punctilious

You're going down in Grad Cafe history, you know! You only need one, and sometimes that one is COLUMBIA!

My assumption is most likely, since it was a portal update (I feel like those are generally all at once?).

Husband has now been informed that he is 'first in line' on the UMD waitlist for his field, but that they're also offering him a spot in the MA program with a 1/2 TAship. Nice try, Maryland, but we're good. Hopefully this means that the MA spot with funding can go to someone else!!

I swear this cycle is just FULL of surprises. I am so happy for you @automatic. Slightly teary.

HOLY CRAP!!!! THAT IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST THING EVER I AM SOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY FOR YOU OMG

YAYYYY that is absolutely wonderful! Congratulations!!!

I'm sure husband would be happy to share the two writing samples he used for Harvard, if you want to PM me.

Welcome and HUGE congratulations!!! Those are such fantastic programs! It sounds like you'll have a tough choice to make. Maybe we will catch you around the Cambridge/Somerville/Medford area?

That's good to know! It seems quite late, especially since it looks as though all the other Ivies (?) have released some, if not all, decisions.

From my understanding, these types of programs are supremely competitive, moreso than straight up English lit PhDs. The application process also seemed a lot more strenuous to me (which probably wouldn’t be a problem for you since you’re in a creative writing program—my husband’s creative writing professor was flaky and impossible to get in contact with unfortunately). But that certainly doesn’t mean they aren’t worth a shot if it’s what you’re into! My husband is a fiction writer with a short story publication forthcoming, but chose to go for the English lit PhD since his passion and dedication to creative writing isn’t going to stop while he’s a PhD student, and one of the best ways to improve one’s creative writing is to study others’ work! But there are a number of people on this forum who are doing the MFA to PhD route and might be able to shed more light upon that! He totally would have applied to a combo program if it were a strong fit (based on creative writing style and research interests, along with location).

I am unsure--his acceptance was via email from the DGS. It wasn't particularly personalized other than his name, and it also mentioned, "You will be receiving a formal letter of offer in a week to ten days, which will include specific details of Harvard’s generous six-year financial award." I'm hoping you hear good news!!!

Thank you so much @WildeThing, @a_sort_of_fractious_angel, and @maengret! It's tough because we don't want to prevent other students from getting a chance to attend if they are on a waitlist/secret waitlist. And it's unlikely that husband would choose Delaware over Harvard (especially since he wants a job in the EU/UK after). But his POI there is phenomenal so we don't want to burn bridges (she may not attend the visit day as she's on sabbatical, however). Ugh! This is tough.

You really were right! And it looks like we aren’t the only non-Ivy grads on the results board to be accepted!

Thank you all again, really. I'm so glad we've had all of you by our side during this process. This is sooo sweet! Thank you so much!

If we are accepted to our top choice school, does it still make sense to attend other visit days? What about those that we've already said we'd attend? What about calls with grad students and professors that we've already set up? No idea what to do!

I meeeeaaaannnn this was his absolute dream school/dream POI. Plus we want to live in the EU/UK following his PhD, so the name could carry us anywhere. I think it's what he wants, especially since it was an outright acceptance (they said they had no doubt about his application).

I can't believe it. I don't know how I'm supposed to work for the rest of the day. I never, ever would have expected this (especially with all of our waitlists AND that we are not from an Ivy or Ivy-equivalent school)! Thank you all so much.

HUSBAND GOT INTO HARVARD I CAN'T EVEN CONTAIN MYSELF HOLY OMGGGGGGGGGGG IS THIS REAL LIFE?????!!!!!!!!!!!

This is sooooo wonderful to hear!!! Congratulations!!!

Maybe I am crazy, but I swear the Villanova application deadline for assistantship funding changed from March 1 when I looked yesterday, to March 12 when I looked today. Good news???

Congratulations and I really hope the funding comes through soon!

Looks like (some?) Brandeis rejections went out but we've heard nothing. This seems to be a common occurrence in our application process.

Oh man! That's quite a day. I'm sorry to hear that. I see you've written Columbia as implied rejection--what made you decide that?

Congratulations!!! You are on a roll! I think it's been discussed a bit on a few different threads. Overall, the consensus seems to be that the rankings don't mean much, and you should analyze each school holistically based on your needs. I'd also take a long, hard look at placement records.

Yeah, I have to say that you all are basically the best. I'm not even an applicant but you all have been wonderful and helpful and kind!