chellyfish_

Glad I'm not the only one!! Mine's especially awkward, since I went to UC Davis as an undergrad and they...gave me....the writing skills I have....LOL

Anybody rejected from UC Davis feel like commiserating over the included "reason" for their rejection? Mine was that my writing sample wasn't competitive enough LOL which on the one hand is like "hmm okay, well I understand that there are many great scholars doing great work", but on the other hand seems like a bit of a cop-out reason, and on the other hand is a bit like #OUCH (I'm not sure why I have three hands in this scenario LOL)

HAHAHAHA, oh my gosh. That is hilarious & unfortunate! But I needed a chuckle this morning! They were so desperate for a change that they went with the first utility-only name they could think up! Utility-only is better than NYU's system though ("Albert"??! who's Albert...?)

Mine still says In Progress! I think a couple weeks ago there were a couple posts on the site that said they'd gotten emails from Iowa saying to check the MyUIowa site & their rejections were there....perhaps they work in waves?

Oh no, an official UC Davis rejection is up I'd basically surmised rejection given the results that have already happened, but I thought it was a good fit & it's where I did my undergrad, so I knew some faculty. I'd have loved to have gone back! Sadness, but que sera sera I suppose! In other news, the work week begins and with it, I'm sure, a host of results -- are y'all ready?!

I wasn't invited to visiting weekend :'( They didn't say that in so many words, but there's also no mention of it in either the initial waitlist or further correspondence. It's actually something else I was wondering about -- I can't help but thinking it would be a turn off if I asked about it, since I figure they obviously haven't mentioned it for a reason. And funny enough, the DGS is also one of my POIs (On another note -- your username!! Piers, you gave me hell last semester! )

Anyone have any advice on how often to communicate with a program you're waitlisted at? I've been in touch with the DGS at the program I'm waitlisted in, we've exchanged friendly emails etc., but re: my inquiry about my status on the waitlist/how their waitlist works, said that she couldn't divulge much further info but would be in touch if there was movement, or by April 16 at the latest (obviously). I don't want to be that person that they never hear a peep from again until April 16 (I'm very interested in attending and would like to make it known I'm still interested over the next months), but it seemed like the last word & so I also don't want to be the person who annoys them to death. Thoughts/advice?

I have to chime in about this and second everything @loganondorf just said! I recently (randomly) had dinner with a UPenn professor who sits admissions, and she highly advocated for reaching out by email. This was specifically for Ph.D. students, as they most often go in to work with specific faculty members already, but I doubt it would hurt M.A. applicants. In addition to everything said above, it's a personal thing that makes them familiar with your name when it comes time to do admissions. I can imagine a situation where a professor might not get back to you, but if your email is polite/concise/professional/interested, I don't see any way that it could hurt your application. So -- advice confirmed by UPenn faculty hahaha

Coming to this late! Basically echoing others, but: I have to get behind all of the people who are saying that you are definitely right to take the personal into consideration! It sounds like you don't want to fill the "sacrificing my best interests for my partner" trope, but considering that both places are more-or-less a good fit for you, that is not the case! Also we have to remember that these are the places we'll be spending at least five years of our lives in. I'm doing my MA in NYC actually (if this NYC school is NYU, feel free to message me, though I'm currently not based in the english dept, I've taken classes there!) which is 3000 miles away from any support system, and I absolutely could not imagine spending another 3 years here. I also have anxiety/depression troubles, and being dislocated can really send you into a spiral. So I actually think you're being responsible to consider the personal. I also don't think it'll hurt your future chances of getting a position in an African Studies dept if you don't have a certificate. With the job market chaos in academia, I'm under the impression that departments want to hire someone who fills many roles, so whether you accomplish that by having a PhD. minor & certificate (MW) or simply by proving yourself widely versed in successful study with many postcolonial faculty (NYC), I think you'd check that box. As a final point, I think it's hugely reasonable thing to contact the NYC school and ask if you could take courses in the Africana Studies dept. At this point, if you're accepted they're essentially trying to woo you, so ask anything that will help your decision!

This isn't my area of study, but I know from applying there that that UC Santa Barbara has a center focused on Literature & the Mind. It's not exactly what you're doing, but similar. It looks like a really awesome discipline too! If you go to their site, you can find videos about the program and what they do there! I'll keep my eyes peeled for anything else like this

Ha, I most definitely agree about the mystery thing!! Okay, I'm glad I'm not the only one a bit mystified by the comp lit comment. I concur with it being more comparative, which is actually super cool, and honestly an awesome approach. I notice some academics becoming very insular/closed off, and this would definitely prevent that! My bizarre, barely co-habitating interests range from medieval to eco to modern feminist (esp fantasy) so maybe it'll be a strangeness they appreciate! We can hang in there for another week! Moral support!

Oohhh, hi hi UCSC applicant friends! Good to see some other applicants there! Did either of you apply for the creative/critical concentration? I'm dying to hear back from them. It looks like there's always a sprinkling of acceptances that have heard back by now so I don't know what's up! A few years back there's some Feb 23-25 so I suppose we'll hear soon! (Also, any intel on that results post from last year saying they only take comp lit students?) In other news, I'm waitlisted at UC Santa Barbara, which would be great for me! If anyone's accepted and knows they're turning their spot down, be kind & notify!

Also I forgot to mention this yesterday -- not sure if this will be damaging or bolstering to y'all (bolstering, I hope), but my silence actually WAS! A! WAITLIST! There's hope!

What the what is right!! That is so horrible and strange! D: I'm hoping the best for you, and that they at least give it proper consideration as they would have done normally! Goodness!

Aahhh this thread describes my life right now -- made worse by looking at past years results and seeing that some people who hadn't heard acceptances or rejections yet actually WERE waitlisted. THE STRESS!

I'm overcoming irrational social (/online?) anxiety to make my first forum post!! Coming to seek advice about calling UCSB -- people have heard rejections & acceptances yet I've heard nothing! Stalking the forums I see that previous people who've heard nothing called to find they were waitlisted...do y'all reckon I should I do this? Notifications only went out yesterday. It's one of my top choices and I feel like the fit is great so I'm dying over here! (Also...what is the protocol for making such calls? I'm so out of my element...O