Kilos

Holy expletive. After four months of anxiety, I finally got my answer: Accepted at UConn off the waitlist (English Ph.D. with Rhet/Comp research specialization, full funding for six years). I'm completely overwhelmed. I got an email about fifteen minutes ago, followed by a phone call from the DGS (what a genuinely nice conversation that was). Now all that's left is to wait for my wife to get home so we can have the discussion we've been putting off because it hasn't been real until just now.
Thanks to everybody who's shared their experiences over the last four years that I've been a lurker/member. This group has made the entire process bearable.
Just FYI, if anybody's still waiting on UConn, the DGS said that they had an "crazy (unusually crazy) admissions cycle" with a lot of people not responding to their initial offers until the last second. He said my email was the first of three that would be going out. Best of luck to anybody still waiting.

YESSSSSSSSS! I'm so glad this one worked out for you!

UPenn admit checking in here! I am so, so happy as I got in last night at midnight! Phew!!! Waitlist dreams do come true!

Just got an email/phone call from the DGS at UConn. Accepted off the waitlist for the Ph.D. in English (Rhet/Comp specialization). I'm bouncing off the walls.

Holy expletive. After four months of anxiety, I finally got my answer: Accepted at UConn off the waitlist (English Ph.D. with Rhet/Comp research specialization, full funding for six years). I'm completely overwhelmed. I got an email about fifteen minutes ago, followed by a phone call from the DGS (what a genuinely nice conversation that was). Now all that's left is to wait for my wife to get home so we can have the discussion we've been putting off because it hasn't been real until just now.
Thanks to everybody who's shared their experiences over the last four years that I've been a lurker/member. This group has made the entire process bearable.
Just FYI, if anybody's still waiting on UConn, the DGS said that they had an "crazy (unusually crazy) admissions cycle" with a lot of people not responding to their initial offers until the last second. He said my email was the first of three that would be going out. Best of luck to anybody still waiting.

Holy expletive. After four months of anxiety, I finally got my answer: Accepted at UConn off the waitlist (English Ph.D. with Rhet/Comp research specialization, full funding for six years). I'm completely overwhelmed. I got an email about fifteen minutes ago, followed by a phone call from the DGS (what a genuinely nice conversation that was). Now all that's left is to wait for my wife to get home so we can have the discussion we've been putting off because it hasn't been real until just now.
Thanks to everybody who's shared their experiences over the last four years that I've been a lurker/member. This group has made the entire process bearable.
Just FYI, if anybody's still waiting on UConn, the DGS said that they had an "crazy (unusually crazy) admissions cycle" with a lot of people not responding to their initial offers until the last second. He said my email was the first of three that would be going out. Best of luck to anybody still waiting.

Holy expletive. After four months of anxiety, I finally got my answer: Accepted at UConn off the waitlist (English Ph.D. with Rhet/Comp research specialization, full funding for six years). I'm completely overwhelmed. I got an email about fifteen minutes ago, followed by a phone call from the DGS (what a genuinely nice conversation that was). Now all that's left is to wait for my wife to get home so we can have the discussion we've been putting off because it hasn't been real until just now.
Thanks to everybody who's shared their experiences over the last four years that I've been a lurker/member. This group has made the entire process bearable.
Just FYI, if anybody's still waiting on UConn, the DGS said that they had an "crazy (unusually crazy) admissions cycle" with a lot of people not responding to their initial offers until the last second. He said my email was the first of three that would be going out. Best of luck to anybody still waiting.

Just got the phone call from University of Arizona DGS for English Lit: accepted off the waitlist, woo hoo!!!

I'm at work and I don't have time for a long, detailed response, but there is absolutely no shame in taking a year (or two) off to get your bearings--especially if you're not fully sold on any of your options. Many people take a bit of time to figure out what they'd like to do, and it seems like an especially appealing idea considering the fact that you were given positive feedback on your Ph.D. application. With a year's worth of polishing and updating, you'd probably have a good chance at acceptance the next time around.
If I were in your position the main question I'd be asking myself is "if I don't accept an offer, what am I going to do for the next year?" Everybody's situation is different, but it's important to really flesh out what a year off looks like. Working full time? Do you have any job prospects? Are you financially stable? Can you more or less relax and focus on refining your application for the next cycle? Is Starbucks or McDonald's employment in your future? Is that a problem if it is? Do you have some good leads on a career-building job opportunity? Internship?
If you think you can take a year off and come out feeling stronger, more energized, and better prepared, by all means--do it! If not, then maybe taking a position that you're not 100% happy about will be the best move. If you accept one of your offers (especially the fully funded Alabama offer), a year from now you'll be one year away from finishing your M.A., and it's much easier to successfully apply to a Ph.D. program with progress towards a M.A. (both because it looks good on paper and because you'll theoretically have more experience and aim academically).
At the end of the day, avoiding paying anything is my #1 priority. I'm in a similar situation to you, but I've made up my mind that I'm going back to school in the fall no matter what happens. I did take a year off (last year) and rather than apply to 8-12 schools this time around, I applied to three. I got accepted (full funding) to my undergraduate alma mater for an M.A., and I'm sitting on a waitlist for my dream school's Ph.D. program. I figure that regardless of how this waitlist shakes out, I'm not sitting around for another year; I don't regret taking the year off--I accepted a really lucrative position as a technical writer/illustrator and had a great experience, but my passion is academia, teaching, and rhet/comp, and I'm not going to let another year pass without pursuing it.
This might be one of those rare situations where you should give yourself the green light to go with your gut.

