HighlyCaffeinated

I just accepted Notre Dame's offer!!! I still haven't heard from from Toronto or Yale yet. My advisor told me not to assume they are rejections, so I'm trying not to. But the more I went over it in my head, the more I am convinced that Notre Dame is going to be the best place for me in so many different ways. Maybe I jumped the gun a bit, but I know I won't regret it. 
Now to celebrate! 

hahahahah no but share them with me if you come up with any!

I know man. Not pressing the up arrow button when someone's being an ass is some real Hedonic calculus.
For real though, here's an actual puzzle: what kind of person starts publicly sobbing about downvotes on a website called "the grad cafe" and then shits on someone who tries to answer their question about it?
Nah I just flip a coin.
 
 

A friend and I were talking about the application process and the existential crises it can catalyze. She said she was having a similar discussion last year with another grad student in our program (who has since left to earn their PhD at another institution) and that a statistic was thrown out that about 5% of those who apply actually get into a PhD program. This seems very off to me. Some of the top programs have an acceptance rate between 3% and 10% (in Soc), but some of those applicants would be accepted into other programs too. Also, the tier 2 and tier 3 schools probably have higher acceptance rates. Does anyone know where I could find overall, not program specific statistics (i.e. not statistics from one specific school's soc PhD program) on the percentage of applicants who get accepted? I would be interested in seeing all disciplines or just sociology. 

Anyone accepted to Arizona but thinking about going somewhere else? Please let them know soon

I still haven't heard from Yale or Toronto, but UCSD was nice enough to reject me twice! Haha! 

For those of you who are thinking about reapplying next year, if you'd like, I would be willing to look over statements of intent and writing samples over the summer. (I am writing my thesis right now! Eeek!) I have been a writing tutor for over 4 years and love helping with statements of intent. Obviously, I can't guarantee success, but I can help you strengthen what you have. 

For those of you who are thinking about not applying again, I offer the same as above and encourage you to never give up on your dream. I know how vulnerable this process makes us and how much we want to give up sometimes. We can't. Each of us brings something to the table that others don't. Students need that. Sociology needs that. Academia needs that! Maybe we can be the generation of scholars that works to change the face of academia, making it less competitive, more equitable, more diverse, and more applicable to and accepted by the broader public. 

Just got rejected from Harvard, it's my last out of the three that I applied to (I know everyone calls me crazy for this, but I'm used to applying to only the one that I really like and feel I have the right for) and won't try for a doctorate again for the next few years. Surprisingly it's not as crushing as the Berkeley rejection for some reason.
I just want to thank you all for being in the same boat, sharing your superior knowledge of applications, interviews etc. and just stressing out and congratulating each other vocally on this forum board for me to read to relate to. No one I know applied to a Sociology phd and I don't come from a very academic hometown, either. You guys - along with friends from my masters who are now scattered all over the world - were the only people who gave me peace and companionship throughout this specifically stressful journey. 
Just wanted to put that out there because I was definitely a lurker and not a poster most of the time. Peace.

I think the results page is back up and working if all those who posted today want to add them on!

I have heard from many professors that it's harder to be accepted into your alma matter.  I even heard one professor describe it as nepotism. 

Just got an acceptance e-mail from Princeton!!!! So idk about those calls from Princeton/Harvard!

Ugh, I have convinced myself that the early Harvard poster is either a troll or meant to report an acceptance to the JDP and entered "Sociology" by mistake.  I am also hoping that the early Princeton poster falls under the "troll or mistake" category . . . . hope springs eternal.

All acceptances for the JDP program, right?  I don't think anything has gone out for the Sociology PhD program yet.
It is impossible to keep from checking my e-mail 10,000 times/day.  Waiting for 3 schools, including Harvard--I only applied to a handful of programs and am basically on edge.

I have heard from many professors that it's harder to be accepted into your alma matter.  I even heard one professor describe it as nepotism. 

Well Santa Cruz is ranked 59th and New Mexico is 78th so that's something to consider. However, I would really try to determine which program is a better fit based on your interests. Like personally I specialize in medical sociology so I'd probably go with New Mexico because from what little I know about the two departments, it seems like UNM has a stronger emphasis on health, medicine, and health policy and thus more resources (affiliated centers, faculty, etc.) available to pursue that area of research. Of course I'm also a little biased because I lived in Albuquerque for a summer and absolutely loved the city and the state of New Mexico in general so if they invite you to visit first, I definitely suggest going and exploring. 

Holding out hope that Yale has a waitlist   Not sure why I've had my heart so set on Yale, but nonetheless I do.

Do you know if UPenn will be sending out anymore acceptance or waitlist notifications?
It's fine if I got rejected because I've been accepted to other schools, but it would be nice to have some closure.

it might be the case that people admitted there really don't come here to discuss.

Harvard is closed for Observance but Yale is not . I checked the school's academic calendars. 

Rejected from UMass Amherst.
I know how capricious this process is, but I'm perplexed nonetheless. Shows me for relegating them to "safety school" status.

Congrats!!!   I have no info for you about places to avoid, but there is a thread about "lesbian life" that, while it has a different focus (though I don't know your sexuality, so maybe applicable!), speaks about queerphobia, LGBT+ resources on campus, etc.  Might be helpful! 
 

? Thanks much 

No news at all (for me) this week...I don't know if that's good or bad.  But I submitted my MA thesis to my committee this morning (YAY!) and so while an acceptance would be great, after finishing this 72,000 word document, I am going to enjoy the weekend (and maybe not check my e-mail at all).  
Congrats to everyone who has been accepted all over this place this week!!!  All the exciting news gives me hope

Still holding onto hope because last year, acceptances to Penn were sent out in waves. Congrats to those who have been admitted!

I also received an acceptance email from the Penn Graduate Chair. My portal status wasn't updated though.

That was me! I got an e-mail from the Graduate Chair David Grazian! Not sure about the portal--haven't checked!