Katia_chan

Do you dislike the places you still have left to hear from?
 
If you reapply, simply because you think you could put together a better application, then yes, you might be a little nuts.
 
If you get in somewhere and you *really* hate it, there's nothing wrong with reapplying, but just don't assume you won't like it because it wasn't a top choice.  Plenty of people on here have had their minds changed by an amazing visit weekend, or communication with the faculty.
 
And to be honest, with the way apps go, totally revamping your application doesn't guarantee any better results.  Not to say it couldn't happen, but you could re-do everything, and still not get into the places that you want most.
 
Just saying...unless you think you'd be miserable wherever you land, it is an *acceptance*.  In a less formal wording...take that and run like hell. .  Your application just gets you in--what you do once it gets you there is a totally separate bag.

I am *very* cautiously adding a side note here, so as you read keep in mind that I am doing the equivalent of timidly raising my hand and flushing and staring everywhere but at anyone while I talk.
 
I think the main issue with the "reality checks" that a few people have been delivering here is two-fold.
 
First, intended or not, they do come off a bit condescending, especially to the 60+% who already know these things.  That's not necessarily the fault of the writer; the internet is death to actual intended tone.  So what is supposed to come off as friendly and concerned often comes off as "what are you doing, you idiot child, even if that was not how it was meant at all."
 
Secondly, especially at this point in the game... we've all submitted apps.  We're all having anxiety attacks and refreshing the results search and trying not to look at our application packets.  If someone made an uninformed comment like "There's no chance I won't get a job immediately after because I did XYZ," or if they came on in September and asked if they should go to grad school to get a job/make billions, then that would be the place for comments of this nature.  But except in a very rare circumstance that someone decides in the next month or two to do a total life switch... we've all sort of committed already.  So the reality checks are not helpful, especially since our only response can be "I threw my chips down already, and I can't/won't take them back. So why are you telling me this/what am I supposed to do with that info?"  It either comes too late, or comes off as someone telling someone to abandon their dreams and clear the way for someone else following those exact same dreams.
 
I will restate that I know that's not how those comments are *meant*.  But when there is clear evidence that that is how they are *taken*, it at least might be worth a moment to consider how urgently you feel you need to pass on the information, and why.
 
Hopefully I haven't pissed anybody off.  I'm just observing, not trying to add fuel to the fire.

I just got a phone call from Tufts University! First acceptance. Beyond excited.

I will be making more as a PHD student than I make working right now.  So I'm taking what they offer and running with it.  Yes we are getting paid for teaching, but if you think of it, we are also getting paid to *study*.  Where else will someone give you that opportunity?  It may not be much, but someone is still paying you to go to school.
 
My teaching load will be the same as it is right now, as an adjunct, and I will be making more plus being able to go to school.  I'm not saying you shouldn't bargain, but I do think we need to be careful not to lose sight of the fact that we should be a little grateful.  There is no law that they *have* to pay us any more than an adjunct makes per credit hour.  I know it's expected, but it's still a nice opportunity.

Screw 'em!
 
They don't know what they're missing.
 
Anyone else get two rejection Emails?
 
Also I think this calls for a long-distance but mutual have a drink/eat a cookie/buy something for yourself moment..

I will be making more as a PHD student than I make working right now.  So I'm taking what they offer and running with it.  Yes we are getting paid for teaching, but if you think of it, we are also getting paid to *study*.  Where else will someone give you that opportunity?  It may not be much, but someone is still paying you to go to school.
 
My teaching load will be the same as it is right now, as an adjunct, and I will be making more plus being able to go to school.  I'm not saying you shouldn't bargain, but I do think we need to be careful not to lose sight of the fact that we should be a little grateful.  There is no law that they *have* to pay us any more than an adjunct makes per credit hour.  I know it's expected, but it's still a nice opportunity.

I will be making more as a PHD student than I make working right now.  So I'm taking what they offer and running with it.  Yes we are getting paid for teaching, but if you think of it, we are also getting paid to *study*.  Where else will someone give you that opportunity?  It may not be much, but someone is still paying you to go to school.
 
My teaching load will be the same as it is right now, as an adjunct, and I will be making more plus being able to go to school.  I'm not saying you shouldn't bargain, but I do think we need to be careful not to lose sight of the fact that we should be a little grateful.  There is no law that they *have* to pay us any more than an adjunct makes per credit hour.  I know it's expected, but it's still a nice opportunity.

I am happy I got my MA first because I was a dummy dumbhead before I went through my MA program and afterwards I was slightly less dumb.

You win. Everything.
 
Now go put up some cabinets.
 
ETA: Agh you have to stop with the Who references--I'm going to run out of up-votes just on you.  I feel like I have to use them sparingly now.
 
...is it September yet?

In the blue corner, straightening his bow tie- BowTiesAreCool! "Hello there"
Hailing from the planet Gailifry, BowTies is the last of the time lords. He wields a keen wit, a child-like curiosity, and an upgraded sonic-screwdriver. 
"And a banana"

I'm gonna sonic-y wonik-y your lights out! 
 

Wow! Congratulations to all the Brown/Cornell acceptances! I didn't apply to either, but I just wanted to say that I'm super excited for you guys. 
 
