hejduk

KY to CO, and I'm married, so we have a ton of sh!t. Gotta move two cars, as well as a full apartment. No getting rid of stuff here! A new place = new opportunities. It's a lil' more stressful when you're not doing it by yourself (as I'm quite the independent person), but experiencing it with my spouse will be awesome. Do it and don't look back!

I think there are those with significantly more debt than that, but they are pursuing and finishing PhDs. Yes, it's a crazy load of debt, but one should be able to pay it off with a PhD.

Unethical? When you have to ask a question like that, then you've probably answered it yourself. If you've made a decision, then you've done just that; let the other schools know so that someone else can get the spot. If nothing else, it's common decency and KARMA!

I called today to turn down an admissions offer, but couldn't get a hold of the dept program coordinator. I got a hold of his VM, and without thinking, I left him a message saying that I didn't accept their offer. The message was worded appropriately and thanked them for the campus visit, etc, but I still feel like I should folllow-up with a call to make sure they got it. Should I follow-up with another call to make sure they got it, send an email, or what? Academia is such a small world, that I don't want to burn any potential bridges. The program brought me out for a visit last week, and the last thing I want them thinking is that I just wanted a "free vacation".

Congrats! Glad to hear it's all over for you too! I just had to make a call to reject an offer, and no one was there, so I had to leave a VM. The toughest call I've ever made! Again, congrats!

Is anyone aware of a school or situation where an original applicant's funding offer was greater than the waitlister that got their admission spot? I know it's probably different in STEM vs. Social Sciences, but just wondering people's take on this. Surely the waitlisted individuals get the same funding offer as those originally admitted?

Anyone that I can PM to ask about apartments/housing? Or anyone have anything additional they'd like to add to this thread? I just accepted an offer for CSU, and while I've visited already, I have no clue where to start with regards to housing. Also, anyone know the local public education scene? Need to start looking for job opportunities for my spouse.

So glad to be done! Best of luck to those still waiting; something good will happen!

I have two admission offers, both with full funding. I'm married with no kids, but my spouse's happiness is definitely important to me. School A is out west with plenty of outdoor things to do, close to a huge metro area airport, would allow me to remain active &eat healthy as well. The area is more expensive, but more better quality of life. School B is in the south, with no major cities around it, and no interstates to travel much of anywhwere. There arent many recreational activities, and the local food/health scene is quite bleak. This school will pay more than school A. $$ is definitely not everything, but quality of life is important, right? Any recommendations on this topic?

I just got off a waitlist after one admit declined. It happens, and I know how hard it is to be patient, but keep some positivity. Keep your credentials in front of the DGS and POIs; if you're seroius about attending there, keep them up-to-date on new research your conducting, as well as your interest in attending. It's exactly what I did, and I'm sure it truly helped.

Well, I never thought I'd say this, but I just got an admission offer and I'm pissed! I was waitlisted, and have gone to College A to visit already, but was assuming that I'd probably not get off the waitlist. I"m visiting College B this wkend, which has granted me admission and funding. I like the state/area of College A much better, but I guess I need to keep an open mind in visiting College B this wkend. Oh the irony in being pissed about an admission offer, when three weeks ago I was thinking I wouldn't get admitted anywhere!

Can anyone add some info about the revitalization of downtown? Possible opening of new stores? Is there a pulse to this city, or is it just a run-down town that'll never breathe again? I've been reading a lot about it being in the "middle of nowhere" and how there's not "much going on" (however one describes that). Got a great offer from TT, but it would be great to have a city that know's where it's going, and know's how to get there.

I don't know myself, as I'm an advertising guy, but I know that rhetoric programs can be either Comm or English departments, so don't forget to search there as well. Send me a PM with your email and I'll email you a PDF that shows NCA rankings of various comm rankings, including rhetoric.

Like admissions, we're all in this together. Why not pass along the info?

Whoo! A couple of questions to address there! "And what can be possible explanations?" Honestly, I don't remember the explanation, but I'm guessing that you tackle that when you ask "Is this field getting more popular?". Communication, as a field, tends to be one the fastest growing departments across the US. When you've got a growing population of students, you have a need for more profs. Which answers your third questions, "Did they mean positions in academia...?" We're fortunate our field as a whole is growing, but also need to be aware of the impending and forseeable cuts in higher education, which will take away from every college in every department. You can definitely get a tenure-track position in Communication, but as stated earlier, it's a whole new game and d@mn if you don't have to come extra prepared.

Take that with a grain of salt, but it does come from an editor a highly regarded journal, and the editor definitely knows what he's talking about. I brought this very question up at a pre-conf forum at AEJ last year, and all the opinions of journal editors and school deans (UNC, AZ State, etc) were all positive.

Well here's the thing: he wasn't sure how the admission process is now until I filled him in on my situation. So, I think it's probably wise not to take my experience, and assume it's everyone's. Having said that, I do think it's safe (IMHO) to say that programs are expecting more research productivity as a PhD applicant. And as we all know, and several have this response, "Too many qualified applicants, and not enough funding". I think it's impossible to figure out when the admission process will be "easier". I think the recession is still lingering, and even if/when the economy does get better, people will still be getting more advanced degrees. Lets face it, a BA is basically a high school degree now! To get where we need to get, and even be considered for a job, we need a PhD, as well numerous pubs and presentations. The best thing about COMM, is that there are more positions open than there are graduates (this according a friend of mine who is an editor at a top COMM journal). We all have to fight even harder than previous year's applicants, but won't we be that much satisfied in our accomplishments?

I've spoken with a friend who is just completing his dissertation, and has secured a tenure-track position at an R1 school. I've filled him in on my admission process during the entire thing, and he always comments on how much tougher it is now, versus 4 years ago. Yes, the economy has forced many people to go back to graduate school, but he even finds the research expectations for incoming PhD admits to be quite high. When he graduated with his MA, and was applying to PhD programs in Comm, he had one pub and one conference presentation. He stated how glad he was not having to apply now. Crazy!

Finally got an informal acceptance today! About d@mn time after all the "NO"s I've gotten. Now, if I can just get funding...

While it's not the ultimate decision you seek, it's a step in the right direction. At this point, celebrate the small victories! I'm in the same spot as well, so just try and keep positive.

Bump. Surely someone that posts here claims the interview? Anyone accepted to TT so far?

I have some PDFs with NCA rankings, as well as some other documents/websites that rank COMM programs. I can't post documents here, but if you PM with your email, I'll gladly send them to you. If you PM me, specify what type of program (Mass Comm, Health Comm, etc).

Those waiting on decisions (including myself), may be waiting at least another week. Last week and this week seem to be typical Spring Break period, and we all know nothing gets done!

At least in communications, most of the applicants I know (including myself) went for an MA, and then a PhD. I went the "undergrad, corporate, MA, and then more corporate" route. Great life experience and resume builder to have some solid practical experience, as well as 3 semesters of adjuncting now.

The adventures of Notorious PhD: http://girlscholar.blogspot.com/2011/03/more-of-me-telling-you-what-you-dont.html I'm one of those that believes you gotta know the ugly to appreciate the good. A great post & blog by a professor about her struggles in her profession.