EKPhrase

I wish I could edit the topic of this thread, but a good suggestion I rec'd is that this thread could be used to post our waitlists, and then folks can check here to Private Message those who they want to inform of their rejections. Anyhoo, maybe it's too soon or too personal But feel free to post your favorite waitlists here to see if someone will respond to you and let you know privately that they are declining a program!

I understand. But, you got into a better school than any I could decline Congrats!

So I thought since we are done (mostly) watching the acceptances, how about posting when we accept or decline an offer? Is that too personal? If not, contribute whenever! Or maybe just update our signatures? Would that be easier? I'll go: American Studies, PhD App. Declined University of Miami.

Johnny Leston, I wonder what would happen if you posted this in the cultural anthropology or statistics boards! Interesting theory, but I find this more interesting in terms of the linguistic and rhetorical relationship between the words "family" and "Slavery." At any rate, I would disagree, noting that delayed enrollment seems like it would statistically improve the overall degree quality and success, and better for the both the individual and the family by accomplishing two very likely needs: bonding with the newborn, and ensuring that her first semester in school was a time where she felt like she COULD focus. All in all, pregnancy is a protected status for that reason. "in that case, the student should have never followed such a idiosyncratic and unique set of interests to their culmination in graduate study, but rather should have put themselves to work doing something "useful." This is a non sequiter argument. Lit students, in particular, could make a very strong argument that following their hearts is "useful!" We are the stewards or poetry and beauty! It does not follow that waiting a year wasn't still useful, even if she spent the year reading Harry Potter novels! Well anyway, not to belabor the point. It is an very interesting term, and I had not heard it before.

Ecritdansleu, I thought of writing this in Lacanian terms (was it Lacan who wrote Ecrit?) but instead I will go with regular ole English Sometimes, profs will let you see/edit recs. Pay special note of those - that is gold. I had a letter from a department head that wasn't as awesome as I thought it would be, but only saw it after it was too late. Here is what I did. When I met with my faculty re: LOR's I let them know that the course design at the program made it difficult to ever study with any given professor more than once. I told them I was worried that may affect how PhD programs saw my application. This little nugget resulted in two of my letter writers noting that students rarely get to study more than once with a given professor. I think it takes the edge off of the short exposure issue. And it makes them remember that they are part of designing this issue, and you shouldn't have to pay for it. And if they let you edit, you can add that in. For what it's worth.

You guys are great. I can feel the relief in every word you write - Swagato - Yes, sometimes TALENT COUNTS TOO. Remember when you celebrate - don't act surprised, just nod your head and say, "Skillz." PaperChaser, on the sister thing now how about some place like this to share We are your Post Secrets of Literature Gradaute Applications!!! Def. hearing your lists. The waitlist stuff, the faculty investment in the student... Hmmm... Happy Tuesday all, another day in the waiting! Nice to hear your thoughts!

OK, there are some random things on my mind and since I like you a lot, I thought a little place for randomness might be appreciated? But then again, this is only because you are avoiding homework you know you should be doing, or you need to wait five more minutes before you can re-check the online status of a given application. Feel free to share, care, or not. Things I can't help but think about: 1. It's been a bummer to be waitlisted to the best schools. I would like to think this will change, but I got a feelin' that it may be April before those waitlists lift. Or go away. Either way - they are a bit of a progress impedor. (I don't think that's a word.) 2. It's a little frustrating to wait so long for some of my rejections? Note my WTF section on signature. It is now down to Columbia and Denver University. 3. I hate hate hate hate to say this (ya'll) but Colorado leaves a lot to be desired. In many ways. For one, I am waitlisted at CU Boulder. I sent an email to the advisor thanking her for my consideration and indicating a continued interest. For my other waitlists, I have recieved phone calls and numerous emails. And invitations to clarify questions. From Boulder, I guess they just got more important things on their minds (note also our rants on the rude admin at CU Boulder. I live here. The funding sucks buttttttttttt. But I own a house here (which I can't sell because the economy sucks butttttt and CU has some prestige... hmmmm.) 4. Funniest post. Someone got accepted to a divinity program at Harvard or some other ivy. His or her past was "OMFG I can't believe it!" I just find that funny. Theologists, I think, get to use OMFG with immunity? hehe 5. I though the McDonalds/Burger King post was funny, but there are like 8 of them. That's a little weird. Can you imagine that person? Sitting in a dorm room perhaps, or maybe the World of Warcraft server is down?? 6. May. Does May exist? Cause I am about to crack from school. 7. Last, I noted posts from a few years ago about applying to many schools. As we all know, English is brutal. I did 15 or so apps. When I add up the costs, I realize I was lucky to be able to afford it. Thankfully the sites took a credit card and I was able to pay them off over the course of a couple of months. My list. Yours?