I don't know if I'm feeling extra mushy today because it's Valentine's day or because it's a good distraction from actually working, but I just wanted to say that I'm sincerely so happy for everyone who has been accepted to programs that they love thus far and thankful to those people who have been and continue to be positive resources and "cheerleaders" on this forum. Speaking from my own experience, it's totally devastating to be turned down by a school you applied to (especially if you loved it) and it's hard to be happy for others sometimes, but I'm so impressed by everyone's supportive attitude toward each other--it reminds me that academia, at the end of the day, is a community and a fantastic one at that. 
 
Cheers, all. Eat a ton of chocolate today. You know I will.

I seem to recall this sort of anger from last year--people get pretty heated around this time. Good luck, guys. Honestly, I do believe that we're all in this crazy Humanities boat together, however fluffy that sounds.

Keeping my fingers crossed for all of you.
 
And honestly, it's probably for the best.  It's a fantastic school, but I practically live in Canada... I'd probably melt and die in Texas.

I am *very* cautiously adding a side note here, so as you read keep in mind that I am doing the equivalent of timidly raising my hand and flushing and staring everywhere but at anyone while I talk.
 
I think the main issue with the "reality checks" that a few people have been delivering here is two-fold.
 
First, intended or not, they do come off a bit condescending, especially to the 60+% who already know these things.  That's not necessarily the fault of the writer; the internet is death to actual intended tone.  So what is supposed to come off as friendly and concerned often comes off as "what are you doing, you idiot child, even if that was not how it was meant at all."
 
Secondly, especially at this point in the game... we've all submitted apps.  We're all having anxiety attacks and refreshing the results search and trying not to look at our application packets.  If someone made an uninformed comment like "There's no chance I won't get a job immediately after because I did XYZ," or if they came on in September and asked if they should go to grad school to get a job/make billions, then that would be the place for comments of this nature.  But except in a very rare circumstance that someone decides in the next month or two to do a total life switch... we've all sort of committed already.  So the reality checks are not helpful, especially since our only response can be "I threw my chips down already, and I can't/won't take them back. So why are you telling me this/what am I supposed to do with that info?"  It either comes too late, or comes off as someone telling someone to abandon their dreams and clear the way for someone else following those exact same dreams.
 
I will restate that I know that's not how those comments are *meant*.  But when there is clear evidence that that is how they are *taken*, it at least might be worth a moment to consider how urgently you feel you need to pass on the information, and why.
 
Hopefully I haven't pissed anybody off.  I'm just observing, not trying to add fuel to the fire.

I am *very* cautiously adding a side note here, so as you read keep in mind that I am doing the equivalent of timidly raising my hand and flushing and staring everywhere but at anyone while I talk.
 
I think the main issue with the "reality checks" that a few people have been delivering here is two-fold.
 
First, intended or not, they do come off a bit condescending, especially to the 60+% who already know these things.  That's not necessarily the fault of the writer; the internet is death to actual intended tone.  So what is supposed to come off as friendly and concerned often comes off as "what are you doing, you idiot child, even if that was not how it was meant at all."
 
Secondly, especially at this point in the game... we've all submitted apps.  We're all having anxiety attacks and refreshing the results search and trying not to look at our application packets.  If someone made an uninformed comment like "There's no chance I won't get a job immediately after because I did XYZ," or if they came on in September and asked if they should go to grad school to get a job/make billions, then that would be the place for comments of this nature.  But except in a very rare circumstance that someone decides in the next month or two to do a total life switch... we've all sort of committed already.  So the reality checks are not helpful, especially since our only response can be "I threw my chips down already, and I can't/won't take them back. So why are you telling me this/what am I supposed to do with that info?"  It either comes too late, or comes off as someone telling someone to abandon their dreams and clear the way for someone else following those exact same dreams.
 
I will restate that I know that's not how those comments are *meant*.  But when there is clear evidence that that is how they are *taken*, it at least might be worth a moment to consider how urgently you feel you need to pass on the information, and why.
 
Hopefully I haven't pissed anybody off.  I'm just observing, not trying to add fuel to the fire.

Who could be angry with you? We're thrilled that your parents have decided to make your tuition money available in a competitive scholarship right here on Grad Cafe!

I hear the adcomm includes those aunts you still haven't mailed thank-you notes to...

Better start polishing that SOP!

*pops in. looks around.*
 
Uh...so...how about that curling?
 

Thanks for the Duolingo recommendation! I needed to brush up on German and this looks like a useful tool.

To everyone else: I use iKnow! and Brainscape for Latin practice. Mostly for vocab. (In case anyone needed to brush up on their Latin.)

Hi, everyone - I'm one of the ones who posted an acceptance to UT-Austin earlier today. I received an e-mail from the Director of Graduate Studies around 5pm &, within the past hour or so, received an automated e-mail from the ApplyYourself letting me know that a decision had been made on my application. So while I can't speak to when other notifications are going to be sent (waitlist, etc) - because I haven't been in direct communication with anyone there - I would think that they'll be forthcoming very, very soon. Here's hoping for good news for each of you!

...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.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!  That is so awesome, and an awesome package to boot.
 
Also, if anyone else applied to Missouri, I just got news that they are meeting tomorrow to put together the final list of acceptances--apparently creative goes out a bit earlier than Lit. I haven't seen anyone else talk about them, but thought I'd share the info.
 
Now I'm going to go back to staring at my inbox, after that notification from Washington University in St. Louis...

...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.

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....

Just received my first acceptance! It's no Berkeley or Duke but it's definitely comforting and an extremely strong offer--full medical/dental/vision and 16k a year! 

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....