theburiedgirl815

I got one interview invite from Emory, rejects from Duke and UT Austin, and am still left waiting for the others. A little disheartening and stressful, but I'm trying to remind myself that it's still relatively early and I will hopefully hear back soon.

I know I most likely won't hear anything from Emory until the end of the week, but I'm already obsessively overthinking my visit and interviews. I feel like I did well, and I was the only one there with a focus in Irish Studies, so I'm not necessarily competing against anyone else in terms of that, but this entire process is so nerve wracking ? Currently trying to work on my thesis (final draft is due in a month) and I just cannot concentrate.

Just got my itinerary for the Emory visit. I'm nervous but I am also REALLY excited, especially because I'm apparently scheduled for an interview with a history faculty member who co-directs the Center for Digital Scholarship, which means they may want to know more about the research project I'm currently working on here in Charleston. I'm really looking forward to this trip!! This comes as a good boost after the bummer of a rejection from UT ? Is anyone else on here going?

If it's any consolation, I had a conversation with my mentor/adviser as soon as I got the chance (the UT Austin alum) and he said that it's always very competitive, even without the increase in applicants. His exact words were "it's a lot harder to get in than when I was there." He said in the many years he's been doing recs for his students he hasn't had a single one get in. Don't know how much he was saying to just try to make me feel a little less down, but just putting it out there in the hopes it might make everyone else feel a little less awful.

Rejection email said they got over 250 applications so it seems like it may be a trend.

Apparently they had a lot of applicants this cycle, which definitely makes it tougher. I'll admit that this one hurt.

Ask for and you shall receive. Just got a no from UT Austin. ?

Thank you! I did consider BC in my first application cycle in 2016, but I am trying to avoid taking the subject GRE as much as possible, since I don't do too well with standardized tests. Boston is also reaaaaaally expensive for living, but I might consider it in the future.

The wait is killing me. I know I won't get in everywhere I apply, but I would still like to choose between at least two programs. I'm beyond thrilled that I got an interview invite for Emory because that's my dream program, but I'm starting to get more and more nervous as the days go on and I'm hearing nothing from any other schools (besides Duke, which I knew was a long shot to begin with...). The problem with my focus (Irish studies) is that there are very few programs in the US that have well-developed Irish Studies programs and faculty who would be willing to take on a doctoral student that offer decent funding on top of it. I'm hoping the Emory interview goes well, and also keeping my fingers crossed for UT Austin (my thesis director got his doctorate there and was one of my recommenders so I'm hoping that will help even if just a little). I just would rather know sooner rather than later if I'm going to have to rethink my plans for the fall because I need to start looking at alternatives. I feel like the application and waiting process takes at least 10 years off my life.

Yes, haven't heard anything from them yet either, which is making me increasingly nervous.

Agggggh same! I'm positive I'll be getting a rejection since I didn't get an interview/recruitment weekend invite but I just want to hear something from them. I logged into my portal and no updates.

This is a great idea for a topic. I'll be making my second conference presentation for the American Conference for Irish Studies in Houston the first week of April. (I presented at the Southern Regional meeting last February so I'm finally getting a chance to present at the National meeting this year). I'll be presenting a chapter of my Master's thesis (assuming I complete it by then) ?. I'm not sure if anyone else on this forum is into Irish Studies, but if you'll be there, please come say hi!

First rejection of the season from Duke. It was expected, so not too big of a bummer. Solidarity to all fellow rejects!

Congrats!

Has anyone gotten email interview invites from Notre Dame yet? I don't see anything on the board yet, but it seems like they sent them out around this time last year.