Yanaka

I apologize, I did not want to seem contemptuous or anything--I was writing my thoughts, "thinking out loud" whilst comparing your instructive observations with my current SOP's' content :-) I totally get what you mean, and I am probably completely oblivious to what my writing says about me. However, I am a little confused about the direct-to-PhD thing. I was addressing the difference between a terminal MA, and the first two years of a PhD track when you come from a BA. Were you, too? What are the differences between a regular PhD and a direct-to-PhD if they're the same program? Maybe you mean a PhD program that separates textually the MA part and the Doctorate part.

I don't think you should feel bad about only applying to two schools, if you've narrowed your choices according to criteria such as localisation, and made sure programs you are applying to are good fits.

Thank you @angel_kaye13! I think my SOP's reveal that I have rather precise ideas and directions that I wish to follow to begin with, but I think it's also clear that I haven't been able to dive into it just yet. I wonder however how they differentiate MA's from the first two years of a PhD track. Aren't they supposed to be pretty equivalent at some schools?

Would you mind developing on those differences?

Thanks for the info @DBear

I think Fulbright is for those who have rare languages? I'm really frustrated by their program, because I couldn't take advantage of the French propositions of the program since I have the US citizenship! And on the other hand, well French is not a rare language so Fulbright ain't buying it. lol

Hello! Often whilst writing SOP's, I get a huge, blank space between my text and a footnote. I don't know why that happens since it's not always the case and was not able to figure out what causes its sudden appearing in the doc... Google has not been helpful, nobody seems to use Pages but me! Would someone here have a solution? Here's a snapshot of my issue. I'm trying to start a new line but keep the paragraphs together, and instead there's this gigantic space that denatures my process. Thank youuu

I can imagine. You're truly very strong! Yup, the waiting game. I know that once I've submitted Cornell (due in January but will do that one asap), I'll start obsessing over the results section of gradcafé...

@Kilos I'm am so sorry about your mother

I can hardly believe you bring up marriage! My gosh, who cares about that

I think if the point of grad school is fitting in the program, then people should be who they are right from the start... With some effort obviously (like being clean and not wearing a death metal or Steel Panther tshirt that reads "GLORY HOLE!!!" ??), but their true selves. What happens if you are hired but then feel like you can't be yourself throughout the program?

Thats true too: even though my mom is super understanding and nervous about the process, she keeps saying stuff like "we'll see where you go next year", "your dad will buy you a car", "when are you leaving your apartment, again?". It's fine to ask those questions in theory, but it comes from a place where she's convinced I'm going to be admitted somewhere. And I'm trying not to get my hopes up...

Well the world ain't gonna make any progress if we keep thinking building a career means not having any tattoos

Plus a guy's experience of security will generally greatly differ with that of a girl's...

Gosh, even the GRE anxiety will never leave us!!

Ouch! Hopefully that means they'll forget about the typo while reading the sample!

It's not that I think it's too late for me, but I need to move on and stop waiting for "it" to happen. However, I also am a pluri-disciplinary character, which might be why I feel the need to "move on" to something else if the first thing fails. I don't know how to explain the feeling without giving the wrong impression--I'm not a quitter and I'm very passionate, but I can't suppress this need I have to find a path and "do something" asap. Moreover, even if the 6 adcoms decide I don't belong, I'd probably interpret that as: you're not ready for the commitment yet, you're not ready for the work yet, do an M.A. first. Or maybe I'll have to decide that yeah, I don't belong and it's a sign that another, more adequate career is waiting for me.

<3 They call us "late bloomers".

I've been interpreting it as "person of interest" as in faculty you'd like to work with/to mentor your research, but I might be wrong on the exact translation.

Yup, I'm with you on that one too. "Don't worry you'll be fine!!" is probably all they have to say because they don't know what else to say to make me feel better--but it's super frustrating. It diminishes what you're going through, and entertains dumb positivity I think I just want people to ask me about alternative options, and it actually really helps when I am reminded that not getting in won't mean that I'm stupid or worthless. Honestly, I'm very worried about the effect it would have on me if I were to be rejected from everywhere. It's dumb to say, but I feel like I'm "running out of time" (I'm 26 and finishing my B.A.), and for that reason as well as for a few others, it would be a huge disappointment not to get into a program. I feel like I don't want to keep waiting for the next step anymore...

Interested! I have a couple visible ones.

Thank you for your story! It may have given me a plan B.2. if I don't get into any PhD program! Hopefully, NYU's M.A. program has improved, since.

Wrong thread, it's for Government Affairs here @crugs!

@PhDorBUST I'm not bored because I have finals to study for, and so far my grades are far from what I want them to be... However, I'm sick too and literally can't speak since yesterday. I have laryngitis and have only been able to whisper since yesterday--right when my mom arrived for her stay! It's pretty fun, because she can't help but whisper as well She and I spent some time over-analyzing a thank you + informative email I received from Berkeley's Grad Office--there was nothing behind it of course, however: 1-I received it three times; 2-I received it 14 days after submission; 3-she used a strange (really, it was not) term that we deemed ambiguous. We thought they might have already weeded out some of the received applications, and then sent the email to the first selection of candidates... And since I received the same email three times, my mom thought they had already made three categories... Funny and desperate we are... It was probably an innocent mistake, and Ms Richmond was just being nice and sweet as usual!!

Wow, congrats!!