THS

I applied to 13 schools. I spent about $2,000 when it was all said and done on sending GRE's, transcripts, and application fees. I was accepted at only 1 of 13 schools though so I guess it paid off to apply to so many.

Just signed a lease after a 3 day search for a place. If you have a pet (I have a dog) than good luck. It is pretty hard to find an affordable place in Pullman. From what I could tell most available leases go up in Jan/Feb making it hard for new students to find something year one. I went super early (April instead of July/August) meaning I found something, but it will be a little more than I'd like to be spending (I can get a roommate though- ended with a 2 bed/2 bath). At any rate Pullman is otherwise very cute and charming. Moscow, just down the road, had the better furniture store and does deliver to Pullman for free (or use Amazon or Overstock because the place in Pullman was overpriced and limited). It was a little conservative. I had a rep from one of the rental agencies talk to me about immigration for 15 minutes w/o being prompted and the only reason my mom or I could tell was because I am hispanic (my mom is white and was offended, after my MA research I am used to it). Otherwise I am looking forward to moving. I found a little summer job easily so I'll be spending the summer there. I wont be on here often anymore, but I'll probably check a few more times if you want to message me a question. Best of luck to all!

I'm in at WSU! Totally freaking out/just cried when I saw the e-mail. I can already feel the stress leaving my body. I can't believe it! Thank you all so much for all the support through this. It was wonderful to find this community of people to talk to/bounce ideas off of while playing the waiting game. Best of luck to everyone- in or still waiting or getting ready to apply again next year- it'll all work out the way it is suposed to.

Did you call/e-mail? If you haven't i would reach out at this point- it is super late to have not heard anything.

I relate to the posts on here so very much...I applied to 13 programs and have recieved 12 nos and 1 waitlist. I've been told I am "top of the waitlist", but it still feels so precarious. When I applied to MA's I was accepted to 2 programs and waitlisted at another, rejected from 2. So it felt like it was so easy the first time. I know, MA programs are easier in many cases to be accepted to...but the results I've had this application season still came as a little bit of a shock. I'm playing the waiting game now, but I am already applying to all the jobs (I just finished my MA) and making a list of programs for a potential next cycle if this program doesn't work out. This program has been my number one choice (tied w/ Stanford) from the beginning because of my topic area so if I get in I'll be over the moon...but if I don't get in I don't know how I'll feel. I am over being in limbo.

Angry tomato

One year a long time ago, there were penguins who didn't wear hats when swimming. This made their mothers livid. "Unacceptable!" Frightened, they screamed, "Bears!" Nobody seemed convinced so instead of going swimming they tried juggling. Their mothers tried everything they thought would teach her a skill. However, she couldn't even make oatmeal without disastrous results. So, the penguins gathered money (obviously) trying to purchase a bear. Towering over them, a grizzly beast danced, devouring all bears with such ferocity that even God enjoyed it. Afterwards, God congratulated the penguins and applauded them. "You did it!" Suddenly, the grizzly beast started dancing vigorously. There was an acromantula nearby. It challenged the preconception that magical mushrooms were magical. Sparkling, the magical mushrooms were spreading throughout town. Nobody with pyromania thought grilled cheese would spontaneously erupt into nine identical squirrels! Nevertheless, the penguins elucidated the benefits of sparkling water from Iceland. Suddenly, Iceland exclaimed, "Enough!!! No more penguins. Kill all of the arcades on Monday because King Arthur suffered from sphenisciphobia." Tragically, everyone forgot lasers cure bug madness, meaning none of them stripped the violet beast of his powerful jaw bones. So while some arms spouted Kool-aid, others chopped nuts. This phenomenon halted commerce. Together twenty-five yellow dragons danced sporadically inebriating all anger gods, while academics drank champagne profusely. Who were they? Snotty undergrads eating free Tetrahydrocannabinol Chlorate. Homicidal kittens emerged from congressional hearings purring rhythmic improvised melodies, infuriating the associate professors who stripped them intermittently of all credentials. The incredulous kittens meowed like dragons farts. Except Bruno, who mewed like tinkling bells. Understandably, one chicken farted. Then, surreptitiously, two giraffes killed the conspicuous dragon. Audaciously, someone belched "RAWR!" Startled, four punks flew down from the Appalachian, a bit wide-eyed, and jumped into a brobdingnagian beam of protons, flipping fingers zestfully. Meanwhile, the paladins prophylactically committed themselves to diabolical plots. Therefore, lemonade became the de jure punishment for audacious acts. Worms squirmed and dug tunnels into Harvard where walruses prepared rejection letters and danced joyfully. They pressed flowers into

