ArcaMajora

Forewarning: I'm in the humanities so I can't quite speak to how grades play a role in STEM PhD admissions, hopefully someone in your field answers. I do relate emotionally though somewhat and I was once in a similar boat as you during my first days as an undergraduate. Take a breather. I want you to remember that this is your first/second quarter as an undergrad. The time adjustment period from high school to college is a variable for everyone. Some take multiple quarters, some can do it within the space of that one quarter, some may need the entire year. I know the grades are hurting but take a deep breath and remember the grades are set in stone. They're the foundation you have to work with. A 2.5 is not optimal (especially for the caliber of schools you're listing here), but my impression of the landscape of graduate school admissions that your research experience, potential, and the trajectory you're heading into coming out of undergrad is the most important aspect of admissions. The GPA is just one part of the application package (and if it's above a 3.5-3.7+, possibly a formality? STEM might have far different dynamics so pls, pls, pls, consult those who are in your field). It's good that you're considering graduate school this early on, but remember that the 1st year is a very formative stage of your undergraduate career. Use the time you have to figure out if graduate school or transferring is the right path for you. Take your time, breathe, and explore the possibilities. It's the best time in undergrad to keep your options open. A 2.5 isn't the best foundation to start with, but the silver lining here is that it's early on in your undergrad career to turn it around (I imagine performance in more advanced courses will count for more). GPA during the Fresh/Soph years tends to be very pliable, so naturally a 3.5-4.0 in the succeeding quarters will likely put the numbers up. Please definitely try to hunker down and do well in your classes. As an undergrad, attendance and engagement are absolutely key in getting high grades in classes. I don't think I would've done half as well if I ghosted most of them, and also in missing classes, you do miss valuable chances to possibly interact with professors/other graduate students in your field. The classes do not have to be 100% your world during undergrad (and highly recommended they don't become the dominant force, you'll definitely want other experiences to supplement them), but they are an important part and they establish the foundation of your engagement within whatever fields you want to go into for graduate school. Make each class session, office hour, and your time in college count. I can't speak for transfer admissions, I don't know if I've ever seen a case for a UC to private school transfers happen (UC to UC and CSU to UC and vice versa itself can be tricky to navigate). UCLA is a very fine institution however. An undegrad degree from there is itself a considerable cachet across many contexts and as far as I know, it's a well-respected school across many fields. However, I don't want to discourage you from transferring to another school if it's in your heart and interests to do so, but do keep in mind the difficulties of doing so from an institution that's built as a 4-year. Graduate admissions... that's another ballgame. Right now, it's very early on in your undergraduate career to really properly determine your chances (and grad schools admissions themselves are... something else). I have to stress that graduate admissions are not determined by GPA alone, especially if you're applying to doctoral programs in your field. What matters, generally speaking, is research experience, your fit with the schools you have in mind, and your drive to be able to pursue a graduate degree within your chosen field. Tbh the best place to start getting your feet wet for that kind of experience is undergraduate research opportunities and taking the time to network with other professors and graduate students. When it comes to grad school (professors especially), they hold the keys to the kingdom and your professors are going to be the ones writing letters of recommendation for you. Above all else tho, scope out opportunities for undergrad research in your field and see if it's something you enjoy doing. In grad school admissions (and tbh in life in general), self-comparison is the easiest way to wreck confidence. Please don't self-compare. I can't deny, yes it is painful not to get into reaches as a high school senior and see others get into the schools you want. (fun fact: my current final decision rejected me for undergrad and happily enough UCLA too lol). It sucks, I got pretty despondent and hopeless when I was getting rejection letter piles from PhD programs. However, focus on what you yourself have right now. You yourself are attending a very fabulous school. You have reason to celebrate being there and you have opportunities there. That helps me when I get hopeless. I let the emotion run through and I don't deny it, and then remember the successes and triumphs I had getting to where I'm at. Remember to breathe and experience undergrad first. Graduate school is a commitment that takes a village, figure out first if it's something in your heart of hearts that you want to do.

