BooksCoffeeBeards

I'm surprised they made you wait so long! They let me know on February 11th...I was rejected very personally with WashU-STL, where they said they were only taking 7 people and they had "several highly qualified candidates" for what I wanted to do there (Digital Humanities + Victorian/Neo-Victorian studies). but went with other students/projects.

Queen of the Waitlist, @EmmaJava!

Oh crap - if I knew that about DU, I might have avoided it (despite encouragement from a POI to apply because they thought I had a good shot of making it in). No way I could have completed a PhD program if funding after year three was completely up in the air (or non-existent).

So, it looks like I'll be moving out of here and to a new location (Phoenix) anyway, so that's starting to take the sting out of waiting so long and getting rejections. This thread has also helped immensely.

@Wyatt's Terps , @HumanCylinder, and @EmmaJava - thanks so much for your kind words. There is a backup academic plan in place that could, at least, allow me to take on another Master's or Graduate Certificate to, maybe, get some more recent graduate level work done that could aid in another application cycle, pending ASU's decision. It could all be for naught, but I think I am in a good, comfortable spot now no matter what happens. My girlfriend and I are likely moving to Phoenix as it is, so it just might sting less if I get an acceptance from ASU. If not, I'm not completely screwed - as you guys have said, it's not that I or others are incapable of this work. It's sheer, dumb luck at times, and a real crapshoot, even IF my application has improved significantly. So, I don't need to fret too much. Thanks guys <3 <3 <3

It's good to see someone who has some acceptances in hand having gone through the same process I have. It gives me some hope, even if I feel like I've not really progressed anywhere in the nature of PhD applications. it looks like I'll be moving to St. Louis or Phoenix anyway, since my GF sold her house and can get an MLS job in either location fairly easily. She lives in Central Illinois and needs to get out badly, so I'm looking at CC/adjunct/anything positions in both cities. It sucks that I am likely not going to get anything like what I've at here in Flint for the last 7 years, but at least it's something, should I walk away empty handed again...

Thanks, again. It does make me feel slightly better knowing a lot of the capable and qualified people on GradCafe are having the same troubles I am. I'll just be doing a lot of soul searching this summer if ASU gets back to me with a rejection. Part of me thinks I need to do something different entirely, another part thinks I still have a place in academia, and another part of me REALLY wants that place to be in literature, where I've received so much encouragement that I do and can have a place in the field beyond simply independent research and writing as I teach entry-level writing courses. That encouragement just has not materialized in these application cycles, and it makes me wonder if I am receiving empty platitudes or not.

Thanks for the encouragement, @HumanCylinder and @EmmaJava! I suppose I'm more despondent than others as this is my third application cycle in 7 years, and I do have a BA and MA in literature. I'm just really hoping, again, I don't have to redo this as I've kind of had my fair share of rejections and close calls. Fun fact - I did get wait listed for UMass-Amherst for the Fall 2010 year, but a space never opened up. I was shut out of all 14 programs I applied to for fall 2011, including Amherst. It's been a rough go of it these years, though I do have 9 presentations, a publication, and 7 years as a non-TT lecturer in composition under my belt. I suppose I'm taking it a bit harder this cycle not just for everything I've done to strengthen my credentials and contribute to my field, but a decline in enrollment at the university has resulted in my position being reduced to a 2/2 load for the next two years (something I can't really support myself on). I am moving on and to somewhere new with my GF, but it would be better if that involved getting into a good program and starting a different direction with my life/career, ya know?

I got emailed at about 7pm that my status had been updated. Chances are they're rolling out their decisions, which might be good for you??? I hope it is!

I'm waiting on ASU - DU uploaded a fairly personal rejection letter to the portal today.

Well I'm down to one last school - hopefully I don't have to go through this process again...

I'm down to one school and likely walking away empty handed this cycle. Oof. It's hard to get encouragement from programs and letter writers and get personalized rejections. All I want is a yes!

Along the same lines, I managed to catch the phrase "digital humans" instead of "digital humanities" in my SOP before I submitted it to any programs. That would have been something. "What the hell - does this guy wanna study Blade Runner or something?"

For what it is worth, the AHSS assistant said they should be coming out around this time, and that was a few weeks ago. So, anytime between now and the next few weeks. Wait. That doesn't help...

I did this with my writing sample, in a way - I had a running header with the wrong school in it for 2 of my applications. D'oh.

Same, man. I'm dyyyyyying.

0/5 on applications for now.

I got the same email as well, but nothing since.

I suppose if this goes south my girlfriend and I can go all Deep 13...

Congrats @The Interdisciplinarian!! I'm still waiting to hear from Oregon as I see acceptances posted in threads and on the results board, and I've got nada in my inbox or application portal. Oof. Starting to feel like after nearly 2 years of regrouping and preparing for this application cycle, I'll be left empty handed again. For the third time in 7 years...

So, is Oregon done notifying acceptances?

Well, Oregon said they would send out decisions his week, but I am seeing acceptances posted for them on the Results page and Lit/Comp forum. Might be down to three schools, one of which is only taking 4-5 students it seems. :/

I think I have the same issue, though my biggest vice regarding my teeth is a lot of tea and coffee. No matter how well I take care of my teeth (including regular cleanings), they always seem to fall apart anyway. Here's to us, the soft teeth people!!

Oh god, that is horrible. As someone who has gone through 2 already, I can't tell how much I empathize. :/