OHSP

You were admitted into elite programs. I am going to be extremely blunt and tell you right now to get over the ivy thing. It might sound harsh but you need this reality check. 
I got into an ivy, I chose NYU instead because I based my decisions on advisors and fit. I have a TT-equivalent job (we don't have the tenure system but full-time, permanent, "assistant prof", 50% research, 40% teaching etc etc) in my own country (I always intended to move home after the PhD). Recent graduates of NYU have had very good success on the job market. During the PhD the program supported me and many of my peers to apply for and receive significant external funding. Why would you do a MA when you have funded options for elite, fully funded PhD programs? 
If you need to go to an ivy then tell the other schools ASAP so that waitlisted candidates aren't waiting until April. 
Others might beat around the bush and provide replies that are worded more sensitively, but here's a straight answer for you. 

You were admitted into elite programs. I am going to be extremely blunt and tell you right now to get over the ivy thing. It might sound harsh but you need this reality check. 
I got into an ivy, I chose NYU instead because I based my decisions on advisors and fit. I have a TT-equivalent job (we don't have the tenure system but full-time, permanent, "assistant prof", 50% research, 40% teaching etc etc) in my own country (I always intended to move home after the PhD). Recent graduates of NYU have had very good success on the job market. During the PhD the program supported me and many of my peers to apply for and receive significant external funding. Why would you do a MA when you have funded options for elite, fully funded PhD programs? 
If you need to go to an ivy then tell the other schools ASAP so that waitlisted candidates aren't waiting until April. 
Others might beat around the bush and provide replies that are worded more sensitively, but here's a straight answer for you. 

You were admitted into elite programs. I am going to be extremely blunt and tell you right now to get over the ivy thing. It might sound harsh but you need this reality check. 
I got into an ivy, I chose NYU instead because I based my decisions on advisors and fit. I have a TT-equivalent job (we don't have the tenure system but full-time, permanent, "assistant prof", 50% research, 40% teaching etc etc) in my own country (I always intended to move home after the PhD). Recent graduates of NYU have had very good success on the job market. During the PhD the program supported me and many of my peers to apply for and receive significant external funding. Why would you do a MA when you have funded options for elite, fully funded PhD programs? 
If you need to go to an ivy then tell the other schools ASAP so that waitlisted candidates aren't waiting until April. 
Others might beat around the bush and provide replies that are worded more sensitively, but here's a straight answer for you. 

Hey! So, yes, I also felt like sh*t when I got rejected from the Ivies, especially Columbia because it was a good fit. Like you, I also applied right after undergrad, also didn't major in History, and I'm also a first gen low income student (intl but did undergrad in the US). I am actually waitlisted at two of the schools you mentioned getting accepted into and got into UMich. Take some time to stop beating yourself up and celebrate!!!!!!!! This is a BIG ASS ACCOMPLISHMENT. People with MAs get rejected from these schools. You have potential, clearly!!! I understand the hyperfixation but do continue to reflect on why you applied to those programs in the first place. Clearly you liked them, and they had something great to offer you in your academic journey. 

You were admitted into elite programs. I am going to be extremely blunt and tell you right now to get over the ivy thing. It might sound harsh but you need this reality check. 
I got into an ivy, I chose NYU instead because I based my decisions on advisors and fit. I have a TT-equivalent job (we don't have the tenure system but full-time, permanent, "assistant prof", 50% research, 40% teaching etc etc) in my own country (I always intended to move home after the PhD). Recent graduates of NYU have had very good success on the job market. During the PhD the program supported me and many of my peers to apply for and receive significant external funding. Why would you do a MA when you have funded options for elite, fully funded PhD programs? 
If you need to go to an ivy then tell the other schools ASAP so that waitlisted candidates aren't waiting until April. 
Others might beat around the bush and provide replies that are worded more sensitively, but here's a straight answer for you. 

You were admitted into elite programs. I am going to be extremely blunt and tell you right now to get over the ivy thing. It might sound harsh but you need this reality check. 
I got into an ivy, I chose NYU instead because I based my decisions on advisors and fit. I have a TT-equivalent job (we don't have the tenure system but full-time, permanent, "assistant prof", 50% research, 40% teaching etc etc) in my own country (I always intended to move home after the PhD). Recent graduates of NYU have had very good success on the job market. During the PhD the program supported me and many of my peers to apply for and receive significant external funding. Why would you do a MA when you have funded options for elite, fully funded PhD programs? 
If you need to go to an ivy then tell the other schools ASAP so that waitlisted candidates aren't waiting until April. 
Others might beat around the bush and provide replies that are worded more sensitively, but here's a straight answer for you. 