Now that I've had a few to let this all sink in, there's definitely a lot more that I wish I did differently if I had to do this again. I described some parts of it in the post-shutout thread, but I didn't really feel like I handled the application season that well to begin with, if at all. I started early but then my mind just kinda blanked around September and October, and ofc they were also the two months I had GREs to contend with as well lol. First, I would've revised my school list and not so stack it heavily with Top 20 schools. I got lucky with UC Irvine, so I'm not looking back. However... I look back in hindsight and realize 'omg what was I thinking with my school list lol.' Cornell, Columbia, and UCLA were very shaky fits to begin with and that's now with the benefit of hindsight. I still can't say for sure what my new list would've been, but I would've tried to seek out schools that are more in line with Irvine and Buffalo's intellectual spheres instead of sending out apps to the top 10 and hoping it sticks (the only top 10 I would've stubbornly stuck with was Yale, even if I made the dangerous move of applying for one POI). I've hyper-focused way too much on prestige that I've also forgotten what matters more to me, which is finding a place where my projects are going to be supported and where I'll feel happy (I tried to find a balance of both, but ended up kinda over-focusing on the tippity-top prestige factor). Reading my UCI POIs' monographs and articles while passing time in advance of next week's visits reminds me why I applied to graduate school in the first place. So I would've focused much, much more on that in round 2. I definitely would've tried to study harder for the GRE Literature Exam. I had a... horrifying score, low enough that it made me really doubt if I was suited enough to even study English at the graduate level or if I was just that bad in undergrad. I'm just glad it's over and done with, but I still wonder how things would've gone if my percentile was at least at 60 (all I can say about my score is that it was well below 40 percentile and I really had no business applying to Cornell, UCLA, and Yale with it. That was an awful, awful judgment call, even if there were personal circumstances surrounding the exam that almost made it impossible for me to take it). What else... I kinda wish I spent more time figuring out what 'fit' meant on my end and getting into the finer points of it. I don't think I quite articulated that 'fit' as well as I could've across most of my SoPs. I knew in a general sense what kind of niche I fulfilled and where my research trajectory was heading, but I think for some of the depts I spent a bit too much bigging up the department and the faculty rather than describing more in detail how I could contribute as a student. I'll probably have a more detailed lessons learned and a debriefing once I have more time away from my materials. I see spots where my SoP could've used some major work, but in the middle of recruitment season, abstract writing, and independent reading my brain's basically all over the place.

Omg it's good to see you active again @Bopie5 From time to time I was thinking (while doing the infamous 24/7 e-mail refresh) 'wait... how did they get shutout, their posts basically already read like a graduate student confident and placed in their field already. wtf, how did this happen.' Seriously, your posts and your WS show so much potential and you've done so much juggling applications with everything else. I was thinking at least one of the schools you applied to would say yes, but tbh it really does reinforce just how arbitrary and just how difficult this process can be sometimes. (also I feel you on the bank account. I'm about $1,250-$1,300 in the red. ETS, subject tests, score reports, and their prices. lol.) Good luck on Villanova Fingers crossed you end up in an awesome PhD program in the future, whether that be with a Master's from Villanova (and if Villanova is a yes, the funding better be there) or next year, whenever it may be.

Hi there, welcome I was very caught up in this while I was getting rejected (UCI was my joint 2nd choice with Washington when I applied, and it was my one acceptance) and almost had flashes (I basically considered this not long ago. Getting my last rejection and taking a few hours to think helped me clear my head though, and I don't feel nearly as anxious now that there's a concrete Fall 2019 plan) where I ping-ponged between wanting to see if I should apply again for more options (up to and including taking a few years off to do other things) or commit to the program. I decided to do the latter, as I loved the school too much to resist it. There's no shame in having just one, sometimes it really takes just one program to launch you. If it's a top 20 program, it's nothing to sneeze at. PhD programs across the board are infamously difficult to get into, which means that school believes in you strongly and wants you as a student. If it's the one you wanted the least, tbh there's a lot of dynamics and personal variables that play into the choice of being in a PhD program so if it's not the kind of school that will make you happy for the next 5-6 years (and personally happy/balanced as well), it's important that's considered. I'd say... take a look at the resources that the program has, your funding offer, and figure out what kind of 'fit' they saw in you that you may have missed. I was blindsided when I got my one acceptance, but taking a look at the faculty I didn't list in my SoP post-acceptance, I realized that the program had the kind of deep faculty strength that would allow flexibility for my research trajectory. You don't have to swallow though if the campus really rubs you the wrong way or if you can't imagine yourself the next 5-6 years in the department. Also, take a look at the placement record, the kinds of students that your PoIs have taken in, and what kind of opportunities there are. (have you visited the campus of your one acceptance yet?) Use the chance to get to know the department and for the department to woo you, and then approach from there. The one thing I usually see and read from people visiting campuses is that's usually the moment that the final decision is made just a bit clearer. So I'd say, get the lay of the land of the program that accepted you in person and then decide after if you want to re-apply or if you're going to commit to the school.

