. He's not going in balls to the wall. Far from it. he's hoping to get a LOR from this professor. Fingers crossed...

This was my idea not his... I asked because he's looking at changing his focus and not applying to archaeology programs - let's call it serious burnout. He's not some 20-something with years to keep applying. So with respect forgive my response... I'm sorry I asked. Edited to add: I should have made myself clearer - he's not looking to just get another masters. He's looking to get a Ph.D in History but we both figured he would need to start at the master's level then move into the Ph.D.

I don't know if this is the appropriate place to put this or if anyone can help. I know so many of you are still waiting - our wait is over unfortunately, though not in a good way (see 'It doesn't makes sense' thread). We're still waiting for spring break to get over to find out what happened, but over the weekend my husband (Morgan) and I have done a lotof thinking. Basically what to do and where to go from here. I asked if he would consider getting a second masters and if he did what would he want to study. That got him thinking... He has an MS in Anthropology (Archaeology), but during his UG and G studies took several classes in history, historiography, celtic world and european history (not enough for a minor though). Anyhow his archaeology focus has always been on Ritual/Religious behavior, Gender and Status. He has been looking at his work through a mortuary context but is now thinking of looking at his dead people from a mytholiterary stand point - using the history or literature department as a source. The challenge we're running into is how to alter his SOP so that it can be incorporated into the history department and not just anthro. He's looking at Western Michigan (along with 3 others in Michigan - not U of M...just the smaller schools). All of them have rolling admissions (a couple have deadlines of this July/August for fall 2010) so he wouldn't have to wait an entire year. I know this is a lot to ask, but would any of you have any suggestions on how best to approach this? Wester Mich has a multi-discipline approach to their history department (including archaeology) which is why it interested him so much. All of you have so much of your own stuff going on, but I would appreciate any help you can offer. I have all of you still waiting in my thoughts - sending out the best energy I can so you get your dreams schools or the best place for you.

He is going to demand answers - The biggest problem with the idea of politics is that his potential advisor was on the admin committe...actually she was the chair. The one thing that sticks out is that his focus isn't the US - he's a european archaeologist. I wonder if that got in the way...

Not yet. They started spring break so no one in the office yet. Have sent an email, but don't expect to hear anything until after next week.

First of all I have to ask... what the in hell (forgive my language) is up with admin committees??? Here's the story... Last summer my husband contacted a professor he was interested in working with. This professor expressed extreme interest. So much so that she asked him to relocate and attend the university as a non-degree seeking student so the department could get to know him and him them. Okay we did this - moved our entire family across several states, found a house we loved and he started classes. The class went great and he formed good relationships - keeping in contact with his potential advisor and committe members. Application went in - normal stress (all of you understand it) of the waiting game. He was told by several professors that there was nothing to worry about, he was taking a back door way into the department. There was no reason for him to worry or for him not to be admitted. Well - today all of that was for nothing... all the reassurances from the faculty, the excellent LORs, the existing master's (this is a combination program so he would only need the Ph.D portion), the existing publications and conference presentations, the year's research already completed - all of it and none of it mattered when the rejection letter came in the mail. We both knew there were no guarantees - but why would you ask someone to uproot their life and offer all this assurance (the potential advisor was the admin chair)? Now we sit and try to understand why... The letter said that it was based on the anticipated work load of the faculty. Unfortunately we have to wait until after spring break (which starts this weekend) to get any answers - if they'll give them. Good luck to all ofyou still waiting... btw the letter was dated 2/19 but wasn't put in the mail until 3/4 (day delivery).

As for MSU they won't be sending out anything until after the 20th... too many faculty off campus to finalize decisions.

Anyone hear from MSU? Archaeology, but it comes under the Anthro umbrella there.

Do any of you have an idea of how to check the status of an application when the university website only offers it to undergraduate apps? The graduate website says to contact the specific department applied to with questions, but we're leary about calling at the wrong time and some how screwing things up. I have picked up my husband's fear. Specifically looking for MSU... how are they about calling and asking for status? Any input would be appreciated.

Amazing... my husband was accepted at the University of Manchester to do research work on his Ph.D - we moved there with our twins (7 months at the time) in 2006 - we came back to the states the summer of 2008. Moving abroad with kids is an interesting adventure... we loved it in Manchester, but were glad to be back in the states. family adds two things - stress and hope.

We went the route of UNC last year - it wasn't the greatest fit, but there was someone he could work with. Please don't take this as a guaranteed negative response for any of you applying to UNC (especially since his department is anthropology) UNC was hit very hard economically. He was told by the department chair that traditionally the Anthro department takes 15 grad students a year (split up among the sub disciplines) He would have made the cut in 2009, but the cut their number of acceptances to 5 - only 1 in archaeology (his sub discipline). I'm hoping things have improved for the school - it's a nice area. On the flip side - that rejection is what sent us here. This program is an amazing fit and we love the neighborhood we found. He loves his department and has been told with his pre existing master's and involvement with the department he shouldn't have any problems. with that said the waiting has been torture...and we're still waiting. For him it's the idea of having to pack us up and move again because something kept him from getting in. Logic and all signs point to an acceptance, but until you have the letter or email in hand, it's hard to trust the positive feelins. Ya know? I wish ALL of you amazing luck and hold just a bit for ourselves. Go MSU! BTW - anyone know anything from them yet?

Yes, we have twins - they're 3 1/2 (boy/girl) ... so since yours are 13 it's survivable. :-) My husband is an archaeologist. Actually, I'm only in my first semester of my UG degree in Psychology. I am very much a late return to school, but I'm loving it. Once I graduate I'll start my own application process, both kids should be in school and he should be ABD. I plan on applying to MSU's psychology department then. Have been to Chapel Hill a few times and my husband's best friend has been working on his Ph.D at Cornell (history). I wish you luck!

We relocated from North Carolina for my husband to start as a non-degree seeking student (in an attempt to increase his changes, but also at the suggestion of his desired advisor). So we've made the major life change (with two 3 year olds) before knowing anything official. This has added to his stress - the idea of moving his family without a guarantee. fingers crossed here... unfortunately, historically speaking his potential program doesn't send out decisions until early March.

Okay here it goes... my husband was interested in working with a particular professor for his Ph.D. Last summer he met with this professor, who expressed that she was very interested in working with him. Since he missed the deadline for fall 2009, this professor suggested entering as a non-degree seeking student for fall 09/spring 2010 (they only accept for fall admissions). He did this and has done great work and gotten to know several professors (and them him). He sent in his application... one of his LOR is a good friend of the committee chair. Another thing is they program is a masters into Ph.D... he already has his masters and one of the professors (also on the admissions committee) said this would be an advantage. Another professor said the non-degre seeking route was a 'back door' into the department. He has good GRE scores...publications/conferences...good GPA and an established research topic (along with a years research in his field with a foreign university - and an LOR from that professor as well) As you can imagine, the stress level of waiting for official yay or nay is killing him and I'm just looking to ease his mind - even a little bit. What do you think his chances are based on this?