verda

Got the same email today. It quite surprises me how it seems to be formulated as an acceptance letter, but really is not if you read on... Am not going to apply for it as I already have a very nice place for a masters :-)

I got rejected by 6 out of 12 schools so far for PhDs. Some were by snailmail, some by postal. The ones I haven't heard from so far also have MA-programs, and on the results-pages I haven't seen any acceptances received yet for 5 of the 6 MA's, so I'm still having some hope for those.

Am in a similar situation. Applied to 12 schools, 6 rejections so far, and no acceptances or waitlists from the others. European background, Three 4.0 GPA BA's from a mid-range uni, currently in a MA in a different discipline at a Times top 30 uni, GRE 1300+, and a Fulbright for next year. Put my hopes out on MA's now, and done some more applications to MA-programs. But in all it has been a pretty devastating experience. It has left me feeling repulsion at the sight of application-forms, and close to being depressed.

We're in a very similar situation. I have: a Fulbright 3 BA's cum laude (from an average European university) currently in a MA in the top 30's 10+ presentations and a couple of papers and comparable GRE scores (though my V was in the 80's) And still only got rejections so far (applied to 12 schools, 4 official rejections, the rest implicit, except for masters programs which still might send out something good). I have been very much shocked by it (and stressed about the whole process) as well, to the point where my significant other was 'not amused'. I'm currently filling out some more application-forms for MAs at lesser schools with later deadlines, and not doing that much else, except being sorry for not taking this application-circus more seriously (I mean my SOP and sample were ok, but might have been better). I over-estimated the power of proven qualifications and the Fulbright...

Thanks for the peptalk piccgeek, LadyL, and others. The problem, piccgeek, with your description, is probably that even if I ever were to become what you described, that would be years down the line, and they would not even remember that I'd ever applied to their programs (and most schools don't keep records of applications, and if they did most academics would be too busy anyway to look them up). Also I don't think the cultivation of feelings of superiority is the best way to deal with pain. Yesterday I started doing some new applications, for late-deadline MA-programs closer to home, and though the most difficult bit there was bugging my LOR writers again (not to mention taking the FB scholarship off my resume), yet it felt energizing. And then yesterday evening I received a request from the director of graduate studies at one of my best fit programs, that they were finalizing decisions now, and two of my LOR's were missing (how that ever happened?), and if I could have them sent ASAP. I know that it's not an acceptance, or even a confirmed waitlist, and while it may be pathetic, but it made me so happy! :-) :-) :-) I hope that if a LOR killed me at the other programs, it's not happening right now there as well, though...

I would say you'd been admitted. What you could do is click the accept button and see if that changes things

Sorry, but won't be disclosing that, as some stray adcom members might be searching this forum. I would say I'd hoped it would increase my chances of admission, but now that the rejections are coming in and there's no good news yet, and not likely any to come, I start to hope that it does not make a difference, or is even weighted negatively, because otherwise I must be seriously crap.

My SOP is strong I'd say (my gf's mom, who teaches at one of the best universities of the UK, said it was good, and I stood a good chance of being accepted, a friend who's a PhD in the discipline I applied to checked it, and a slightly different version of it convinced the Fulbright committee). Two of the 3 LOR's I was able to read, and were glowing, though one of them contained a bit about it being important that I was given the freedom to do what I want. So it would either be that bit, or the 3rd letter that killed me (or my writing-sample of course). Anyway, thanks for all the suggestions so far. I'm slowly starting to think about alternative plans for the coming year/life...

I'm feeling pretty devastated. I'm currently getting straight A's in a MA at a top 30 university (Times global scale). Over seven years I have completed 3 BA-degrees at a mid-range European university with near-perfect GPA's (translated 4.0). I have 10+ conference presentations, and 6 publications, among which one in a top journal. And in addition to this I have a Fulbright scholarship for a PhD in the US (1 year funding + 4 years partial), and lots of extracurricular experience (student-council, etc...). And yet no acceptances, not even a waitlist, 3 rejections, and 9 silent (however acceptances have already gone out for most of them). The only catch is that most of my work was in a different discipline, as is my current MA, and I only have 2 years worth of courses in the discipline I applied to. Still I would have expected at least something. Is a partial discipline-switch, or work in a different field really rated that badly? Are adcoms that narrow-minded? Anyway, I guess I am getting depressed... all these things good for nothing. Anyone feeling similar, & any advice...?

I am an international student, and also still haven't heard anything from 8 out of 10 schools. Hope is falling though, as the 2 responses were rejections.

Str2T, Looks good, though the problem with any comments of this kind is that they are 'the blind leading the blind...'

Also have had my first reject two days ago (probably for funding reasons). From a school where I'd probably not go. Whole application-thing is making me quite nervous. Been checking mail every few hours or so, and unable to concentrate on anything, which is a big problem as I'm currently in a MA-program where some work is expected from me as well. Never thought it would all be so stressful.

To blow some application anxiety steam: Currently in a MA at a top 30 university in a different field, straight A's so far 3 separate Ba's from a continental university, all three GPA of 4.0 (one in the field I apply for is only 1-year, others full 3 each) Fulbright Scholarship for PhD, 1 year funding Currently on scholarships. Teaching and research experience, mostly in a different field 7 publications (of which 2 forthcoming, 1 in leading journal), ditto 15 conference presentations, 5 of which at top conferences, ditto High toefl 1300+ GRE Fluent in 3 languages (and 8 programming-languages) Plenty of extracurricular experience. Doubtful about LOR's and writing-samples. 1 reject so far (from lesser school, out of 12 applied to, others are mostly Ivy). 1 has sent out acceptances and waitlists, no news so far.