Congrats!!! We just need these waitlists to start moving

My advice: VISIT BEFORE YOU SIGN A LEASE. Because housing only has like a 3% vacency rate in Corvallis renters get away with so much bs. I just finished my MA here and loved the town- I would love to live here someday when I am completely done with school. As a grad student, renter, however it was kind of a nightmare. I would suggest Albany (much cheaper but you need to drive/possibly get a parking pass because they just put in a bunch of "2 hour" parking streets and are putting more in next year. If not Albany South town (local free transit or bike to campus). Also over by the more residential areas by Winco (I lived in this area for my time- cheaper because it is further from campus but beautiful hiking). At any rate good luck! Also check out the Corvallis Gazette Times if you want to know more about the town- it is the silly local paper and I think tells a lot about the character of the city. When you get there Squirrels is the grad student bar (cash only) but great burgers and tots! (not literally, but the only bar I never ran into students when I was a GTA)

sour dough

One year a long time ago, there were penguins who didn't wear hats when swimming. This made their mothers livid. "Unacceptable!" Frightened, they screamed, "Bears!" Nobody seemed convinced so instead of going swimming they tried juggling. Their mothers tried everything they thought would teach her a skill. However, she couldn't even make oatmeal without disastrous results. So, the penguins gathered money (obviously) trying to purchase a bear. Towering over them, a grizzly beast danced, devouring all bears with such ferocity that even God enjoyed it. Afterwards, God congratulated the penguins and applauded them. "You did it!" Suddenly, the grizzly beast started dancing vigorously. There was an acromantula nearby. It challenged the preconception that magical mushrooms were magical. Sparkling, the magical mushrooms were spreading throughout town. Nobody with pyromania thought grilled cheese would spontaneously erupt into nine identical squirrels! Nevertheless, the penguins elucidated the benefits of sparkling water from Iceland. Suddenly, Iceland exclaimed, "Enough!!! No more penguins. Kill all of the arcades on Monday because King Arthur suffered from sphenisciphobia." Tragically, everyone forgot lasers cure bug madness, meaning none of them stripped the violet beast of his powerful jaw bones. So while some arms spouted Kool-aid, others chopped nuts. This phenomenon halted commerce. Together twenty-five yellow dragons danced sporadically inebriating all anger gods, while academics drank champagne profusely. Who were they? Snotty undergrads eating free Tetrahydrocannabinol Chlorate. Homicidal kittens emerged from congressional hearings purring rhythmic improvised melodies, infuriating the associate professors who stripped them intermittently of all credentials. The incredulous kittens meowed like dragons farts. Except Bruno, who mewed like tinkling bells. Understandably, one chicken farted. Then, surreptitiously, two giraffes killed the conspicuous dragon. Audaciously, someone belched "RAWR!" Startled, four punks flew down from the Appalachian, a bit wide-eyed, and jumped into a brobdingnagian beam of protons, flipping fingers zestfully. Meanwhile, the paladins prophylactically committed themselves to diabolical plots. Therefore, lemonade became the de jure punishment for audacious acts. Worms squirmed and dug tunnels into Harvard where walruses prepared rejection letters and