I love you all lol. I know I haven't talked a lot (and when I do I always feel like my stressed/anxious side comes out, haven't really expressed a lot of happy thoughts on here) but I just have to say that during my lurker years, reading applications/acceptances threads has been an absolute joy to read. I've rooted for so many of you behind the scenes, and I'm so happy for all good news that all of you received with admission season over for me and final decision made, that little tape recorder in the back of my head is finally off lol. I've finally gotten a good night's sleep after a January and February of anxious waiting. I'll try to stick around for the next cycle and see if I can dole out whatever advice I can. Can't wait to start in the upcoming Fall.

Just turned down my waitlist offer for Buffalo. Hope this helps someone on their waitlist

Yale rejections are out. All I can say, 'FINALLY. THANK YOU.' I had a feeling it was coming but it's a relief to see the letter and the decision formally in. It's... freeing lol. And I can finally focus on what's next instead of having that compulsive e-mail check. Good luck to you all that are still waiting (EDIT) Final decision made: I'm going to UCI. I will be declining SUNY Buffalo's waitlist offer, so if any are you waitlisted there, I hope this helps

I know My reasons are definitely not institution related for sure. It's an immense honor and I've wanted to go to UC Irvine since high school (didn't pan out then, so I'm glad it did now). The research match is scarily high, can't say much more as it is that period between acceptance and visit. It's more rooted as to whether or not I feel ready for graduate school than anything, and realizing how much anxiety I had in undergrad writing a thesis. I've kinda taken a self-reflection and really asked myself if I have the stamina now, at 22/23 (with only one year of my life not spent in a school, and that one year out of school is now, spent on applying.), to professionalize that and be willing to push a dissertation out (much less contemplate seminars, quals, and being around in that high pressure environment again. for all I know I could spectacularly fail my MA examination and be out of the program by 2021 if I decide to go). It's mostly very personal, and it's basically down as to whether or not I'm going to graduate school for the right reasons.

Oh my god your friend is slaying O_O Congrats to them. Out of HYPC, they just swept 3/4ths of that Ivy square. I am in awe. alright... I didn't apply to Harvard and this is my irrational side talking but this is only making my e-mail anxiety worse. I try to not to link Harvard and Yale together but if Harvard starts rejecting people later on tonight... what is going on at Yale? o_O kind of in the same boat, contemplating declining my current offer and taking on another path actually (and possibly applying when I'm older instead of going in now, or just pursue my love of poetry in another way, and I say that knowing I'll probably change enough by the time I'm 27/28 that I won't really feel that need/'fire' to pursue grad school)... jury's still out on that. I've been ping-ponging back and forth. (EDIT: saw a Harvard acceptance on the board. Whoever they are, congratulations!!!)

The idealistic side of me with a lot of hope: maybe Yale's still deciding the rest of their cohort? and we still have a shot? The cynical/realistic side of me: something's happened in their administration (either GSAS or English dept side) to cause a delay in sending rejections. That's as far as I want to guess though. If they stick with previous statistics, that's only 15 e-mails to send and there were no phone call acceptances (a deviation from last year). Anecdata with other schools: Irvine was in contact with their acceptances since early February and it took them until Feb 21 to send rejections, maybe Yale's doing so but under a more contracted schedule? (either way it's high time we hear news). And this year it seems that a lot of the UCs basically held acceptance/rejection patterns like that (except UCLA). Someone here contacted Yale GSAS and said that the English department was still reviewing apps. I'm not sure what to make of the answer, but to that person, thank you thank you thank you. I would love to hold onto hope. Yale's been my dream school since I was noticing that I was consistently citing and seeing one of their professor's works consistently appear in my field-specific essays and database searches for my research. To have that prof as my advisor/dissertation chair would be a dream come true x1000, but alas. I'm still on radio silence and anxious portal checking rn. Good luck to you, and to everyone applying to Yale

Same, same, same. I've been so caught up in e-mail checking that it's sometimes hard to remember the victories from this cycle. I vividly remember freaking out when I got the phone call for my first acceptance, and I was so excited I could barely sleep lol. (I freaked out about UCI three times. Phone call request, then the call, then the letter. all involved screaming, shameless dancing, and listening to motivational music) I kinda re-read the letter again, and then start doing the daydreaming and doing the little things with the school spirit (following them on Insta, Twitter, etc). Also, celebration with food I def do. Gonna be celebrating with KBBQ this weekend.