After a multitude of rejections, I received word that I was accepted off the waitlist for Duke and have accepted their offer! Super excited!!

This is not a big deal at all. Unless someone's a serious stickler, the typo and missed citation are extremely likely to go entirely unnoticed, and the "unpack" might get a lol, but that's it. I'm now in a position where I read applications and trust me no one has time to trip over little things like this. 

The most important things are your writing sample and SoP -- grades, prizes, and "big 10 school" don't tell us what you think they might. GRE is next to meaningless. 

This is not a big deal at all. Unless someone's a serious stickler, the typo and missed citation are extremely likely to go entirely unnoticed, and the "unpack" might get a lol, but that's it. I'm now in a position where I read applications and trust me no one has time to trip over little things like this. 

This is not a big deal at all. Unless someone's a serious stickler, the typo and missed citation are extremely likely to go entirely unnoticed, and the "unpack" might get a lol, but that's it. I'm now in a position where I read applications and trust me no one has time to trip over little things like this. 

Hey, this doesn't sound ridiculous but rankings are not the best reason to shift program, especially if you're getting those ranking from somewhere like US news -- no matter where you are the chances of a job are slim, and it's possible your program still has a good reputation (this is partly about your advisors). Are you being well supported by your current advisors? Have you been able to take the kinds of classes you wanted to take? Are there opportunities for you, including research funding? Do you think your dissertation is going to go where you want it to go if you stay in this program? Do you think you'll be supported through exams? I.e. are there reasons other than rankings to leave (or to stay)? 

FYI this is a history thread, but same advice applies. 

I wouldn't read too much into it -- she might just be a nice person/she might remember some big holes in your app and be trying to help you get into a different program/any program. I wouldn't take it as an "in" or even an opportunity beyond a professional relationship with this professor (which is different from an acceptance into the school's program). 
Change your writing sample--it didn't get you into the programs you applied to and it is a really important document. You don't need to start again from scratch or do new research, but you likely need to re-write the sample -- re-think your argument, your analysis, the structure of your chapter/essay etc. 

I wouldn't read too much into it -- she might just be a nice person/she might remember some big holes in your app and be trying to help you get into a different program/any program. I wouldn't take it as an "in" or even an opportunity beyond a professional relationship with this professor (which is different from an acceptance into the school's program). 
Change your writing sample--it didn't get you into the programs you applied to and it is a really important document. You don't need to start again from scratch or do new research, but you likely need to re-write the sample -- re-think your argument, your analysis, the structure of your chapter/essay etc. 

Yup. 

This isn't IU, is it? But this is nonsense, regardless.

Another possibility, just looking at your acceptances so far, is that they didn't actually think you would accept the offer and wanted to be able to extend it to someone else--congrats on Michigan and UCSD, amazing programs! 

Another possibility, just looking at your acceptances so far, is that they didn't actually think you would accept the offer and wanted to be able to extend it to someone else--congrats on Michigan and UCSD, amazing programs! 

Another possibility, just looking at your acceptances so far, is that they didn't actually think you would accept the offer and wanted to be able to extend it to someone else--congrats on Michigan and UCSD, amazing programs! 

We are in somewhat similar fields so feel free to DM -- I'm finishing up and just started a permanent job, tt-equivalent but I'm not in the US, but anyway I have some *thoughts* about the programs you're considering, based on the experiences of friends. Suspect you'll get into UH as well. Anyway--feel free!

We are in somewhat similar fields so feel free to DM -- I'm finishing up and just started a permanent job, tt-equivalent but I'm not in the US, but anyway I have some *thoughts* about the programs you're considering, based on the experiences of friends. Suspect you'll get into UH as well. Anyway--feel free!

Another possibility, just looking at your acceptances so far, is that they didn't actually think you would accept the offer and wanted to be able to extend it to someone else--congrats on Michigan and UCSD, amazing programs! 

Ask how they support students to get grants/research and writing fellowships, and how successful students have been -- this is not something I thought was particularly important when I was considering programs, but grants have made my phd possible (and my life so much easier) even with a stipend over 30k + paid teaching. Money makes a difference, and big fellowships often come with networks and prestige (all important when it comes to the job market). 

Ask how they support students to get grants/research and writing fellowships, and how successful students have been -- this is not something I thought was particularly important when I was considering programs, but grants have made my phd possible (and my life so much easier) even with a stipend over 30k + paid teaching. Money makes a difference, and big fellowships often come with networks and prestige (all important when it comes to the job market). 

My two cents: Australian universities love to hire people who know Australia well/are from there and have US PhDs, especially from elite US universities.