apple juice

One year a long time ago, there were penguins who didn't wear hats when swimming. This made their mothers livid. "Unacceptable!" Frightened, they screamed, "Bears!" Nobody seemed convinced so instead of going swimming they tried juggling. Their mothers tried everything they thought would teach her a skill. However, she couldn't even make oatmeal without disastrous results. So, the penguins gathered money (obviously) trying to purchase a bear. Towering over them, a grizzly beast danced, devouring all bears with such ferocity that even God enjoyed it. Afterwards, God congratulated the penguins and applauded them. "You did it!" Suddenly, the grizzly beast started dancing vigorously. There was an acromantula nearby. It challenged the preconception that magical mushrooms were magical. Sparkling, the magical mushrooms were spreading throughout town. Nobody with pyromania thought grilled cheese would spontaneously erupt into nine identical squirrels! Nevertheless, the penguins elucidated the benefits of sparkling water from Iceland. Suddenly, Iceland exclaimed, "Enough!!! No more penguins. Kill all of the arcades on Monday because King Arthur suffered from sphenisciphobia." Tragically, everyone forgot lasers cure bug madness, meaning none of them stripped the violet beast of his powerful jaw bones. So while some arms spouted Kool-aid, others chopped nuts. This phenomenon halted commerce. Together twenty-five yellow dragons danced sporadically inebriating all anger gods, while academics drank champagne profusely. Who were they? Snotty undergrads eating free Tetrahydrocannabinol Chlorate. Homicidal kittens emerged from congressional hearings purring rhythmic improvised melodies, infuriating the associate professors who stripped them intermittently of all credentials. The incredulous kittens meowed like dragons farts. Except Bruno, who mewed like tinkling bells. Understandably, one chicken farted. Then, surreptitiously, two giraffes killed the conspicuous dragon. Audaciously, someone belched "RAWR!" Startled, four punks flew down from the Appalachian, a bit wide-eyed, and jumped into a brobdingnagian beam of protons, flipping fingers zestfully. Meanwhile, the paladins prophylactically committed themselves to diabolical plots. Therefore, lemonade became the de jure punishment for audacious acts. Worms squirmed and dug tunnels into Harvard where

Washington State University -I got the e-mail w/ info on my place on the waitlist over the weekend and posted a couple pages back. This week when I e-mailed the other school I was also at waitlisted said that it was unlikely given my place on waitlist and Johns Hopkins replied with the rejection today (a very nice one though) and those were it.

Well all...after today I am down to the one waitlist. Scary, but they said I am "at the top" so I guess there's still hope and it only takes one. Otherwise I'll be back next year

deep meaning

One year a long time ago, there were penguins who didn't wear hats when swimming. This made their mothers livid. "Unacceptable!" Frightened, they screamed, "Bears!" Nobody seemed convinced so instead of going swimming they tried juggling. Their mothers tried everything they thought would teach her a skill. However, she couldn't even make oatmeal without disastrous results. So, the penguins gathered money (obviously) trying to purchase a bear. Towering over them, a grizzly beast danced, devouring all bears with such ferocity that even God enjoyed it. Afterwards, God congratulated the penguins and applauded them. "You did it!" Suddenly, the grizzly beast started dancing vigorously. There was an acromantula nearby. It challenged the preconception that magical mushrooms were magical. Sparkling, the magical mushrooms were spreading throughout town. Nobody with pyromania thought grilled cheese would spontaneously erupt into nine identical squirrels! Nevertheless, the penguins elucidated the benefits of sparkling water from Iceland. Suddenly, Iceland exclaimed, "Enough!!! No more penguins. Kill all of the arcades on Monday because King Arthur suffered from sphenisciphobia." Tragically, everyone forgot lasers cure bug madness, meaning none of them stripped the violet beast of his powerful jaw bones. So while some arms spouted Kool-aid, others chopped nuts. This phenomenon halted commerce. Together twenty-five yellow dragons danced sporadically inebriating all anger gods, while academics drank champagne profusely. Who were they? Snotty undergrads eating free Tetrahydrocannabinol Chlorate. Homicidal kittens emerged from congressional hearings purring rhythmic improvised melodies, infuriating the associate professors who stripped them intermittently of all credentials. The incredulous kittens meowed like dragons farts. Except Bruno, who mewed like tinkling bells. Understandably, one chicken farted. Then, surreptitiously, two giraffes killed the conspicuous dragon. Audaciously, someone belched "RAWR!" Startled, four punks flew down from the Appalachian, a bit wide-eyed, and jumped into a brobdingnagian beam of protons, flipping fingers zestfully. Meanwhile, the paladins prophylactically committed themselves to diabolical plots. Therefore, lemonade became the de jure punishment for audacious acts. Worms squirmed and dug tunnels into

