thehegeldialectic

So unless Villanova forgot to interview me, Boston College forgot to put enough postage on the envelop, (or something weird's going on with Penn State/Fordham/Stonybrook) I only have one Ph.D. shot left: Duquesne. Thankfully, they are teaching a class on one of my professors and have had students from my school in the past, so it's better chances than the others. Does anyone know the projected date for Duquesne?

Another Villanova interview posted... I'm going out for the night; I really am hoping; I feel like there's something wrong with my application I'm oblivious to.

Aw, thanks! I'm glad you liked it. My thesis advisor and mentor went to Villanova, so it's been what I've wanted to do since I was a Sophomore. Walter Brogan's work on Heidegger and Aristotle was also a big influence on my honors thesis. I'm really hopeful. When'd you get the email?

Anyone on here claiming the Villanova interview? They're my top choice and seeing that just filled me with dread.

I've spent the most time with Heidegger. In terms of depth of thought, I enjoy reading him the most. "On Time and Being" is right now for me the essay (of his) I've been thinking about lately. In terms of style, I'd have to say Nietzsche. Nietzsche might be the best writer in the philosophical canon (alongside Plato). In terms of Nietzsche's works, I've been working on a project centered around Birth of Tragedy and Untimely Meditations, although I'm not sure if I'd consider those my "favorite."

Yep! It's one of the ways I'm trying to stay busy.

First official rejection from Loyola Chicago. Just happened to check the website. I'm assuming that Fordham, Vanderbilt, Stony Brook, and Penn State have rejected me, since I've heard nothing. That leaves Villanova, Duquesne, Boston College (sometime in the mail, maybe?), and the New School for Social Research. I thought my writing sample would give me a strong edge; now I'm just hoping to land an unfunded M.A. at least.

Thanks, Boston College, for making me walk out in the rain four times a day to check the mailbox. Should probably figure out what time the mail comes...

On the subject of staying productive while waiting: has anyone here been successful with a philosophy blog? I attempted this as a way to stay busy while I wait but I've noticed it's difficult to avoid writing posts that feel like "papers" rather than blogs. I haven't seen many of these online, but I haven't really looked that much either.

If you go to Vandy, let me know and I'll tell you the cool Nashville spots.

For those who have received acceptance phone calls, what time of day were they at? I work a full-time job, and have been wondering whether I might get a call while working.

So I didn't have a Plan B, but now that I'm pessimistic rather than optimistic, here are some ideas: (1) Try again: improve GRE scores; shoot for 170 verbal (was 166 on my one attempt), send an even better writing sample, tailor interests to university faculty better. (2) Study for and take the GRE general English exam and apply for English M.A. (despite lack of English courses), focusing on literary and critical theory. (3) Journalism?

I haven't really tried them before; which ones are particularly good?

If so, which ones? Are there any online philosophical communities you're involved in?

The same thing happened to me when I had a bad hangover the other day. I went a whole day without checking my phone or email.

I didn't think it was possible to publish in "leading" journals as an undergraduate. I published two papers as an undergraduate in student-run journals and delivered one at an undergraduate conference. I've got one more still under review. My writing sample was from my honors thesis, which I hoped would be my ticket in. For one school with a shorter requirement, I submitted an unpublished paper that won a department award.

Are you an undergraduate, or do you have a masters?

I wasn't sure if people messed the dates up or not. I guess they're as occupied with this stuff as we are.

They don't send things out on weekends, right? The stress is getting unreal; it's impossible for me to get anything done.

I applied to Fordham, Boston College, Vanderbilt, Stony Brook, Duquesne, Penn State, Villanova, Loyola, and the New School for Social Research. So far, I've heard nothing. I was relatively optimistic before (I think my writing sample to be rather strong), but right now I'm just hoping to get in anywhere.

Did the person wait listed for Loyola-Chicago receive this: " We wanted to update you on your application to the Philosophy PhD program for the 2016 Fall Semester. The committee is still in the process of reviewing applications and making decisions." etc. Or did they receive something specifically stating they were on the wait list? Thanks,

So, I've been reading that a lot of people have been given offers, waitlisted, or interviewed at many of the schools I've applied to. I haven't heard anything from anyone. I know that the forum can't account for all of the students, so I'm wondering if these come in waves, or if it's over for the Ph.D. at these schools.

Defended my honors thesis in November of 2015. I actually took a semester off to write it; it took about nine months.

No, I finished my degree at Belmont University in December 2015. My fiance works at Vanderbilt medical, however.

Congratulations! So, you think they have any more people to call, or is the show over?