Cinemadam

"In response to your question about notification, the graduate admission committee has taken additional time to review the applications, and so the notification period had to be extended as well. The final decisions are finally expected out this week, so you should be hearing very soon."

Last week someone posted on the results board that they spoke to a UCSC rep and that notices would be made this week. It seems yesterday was a big day for California schools but still nothing from UCSC. Anyone have any news?

During this time of year the admissions department is in the weeds and administrative staff go on overtime. So it is not uncommon to hear from them on Saturdays(Sundays less likely) esp. before spring break.

Yeah it sounds like you are in the running. I received a similar call from the admissions office for my undergrad and I was accepted. Fingers crossed.

@swagato And the crowd goes wild!!! Bite the bullet, buddy. Get the PhD. Worst case scenario you transfer out after a couple of years with an MA. Humm....don't know of any humanities grants that are still open. Good luck!

As an undergrad most of your teachers may have a MA but they are usually on the road to a PhD and are feeling the pressure to get one to hold onto tenure. They also have extensive teaching experience. Correct me if I'm wrong but it has been quite some time since they graduated. Times have changed. The MA doesn't have the same pull it once did. As far as funding, in each of the schools you mentioned they do have students who have a full ride. So they let in 14 students and 4 of them have a full ride and the rest have partial (assistantships).

Did you send application status emails to the schools?

@Film_Freak I'm not speaking of prestige in the formal sense when I mentioned the list of programs but the overall opportunities that arise. As for the selective nature of the Emory program that is mostly due to lack of funding for more students(not all of it). Emory is dedicated to the Sciences not so much the Arts. Again, take no offense at this but if you are accepted into another program then don't let the money sway you especially not for two years of tuition. Now for a PhD that is another ball game completely. @Swagato You are in a different situation than Film_Freak and getting your foundation at Emory might work to your advantage. However do not be fooled into beliveing the hype. MA's do not get positions at colleges even community colleges in the Film Studies departments, anymore. Take a look at some of the advertisements on The Chronicle or HigherEdJobs. They want PhDs or ABDs. If you have enough production experience then you might be able to snag a position in the television or communications departments. However even in that area you are competing against seasoned professionals(producers,directors,DPs) who will do it as an adjunct i.e. lesser pay on the off season. Not to mention the celebrity guest lectures and seminars which in some schools is the norm. The entire time I was getting my MFA I was taught by retired DPs, directors, etc.

Yes! YoshiMoshi is correct you should let them know about your updated credentials. Your email should me worded in this vein. In this level of education it is as equally as you can do for them as they can do for you.

I don't think there is a program out there that isn't "slow". You have to keep in mind that these decisions are done by committee. Think about the last time you were involved in a group decision. I would suggest righting an application status email as in " hello, i would like to inquire about the status of my application to the department of Blahbility Blah". Otherwise your 'nudge' might be taken the wrong way.

Hey guys, Wondering why you are waiting on Emory. Do you think they have a better fin. package? Because even though Emory is a great school it isn't really known for its Film Studies program like NYU UChic, USC, UCLA, UT. Probably due to its lack of a dedicated doctorate program. And with only a MA you are not going to be able to teach at colleges ( unless you have something to boost your CV like publications or films that went to one of the major festivals)

Any News From Claremont Graduate School?

Has anyone heard from UCSC Santa Cruz?