Another anecdata point here. I applied with 158V and 142Q and walk away from this cycle with 1 acceptance and 1 waitlist (unless miracles happen tomorrow or next week). However, I will also say that it was a very risky proposition to barely clear 300 total on the GRE general. I'm grateful that my GRE didn't shut me out, but an admissions committee that was taking a first glance purely at the data (definitely most of my East Coast schools, since I have little to no academic connections there) I will definitely admit I look like a very shaky proposition. I can't discern how GREs play into the decision mechanics for private schools, I know for public schools that utilize campus-wide fellowships for funding, it can definitely play a part. As far as I know, a department will almost always want to fund its students from the larger graduate school funds than utilize department resources (I know Buffalo had a 313/4.5AW minimum to be considered for fellowship consideration from their College of Arts and Sciences). Every department and every school will of course be different, and definitely don't be afraid to check out GRE policies if your schools list them. ___ After a bit of reflection after seeing the pieces fall together, I can't deny and feel the fear that a shutout this year was close to being real for me. I remember having a freakout in GC during January about the possibility. I'm insanely grateful for my results, but during that weird period of uncertainty, I developed something of a game-plan if I needed to apply for Fall 2020. I've taken a look at my application materials again (after months of refusing to look at them) and find spots where my writing could've used some massaging and tightening. It's only a rough sketch, and definitely not meant to be prescriptive or authoritative, but for those that want to see some sort of pointers into my process, I hope it helps someone This is what I would've done if it happened to me: If things went to hell, tomorrow (or early next week) is when I likely would've had the definitive final nail in the coffin and be officially shutout in an alternate universe where I received nothing but rejections. If you get news early, don't be afraid to grieve and let the emotions out. Talk it out with your friends, SO, family, etc. For me, I have an insanely sturdy support system that has kept me sane throughout this whole process, and I could not have made it through alone. They talked me through the grad school stress, both application and the future of what grad school is going to mean. Eat ice cream (ok maybe not too much), focus on a project not academic-related, etc. Find your happy place for a while and remain in that happy place if you can for as long as you need to, while not trying to repress the emotions either. If you need to cry, let it out. Catharsis, catharsis, catharsis. You will know when you feel ready. After you feel comfortable and let the emotions out, take stock of what you've learned throughout the application process. I've learned a lot about my research trajectory and how to articulate that for grad school applications much, much more than I did a couple of months ago. You now have a foundation to which you can revise, rebuild, and make your SoP and WS the kickass documents you know they can be and will be. In my case... I'd be starting the process of revising my documents around March or April (likely April). I'd take some time away from GC and use the March-April period to contact my professors, debrief, regroup, and see if they have time to schedule in-person meetings in the summer. (However, I understand this is not possible for everyone. I live very close to my alma mater so in-person meetings are possible). I'd see if I can immerse myself in scholarship and figure out, more specifically, the conversation I want to enter in. Again, this is variable on how you felt about your SoP/WS (for me... they needed a lot more work, so I got insanely lucky this cycle). If your GRE scores are banging with twin 160+ and a 6.0AW (and not reaching that 5 year mark), a retake is def not necessary. If you got scores like mine, and are willing to shell out the cash, would've started to hit those GRE books again and do some test prep. I'm not fond of the test at all, but AU me would've definitely been trying to cover all bases and leave no parts of the application up to any doubt (and pray and hope I get my verbal score up to 160+, and my quant to the 150s). My revised school list would still have schools that require the subject, so also gonna have to fill my days studying Hapax legomemnon and taking GC deep dives in GRE literature threads. On school revision, my new list would definitely be different. My hypothetical second round would've been a mix between MAs and PhDs. PhDs: Emory, WUSTL, SUNY-Buffalo UW, UCI, Yale, MA: Georgetown, Wake Forest, CSULB. I'll retain three schools from my original seven, but focus more on a mixed application cycle to ensure that if I get a PhD shutout, I have funded Masters to look towards. (the Master's programs on this is a very rough and possibly insanely inaccurate sketch. I'd def need to do more departmental digging to make up a veritable list instead of throwing around schools like we would darts). This was as far as I had planned out however. I didn't want to start thinking of what to do when the new school year rolls around just yet. Around this time, I'd also start job hunting and seeking, using that time to get away from being so deeply entrenched in application materials (that was my mistake during this cycle, these applications dominated my life). I would try not to make that mistake again and try to have something substantial to focus on that wasn't just 'is my SoP okay is my SoP okay oh my god my WS these GREs somebody help me.' In the myriad of plans I have that are floating in my brain, I would've definitely tried to sub for my local school district for the upcoming school year to help ease the costs of re-applying. (I would've also tried to do the IRT scholarship) I hope this helps someone though If anyone wants to chat more, don't be afraid to PM.

