telesto

Hey, I hear you. I'm also trying to prepare for rejections. I haven't got any formal rejections or acceptances at this point but considering the timeframe and lack of interview requests I fear that all of them would be rejections. I don't know where you're from in Asia, but I'm currently based in Hong Kong. I also feel like I was a bit too ambitious, applying to Berkeley, Columbia, NYU, Brown, MIT.  I only applied to 6 schools though (2 depts in NYU). Being an international too, I feel I can relate to you, though I'm not a fresh BA grad (I did an MPhil).
Uncertainty of academia is always something that makes me hesitate. I have many friends who are PhD students, grads, new assistant professors. Even a tenure-track assistant professor position is still very unstable since you need to be ready for reviews every few years. Let's say I do get into a US PhD programme, in Anthropology I'd be looking at 7-8 years.. and then probably need to do a post-doc which is another painful process of applying, waiting, getting accepted/rejected... after 1-2 years of post-doc you finally look for a tenure-track or whatever teaching position which at best gives you a contract of 5 years or something (I'm not sure about the US but it's like that in HK). All this time, your friends will be progressing through their careers, having a stable job, etc. (let's hope, though our generation doesn't have it so easy). People have told me exactly this a few years back, and I couldn't sympathise, but now, turning 26 next week, I feel this... 
So my plan is to apply for Australian schools in the summer (Aus PhDs are also a lot shorter 3.5-4yrs) and if I don't get in, I'll get a job, and maybe try again next year (or not).
Australia seems to be a nicer place to live in as well. What's your reason for applying to US schools?

POI still hasn't got back to me. I'll just assume they're calling on Friday... Good luck on your interview!