minnares

I applied there also and also submitted everything electronically. I did have to contact them in mid-November to make sure my transcripts with my maiden name had been matched up, and I got the same email about them contacting me in mid-January if they were missing anything. I haven't heard a peep since, so it's on them if they need something. Maybe that's too trusting? I'm expecting a reject from them anyway. It was more of a swinging for the fences try ~ m

OMG, Nighthob! Thank you so much for this information. I was really sweating this one but trying not to get disappointed. My husband tried to help by saying if I haven't gotten an official rejection yet I still have a chance. It's funny that over the last two weeks my mind has really settled on 3 of the 6 I've applied to. That's giving me some peace that I'll know what to accept if I am fortunate enough to get more than one offer. And another hurrah and congratulations to you on your first acceptance! Go good woman Let's hear it for the returning students! ~ m

Mine also say "submitted," Venetia. Some of them have the nice list of what they've received from you, which eases the mind a bit. Like hadunc, I also got the "don't call us, we'll call you" from a few of mine back in December. So I'm sticking with that. I did see that at least three people claim to have heard from UNC Chapel Hill's English program (one back on January 24th!!!), and I about threw up when I saw that. I really like their program and the few interactions I've had with folks. So I'm trying not to freak out too much. Just checking my email and the websites constantly. ~ m

Thanks Venetia. I've had a few very nice welcomes over PM. All is well. After almost 40 years on this planet, it takes more than words to upset me. Love your Terry Pratchett quote @favorfire: Actually, Hellenic is modern Greek as distinguished from ancient. In Greece, they refer to their current language as Hellenic and refer to ancient Greek as "classical" or ancient, at least so explained my Athenian friend. Hope this clarifies. ~ m

Thanks callmelilyb. I saw The Positives thread where many others had posted this sort of list and just assumed it was what is done here. Apparently not. Certainly not an affirmation "grab," but a miscalculation of how this online community flows. Ultimately, people here do not know me at all and can say anything they like. It won't diminish what I accomplished or that I did so while working full time with three kids. No worries. I'm Teflon, and in my experience, the haters have a hard go of it when reality strikes in graduate school and everyone is amazing. There's always a bigger fish. If I needed external affirmation from randoms that I don't even know, I wouldn't get it here. I understand that folks are coping with fragile egos and the terror of not getting into their dream program, and I found this website late in the game. So it's easy to fall on the new comer like a pack of ravenous dogs, rather than looking inwardly and determining where all that anger comes from. Best, ~ m

Nighthob, Everyone I met there was just really kind, not pretentious at all, gave willingly of their time, hours to sit and talk. It says so much about a school when even their "heavy hitter" professors will email you back promptly, regard you as a potential colleague, and spend time with you answering questions. Not to mention the campus is gorgeous, and as you said, fabulous research resources ~ m

38 when I start the PhD, with 3 teenagers in tow.

It's absolutely survivable We also have an older son who is about to graduate high school. He's going to start a junior college program where ever we move. I applied for the JC here for him, as well. He thinks he wants to go into nursing. He's got some learning disabilities, so it's probably better that he transition to this more slowly. I'm so excited for you starting your Psych degree. My husband finished his BA in Finance and then I did my BA in English. We married very young, so we're playing catch up now in terms of our goals, which is fine. We certainly appreciate every positive element of the process. I know being older and waiting so long for this has given me a fresh appreciation even for the hard parts. This is what I wanted to do when I was 6 years old - write and teach English. I never stopped wanting to teach college English. @nessadub: Boy, do I understand the meltdowns. I just try to redirect my energy into something like working on getting the house ready to sell. Will both of your husbands have to quit their current jobs to move? Or Abigail are you already moved or in process? Nessadub, what programs did you apply for at UNC? I spoke with the DGS there in October and had a nice conversation about older students returning to school. I sensed a sympathetic spirit there

Do you have twins? I have twins who are 13! And we might be moving TO North Carolina because I applied to Chapel Hill. What programs has he applied to? Are you also going through this process? ~ m

Hi All ~ I'm new here. I'm just wondering if any of you are older grad students (35+) intending to move your family to the city of selection? My family and I are prepping to move if I get into a program. So I was just hoping to maybe find someone (or several someones) coping with the many issues related to making this kind of major life change. Thanks. ~ m

I did six and thought that was a lot. Now I'm concerned. I had no idea people applied to so many. The application fees were brutal even for six. ~ m

Excuse me, but I'm new here. Why did I get two negative votes? Did I respond in the wrong thread or something? Apologies if so. minnares

Hi All, I applied to Bloomington. In Fall 2009, I visited Bloomington and Purdue to interview with some professors, meet grad students, check out the campuses. I ruled out Purdue at that time. They were very rigid about working in an interdisciplinary manner. When I asked the professor I met with if I could work in both the lit. and creative writing departments because I am an essayist and a published poet, her response was, "Just don't tell them you work with us." And she wasn't kidding. They're an ag and engineering school, so they struck me as being very single minded in their approach. Bloomington on the other hand was wonderful. I spent about an hour with Susan Gubar (of Madwoman in the Attic fame) and John Lincoln Schilb (winner of the 2008 MLA Shaughnessy Award), both very kind, very thoughtful, very engaging folks. Dr. Gubar also set up a meet and greet for me with a professor in religious studies. My interest is critical theory with subfoci in gender/feminist criticism and religious studies. The whole tenor of the meeting was the polar opposite of Purdue. I'm hoping I get accepted, but I suppose that goes without saying. My stats: 4.0 cumulative, 700V/abysmal math, 710 subject, multiple TA positions, multiple poetry publications, three articles under review for publication, and I won every writing award at my undergraduate university. I've also already presented at a conference, where my paper was selected as Best Critical Paper out of two dozen universities presenting. I'm fluent in French and speak passable Hellenic. Yet, I am still unsure that I'll be accepted anywhere. Looking at the acceptances coming in on this website is terrifying. minnares