SMB123

Just declined Tufts. Good luck!

Just declined Brandeis last night. Good luck!

@Schwarzwald I'm probably going to decline, but not until I visit my other option (end of March). Sorry I can't any sooner, but I hope you get my spot if I do decline!

Who's trying to decline Brandeis? C'mon now, I know yall not trying to pay that money. Just send an email saying "Thanks but no thanks," and then mention in passing that you couldn't possibly take a spot away from the great and magnificent Schwarzwald, and that they'd be mistaken not to extend an offer to him. 

@SMB123 Tallahassee is a fairly spread out city, and sometimes bus transit can be untimely––However, Tally is increasing their bus fleet, adding several electric busses as well to service the city, so that is a positive. Several of my classmates didn't have vehicles and also preferred to bike. In the summer, it can get quite hot and humid, but as long as you are prepared for that, it is doable. Slowly, the city is becoming more bike-friendly especially around downtown. The walkscore is not super, but again, that's changing near FSU/FAMU campuses: https://www.walkscore.com/FL/Tallahassee
One of the reasons it is recommended to have a vehicle is for going to the far-reaching places in town, such as Killearn in the north, the airport/Tallahassee Museum, or away from campus for places like the beach, St. Augustine, etc. Not having a car can be unhandy, but it is definitely a possibility. You may have to live closer to campus, but there are plenty of housing options. 

I'd actually prefer the 10th. Have you seen philosophers? Not necessarily the most prompt bunch.

This is a philosophy forum..................

go to the top-15 program. they aren't courting you because their rank/prestige/faculty speaks for itself.

Is it April 14th yet? 

9am-3pm: It's too early to hear
3:pm-6pm: *eyes glued to email* 
7pm and/or weekend:  WHY. WHY DID I NOT HEAR.

Declining your rejections? It's a bold strategy Cotton. Let's see if it pays off for her.

Well, Michigan is also all over the place. Sometimes early-Feb, sometimes late-Feb, sometimes the first week of March, and sometimes the second. 

Does anyone have new news about Michigan?

Does anyone have new news about Michigan?

You shouldn't worry too much about your personal statement in philosophy. Something that the admissions directors from MIT and Harvard were telling me: your personal statement will not help you, it can only hurt you. So here are some things *not* to do in a personal statement:
1. Do not sound too confident about what subfield/concentration you intend to study. It's great to put down your current interests, but don't limit yourself by saying you are only interested in one specific area and are only interested in perusing work in that area.
2. Do not rant about the one faculty member you cannot wait to work with in their department. Maybe that particular person is not taking any more graduate students at the time you're applying, because s/he already has too many. Maybe that person is planning on leaving the university in the next couple years. Maybe that person is terrible to work with. Who knows. The point is, you don't want to limit yourself to one specific faculty member. (It is okay, however, to list off a few faculty members who have similar interests as you.)
3. Don't sound pompous, or cocky, or like an asshole. Nobody will want to work with you.

You shouldn't worry too much about your personal statement in philosophy. Something that the admissions directors from MIT and Harvard were telling me: your personal statement will not help you, it can only hurt you. So here are some things *not* to do in a personal statement:
1. Do not sound too confident about what subfield/concentration you intend to study. It's great to put down your current interests, but don't limit yourself by saying you are only interested in one specific area and are only interested in perusing work in that area.
2. Do not rant about the one faculty member you cannot wait to work with in their department. Maybe that particular person is not taking any more graduate students at the time you're applying, because s/he already has too many. Maybe that person is planning on leaving the university in the next couple years. Maybe that person is terrible to work with. Who knows. The point is, you don't want to limit yourself to one specific faculty member. (It is okay, however, to list off a few faculty members who have similar interests as you.)
3. Don't sound pompous, or cocky, or like an asshole. Nobody will want to work with you.

Just being at a "non-elite" program won't sink you, although I do think it's a pretty big handicap. If one is truly amazing, I agree that one can overcome pedigree. But that's a tough road. That's what terminal MA programs are for. For one thing, I would note that stacking up favorably with your peers at a non-elite school probably means nothing. The applicants coming from the Ivy League and similar schools, departments with PGR philosophy programs and from the top MA programs (Tufts, Brandeis, Georgia State, NIU, Wisconsin-Milwaukee, etc.) are going to be outstanding. Another element related to pedigree is the reputation of your letter writers. Having famous letter writers helps, which again counts against non-elite school people. 
Your list looks good, but 6 top 20s is very ambitious. I'd cut a few in the T20 and add a couple in the lower end of the PGR (30-50). Having four MA programs, as you do, seems wise (as long as they are funded or you are independently wealthy).