yayspace

Eating my vegetables as I type! Exercise has been helpful too as a mood booster and way to distract myself. Thanks for the good luck message.

I understand your intentions were to help put things in perspective, which I appreciate. You didn't call me delusional outright. I was inferring this from your comment about what grad school is really like, in your experience and your statement about it not being glorious. I also inferred from your comment about trying again next year/getting a job in the field, etc. that you are assuming you know something about my current life situation. In other words, you may have written a well-intentioned comment, but came off a little like you were telling me how I should be reacting, telling me my emotions are not valid responses, etc. Hence my response.

You are completely right, however it is very difficult for me to "just relax." Coming to this discussion forum and venting is what helps me. Different people react differently to rejections and logically I know you are right - it doesn't reflect on my identity as a writer. But I won't apologize for being anxious about it. Part of working through my emotions to logic is coming here and posting and reading other posts. And I know very well that a PhD program will not be "glorious" - that's not why I applied. I applied because I want to do a lot of homework, read a lot, etc. Just because I want it badly doesn't mean I'm delusional. Also, please don't assume that you know about my circumstances and what is or is not possible for me if I get rejected. I appreciate your advice and that you shared your experiences, however you are writing from the viewpoint of someone who has been accepted to schools, whereas I have not. Our situations are different and our thoughts/feelings are equally valid.

I don't remember what school... I think feeling both mad and scared are valid responses!

Oh, I cycle through this nightmare when I'm awake. I go back and forth in my daydreams: imagining myself driving triumphantly away from Chicago, as I've been accepted to my top choice or any of the other 4 schools I applied to... then I plunge into nightmare where I have to tell my friends and family that I was rejected by 7 schools. My anxiety is so high, I wouldn't be surprised if I develop an ulcer. FUN.

Dumb question, but have you checked your status online where you applied? That's how I found one of my rejections.

"I love everybody, but it's surreal to see a lot of international students accepted into MFA and English Ph.D. Programs who can't even write correct grammar. Hopefully, Mr. Trump will lower student visas so Americans can get into their own schools again." REALLY?

LittleCritter, I'm in agony, too. I've gotten 2 rejections and am convinced I'll get 5 more. HALP.

I've gotten two rejections in the past two days. I could really use some good news.

Have you heard anything yet? I haven't heard anything.... starting to freak out.

I've heard nothing and just noticed that one of my schools has accepted some folks in the program I applied for... but I've heard nothing... commence freak out mode! I will now check my phone even more neurotically than I did before and refresh my email 20 times a minute instead of 10.

Hi Coriander! I applied to FSU as well. Good luck to us both!!

I am applying for a PhD in Creative Writing (some schools are calling it PhD in Lit with creative dissertation, etc.). My GRE verbal score: 157. Analytical Writing: 4.0 and Literature Subject test: 490, 28% below. Two of the schools I'm applying to want the Subject Test score. Am I screwed out of funding? Any ideas on how schools make decisions about funding for applicants? Of course I'm working my ass off on the other parts of the application. This whole GRE experience is very frustrating!

Hi Sue, I just googled this same question (does the GRE matter to Phd Creative Writing programs?) and your post popped up. Do you mind sharing how your application experience turned out? I just took the GRE today and got a 157 verbal. Feeling pretty stupid. I'm hoping I did well on the essays. My practice test verbal score was 168!