22 here, gonna be 23 when I start in the Fall 23/24 doesn't feel too young to start a graduate program tbh. I largely agree with Warelin, fit is gonna be the biggest factor in that yes/maybe/no decision. As far as experience... I've done mostly on-campus jobs, all part-time (writing instructor for a college prep summer activity as well as being a writing tutor), I don't have any formal TA experience though. Most of that work experience was expressed only in my CV (however, I did use my summer work experience for my personal history statement that UCLA and UCI needed). Never had a formal TA position. Professional experience I can see being a bonus and plus for admissions committees, but I don't see it being a huge make or break factor.

CONGRATS!!! @mwils15 @Anonymouse124

I endorse the bottom part heavily tbh. I've yet to get an application update via portal by any university. All of my correspondence has been primarily via e-mail so far (which is what helped me from doing the hourly status portal check). For one case, Buffalo has never updated my portal except for a 'Under Committee Review - 12/27/2018,' and I've since been waitlisted by them via e-mail. And iirc... UCLA posts their rejection letters in a portal that is definitely not Slate. Kinda left with the impression that our admission portals are really just places where the department can just gleam info from, but otherwise they don't really play a big part in the admissions process in terms of info tracking. The DGS just needs a place where they can collect and distribute the info easily. (Also as I write this, just got rejected from University of Washington. Will post my result soon, just need something witty) EDIT: just checked my portal there too, got updated. there goes working with Brian Reed as sad as I am, I'm relieved at the same time. It's truly come to a close, and my Fall 2019 plans are now more in focus.

Congrats to our UPenn admits! Y'all are slaying rn, dance like Beyonce did for Formation in Super Bowl 50's halftime. Sending hugs to all of you that are getting rejected Commiserations

Tbh also hoping (and trying to ramp it down but it's not helping with me lol) with @Anonymouse124 The tiny amount of acceptances on the results board is a sign, but if their pattern from 2018 holds... There's only 14/15 acceptances floating around, and I wouldn't be surprised if the vast majority of acceptances are left unreported. (What I'm even more surprised with is... so far none of them seems to be an active GC member that has piped up on the acceptances thread? O_o I was expecting any of you get the Yale e-mail... Or someone to sign up and post, but our Yale acceptees may likely be lurkers this cycle) I'm holding onto the last shred of hope (maybe they're doing it by field? who knows lol) but it's been two days since there were reports of acceptances... Usually Yale is the type of school that does same-day notifications, so I'm surprised that it's taking this long. Fingers crossed for both of you. Hopefully we get something today or tomorrow. Last year on this date was when Yale sent out notifications.

I wake up this morning... to a Columbia rejection lol. I'm now wishing I posted something witty for my results board post. Currently referred to the free-standing MA, so fingers crossed there. More of a relief than anything. This was a strange limbo to be held in, so glad it's finally over. Alright Yale, I'm ready. You've already sent your acceptance notifications out. Come on Yale GSAS, pls.

20th and 21st century Americanist on my end, specializing in poetry and queer theory. Not sure about the competitiveness surrounding poetry but I imagine queer theory being very packed. Doing ok for myself though so far, 1 acceptance and 1 waitlist. Hoping you get in somewhere on your end, fingers (and every possible appendage) crossed Ngl I'm wishing this cycle would come to a close. My heart's basically set on matriculating to my one acceptance (and I'm already life planning just to distract myself from my e-mail lol. I haven't even gotten any link to register yet and I'm already looking at graduate housing options and beginning to figure out what I can and can't do with my fellowship). I just want to be free from this limbo state so life can move forward and I don't have to obsess over e-mail and my phone (and to finally get some real sleep).

