Katia_chan

My go-to "make them uncomfortable" is to ask to feel their faces.
 
I'm kidding--I have never done that and just the thought of doing it makes me die inside, but it's a lovely thought when someone is being too "sensitive" and politically correct.  It gives me secret joy to make overly-cautious people awkward.
 
During my MA exams I did debate pretending to fall down the stairs.  Then the closer it got...the more I debated really falling down the stairs.  That was certainly the darkest timeline....

Wait listed at Northeastern. Woo!

My go-to "make them uncomfortable" is to ask to feel their faces.
 
I'm kidding--I have never done that and just the thought of doing it makes me die inside, but it's a lovely thought when someone is being too "sensitive" and politically correct.  It gives me secret joy to make overly-cautious people awkward.
 
During my MA exams I did debate pretending to fall down the stairs.  Then the closer it got...the more I debated really falling down the stairs.  That was certainly the darkest timeline....

My go-to "make them uncomfortable" is to ask to feel their faces.
 
I'm kidding--I have never done that and just the thought of doing it makes me die inside, but it's a lovely thought when someone is being too "sensitive" and politically correct.  It gives me secret joy to make overly-cautious people awkward.
 
During my MA exams I did debate pretending to fall down the stairs.  Then the closer it got...the more I debated really falling down the stairs.  That was certainly the darkest timeline....

This may sound evil, but I would pretend to trip a lot and make them terrified of lawsuits -- especially around exam time.
 
In all seriousness, though, any university in the US will have an outreach program for visitors who could use a hand in navigating an unknown campus. Shouldn't be an issue at all.

It sounds like you and are soul sisters. I’m currently drinking tea from my Union Jack mug. Haha.
 
The cost of UK programs is definitely what is holding me back. I actually was admitted to some UK programs for my MA and wanted to go desperately, but couldn’t scrounge up the funding, even though I was lucky enough to receive partial scholarships from a couple of places. I’m still heartbroken about it. I’ve avoided taking out student loans, but might do so next year if it comes to it.
 
And you’re right--academia IS addictive. Even as I say I can’t imagine doing this again, I’m making notes on how to improve my portfolio. Isn’t there a term for loving torture? Masochistic? 
 
Hi, I’m an academic masochist. *Hand shake* 

Visit both, but make ambiguous comments like, "Hmm, I notice your vending machines don't carry Diet Tab." Then gaze out the window as if thinking of the other university. Maybe they'll sweeten the deal!

Hi thread – 
 
I was the recent UChicago post. Thanks for the congratulations! No info on how many accepted or the like, but good luck to you all! 
 
(Unfortunately, there is a good chance Chicago as a city will not survive this winter, so I'm holding my breath until Spring kicks in in... May...)

That's me, and I am stoked! It was so unexpected. Were you in the English Dept? Can I pick your brain in a message?

“....they just made a terrible life choice!” 
 

^^^^^THIS^^^^ lots and lots of it!
I went into an MA program 10 years after my BA and that was after being told that my acceptance was unlikely. After being out in the "real world", paying bills, married then divorced, in various "careers" that were never that a good a fit for me just getting to this stage in the process feels like a victory. So many of you are so much younger and you've had the drive, the focus, and the HOPE to do this...well, it's sappy but I'm proud of you.   sometimes what seems like a dead end is more of a detour.   

Congrats to everyone on the acceptances! Today was a horrible day for me (as mentioned it before, but two rejections--and they were my first two decisions to report) but I'm currently drinking a beer, watching Gossip Girl, and lounging in flannel. 
 
Needless to say, we will all survive!

Oh, man. So many stats here, and so much self-branding! Someone above mentioned that this could be a bit off-putting, and I think I´m seeing why...
 
If you're clear about what you'd like to research (yet still flexible enough to take direction from your advisors) and if you can show that you have the skills to finish a large project -- you´re fine. Just a matter of finding an amenable department to do your research in. May take a few tries. May not end up where you first hoped. Plenty of opportunity to keep reading and writing in the meantime.
 
Don't equate yourself with your CV: all these stats sound like something engraved on a tombstone.

How many upvotes do I need to collect before I can turn them in for a prize?

