goldenstardust11

@mano cool! How are you enjoying it? I started on that a while back and only made it through chapters 1 and 2

Wondering what everyone else is up to now that the waiting game has begun? For myself, I'm reading (currently The Help by Kathryn Stockett), knitting, binge-watching Pretty Little Liars (I'm late to the game), and hanging out with my cat mostly. Once my brain's recovered a bit, I'll continue translating some Plato

Card game oops wrong page dream catcher

puzzle piece

Yeah, there's definitely a funny amount of page views for how few people post. I was too paranoid to post for a couple years , and am definitely coaxing myself to participate more since I remember how helpful it was to lurk during 2015's season when I was first thinking about grad apps

Meh, I don't -think- so? But I suppose we'll see. The ones that do offer statistics, it looks as though there's a range of about 4-8% for PhD-track programs and somewhere in the 30% for MAs... I think it's just competitive all around

Yup. Based on the predictions, one of my programs starts notifying before the month even ends - I get a little anxiety stomach ache just thinking about it (anxiety mixed with excitement though!)

This is how I would read it as well, but I agree that with @psm1580b's point, "includes" could be ambiguous... :/ I suppose once we receive offers, we just confirm everything with the department?

Psycho Killer (Talking Heads!)

Hand Lotion

Savings account

^^all good points. Looking at percentiles, I agree with @DesertLandscaper

I was afraid of the same thing, so I used a side account w/my first and middle name :P. Glad to see someone else shares my paranoia about such things

Yeah, if it helps, mine were 167v 155q and 5.5aw and I just merrily sent those along without another thought, so I genuinely think either of your sets would be absolutely fine. You likely (or at least, I certainly hope) won't raise an eyebrow with either set as you're well in range for who tends to be admitted. If I were you, unless I was going for a math/logic focused area of interest, I would either submit the latter set or both, since I've heard that verbal counts a bit more for philosophy depts. But as @Turretin I think we're splitting hairs over something with very little impact Nice scores either way, good work!

Well then, we shall all attempt to combat this trend! I enjoy these forums- it actually helps allay my anxiety knowing that others are out there going through the same things :). And it's kinda nice to have a safe space to obsess...

Yup, I've noticed it too (also a long-time lurker). Idk why there's less activity, but it seems like a trend. 2 years ago also felt more active than this year, if memory serves :/

Curse words

Ooh! Thank you for adding so many unranked programs! This is great.

New Jersey

I'm reading The Help by Kathryn Sockett - a bit behind in popular readings, but have decided that post-apps will be a good time to catch up with the NYT Bestsellers list!

Pickup Artist

Yup, as someone with continental leanings, most of my programs are unranked (10/13 of the PhD programs I'm applying to). I found out about the programs by word of mouth, searches for programs strong in my areas of interest, and researched them based on faculty work and recent placement, like @KevDoh In response to career concerns, I guess I'd just say given my interests, this was the method that made the most sense to me and makes me feel like I have the highest chance of success (both on just getting in, and on getting enough training in my areas to make me competitive going forward) Hopefully, whatever route we choose, it will work out for all of us!

I definitely understand the burnt out feeling - but there's a light at the end, I promise! I just finished up over the weekend and am now feeling endlessly better. Now I'm just following up any making sure everything was received and that's a lot better than frantically trying to pull it together. I'm sure it will all be worth it in a few months! (I hope) Good luck on finishing up your apps

@MentalEngineer There's a little bit of a grace period though, no (for LORs)? We can't control when our letter writers complete these things... I added mine to the portal a month ago and only one of three has finished all the schools Trying not to panic too much about that. Just keep sending reminders... @mano if your professors have submitted by the deadline, I'm sure you will be fine, even if it's received a day or so following the deadline (I'm certainly hoping so for my own sake).

@Turretin I'll upvote you, buddy. I chuckled very appreciatively.