posi+ivity

Is it just me, or is the results board being flooded by spammers? 

Ya... It's getting ridiculous 

Is it just me, or is the results board being flooded by spammers? 

Is it just me, or is the results board being flooded by spammers? 

I thought for quite some time before deciding to finally post this thread, as I thought it would be (hopefully) beneficial to those needing somewhere to give a little rant, vent their disappointments, and ultimately, offer a safe and protected space where those of us could get a little encouragement after receiving unfavourable decisions, or perhaps, rejected in this cycle. 
Without ado, here I go! 
I'm a fresh graduate straight out with a BA (SocSci) from a leading university in Asia, and its my first time applying to do a PhD in Anthropology in the States. I graduated as the top student of my cohort, and thought I would stand a pretty alright chance at this shot. Perhaps too ambitiously, I shot for the biggest names like Yale, Harvard, Berkeley, UCLA, Stanford etc; and henceforth I have already received my 5th rejection out of the total 9 applications I made. 
Initially I was really afraid and couldn't bring myself to accept rejection as I couldn't quite believe I didn't manage to hear from SOMEwhere from the 9 schools I applied to?! But seems like 9 schools aren't that many to start off in first place... Over time, I think I have slowly gotten used to rejections, but it still scares me to fathom what I'll do in the upcoming days not studying. 
Still I'm thankful to the invaluable advices I have received from this forum, and am planning to fill my time with more productive things instead of bumming around everyday drowning in anxiety and apprehension unable to do life. I think I have come to a point in life where I am simply sick of waiting for uncertainties, and want to do something more certain that will make me a more useful person  rejections are indeed so painful, but I have learnt that so many things can't be forced and are out of my control, and I can always try again next cycle!
Hopefully someone reading this will feel better knowing we share the same predicament! Anyone cares to share their stories and let out some frustrations? 

Hey, I hear you. I'm also trying to prepare for rejections. I haven't got any formal rejections or acceptances at this point but considering the timeframe and lack of interview requests I fear that all of them would be rejections. I don't know where you're from in Asia, but I'm currently based in Hong Kong. I also feel like I was a bit too ambitious, applying to Berkeley, Columbia, NYU, Brown, MIT.  I only applied to 6 schools though (2 depts in NYU). Being an international too, I feel I can relate to you, though I'm not a fresh BA grad (I did an MPhil).
Uncertainty of academia is always something that makes me hesitate. I have many friends who are PhD students, grads, new assistant professors. Even a tenure-track assistant professor position is still very unstable since you need to be ready for reviews every few years. Let's say I do get into a US PhD programme, in Anthropology I'd be looking at 7-8 years.. and then probably need to do a post-doc which is another painful process of applying, waiting, getting accepted/rejected... after 1-2 years of post-doc you finally look for a tenure-track or whatever teaching position which at best gives you a contract of 5 years or something (I'm not sure about the US but it's like that in HK). All this time, your friends will be progressing through their careers, having a stable job, etc. (let's hope, though our generation doesn't have it so easy). People have told me exactly this a few years back, and I couldn't sympathise, but now, turning 26 next week, I feel this... 
So my plan is to apply for Australian schools in the summer (Aus PhDs are also a lot shorter 3.5-4yrs) and if I don't get in, I'll get a job, and maybe try again next year (or not).
Australia seems to be a nicer place to live in as well. What's your reason for applying to US schools?

Hey, I'm 30 and just got accepted to a couple of "top schools" in the US. I'm from South Asia, and have been the top my of my class through my undergrad, MA and MPhil. The first time I applied to grad schools abroad five years ago, I did it because I thought it was obvious that I had to. I applied to some big names, and to some not so big ones. I got rejected out of every single one. It was very difficult for me to accept, and I had a tough time battling with the constant self-doubt and anxiety that came with it.
I already had an offer from a top school here so I stuck to it. Academia everywhere is very hard, and given my mental health issues at that time, I really struggled to work my way through a PhD. I quit within the year and vowed never to come back to academics.
I continued to work on what I wanted to, though - I found different ways to do it. I ended up working with some amazing people and organisations, and had an extremely inspiring journey. By a strange turn of events, I found myself teaching and doing academic research at another top school in the country.
At the end of that year, I realised I wanted to apply again. I found my love for a subject I had never dipped my toes into (I was a gender studies student previously) and I was absolutely dreading it. I very carefully curated the list of schools I applied to - I only applied to people and departments that were doing the kind of work I wanted to; that had the same kind of politics I believed in. I told myself that if I had to go that far and start afresh, it would have to be because I really wanted it - not because it was something my career path demanded.
In spite of my excellent record, relevant experience and multiple academic publications over 6 years, I only heard from 2 of the six places I applied to. 
What I'm trying to say is - the most important thing is you, your work and going to a place that will make you happy. It may be a PhD, it may not. Don't let an acceptance or rejection from a grad school measure your worth. 

This just made me teared up, thank you for your inspirational story!!!
Your spirit and tenacity just come through so beautifully in your words, and I can only imagine how much of a fighter you have been hence far. So happy for your results today, totally deserving of every bit! I guess the biggest thing now is really battling with the self-doubts, inferiority and insecurity of everything. Honestly, I do feel like a wreck currently as I lack motivation for anything. When the applications were over, I told myself I deserved a 'good break'. And when the rejections came tumbling back, my 'break' slowly turned into one of despondence and dejection as I've just been wasting my time away idling, sleeping, eating or checking the portal. 
I constantly feel so inadequate and lacking at things, though I know I have to turn that around. Oh well, hoping I can snap out of this soon and fix my life because life has to GO ON and I grow after all these.
Thank you so much for your invaluable words again!