...I mean this as a very friendly suggestion, because I get the point of this thread, but...
 
Perhaps everyone should consider writing up their responses for here, but not posting them until after decisions are made?
 
It's just... there is so much insecurity flying around from every angle right now, I don't think comparing stats is the greatest idea until everybody knows how the chips fell.
 
This is a great idea, comparing notes and all.  But from what I've seen so far, it's mostly making people scared.
 
Feel totally free to ignore me--it's just a random thought.

...I mean this as a very friendly suggestion, because I get the point of this thread, but...
 
Perhaps everyone should consider writing up their responses for here, but not posting them until after decisions are made?
 
It's just... there is so much insecurity flying around from every angle right now, I don't think comparing stats is the greatest idea until everybody knows how the chips fell.
 
This is a great idea, comparing notes and all.  But from what I've seen so far, it's mostly making people scared.
 
Feel totally free to ignore me--it's just a random thought.

...I mean this as a very friendly suggestion, because I get the point of this thread, but...
 
Perhaps everyone should consider writing up their responses for here, but not posting them until after decisions are made?
 
It's just... there is so much insecurity flying around from every angle right now, I don't think comparing stats is the greatest idea until everybody knows how the chips fell.
 
This is a great idea, comparing notes and all.  But from what I've seen so far, it's mostly making people scared.
 
Feel totally free to ignore me--it's just a random thought.

...I mean this as a very friendly suggestion, because I get the point of this thread, but...
 
Perhaps everyone should consider writing up their responses for here, but not posting them until after decisions are made?
 
It's just... there is so much insecurity flying around from every angle right now, I don't think comparing stats is the greatest idea until everybody knows how the chips fell.
 
This is a great idea, comparing notes and all.  But from what I've seen so far, it's mostly making people scared.
 
Feel totally free to ignore me--it's just a random thought.

I, honestly can't say I have a concrete way to determine "fit".  Mine was more "...everyone in this department does contemporary work on poetry/American/post colonial lit. I don't."
 
So maybe sometimes it's better to determine absence of fit?  I guess that's what I do.  There's no way to determine which "not my topic" professors you will bond with, and it's possible that if you end up in a department where no one gets even close to your research, you may not be able to find the guidance you desire.  I'm not saying it always happens, but, coming from the experience of studying medieval Welsh at a department with one medievalist, who most certainly did not study Welsh, it can present a bit of a challenge if you are totally off in left field.
 
And sometimes fit is not faculty.  Sometimes fit is resources.  Where I was accepted, I'm not a stunning "fit" with any professor.  But I could work with some, and the resources available for my specific field were amazing.  So "fit" can be archives, libraries, lecture series... and what is important to you might not be as important to others.
 
As for applying to 28 schools... it puts up red flags for me, but can't pinpoint why.  I guess I would just feel that, in 28 schools, there would be a decent-sized handful that you didn't really like that much.  And then even if those turn into acceptances, you've sold yourself short.  What if you'd stuck to all schools you *loved*, waited just one more year, and gotten into a school you liked a lot more.
 
...If you're in love with 28 schools, then I am proven wrong and I'll stop.  But where you get in, you're (mostly) stuck.  So.  Make sure it counts.
 
And maybe, though I do not think this is true for all or even most, maybe there was a flaw in your application.  Maybe your scores, or your SOP, or your writing sample weren't great.  If there is just something that needs more work in your application, you could apply to 28 schools, all perfect, and get shut out of every one.  So I at least personally would hesitate to throw eggs and money at that many baskets unless I was utterly confident that it was the prettiest app ever.  Which...maybe some of you are.  I never felt like that.  But I live and breathe insecurity.

I'm going to say something that I feel I have the right to say after getting kicked to the curb on my ass 3 and a half times.
 
Do. Not. Base. Your. Self-worth. on. grad admissions.
 
Or you will want to throw yourself in front of a bus.
 
You want to, and it's easy to do, and I did it, and I didn't listen to other people when they told me not to do it, but I'm going to try to tell you now.
 
