Warelin

I think how universities decide how to respond to the job market will ultimately decide the success of a program. Different universities have responded in different ways. I think one of the best ways they can respond is by decreasing cohort sizes and increasing the number of resources they have to put everyone in the best possible position they can be in. Decreasing the sizes also allows for more time for committees to spend with each individual that they're trying to mentor.

There were Canadian Universities on the original list. I think someone deleted it because there was confusion on the stipend's overlap with the tuition payments. Feel free to re-add it.

In a few weeks, you'll find out where you're accepted, rejected or waitlisted. By now, I'm sure you're experiencing all sorts of highs and lows. This is a very stressful process. Sometimes, all you want is some news because you're starting to feel down about the process.

Big News? You're alive.
-There are currently seven billion people alive today and the Population Reference Bureau estimates that about 107 billion people have ever lived.  -Having just a few coins makes you richer than most people on Earth.
-You are unique and nobody in the entire world is like you are
-The opportunity to attend school is something many people don’t have. (Which makes having a college degree even greater!)
-Most people lack a bed of their own to sleep in
-Many people on earth lack access to clean water.
-Cell phones make talking to loved ones easy.
-You have friends that will always have your back. (And if you don't, message me. Let's talk. And if you do, let's talk anyways)
-You can enjoy pizza. Or Ice Cream.
-There are people in your life who love you more than you could ever know -The Internet, n'uff said?   But in all seriousness, try not to compare yourself to others. We have a tendency to look at how great the lives of other people are going without realizing the stresses they're hiding. No matter where you get in or don't get in, please be proud of yourselves. You've worked incredibly hard to get to where you are. An acceptance doesn't determine who you are and a rejection doesn't make you lesser than. It just means not this year. You might realize that your passions change over the course of a year. And you might discover those new interests are really interesting when you do reapply. You might discover some universities that previously rejected you might accept you the following year and viceversa.   Lastly, a word on rankings:
USNews rankings for English are determined by 14 percent of respondents who were department heads or director of graduate studies. As such, it's hard to take rankings those seriously when a lot of the rankings are based on "name brand". Most departments are only paying attention to a few select schools and placements may vary considerably across specific interests. Follow your heart when making a decision. Happiness is the number one thing that will make you succeed in a program and that happiness will translate to the quality of work you produce.

Good luck all. You're going to do great!

There is indeed a cost of living column. It accounts for the living expenses of one person. It also doesn't account for taxes on stipends which might have a bigger cost of living impact on schools already significantly below "1".

Two people might be slightly more. I think it's also important to consider opportunities within the city if you're moving with a significant other. Alternatively, one might also want to think about if they''re comfortable living with another person. Living with a roommate or two might be the norm in some cities.
 
Full-time grad students are exempt from FICA taxes on their stipend. This article will help to explain it more: https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/gradhacker/why-it-matters-how-you-are-paid

There is indeed a cost of living column. It accounts for the living expenses of one person. It also doesn't account for taxes on stipends which might have a bigger cost of living impact on schools already significantly below "1".

Two people might be slightly more. I think it's also important to consider opportunities within the city if you're moving with a significant other. Alternatively, one might also want to think about if they''re comfortable living with another person. Living with a roommate or two might be the norm in some cities.
 
Full-time grad students are exempt from FICA taxes on their stipend. This article will help to explain it more: https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/gradhacker/why-it-matters-how-you-are-paid

There is indeed a cost of living column. It accounts for the living expenses of one person. It also doesn't account for taxes on stipends which might have a bigger cost of living impact on schools already significantly below "1".

Two people might be slightly more. I think it's also important to consider opportunities within the city if you're moving with a significant other. Alternatively, one might also want to think about if they''re comfortable living with another person. Living with a roommate or two might be the norm in some cities.
 
Full-time grad students are exempt from FICA taxes on their stipend. This article will help to explain it more: https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/gradhacker/why-it-matters-how-you-are-paid

I completely agree with you. Which is why it's also essential that everyone here goes out to vote in this primary to support students and our unions.

I don't think you can go wrong with either or. Both are well-respected schools. Both belong to the same "tier" of schools. But I do think it's important to consider a few things that are often forgotten:

Would your lifestyle be similiar in both cases?
How do you feel about a small town vs a world-class city?
What about public transportation? Do you feel like you could live with the differences?
How do you feel about hills? If I recall correctly, Cornell is located on a hill which is great for getting back in shape.
How do you feel about snow? Ithaca gets a lot of snow due to its location.
How do you feel about getting adjusted to a new city while adjusting to a new program? Some people like the differences; others might find it overwhelming or might prefer having control over certain aspects.
Would NYC be too distracting for you?
Would Ithaca be too quiet/not have enough amenities for you?
Would you like to teach for 3 years or would you prefer to have the option of having additional time to do research?
While NYC living is expensive for most people, it does seem to make sense financially in your case. The fact that you'd have a support system in NYC could only serve to help you. Saving up money to buy a house later will free you from a lot of stress in the future.

