brontebitch

I have also been shut out of all PhD programs (waiting to hear from a few, but not expecting any very good news since it's so late in the season), and accepted to one MA. I am really conflicted. The MA is at Villanova - would I be crazy to turn it down if I receive funding? A part of me thinks that if I strengthened my GRE scores and polished my statements I would be able to get into a PhD program next year if I reapplied. I know I'm a good candidate, but I didn't have much time to dedicate to applications this cycle because I am in my last year of undergrad, so I know my applications could have been a lot better. My GRE scores were also really bad and I didn't have time to retake the test before apps were due. In hindsight, I should have taken the year off and applied when I had more time and a stronger application, but I couldn't resist trying this cycle. What do you guys think? Should I take the MA and apply for PhD programs once I finish? I think I would be crazy to turn it down because I know it's very hard to get in anywhere, but I think if I tried again I might have better luck, and I would prefer to enter an MA/PhD program. This is premature because I haven't even received funding yet, but I am just curious what other people think. I have received mixed responses from my professors and advisors.

Can anyone elaborate on the NYU rejections posted to the board? I have yet to hear anything. sorry to everyone who was rejected and congrats again to all of the acceptances!!! You are all incredible!

I have the same question about two different programs! It seems like CU Boulder and NYU also notified already (acceptances and some waitlists) but I haven't heard either way. I am kind of assuming rejection at this point, and I know NYU is notorious for notifying their rejects very late in the season, but it's hard when you don't have an official notice.

I don't think that's necessarily true! In the email I received it was very clear that they were waiting until after the official deadline (March 1st) to make decisions about funding. I think applying early is always a good idea, but I don't think that you are at a disadvantage by waiting. They will still read your application and offer you admission if they are interested, as long as you submit by March 1st!

That's too bad. I think I am technically an MA applicant since I only have a BA. I explicitly stated in my app that I wanted to be considered for the PhD program but they changed it so I would be considered as an MA applicant because, "their transition from MA to PhD is internal and non-competitive" lol but I'm pretty sure that also means I won't get funding if I am admitted as an MA student. From what I've seen on here it seems UW is really bad about funding students? It's not my top choice so I'm okay waiting, but I am curious to see what will happen.

Yeah, I did that a few weeks ago and thought it meant maybe a decision had been made, but it still only says "submitted" and I haven't heard anything.

SAME. I love going back to my books and looking at what I wrote in the margins, sometimes I find some really good ideas.

Omg... the post of my dreams? Perhaps. I am also re-reading Frankenstein AS WE SPEAK, so that was also a kooky coincidence. Moleskine notebooks are nice but I wish they were spiral bound. I like handwritten notes and notebooks to collect and I always have; electronic note taking has never romanced me. My favorite pens are the Pilot "Precise" V7 (lol) in blue and black; uniball as honorable mention. Moleskine notebooks have thick enough paper that pens usually do not bleed through, but again, not spiral bound. I do keep a planner, but I also have a book for bullet journaling and list making. My favorite planner is actually the Hobonichi Techo planner. It is very cute, small, and the pages are just blank so you can use bullets or whatever; it's sort of a nontraditional planner and I love it. I have to keep my notes organized or I am less likely to reference them, so taking notes on scrap paper or loose paper is a no for me. I really like making charts and arrow charts as well, which often serve me for months after the course. So fun! I have never color coded notes and I am not big on highlighting, but I have definitely perfected the art of underlining.

It is SUCH a hard program to get into!!! Thank you

:(((((( it's a bummer for sure but the odds are crazy; I'm trying not to be too disappointed!

Hi! I was one of the acceptances. I am really confused because the email was worded strangely. It said that the graduate admissions committee had already finished deliberating and had made decisions, but they couldn't extend offers of funding until after the official deadline on March 1st. I have no idea what that means but I was confused as well. I was happy to hear of my acceptance, but I'm not sure why they don't tell everyone at the same time and tell people once they have decided who to offer funding to. They might be doing interviews for the specific position you applied for, but I don't think that the interview request means you have been accepted into the program yet. I'm sure you will hear back soon! I was notified via email by Heather Hicks, and my portal updated earlier today. Best of luck and congratulations on your Alabama acceptance!!

not yet ://// portal hasn't updated, either literally got an email like 30 seconds ago, sadly I was not accepted

It is really a crapshoot because, as you're seeing, even very good applicants get turned away. I am an applicant with a BA only and have been rejected from 3 PhD programs and recently accepted to one MA program, but my GPA and overall application is very competitive. From my experience, I think that having an MA can only help you, not only if you don't have a strong undergraduate record, but it also proves that you are a dedicated student and a worthy investment. PhD programs provide a lot of security and funding, so they want to know that you will be successful. My professors have told me that a likely reason for me getting shut out is because of my age, lack of experience, etc. There could be other factors OF COURSE but I think that this is for sure part of it. I would definitely recommend applying for MA programs to show you are dedicated and can excel in the field you want to pursue. Getting an MA would only help you if your ultimate goal is the PhD because it does make your application stronger in a lot of ways.

AHHHH just got an email from Heather Hicks at Villanova and I am IN!!! So thrilled after 3 rejections from PhD programs. Personal email with official offer to follow, funding decisions will be made after March 1st. I am so happy!!!! (English Masters program - it is not letting me post on the board for some reason - but I had to let you guys know!)

I applied to both! I haven't heard anything and my portals haven't updated.

Sending good vibes!!!! I hope you hear something soon!

There have been some Michigan acceptances on the board! Some of their joint programs have not notified yet (that anyone on GC knows of)

Thanks for responding!!! Your thesis sounds so interesting. I've never read Salt Fish Girl but I'm a big Atwood fan. I'm interested in women's writing concerning narrative style (in the Victorian period) and representation by male authors (in Early Modern). Michigan has such a great program; I hope one (or more than one) of us hears good news soon! Someone on a different thread posted that we should be hearing back by the end of the week?? They talked to the DGS.

Thanks for the heads up! I also applied to the joint English & Gender Studies and am hoping for the best!!! It's my top choice that I haven't heard back from and a great fit! Good luck!

THANK YOU FOR SHARING!!!

Thanks for responding anyway

Wow, thank you so much! They definitely seem to go out at around this time, but there aren't many results on GC for the specific program, so I am trying to keep in mind they may have already sent out acceptances. I am, however, really hoping for good news - they accept so few students but it's a great fit for me. Thanks for responding!

I want to preface this with the acknowledgement that this may not be the correct place to post this, and I apologize in advance! Just wanted to post somewhere to let UMN Twin Cities applicants know that my advisor/letter writer attended UMN for her PhD and her advisor is still there and a part of the graduate admissions committee. I was rejected and she reached out to him and shared with me that because of the job market for the humanities they accepted fewer students than previous years, and almost all of them already had their MA degrees (he also said he was impressed by my application and many others that would have probably been accepted in years prior, but not in the current market). As an undergraduate dipping my feet into this process, it made me feel a lot better to know with some certainty that it's not always about you, sometimes schools just can't take you for logistical/economic reasons/etc. That being said, MAJOR congratulations to those who did get in at UMN because it sounds like it was ultra competitive this round. Also hoping for more good news this week for myself and others! Good luck everyone and congrats to those who have already been accepted!

Same, @zombiekeats !!! I applied to the joint program, but really hoping they haven't finishing notifying. Good luck!

Do you know if this is also the case with the joint English & Gender Studies PhD? Thanks and sorry to bother you! I am still waiting to hear back as well and wondering if it's a rejection.