Just got my rejection email from NYU a few minutes ago. hahah FINALLY!

<br /><br /><br /> I know the stress of a waitlist. I am on a few. I will let you know ASAP. b

I hope to make my choices within the next week and will keep you posted, OK?

Yeah, not holding my breath - just sayin' I haven't heard anything! Bet it'll be in the mail soon!! PhD, yea I finish my MA this spring.

Robot, I will share my opinion on this - I was able to get a TA for my masters, but it did not come with a tuition waiver. My two cents: If you are going for a PhD, consider going into the MA. For one, you might be able to be more proactive about funding in year two, and also, I think PhD programs are accepting more folks with a well-done masters. It is a testing ground for the PhD, I believe, and I think you will get better funding once you prove yourself. If it is an expensive school, and you think you could get a better funded MA offer next year, maybe not. I was able to pay for my masters, coming from a career that allowed me to make some cash while in school. But my school was pretty cheap too - maybe 3k a semester or so... Hope that helps. My basic opinion is to consider the affordability and your long-term plans. If it is pricey and you think you will be done at the MA, maybe not. But if it's affordable, and you are looking for a PhD, there are some benefits to going for it and trying to get better funding in year two.

I have been emailing the contact to say I would be remiss if I didn't let them know I was keenly interested in the program, and asking if there are any additional materials I can submit to help them in their ranking I offer things like teaching portfolios, teaching philosphies, and any recent honors I have.

For me, I have heard nothing from NYU or Columbia - I feel this is a bad sign also, but wonder if they are holding a few back for final wailists? Like that's an option for us! Lise - Are you going to Boulder, or do you know? I am waitlisted, and live in Denver. Would be easy to go there but their funding really is just so-so, from what I can tell. Seems like you can get 9 credits waived and a stipend, but it;s not as strong as some other schools. Stony Brook is my top choice right now, but would really like to come off the wait for WashU in St. Louis and CU Boulder...

I had a PhD acceptance for Lit. It's my top choice, pending a couple of waitlists...

Not to beat a dead horse, but I have essentially crossed off Columbia and NYU. But lots of people got an email from Columbia - it seems clear they are through the process, and yet I have heard nothing. Is anyone else still waiting to hear from Columbia?

What a great thread. My two cents: It's not always possible to get a funded MA, depending on the state you live in and where they fall in MA funding opportunities. As noted earlier, there is no "one' path to the PhD. Myself, I had two unsuccessful PhD application seasons while working on my MA. I finished this season very close to getting into 50% of my applied schools (I should update my signature but I did pretty OK.) That is definitely, in my opinion, and offer of admission. They are asking if you are willing to change the status of your app to the MA. And lastly, I think Strokefmidnight is super right - it is sometimes harder to stay in the program. PhD programs like "fresh blood" the like diversity of perspectives that comes from successfully recruiting from out of state and international pools. BUt think of this, how set will you be to get a PhD somewhere better than Rochester if you finish their MA? It used to be the MA was for folks who didn't want the PhD. Nowadays, I think universities see it as a testing ground for their PhD recruits.