I'm at work and I don't have time for a long, detailed response, but there is absolutely no shame in taking a year (or two) off to get your bearings--especially if you're not fully sold on any of your options. Many people take a bit of time to figure out what they'd like to do, and it seems like an especially appealing idea considering the fact that you were given positive feedback on your Ph.D. application. With a year's worth of polishing and updating, you'd probably have a good chance at acceptance the next time around.
If I were in your position the main question I'd be asking myself is "if I don't accept an offer, what am I going to do for the next year?" Everybody's situation is different, but it's important to really flesh out what a year off looks like. Working full time? Do you have any job prospects? Are you financially stable? Can you more or less relax and focus on refining your application for the next cycle? Is Starbucks or McDonald's employment in your future? Is that a problem if it is? Do you have some good leads on a career-building job opportunity? Internship?
If you think you can take a year off and come out feeling stronger, more energized, and better prepared, by all means--do it! If not, then maybe taking a position that you're not 100% happy about will be the best move. If you accept one of your offers (especially the fully funded Alabama offer), a year from now you'll be one year away from finishing your M.A., and it's much easier to successfully apply to a Ph.D. program with progress towards a M.A. (both because it looks good on paper and because you'll theoretically have more experience and aim academically).
At the end of the day, avoiding paying anything is my #1 priority. I'm in a similar situation to you, but I've made up my mind that I'm going back to school in the fall no matter what happens. I did take a year off (last year) and rather than apply to 8-12 schools this time around, I applied to three. I got accepted (full funding) to my undergraduate alma mater for an M.A., and I'm sitting on a waitlist for my dream school's Ph.D. program. I figure that regardless of how this waitlist shakes out, I'm not sitting around for another year; I don't regret taking the year off--I accepted a really lucrative position as a technical writer/illustrator and had a great experience, but my passion is academia, teaching, and rhet/comp, and I'm not going to let another year pass without pursuing it.
This might be one of those rare situations where you should give yourself the green light to go with your gut.

So excited to post in this thread! I've officially committed to Oregon State's Rhetoric MA 
I went to visit the area (having never been west of St. Louis), and the faculty and current students were really wonderful. I'm very excited!

Hi everyone -- first forum post from a forever lurker! I was just accepted to the Ph.D. at SUNY Buffalo after a wild ride!!! I was originally rejected from the Ph.D. and accepted to the M.A., which I declined due to lack of funding. Shortly after, I was placed on the Ph.D. waitlist. Just got the acceptance call today! I think one or two others on here may be attending UB 

I'm still sitting on WLs at UT Austin and at UMich for the Women's Studies and English Joint Ph.D., but I'm so psyched to finally have an offer on the table!!! 

Accepted my offer at SMU. It was a hard decision between 3 schools at the end, but ultimately the 'feel' of the campus and the dynamic of the faculty won me over. I'm so excited for everyone here and wish you all great success and happiness wherever you are!

Congratulations! Great school and a great program. I grew up near Eugene and I've always had a soft spot for Corvallis. 

Quoting myself because twenty minutes after posting this I heard from Penn State! Apparently their numbers are solidifying and it looks like they won't have room for me. LOOKS LIKE I'M GOING TO OREGON STATE! 

I have three waitlists but have gotten none of those emails yet--but I second your anxiety. Only one waitlist school could really make a difference for me... I also hate making my current top choice wait it out because they've been so wonderful.

I officially accepted Iowa's offer, after falling completely in love with Iowa City over the weekend. If there are any other future Hawkeyes out there, feel free to message me any time you want.

I declined offers from UMass Amherst, Tufts University, George Washington University, University of Connecticut and West Virginia University, a while ago. 
 
Hope that helps out people!

Ugh, indeed. I don't know how to interpret the DGS at my preferred school (University of Arizona PhD program in literature). I've received two phone calls, both of which were seemingly to gauge my continued interest in the program and reiterating that I was high on the waitlist/funding was likely. Does anyone know if these sort of semi-kinda-maybe-almost offers are normal? Would they really say funding is likely and get your hopes up if it wasn't? And how likely is likely? **biting nails in agony**

I am also an MA applicant waiting to hear back from a funding waitlist! Fingers crossed for all of us as April 15 draws nearer

Here's to hoping this one works out for you!

Officially accepted Notre Dame's offer! 

Traveling back from a lovely campus visit, wearing a UNC hoodie! Planning on giving my formal response as soon as I get home!! ?

Officially declined my spots at Illinois (Writing Studies) and UConn (Literature). Good luck to everyone.

This is just my gut feeling, but I think you've got reason to be optimistic. I don't think they'd casually throw around an email like that unless they were considering you for the spot. I've got my fingers crossed for you!