Congrats to your friend! Incredibly happy for them Come on Yale, put me out of my misery already I'm not getting accepted, so pls GSAS just get the form rejection letter in my inbox so I don't have to obsess (same goes for you, Columbia) Hey there! I can't speak to USC and UCD but I've been in contact with UCI since early February (got an e-mail setting up a phone conversation and a phone call the day after) and then got my official acceptance from them last Friday. I'm under the impression that Irvine's been in contact with their accepted cohort thus far, so if you haven't gotten any contact it might be an implied rejection on your end Apologies. I don't think Irvine does waitlists either (or they haven't done waitlists since 2017, according to the results board), but you never know. The UC system observes President's Day iirc, so e-mails from the graduate division should probably start coming earliest tomorrow. Good luck with your application cycle, fingers crossed!

For anyone wanting more info on Yale, their GSAS does have a dedicated webpage where you can track admission statistics. Access it here Yale accepting 14-15 for their cohort started for Fall 2018. Out of 270 applicants, 14 were offered admission and 9 ultimately accepted the offer. In years' past, offers ranged 20-24 (going slightly down until there was a downsize in admissions). The data on the page goes back as far as 2014, but you can also track completion rates, time to degree, etc. I'm also a Yale applicant. While I'm hopeful, it is definitely not happening considering my application was all over the place. I see a lot of Yale applicants here and all of you would make far more deserving and ready candidates. Hoping to see some GCers report phone calls from New Haven this week.

I'll enter the data I have for English This sounds fantastic, lovely work so far! EDIT: Just did! May have done something in error though. I tried to enter Columbia's deadline date but for some reason it isn't converting into the 14-Dec format, the rest of my entries worked just fine. (and if I can find more deadlines for the programs in my original longlist, I'll put in more)

Mood tbh. Welcome to the forums! Congrats on your first acceptance and commiserations on your rejection. It's weird to be juggling both, but celebrate that acceptance though You've earned it, but don't deny the need to let the emotions pour through on that rejection either. Even with an acceptance (that helps with peace of mind), the sting is still there. I've been having an up and down cycle tbh, so this sort of yo-yo has been hitting me since the 1st of Feb. I started February with an acceptance, then a rejection, then a waitlist, then a second rejection, and now woke up today to an implied third rejection that's turning more and more official. It's a strange feeling, and it's definitely hard to keep reign on the emotions and the imposter syndrome that rises out of it (atm, my last two chances are programs that... are my top 2 choices this cycle lol, of which both are dream schools of mine). Tbh so much of admissions can be such a crapshoot that sometimes being accepted/denied can be a matter of 'we think you're an incredibly strong candidate, but we don't know if our department's future trajectory can help support your project/interests/etc.' We only know one side of fit, and as someone said here, it is a shot in the dark and we don't really know if we hit the target or not. I know people have asked adcomms for feedback before. Now for sure isn't the most optimal time (since committees and admins are probably neck-deep in managing administrative overhead and communicating decisions, alongside the myriad of other duties). But I think it's possible and probably safer to later on (March and April), when the craze around decisions isn't as intense and if the university holds on to your file. With an acceptance at hand, you've very much hit the mark for one program

Looks like Irvine's sending out official e-mail notices now. Phone acceptance now in writing, with a Regents' Fellowship attached to it too This is still very surreal, can't believe I'm going back to school... and to one of my favorite UCs as well. Good luck to everyone! It looks like the UC system as a whole is approaching the finish line with admissions. There's a rogue Riverside acceptance on the board, but there hasn't been a flood of notifications yet from UCR.

Oh shoot Columbia's notifying No e-mail so far... Looks like another implied rejection. Not surprised there, the fit was very tenuous since my interests shifted towards poetics. Was my original dream program (and I would've been ecstatic at good news), but my interests changed from then and now, so Columbia and I are no longer super compatible. Now down to the last 2 programs whose rejections would actually crush me... @trytostay You're slaying this app cycle omg. Congrats on the waitlists to very fabulous programs! I know the limbo is weird (I'm in one myself atm and it's a strange feeling), but your apps made a strong impression on them. It may not be an acceptance, but you're still in the running for them. It's definitely still a victory worth celebrating. I'm rooting for you