If you get in, you're awesome. If you don't, you're still awesome.  And you're also not out forever if you don't get in this round. This is my third season, with an all-but-my-undergrad-institution fail for my MA.  And I did it again, and I adjuncted for a while, and I reapplied, And this time, I did get a very nice acceptance.  So if it's what you want, and it doesn't happen right away, keep going.  And if you do keep applying, or choose not to, remember that this process does not assign your value as a person, or even as an academic.
 
Just my two cents--you are all so freaking amazing, and I'd like to try to stem the tide of sadness and anxiety I've seen today. <3 to all of you.

I'm going to say something that I feel I have the right to say after getting kicked to the curb on my ass 3 and a half times.
 
Do. Not. Base. Your. Self-worth. on. grad admissions.
 
Or you will want to throw yourself in front of a bus.
 
You want to, and it's easy to do, and I did it, and I didn't listen to other people when they told me not to do it, but I'm going to try to tell you now.
 
If you get in, you're awesome. If you don't, you're still awesome.  And you're also not out forever if you don't get in this round. This is my third season, with an all-but-my-undergrad-institution fail for my MA.  And I did it again, and I adjuncted for a while, and I reapplied, And this time, I did get a very nice acceptance.  So if it's what you want, and it doesn't happen right away, keep going.  And if you do keep applying, or choose not to, remember that this process does not assign your value as a person, or even as an academic.
 
Just my two cents--you are all so freaking amazing, and I'd like to try to stem the tide of sadness and anxiety I've seen today. <3 to all of you.

I'm going to say something that I feel I have the right to say after getting kicked to the curb on my ass 3 and a half times.
 
Do. Not. Base. Your. Self-worth. on. grad admissions.
 
Or you will want to throw yourself in front of a bus.
 
You want to, and it's easy to do, and I did it, and I didn't listen to other people when they told me not to do it, but I'm going to try to tell you now.
 
If you get in, you're awesome. If you don't, you're still awesome.  And you're also not out forever if you don't get in this round. This is my third season, with an all-but-my-undergrad-institution fail for my MA.  And I did it again, and I adjuncted for a while, and I reapplied, And this time, I did get a very nice acceptance.  So if it's what you want, and it doesn't happen right away, keep going.  And if you do keep applying, or choose not to, remember that this process does not assign your value as a person, or even as an academic.
 
Just my two cents--you are all so freaking amazing, and I'd like to try to stem the tide of sadness and anxiety I've seen today. <3 to all of you.

Wait-listed at BC!

I'm going to say something that I feel I have the right to say after getting kicked to the curb on my ass 3 and a half times.
 
Do. Not. Base. Your. Self-worth. on. grad admissions.
 
Or you will want to throw yourself in front of a bus.
 
You want to, and it's easy to do, and I did it, and I didn't listen to other people when they told me not to do it, but I'm going to try to tell you now.
 
If you get in, you're awesome. If you don't, you're still awesome.  And you're also not out forever if you don't get in this round. This is my third season, with an all-but-my-undergrad-institution fail for my MA.  And I did it again, and I adjuncted for a while, and I reapplied, And this time, I did get a very nice acceptance.  So if it's what you want, and it doesn't happen right away, keep going.  And if you do keep applying, or choose not to, remember that this process does not assign your value as a person, or even as an academic.
 
Just my two cents--you are all so freaking amazing, and I'd like to try to stem the tide of sadness and anxiety I've seen today. <3 to all of you.

I'm going to say something that I feel I have the right to say after getting kicked to the curb on my ass 3 and a half times.
 
Do. Not. Base. Your. Self-worth. on. grad admissions.
 
Or you will want to throw yourself in front of a bus.
 
You want to, and it's easy to do, and I did it, and I didn't listen to other people when they told me not to do it, but I'm going to try to tell you now.
 
If you get in, you're awesome. If you don't, you're still awesome.  And you're also not out forever if you don't get in this round. This is my third season, with an all-but-my-undergrad-institution fail for my MA.  And I did it again, and I adjuncted for a while, and I reapplied, And this time, I did get a very nice acceptance.  So if it's what you want, and it doesn't happen right away, keep going.  And if you do keep applying, or choose not to, remember that this process does not assign your value as a person, or even as an academic.
 
Just my two cents--you are all so freaking amazing, and I'd like to try to stem the tide of sadness and anxiety I've seen today. <3 to all of you.