hopefulPhD2017

I'm in the same boat. I've tried not to be pushy but APRIL 15 IS IN ONE WEEK. That's seven days. I have sent an email a week to different people: chair, Dept head, my POI. I understand they've got committees and such but how can we be expected to make decisions without hard, real facts and numbers? Sorry no answers here either but I'm glad I'm not the only one still waiting. Gah!

Congrats on two offers! How different are the packages? Are you paying out of pocket for both? It'll be easier to weigh in with more specifics.

Congrats! I've heard great things about their program

This is great!

Not me, but I'm still waiting to hear from Peabody. I don't understand why the didn't do rejections and wait lists like the rest of them.

@Clear_Water I'd go where you wouldn't mind living for more than a year, as it's easiest to get a job where you make connections, and you will make connections in graduate school (or should, anyhow). I thought with an Ivy master's I'd be able to get hired anywhere... Not necessarily true. People you know get you jobs, and you will know people either in Boston, Philly, New York, or Ann Arbor. I picked my master's program (I was accepted at 3 of those you mention) based on where I wanted to live, not where I got the most money, and I have no regrets about that. All are great programs. Good luck!

In same boat. Argh! I emailed a few times this week and yep, hung up at the level above. Waiting... always waiting...

I like the idea of a ramped up pro/con list. I'm going to PM you, @geologyninja13

I second the mention of location post-graduation. I was shocked (appalled?) upon graduating that folks in my newly adopted hometown valued local connections and networks more than the "name" of my Ivy institution. I'm sure that varies regionally but unless you're going into academia, local connections matter more than I ever would have expected. Good luck!

I also emailed them just now. I guess it's nice that they wait until definitive decisions have been made by others, but isn't there usually more of a waitlist or reject scenario? Interesting choice, Peabody. I just searched the results thread--I've kind of stopped checking--and there have been a number of PhD rejections posted, for what it's worth.

I also have heard nothing. They are the last program I'm waiting to hear from! Since I didn't get an interview, I'm planning on a rejection.

@Michelleyk Congrats on UT! That's a good school. I'm hoping no news from HGSE for you is good news--perhaps a waitlist for you? @cjaneob that's good news too! Happy Friday everyone, and a long weekend for some at that.

Academics who are affected by funding decisions--maybe especially scientists--are worried now. Faculty are putting more time and thought into activism and student/staff protection than ever before. See here, here, and here. Additionally, my professor friends tell me that students of color, immigrant students, and sexual assault survivors have needed more time, nurturing, and help during these times. This is all anecdotal but it's come from more than one faculty member so I'd say it's real, at least in some places and departments.

I'm curious about this too and am in a similar position. For my uni I found a document detailing how many fellowships each department received in previous years. Seems like about half of nominated fellowships were accepted, but I wondered whether that was due to top applicants ultimately choosing another school.

Cheers to everyone nursing rejections today! Hey Harvard and Stanford, next year spread out the rejections a little, yes?

Whoop whoop! Right there with you. It's a rather large party, I noticed.

I'm in a similar position and have been told by my friends in academia to go back to school A and use school B's offer to see what I can get (awaiting funding decisions), but it makes me nervous and I haven't yet. Glad others are dealing with this as well.

I didn't apply for any of those schools, @crazynanc, but I wanted to say a rejection came in for me last week and I was feeling kind of bummed too. I spoke to a good friend this weekend who finished her PhD and was just offered her first tenure-track position, and she said every school she's in contact with is just crazy... The election has thrown everyone for a loop and slowed down sorting through applications, and it's also a really tough year for applicants, as many more people are choosing to go back to school, in her opinion. That made me feel a little better; maybe it'll help you, too. Congrats on making it on a waitlist! I know it's not what you wanted but it's better than a rejection. I do wonder how many folks they waitlist?

Thank you @boscojoba! Mister Rogers is perfect for right now.

@nikkimx Great thread. I think it's in the blood of teachers to feel responsible and guilty, which is why we are able to connect suggest students against all odds and mandates; teaching is truly a labor of love. Lots of amazing things have been said already. To add to all of it, I think one of our biggest hurdles in education reform is stagnant thinking. How many other professions have workers who stay in the same cubicle for 35 years? In the exact same role for 30? Very few. If we had more movement--if we had a system that, say, encouraged teachers to go to graduate school or work in business, and then return new ideas to our field--we'd be further down the path towards a system that prepares children for jobs of the future, instead of an assembly line model of education that prepares kids for compliant factory jobs which are, largely, gone. Ours is also a system in which innovation and creativity are quickly squashed, and hence those of us who think big, or outside the box, have trouble finding an intellectual home. At least I have. I have been pretty transparent about my PhD application process from the get go--my administrator helped me by writing a letter, and I've kept my leaders updated on my acceptances, as well as dates for visit weekends. I have not told my students yet as I want to make a final decision before making any formal announcements. I feel your guilt, but I also think our system needs shaken up, and that we can (hopefully?!?) have more of an impact from outside the system. My biggest concern is actually becoming a disengaged academic, whose research is only appreciated by other AERA attendees, but never creates change at the K-12 level. @Espeon love your idea of keeping in touch with students. As we get closer to April 15, would love to hear how others share the news to kids and parents.

@tgcaccount thanks for sharing my pain and misery

I've wondered this as well. I know it's slowed me down. Along the same lines: I have been wondering if last year's divisive election spurred more people not just into public service and elected leadership (as it has around here), but also engendered a desire to attain higher education or pursue one's dreams? I've noticed every one of my programs is behind their previous timelines, according to my 5 year historical GC analysis.

@AuntieGrandma congrats and you win a prize for hilarious user name!

It is still early. I applied to 8 and just heard from my 3rd today. Hang in there!