OK, here's what I can contribute - and grats all, on acceptances! CU holds different applications for MA vs PhD. They are accepting 6 - 8 PhDs. I have no idea on MA numbers. Some PhDs are funded. But here is what I know about the CU system, which is, classes are 3 credit hours and the rates are charged as 3, so a 5 credit tuition waiver would cover one and 2/3 class per year or semester, what ever the offer is. The MA in the CU system, as far as I know, is 30 - 33 credit hours. I would say in order to finish in 2 years your would take 3 classes per semester, along with some summer credits. The problem with 3 courses per semester without summer credits is that your final semester becomes pretty impossible. Not only would you be taking a normal load of 3 courses (and as a lit student that means research papers), but you would also be learning a foreign language (if needed in order to meet the requirement) and doing the directed readings for the MA comprehensive exam (or, god forbid, a thesis. People. DO NOT DO A THESIS FOR YOUR MA. It is pointless. You will change and it will not be "right" for you in five years - ) I say, be exquisitely uncomfortable for four months over moderately uncomfortable for 2 years.... Anyways, on top of classes, MA exams, by then you may be teaching. And grading... So be careful about the final semester. It is worth considering summer classes to help out in the final semester. The downside? Well, I am in it. I am in my fifth semester straight (considering summer) of grad school and I am tiiirrreeeedddd !!! So my thoughts, for what it's worth. Colorado is 49th in the nation for higher ed funding. If you can get better funding in an MA program elsewhere, consider it carefully. One more thing, to those of you fresh from the BA. I have never met a single soul who wasn't positively flooded with work and struggling to keep up with 3 courses. I have yet to meet an MA taking four. I think at the PhD level, you take four sometimes, but a few things happen. One, you triage more because no one is going to deny you admission anywhere if you get a B. Also, as a PhD you are not allowed to accept a second job, so you have more time to focus, I hear... Again - three classes is plenty at the MA level... just a thought.

Well, I got my letter today. I actually went into work late to get the mail because I was rejected by Vandy this morning and thought mybe something nice would come in the mail. CU had "over 90 applicants for a cohort of 8 PhD students" I am currently #3 on the waitlist. I really don't know if I want t make it off th waitlist - I could be more challenged by HAVING to move, right??!

Hahah Congrats (I think). I can't wait for you to get the letter so that we can confirm they are just inefficient rather than downright awful and evil heheheh. Handunc, you go this! Congrats!

I am still waiting on Columbia, NYU, CU Boulder and University of Denver. But so many have heard NYU and Columbia. It's hard to know what to think, but for me, I am thinking not so good...

Divine, well now that we see how rude they are, I think it is safe to point out that they have the most cheap ass looking website I have dealt with thus far - and I did 16 apps! I didn't realize there was a correct "way" to peruse a website that posts zero info about their current cohorts, allows their deprtment meeting calendar to be the front porch of their welcome, and looks like someone had a "friend" with a sickening penchant for marroon build it. Well. I do feel better now.

Well DietC0ke looking at your acceptances I know I am talking to an elusive Upenn Admittee! Congratulations on your fantastic academic career! The program looks a little long but I do appreciate your point about the community of students. This was very helpful - Thanks! Lol we all want to know your stats just to know what a UPenn admittee looks like So Were are you thinking? I like NYU the best on your list, but that's just me. I haven't gotten my rejections from NYu and Columbia yet, but as much as I LOVE NCY (visit 3+ times year), I know that living there would be as hard for me as living in St. Louis would be for you

Me too. It's true that it's a busy time for them but you would think that they would want to protect some of their public persona and have a standard response that didn't sound so cranky. Oh well. It was pretty ugly. She was abrupt and said very coldly "We do not give out this information on the phone. So just wait for your mail." Funny how the same message could have been delivered so much more nicely. Oh well ! I took one for the team lol!