be.

I just accepted Yale’s offer. That’s it for me. Good luck to everyone who is still deciding!

Declined Harvard and NYU.

Yale, Harvard, and NYU. I plan on visiting all three.

I declined Michigan and Toronto.

Thanks! Going into this application cycle, I really did have no idea that I'd do this well. And my sample was on Berkeley.

Thanks! Yes, I applied straight from undergrad.

I can claim the NYU acceptance. Phone call from Jessica Moss, who seems super nice!

Are you waitlisted at Yale?

I’m a bit confused by the request myself. The version of my transcript that I sent initially is virtually identical to the “official” version, but stamped with “unofficial.” Moreover, the version I sent them today was official, but not anymore, as it’s unsealed. So strictly speaking, they still don’t have an official copy of my transcript.

My AOI is early modern. I also want to work on contemporary philosophy of perception.

Right now, I’m leaning towards Yale or Harvard. Michigan and Toronto are, however, still in the running. I’m also (still!) waiting on NYU. They emailed me today, and asked for an official copy of my transcript, so that seems to bode well. I plan on declining the rest of my offers tonight or tomorrow. In regard to UBC, I heard from them very early — maybe the third week of January? I was notified early because I was nominated for a fellowship for international students.

Could you be more condescending?

For what it’s worth, I come from a mid-tier SLAC, and I’ve done quite well this cycle. I don’t think one’s not having gone to a prestigious school for undergrad hurts all that much in itself. The issue with having such a background is that one’s letter writers may not have much of a reputation in the field, which, I think, does hurt one’s chances. I was lucky enough to study in a department that, while small, nonetheless has several faculty members who are pretty well-known.

I broke down and emailed them today. I was told that decisions would be released “in the next week.”

Did you mention mysticism in your personal statement? That AOI strikes me as one that analytic-ish departments (e.g., UCSD and Baylor) might frown upon.