Is anybody else at the phase where they're just starting to get twitchy with the lack of responses so far? I feel like I'm going crazy! Even after the one rejection I got I just felt numb because I felt like it had taken so long! If anyone needs me I'll just be over here and complaining to the Boas only I can see...

Are the two people whom got accepted to U of Montana for Forensic Science in here?  I got accepted to U of Montana also!!

Maybe we should start placing bets on when the big schools will release decisions... you know, just to keep it lively (and to take our minds off the wait)

@Bschaefer Congrats!!! 
 
Is anyone else feeling like decisions are NEVER gonna come out? Seems like even this site is slowing down...

I got accepted to University of Illinois at Chicago! 

Your sentiments and experience are so invaluable! I believe that there must be some few like me who have found comfort in your words after being rejected (not taking it in the sour grapes kinda manner), and I really do appreciate your poster  Honestly, I have read quite a bit from my personal teeny weeny research on the culture, climate and support of Berkeley towards graduate students, and well... can only sincerely hope for the best for those who have amazingly got in! Congrats to all, and thank you so much again for your insights! 

This week is the week.... maybe? Hopefully?

So, I've seen threads in other groups where people share their funding packages for MA/PhD as a useful resource for people who want to apply for schools, but aren't sure what the funding may be like. Or you know, just for sheer curiosity too. Anyways, the google sheet is editable by anyone, so feel free to add your school. Cheers!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qoEVD2hIshffv07L00z0pDS0M25cKCB7PcjXpk-v5X0/edit?usp=sharing

Just a note about grad life at Berkeley. It's striking to me how many students on Grad Cafe express their unwavering desire to attend Berkeley for doctoral work. And when so many don't get in, how disappointed they seem on the results page & forums. As someone who has spent the past two years in the department (was rejected for PhD in 2016, but offered a funded MA degree, which I accepted), I just want to say that, your rejection to study at this institution is not actually a loss on your end. Support from faculty is minimal, more students seem to be unhappy than happy with the program overall, funding is not good - especially when weighed with cost of living in the Bay Area, teaching jobs can mean you are responsible for 80+ students per semester (the school loves to have you as a laborer - not a researcher), average graduation time is 8+ years (again, due to lack of support, terrible funding and other factors). Once you get to know it, Berkeley is not the thriving, energetic place of your academic dreams! In fact, the hallways of the anthro department are stagnant & silent with every professor's office door shut. This is all coming from someone who is, on the whole, optimistic; I haven't had a bad time at Berkeley, but this is my honest reflection as I leave here for another program. I think we should all realize that the status of Berkeley's name does not reflect the actual experience of being a grad student here. So don't be hard on yourself for not getting in, and know that there are other programs out there that are less 'famous' but far more supportive. 

Guys! I have been accepted into Washington State! My top school, so I am very happy!
 
I got the news yesterday when I woke up...I was feeling super down lately because I had only received rejections, so I was planning to spend the weekend working on a proposal for a school in Europe. But then I saw THE e-mail....freaked out, called my mom, my friends, etc..

To anyone accepted to UCSD, you should ask your department to nominate you for SHORE (priority on-campus housing). Rent in San Diego is crazy, so getting a 2 bedroom for $1200 is insanely affordable for the area. If you don't have priority housing, you typically have to wait 12+ months for an on-campus apartment. SHORE also gives you a month-to-month lease that lasts for your estimated time to degree plus one year (for example, MA is 2 years + 1 extra = 3 total years). 
Living on campus is "cheap" and convenient. It's really difficult to find a parking spot on campus, so the campus shuttle is a life saver. I have a faculty parking pass (so I pay ~$100/month and can park in ANY spot), and I still have to circle the lots for 30+ minutes sometimes. 

All of us waiting on decisions: 
 

6-8 years full funding at UC San Diego and I have absolutely no words, nothing is real, wow...
That being said, I've also been straight up rejected from 3 other schools, and waitlisted at a fourth master's program. CHINS UP BUTTERCUPS YOU ARE ALL DOING GREAT!

@Ben Merrill I got into UCSD, too! I actually do medical anthro, but I got in as sociocultural because my POI is with the sociocultural faculty and I don't do psychological anthropology. My POI called me today to let me know. This is my first acceptance so far and I am soooooooooo relieved!!!  *exhales*

So, I noticed that someone from one of the schools I applied to searched for my thesis and viewed it online on Jan 8th... that must be a decent sign, eh? At least they took the time to look me up! Regardless, it made me happy that someone is even remotely interested in my work. It's the small victories!
Anyone else have any small victories this week? 

@Ben Merrill I got into UCSD, too! I actually do medical anthro, but I got in as sociocultural because my POI is with the sociocultural faculty and I don't do psychological anthropology. My POI called me today to let me know. This is my first acceptance so far and I am soooooooooo relieved!!!  *exhales*

One pet peeve of mine is the "safety school" BS. Like, I get it. We apply to a range of programs--some more attainable than others, some we want more than others. But you shouldn't look down on the "safety school." Don't apply if you have no intention of attending and will actively hate the option if you get in. And don't get so comfortable that you assume the safety school is just a given. Don't underestimate the difficulty of this process.