A word on placement stats: These can be tricky at times. Some people may choose to not pursue a teaching career; others may decide to stay in the area due to family obligations.

I think most try to make visit dates roughly the same year to year. It can change based on university reservation space, faculty availability and other events happening around the same time.

Congrats to both of you!

I've been a long time lurker on this forum, and used it for some great advice earlier in 2019. So I thought, you know, good time to post that I got my first decision of the cycle, and it was an offer from the University of Chicago. !!?

In at UIC ? 6 straight years of teaching, though! Wooooah

Congrats to everyone!!! Double congrats to you @StormChild!!! Such Amazing news!!!

Just got in at IU-Bloomington! 

Congratulations! In at Boston College here too ? It's so nice to start off the season with an acceptance rather than a rejection.

I've updated the stipend information for Boston College (it has increased by a considerable amount since it was last updated for 2017) but I'm not sure how to calculate the new wage index. @Warelin?

In a few weeks, you'll find out where you're accepted, rejected or waitlisted. By now, I'm sure you're experiencing all sorts of highs and lows. This is a very stressful process. Sometimes, all you want is some news because you're starting to feel down about the process.

Big News? You're alive.
-There are currently seven billion people alive today and the Population Reference Bureau estimates that about 107 billion people have ever lived.  -Having just a few coins makes you richer than most people on Earth.
-You are unique and nobody in the entire world is like you are
-The opportunity to attend school is something many people don’t have. (Which makes having a college degree even greater!)
-Most people lack a bed of their own to sleep in
-Many people on earth lack access to clean water.
-Cell phones make talking to loved ones easy.
-You have friends that will always have your back. (And if you don't, message me. Let's talk. And if you do, let's talk anyways)
-You can enjoy pizza. Or Ice Cream.
-There are people in your life who love you more than you could ever know -The Internet, n'uff said?   But in all seriousness, try not to compare yourself to others. We have a tendency to look at how great the lives of other people are going without realizing the stresses they're hiding. No matter where you get in or don't get in, please be proud of yourselves. You've worked incredibly hard to get to where you are. An acceptance doesn't determine who you are and a rejection doesn't make you lesser than. It just means not this year. You might realize that your passions change over the course of a year. And you might discover those new interests are really interesting when you do reapply. You might discover some universities that previously rejected you might accept you the following year and viceversa.   Lastly, a word on rankings:
USNews rankings for English are determined by 14 percent of respondents who were department heads or director of graduate studies. As such, it's hard to take rankings those seriously when a lot of the rankings are based on "name brand". Most departments are only paying attention to a few select schools and placements may vary considerably across specific interests. Follow your heart when making a decision. Happiness is the number one thing that will make you succeed in a program and that happiness will translate to the quality of work you produce.

Good luck all. You're going to do great!

Got accepted from Boston College today!! I've never known relief like this before

So I waited a couple of more days and I got accepted yesterday!! (USC Cinema and Media MA)

Everyone could use a reminder.

Bumping this back up as a reminder.

In a few weeks, you'll find out where you're accepted, rejected or waitlisted. By now, I'm sure you're experiencing all sorts of highs and lows. This is a very stressful process. Sometimes, all you want is some news because you're starting to feel down about the process.

Big News? You're alive.
-There are currently seven billion people alive today and the Population Reference Bureau estimates that about 107 billion people have ever lived.  -Having just a few coins makes you richer than most people on Earth.
-You are unique and nobody in the entire world is like you are
-The opportunity to attend school is something many people don’t have. (Which makes having a college degree even greater!)
-Most people lack a bed of their own to sleep in
-Many people on earth lack access to clean water.
-Cell phones make talking to loved ones easy.
-You have friends that will always have your back. (And if you don't, message me. Let's talk. And if you do, let's talk anyways)
-You can enjoy pizza. Or Ice Cream.
-There are people in your life who love you more than you could ever know -The Internet, n'uff said?   But in all seriousness, try not to compare yourself to others. We have a tendency to look at how great the lives of other people are going without realizing the stresses they're hiding. No matter where you get in or don't get in, please be proud of yourselves. You've worked incredibly hard to get to where you are. An acceptance doesn't determine who you are and a rejection doesn't make you lesser than. It just means not this year. You might realize that your passions change over the course of a year. And you might discover those new interests are really interesting when you do reapply. You might discover some universities that previously rejected you might accept you the following year and viceversa.   Lastly, a word on rankings:
USNews rankings for English are determined by 14 percent of respondents who were department heads or director of graduate studies. As such, it's hard to take rankings those seriously when a lot of the rankings are based on "name brand". Most departments are only paying attention to a few select schools and placements may vary considerably across specific interests. Follow your heart when making a decision. Happiness is the number one thing that will make you succeed in a program and that happiness will translate to the quality of work you produce.

Good luck all. You're going to do great!

Congrats!

Yay!!! Got accepted to WashU!!! 

Congratulations to the both of you! Perhaps, I'll be seeing both of you around in the future.