rheya19

Are there specific people there you want to work with? Could you look up their old or current students? I think you could also be really direct with your POI and say, "My goal is to eventually apply to such-and-such PhD programs. Have any of your other MA graduates done work like that after they left here?" They know that you aren't applying to grad school for no reason, and that you must have longer term ambitions or plans-- in fact, they are probably hoping that you do! I don't think any school wants students who are just there because they don't know what else to do. Also keep in mind that part of your adviser's responsibility is to help you get to the next level, whatever that may be.

Not necessarily. It depends upon the faculty there as well and how well-known any of them are. A mid-tier school that gives you an MA and a LOR from a respected professor might be very helpful. Do you mind me asking what school it is?

For what it is worth, full tuition funding is rare for an MA in the US. I got 50% at UChicago, and that was the best that they gave. I ended up having to take out loans for the other 50% and living expenses. So, IMHO, it's not that bad of a deal. But ultimately only you can decide what you're able to accept and deal with. I also don't know if you are only considering Canadian schools and how that compares to other Canadian programs.

The cost of moving itself depends upon a lot of different things. Do you have a lot of stuff? Like a full apartment, furniture, etc? Is the distance to your new school driveable? Could you rent a UHaul and drive yourself there?

I had a professor at ND recommend that I apply to two programs, since it seemed like I could fit into either. I think they understand that you're trying to cast your net wide.

I think I read a more critical reply to your post, and I was all of a sudden defensive for you. Maybe it's also that I finally got the rejection letter from my top choice a few days ago, so I'm still feeling that sting. I agree with you that disappointments in our life are not always forgotten. For me, the longer I live, the more I wonder how my life might have gone and how much further I might be now if things had been different.

Thank you for the correction. I re-read the OP, and I did miss that part. I still think it's ok to feel rejected and disappointed that their life didn't go the direction they wanted, and I was trying to express that.

I think everyone goes into the application process with a couple of top choices. (I even intentionally told myself I didn't have any just to avoid feeling disappointment later.) But then we get told that to succeed, you need to fully commit to your goal! So we work extra hard on the top choice applications, positive thinking, privately engage in the Secret, prayer, and witchcraft, indulge ourselves in researching the city where our top choice is just to get a feel for it... So of course it's disappointing when we don't get it. And I'm willing to be that more people don't get into their top choice than do. I think the disappointment can stick with you, because most grad students I know nail their sense of self-worth to their grades, publications, schools, and what their profs think of them. Academics are in an unusual world where validation never seems to come often enough, and when it does come, it never feels enough or lasts long enough. We always are reminding ourselves of ways we're falling short. I get what you're saying, and I think you're not alone in feeling that way.

I don't live near two of my letter writers, but next week I'm heading to the school I was accepted to, and I'm going to go to their school spirit store and get some greeting cards with the school colors or mascot or something. Nothing beats a hand written card.

Have you asked any of your professors or clinic supervisors? They should know. The situation would be further complicated if the client's mother offered you compensation of any kind. That would almost certainly be illegal.

I'm not really clear on some of the language surrounding programs. I understand what Ivy League and R1 are, but what do you mean by "ranked?" Ranked where?

I'm heading there in a couple of weeks to meet my new advisor and look around. I'm looking for housing in the downtown area, as I'll be without a car for at least a year. Housing seems like it's not too expensive there, although I think that's relative to where you're living now. I've heard differing things about the public transportation system. One person said good, the other said bad. Hopefully I'll know more after my trip. I'll report back after March 22.

When I interviewed with Iowa a few weeks ago, one of their questions for me was, "What is your dream position after graduating, and what is a second option you would like if you couldn't do the first?" I actually appreciated the question, because it shows that they recognize the crisis in the job market, and they probably want students who have thought seriously about that. I think we all have to start thinking creatively about what we have to offer the job market and education in general. The game is changing very rapidly.

I reached out, and they emailed me back with a "no," and then I got the official email to check the website later that day.

Well, Austin FINALLY graced me with their decision. They're out. Iowa, here I come!

It's a "no" from UBC. And unless Harvard or UT-Austin offer me a spot at 11:59PM on April 14th, I guess I'm heading to Iowa! Good luck, everyone, and don't let the process get you down! It's just grad school.

If you haven't heard back from a program that has sent out at least some acceptances and rejections, is it poor form to email the program and ask about when you might hear from them? I'm sure they get a lot of that, but I'm needing to make some decisions.

I'm about to email a PhD student at a school I was accepted to. He's the student of my potential advisor. To be honest I don't know much about the program, except that the faculty are doing the kind of research I want to. It was one of the last schools I found out about during application season. What kinds of questions do you all think I should ask this student to get a good sense of the program and advisor? I don't want to come across like I don't know anything about the place, but I guess I don't. ?

Yeah, my sense is that a lot of that money comes from or because of the Marties (Martys?).

I don't know for certain about every MA student, but the people I knew were getting 50%. And it was generally known that the MDivs were getting much more than the MAs. I'm sorry I can't help you more. Good luck!

I'm so sorry to hear that! That's so s***ty!

I did the MA program at UChicago, and my husband did the MDiv program there. He got almost 100% funding, I got 50%, which I think is the standard.

Has anyone contacted UBC recently? I'm thinking of emailing them this coming week, if no one knows when admissions might be happening.

UBC is my last application. (Except Austin, who I'm sure will come around.) I love the program, but Vancouver would be hard for my husband's career, so we'll just have to see.

$35 dollars to mail a piece of paper with 3 numbers on it.