Little Earthquakes

It was my #1 choice on the west coast outside of CA, and I really never thought I'd get in, which is why I almost didn't apply. So good luck waiting!!! Hang in there.

I am certain that the decisions do come out in waves but I have no idea how it breaks down. Regardless, I wouldn't lose hope yet!

I am attending UW as a first year PhD student, and I received my decision on March 2nd 2016. So I would say it's safe to say that decisions will be out by March 15th at the latest!

I'll be in the English (Lit) department! What about yourself? Congrats!

I accepted my offer at University of Washington Seattle this morning! I'm elated but I also feel like I'm gonna throw up. So relieved this waiting is over!

I'm about to decline U of Oregon. If that helps anyone!

I edited CUNY with the info they gave me in the waitlist letter. Really helpful doc to have up!

Thanks for the intel @rdsull89! I really hope they go to the wait list this year, but I'm just going to try to sit tight and try not to dwell this year. Anxiously crossing my fingers as this is my only shot at staying in California for my PhD.

I just found out I've been waitlisted at UC Riverside as well! Wasn't expecting this in a million years. I'm going in for contemporary American and gender/sexuality/queer studies. Do we know how their waitlist process goes? Do they typically accept student based on areas of specialization?

I declined my offer/TAship to University of Rhode Island last night if that helps anyone!

Personally, I shied away from programs that placed too much emphasis on the General GRE and did not apply to any that required the Literature GRE. I really disagree with the politics of standardized testing, and the merit of the Lit GRE just seems nonexistent to me. From what I've heard, the majority of programs that still require the Lit GRE don't place a lot of emphasis on it because it's really archaic/outdated. Okay tl;dr ignore my rant. When I was deciding between applying to other schools or staying on at my undergrad institution for my MA, I *did* take the Lit GRE in 2012 and scored abysmally. This application season, I was accepted to at least 2 programs that stated the Lit GRE was "optional." I chose not to send in my scores to these schools at the time I applied.

@Cotton Joe I wanted to reply because I had a very similar experience to yours. I did my BA and MA at the same CSU in California. And I really think that staying at the same program for my MA was integral to the success of my application materials. Prior to starting my MA, I didn't even know two of advisers who went on to become my LOR writers and Thesis readers. Had I applied for a Ph.D. straight out of undergrad, I probably just would have selected three LOR writers who I had consistently produced A-level work with... but I know in hindsight that 2/3 of these instructors simply did not know me as well as the instructors who worked with me during my MA. Since you just recently became an English major, continuing to work with some of the same professors might really help you in the long run. Also, I honestly had no idea how the application process worked before working on my MA, but this is something that you definitely still have time to prepare for should you apply out of undergrad. Looking back at my level of writing as a fourth year undergrad versus a second year Master's student, I am so blown away by how much I improved. By staying for my Master's, I was able to diversify and specialize myself. I thought I wanted to pursue queer studies in 19th century American Literature at the Ph.D. level but by writing a Thesis on this subject, I was able to realize that the field was NOT for me. So I was able to spin the experience as my "pitch" for pursuing a Ph.D. in queer/sexuality studies and 20th/21st-century American Lit., I was able to envision which allowed me to pitch myself as a highly desirable candidate. Looking back at the statement of purpose I wrote to get accepted into the Master's program, I really don't think I had what it takes to enter into a Ph.D. program. I've had very good luck this application season and have been accepted/waitlisted at some really competitive programs, including my top 2 choices! Which I never would have expected before applying. That said, I did decide to take a year off between my Master's and Ph.D. Between writing my Thesis and teaching a Literature course, I was (personally) way too exhausted to apply for a Ph.D. before I had my degree in hand so I decided against it. I know that several people have had good luck starting a Ph.D. directly after the MA, but I was too nervous to attempt it myself. But in the end, you are going to know your strengths better than anyone. So just remember that and take the time to explore different opportunities/options!

I was kind of thinking this might be the case since there still are people here (myself included) who haven't heard anything yet. Thanks for letting us know!

I still haven't heard back from them, and I really don't know what to expect. Good luck to everyone waiting!

I'm so glad I'm not the only one! They really need to spell it out more clearly on their application website. It doesn't suggest anything that sets it up as a comparative literature program until you start digging through their departmental requirements more closely.