Quickmick

Hello all! I haven't been popping in, but thought I would update anyone interested on how it all shook out. I aimed very high with my history apps and did not get admitted. I tried (unsuccessfully) to make the case that my MS Environmental Science could help me contribute in a novel way to the study of Environmental History. It may not be that they didn't like the idea, but just not how I approached it. I will admit that there were a couple of other weak spots in my app.
That being said, the adcomm at my MS institution unanimously voted to admit me to the PhD program were I will continue my work in Coastal and Marine System Science in Socio-Economics. This is a good fit, and this process has confirmed that I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing. The funding is great, my colleagues are noteworthy, and the time to degree is a lot shorter than if I 'restarted' in the humanities. History, it seems, will remain an avocation--although I think I might have an Environmental Anthro chapter in my dissertation.
Generally things are good. My data came in and is showing some significant results, I presented it last week at a conference, and have submitted a draft for an early June defense. I will spend the summer getting it published, and the data set looks to be robust enough to warrant a second pub which should also go out the door late summer. Oh, and I am closing on a house next week!
If I had it to do over I wouldn't change a thing. I put my best materials together and knew it was a long shot (for the types of programs I applied) going in, so have no regrets. I was walking into my research institute the other day and found myself thinking that I like every day more than the previous one...which is a cool place to be.
I hope everyone is at peace with how the cycle worked out...good, bad, or ugly...and I wish you all the best moving forward.
 

Hello all! I haven't been popping in, but thought I would update anyone interested on how it all shook out. I aimed very high with my history apps and did not get admitted. I tried (unsuccessfully) to make the case that my MS Environmental Science could help me contribute in a novel way to the study of Environmental History. It may not be that they didn't like the idea, but just not how I approached it. I will admit that there were a couple of other weak spots in my app.
That being said, the adcomm at my MS institution unanimously voted to admit me to the PhD program were I will continue my work in Coastal and Marine System Science in Socio-Economics. This is a good fit, and this process has confirmed that I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing. The funding is great, my colleagues are noteworthy, and the time to degree is a lot shorter than if I 'restarted' in the humanities. History, it seems, will remain an avocation--although I think I might have an Environmental Anthro chapter in my dissertation.
Generally things are good. My data came in and is showing some significant results, I presented it last week at a conference, and have submitted a draft for an early June defense. I will spend the summer getting it published, and the data set looks to be robust enough to warrant a second pub which should also go out the door late summer. Oh, and I am closing on a house next week!
If I had it to do over I wouldn't change a thing. I put my best materials together and knew it was a long shot (for the types of programs I applied) going in, so have no regrets. I was walking into my research institute the other day and found myself thinking that I like every day more than the previous one...which is a cool place to be.
I hope everyone is at peace with how the cycle worked out...good, bad, or ugly...and I wish you all the best moving forward.
 

big bang theory

big bang theory

So there should only be 1/2 a gagillion. 

So there should only be 1/2 a gagillion. 

"The tribe has spoken."?

@rheya19 yeah, but I still hit the elevator button a couple extra times... ;P
 

Too late, hopes are up.

"The tribe has spoken."?

That is interesting. I'll just make a couple of general suggestions as opposed to being content specific. Our group generally uses the 1 slide per minute guideline... and people tend to talk over so maybe 4-6 slides? While I like your ideas regarding projects/direction I would be careful of making the slides too wordy (people will read instead of listen). Maybe a slide could be a pic of you actually working on the project? My guess is you will do better describing it verbally anyway, so maybe just use the slides for talking points...
good luck!

I, too, am in limbo. Why do you say "it must...?" Could it be that they felt that in years past they didn't have enough time, so changed the due date to give themselves some? Its just that, while your explanation is plausible, it's not the only one. I am not (nor will I) contact anyone until late March--if I have heard nothing. These are very busy people and will get to me in time. While I have only had limited success with this technique, I have been trying to turn any anxiety into excitement, trying to remember that this is something I will only (hopefully) go through once and remember that putting myself in a position to even be considered represents an accomplishment.

That is interesting. I'll just make a couple of general suggestions as opposed to being content specific. Our group generally uses the 1 slide per minute guideline... and people tend to talk over so maybe 4-6 slides? While I like your ideas regarding projects/direction I would be careful of making the slides too wordy (people will read instead of listen). Maybe a slide could be a pic of you actually working on the project? My guess is you will do better describing it verbally anyway, so maybe just use the slides for talking points...
good luck!

@slpmayb2123 Oh! My mistake, I just saw the "competitiveness" bit.

@DancinFool scroll to the top of this screen and look at the third tab over.
 
warning....habit forming oh, and its searchable, too.
 

This one is searchable too: http://www.phdstipends.com/
and you can add your data as well.

"The tribe has spoken."?

While I would agree that people are entitled to make decisions however they deem best, I would mention that when I went through this process to get into my MS program I only kept one admit in hand at a time. That is, I evaluated them as they came in and would decline them ASAP to give the next guy down the list a chance--but that is just me. Holding multiple offers wouldn't change how I evaluated them, either heads up on the fly or waiting on the whole batch--unless funding was pending.

While I would agree that people are entitled to make decisions however they deem best, I would mention that when I went through this process to get into my MS program I only kept one admit in hand at a time. That is, I evaluated them as they came in and would decline them ASAP to give the next guy down the list a chance--but that is just me. Holding multiple offers wouldn't change how I evaluated them, either heads up on the fly or waiting on the whole batch--unless funding was pending.

All good points, and I would imagine most people decline as soon as it is practicable, just also important to remember that once something is in the "no" pile it is polite to inform the school which I imagine almost everybody does.

Just be grateful and graceful and it will be fine. Frankly, they will probably appreciate your candor as it will prevent them from wasting time/money, and might even help a fellow candidate by freeing up a spot. I wouldn't worry about hurting any feelings, its just business and we are all big boys and girls.

"The tribe has spoken."?

"The tribe has spoken."?

"The tribe has spoken."?

I wouldn't think so....maybe couch it more along the lines of, "The work at OverTheRainbow U offers cutting edge blah blah blah, and I would hope to take that training and foster growth along these lines in AU--where developments are not as far along--to advance the study of JandalHandles on the trail that Dr. Suess at Rainbow has blazed."
Just saying, you might be able to spin the lack of work in your home country into a positive.