space war

One year a long time ago, there were penguins who didn't wear hats when swimming. This made their mothers livid. "Unacceptable!" Frightened, they screamed, "Bears!" Nobody seemed convinced so instead of going swimming they tried juggling. Their mothers tried everything they thought would teach her a skill. However, she couldn't even make oatmeal without disastrous results. So, the penguins gathered money (obviously) trying to purchase a bear. Towering over them, a grizzly beast danced, devouring all bears with such ferocity that even God enjoyed it. Afterwards, God congratulated the penguins and applauded them. "You did it!" Suddenly, the grizzly beast started dancing vigorously. There was an acromantula nearby. It challenged the preconception that magical mushrooms were magical. Sparkling, the magical mushrooms were spreading throughout town. Nobody with pyromania thought grilled cheese would spontaneously erupt into nine identical squirrels! Nevertheless, the penguins elucidated the benefits of sparkling water from Iceland. Suddenly, Iceland exclaimed, "Enough!!! No more penguins. Kill all of the arcades on Monday because King Arthur suffered from sphenisciphobia." Tragically, everyone forgot lasers cure bug madness, meaning none of them stripped the violet beast of his powerful jaw bones. So while some arms spouted Kool-aid, others chopped nuts. This phenomenon halted commerce. Together twenty-five yellow dragons danced sporadically inebriating all anger gods, while academics drank champagne profusely. Who were they? Snotty undergrads eating free Tetrahydrocannabinol Chlorate. Homicidal kittens emerged from congressional hearings purring rhythmic improvised melodies, infuriating the associate professors who stripped them intermittently of all credentials. The incredulous kittens meowed like dragons farts. Except Bruno, who mewed like tinkling bells. Understandably, one chicken farted. Then, surreptitiously, two giraffes killed the conspicuous dragon. Audaciously, someone belched "RAWR!" Startled, four punks flew down from the Appalachian, a bit wide-eyed, and jumped into a brobdingnagian beam of protons, flipping fingers zestfully. Meanwhile, the paladins prophylactically committed themselves to diabolical plots. Therefore, lemonade became the de jure punishment for audacious acts. Worms squirmed and dug

This is a great idea! Here are some that I'll add too: One of my professor's recommended this blog to me http://theprofessorisin.com there are so many great articles in this for people at all levels of academia and she's very easy to read. Also as a first source for some theory backgrounds, I've used this as a first source through grad school so far (I know the match up between Anth and Soc isn't perfect but we do have some overlap and this give you the whole background which is nice). https://anthropology.ua.edu/cultures/cultures.php

Thank you!!

Well I defended my thesis Friday and passed!! I have some edits but should be done by the end of the week AND, the reason I got on here, is that when I e-mailed WSU to let them know I had passed I got an e-mail back from my poi saying I'm at the top of the waitlist (knew I was waitlisted previously but didn't know my position)! There is still hope! Anyways now I'm hoping that someone tells them no and hopefully soon so this anxiety can pass. Good luck to everyone this week! Hopefully this week will have some good news

You can work for the government in various ways (so depending on your interests), for nonprofits, for tech, for hospitals....there are lots and lots of jobs so it depends. A lot of different types of companies and organizations need people who can conduct research (both qual and quant) and/or who can analyze data (again, qual/quant). Even with just an MA you'll be able to get your foot in the door (as I am learning right now) and a few gigs pay even better than working as a tenure professor. Hope this helps!

