Warelin

I think it's important to be aware that those applying this cycle are your fellow academics and scholars. These are the people who you'll be interacting with at conferences.. These are the people you'll have the opportunity to form early connections with. These are the people who very well may help one of your future students get into their program and vice versa. These are the people who would be the most willing to copublish together. These are the people who will be serving on similar committed as you. Build love, not hate.

Congrats!

Got into University of Georgia! I think, anyway. No email, just an update on the portal that says "Offer of admission." 
 
The user who got an error from U-Mich breaks my heart and awakens all my worst fears! I'm so scared of getting an email that says, "Oops, sorry, not you. Our bad." 

Somebody last year accepted an MA offer over a top 20 PHD offer because they felt the fit was better at the MA school and could provide more opportunities. They were hoping to get a better offer when they reapply again after completing their MA.

@pronountrouble also got into BC. Some programs don't always send out all offers (including acceptances and waitlists) at the same time though.

@canadianchart, I agree with this. My MA is at a school that doesn't even offer a single rhet/comp class, but I got into several rhet/comp PhD programs because my faculty supported my interests. They helped me with LORs, publications and presentations in other areas, and with opportunities like working in the writing center, etc, and I did an independent study in my area to help get some official looking courses on my transcripts. So if they don't have the exact interests as you, you can still make it work. Personally, I'd look more at the opportunities you'll have and how supportive they seem to be  

Speaking as someone who has done an MA, I don't think it is important to have professors with similar interests. The MA isn't really a specialization degree. I got into rhetoric programs without having a professor who had any interest in rhetoric and composition. I got into programs with a focus on other specializations despite only having one class in them. Doing well and forming connections with the professors are what is important in the MA. A strong writing sample and SOP are also important later on, but being immersed in the field is equally as important. I think being in a place that you feel comfortable in and don't have to worry about finances will allow you to produce the best work possible.

@hotpotato: Sorry about that. If I'm understanding this correctly: You have an MA offer from this school. You're interested in the same school's PHD program. But you're currently not eligible for the PHD program because it requires an MA first. You don't want to move to another state for an MA.  However, different schools require different things for internal applicants than they do for external PHD applicants. I'd ask the school what the process would be if you were to enroll as an MA student and were interested in continuing to do a PHD there. Some schools treat internal/external applications the same, others put them into separate piles, and there are some that autoaccept internal applicants. I'd try to find out the program's stance on it.

@hotpotato: Sorry about that. If I'm understanding this correctly: You have an MA offer from this school. You're interested in the same school's PHD program. But you're currently not eligible for the PHD program because it requires an MA first. You don't want to move to another state for an MA.  However, different schools require different things for internal applicants than they do for external PHD applicants. I'd ask the school what the process would be if you were to enroll as an MA student and were interested in continuing to do a PHD there. Some schools treat internal/external applications the same, others put them into separate piles, and there are some that autoaccept internal applicants. I'd try to find out the program's stance on it.

You could always ask to see what their process for admission to the PHD is. Some schools have 'non-competitive' admission into their PHD.

Looks like you're having a great cycle!

Got into Iowa State!!! 

Won a Graduate College Distinguished Fellowship from Illinois. 
 
I don't know what to do.

@Melville: My e-mail didn't mention anything about a Welcome Weekend. Later in the day, the DGS e-mailed requesting to set up a time to talk and discuss the program. 

This is a little late but I GOT INTO STANFORD MODERN THOUGHT AND LITERATURE!!!!!

Won a Graduate College Distinguished Fellowship from Illinois. 
 
I don't know what to do.

Won a Graduate College Distinguished Fellowship from Illinois. 
 
I don't know what to do.

Won a Graduate College Distinguished Fellowship from Illinois. 
 
I don't know what to do.

Won a Graduate College Distinguished Fellowship from Illinois. 
 
I don't know what to do.

Won a Graduate College Distinguished Fellowship from Illinois. 
 
I don't know what to do.

Won a Graduate College Distinguished Fellowship from Illinois. 
 
I don't know what to do.

Won a Graduate College Distinguished Fellowship from Illinois. 
 
I don't know what to do.

I think this board has worked out well in previous years and  thought there might be some benefit in creating a space where (1) people can post if they are declining an offer, and (2) where people can post where they are wait-listed. Sure, there is no guarantee the wait-listed person will get the spot, but it's still nice to know, right? In the end, we can only take up one offer but it's possible that you were accepted at another person's dream school and waitlisted at your own and vice versa.

Congrats
 
Also accepted at UConn!

Congrats
 
Also accepted at UConn!