I am not mad at the system, but I understand the system and that's why I will apply again, I know it is a game of luck/chance mixed with hard work. Everyone in this equation must work hard. If you don't work hard, if you don't do the right things then you shouldn't be let in. Never did I say that hard work wasn't equal, that people shouldn't have to do equal things. Several times you conflate income with race/ethnicity/other forms of difference (while they sometimes are, they are not always). Ultimately my point was that it isn't merit that gets someone into grad school (which was your original point). Merit gets you a place at the table, allows you to apply. The part that is arbitrary is "fit" and another person's percieved ability to "know you" based off a writing sample. Again these are two forms of cultural capital. Your experience working near an admissions process has clearly allowed you tremendous cultural capital in terms of what programs are looking for, how they justify a candidate- I look forward to a post from you with advice on this! The sharing of that cultural knowledge from within the institution might help a lot of people. That experience has allowed you to craft your essays better than people who have never had exposure to that. It is similar to individuals who have friends in departments or who happened to sit next to the prof at a conference- social capital gives them a leg up, your employment history gave you increased knowledge. I think when we say that being able to write well tells someone who you are (yes some people are naturally better writers, but it doesn't make sense to think that of those who apply that 1/3 of the applications at least don't have incredible essays). So I'll say again, of course you have to work hard. You have to do everthing you can possibly find time to do if you want to get into a PHD program. The little things, however, that allow others to float to the top do seem arbitrary because to many of us we don't have access to the forms of cultural, economic, or social capital that allow some essays to float to the top. The tools in our reach might let us pack on research experience and rewrite our essays, try to pick better fits...but the part that makes it arbitrary is that the process is based on a set of unknown or not widely shared factors. I'll add I agree with you on a lot, I just don't think you've disproved my point, you've just shown a lot of other examples of various forms of capital that helped you (or others) and failed to help others. We all work hard and some people give up but I'll say again to everyone...you only lose if you give up. Thanks for the fun conversation! It has been a while since I had a good debate over something that wasn't politics

I almost down voted this and stopped. I agree with a lot of points until the end. I think you are SO so wrong about what lets some people float to the top. No one knows your personality unless you've met them (social capital which goes back to the first poster's point about people who have ins getting into programs and to be fair we've seen evidence of this how many times just on this board?). Social capital is essential to being accepted. It is why I am now going to all the soc conferences that I can afford this year (papers/posters...or just attending), it is why I am starting to try and send out a few e-mails now. It isn't "looking good on paper", those of us who look good on paper are just a great and sometimes better than those admitted; we are successful people in what we study. I now have 2 waitlists but after 2 weeks of applying 3 job interviews (I applied to 8 government and nonprofit jobs)...I can literally do the research that I am applying to a PHD to do/to refine. My point here is that the people in our field tend to ignore the various ways that their habitus has lended to their ability to be at the place they are in their lives. I don't know your story- but I can say this. Just like economic success, a certain level of luck plays into this process. You'll have various forms of social, cultural and economic capital at your disposal in applying to programs. Social will give you a little boost at certain departments (you have a friend there, your advisor went there, w/e), cultural will give you the know into what they are looking for (you went to a top 20 school and could ask, have parents who are PHDs, statistically you'll score higher on the GRE if your parents had degrees) where you did your BA or MA fits here too- that's a huge one, your economic will allow you to apply to multiple schools, to take (and retake) the GRE, to do GRE prep. And these are just examples off the top of my head- this is all complicated when you add income/gender/ethnicity to the above. Getting into a PHD is the same as the rest of life and it is entirely stacked against people who are minorities and from lower incomes- groups who are under represented....we can see this by the fact that minority groups are not represented equitably in higher ed. I think it is sad that somone told another poster that she/he was only getting in because they are low income. No, instead it is something we can see empiracally reflected in studies of PHD admissions and simply in the faces of teachers we've had. I will defend my MA on Friday and I can say I have never had a female, hispanic professor. Never, in my entire academic career has someone who looked like me taught a class I took. I just finished my MA research focusing on class and class creation in the United States and I feel like it is so applicable to everything (mostly American politics right now), but reading your post made me think about similar things we hear all the time from people who feel like they worked hard and earned it. I know you worked hard and have earned all your accomplishments (don't get me wrong). That isn't my point. My point is that your hard work has been noticed either by luck or by your habitus (and it is a toss up for which is the case). Either way, continue to kick butt and best of luck to you. And for those of you who haven't gotten in this year, keep trying (I will) because to some extent it is just a toss up but the only way they win is if you give up.