nowherelit

The issue is that what you're saying is absolutely obvious to everyone here, yet you insist on using this insufferably condescending middle-class savior tone. No one thinks they're "any different from the folks five years ago." They know they're in the same situation, accepting the same risks, resigned to the likelihood that a PhD will not be profitable because they've heard the warnings already. And they'll still do it despite the risk because, like young people for centuries, they have an ideal and inner drive they want to play out in all of its drama instead of taking the practically-optimized route. (And yes, before you say it, they know--I know--that it will probably end in disappointment and burden them with some regrets, but that's life.) The reason I and others roll our eyes--not scoff, which is a self-congratulatory way to imagine the negative reactions to your post--is because you have not figured out something unique, you have reenacted the most predictable plot in the world. Most people who have advice stemming from an extremely common experience simply give that advice in brief and move on instead of, yes, proselytizing and being dramatic when they are not immediately met with applause and effusive thanks for their effort. So, here is my own patronizing advice to you: try being more like those people who say their piece and then move on instead of the whole performance you're doing here.

What is access privilege? Sorry, I googled and tried to use context clues but I don't know what it means.  

I can see why it is a bit rude. There’s very little consideration for the applicant and their materials. And the entire focus is instead on the committee themselves and thier rather defensive and distant perspective. This letter talks way more about themselves than they do the applicant in particular and yet (!) I don’t even know if this if from the english department?
Not to say that a self centered approach is *wrong,* but in a rejection letter, it’s probably not the best time. This letter also seems incredibly generic and its 2021?! This is one of the first application cycles of its kind and if this is the only part of the letter, the lack of awareness for social circumstances and covid is pretty sus. And I really only say this because I applied to Vandy 3 years ago & this was the exact same letter! You’d think they’d update it a bit given *gestures at everything.*
But anyway, this letter says way more about how “busy and sad” Vanderbilt is and almost nothing about the quality of applicants.
- WE recieve so many applications 
- WE reviewed all materials (even though there were sooo many!)
- WE made a decision 
- YOU are disappointed, but back to ME, because WE do wish you luck. (No seriously we do!) 
And to exemplify: here is cornell’s rejection letter to contrast.
Your application for admission to the Graduate School at Cornell University has been given careful consideration by the Department of Literatures in English.
 
I'm very sorry to say that we are unable to offer you admission to our PhD graduate program for Fall 2021.  This was a very difficult decision.  We received hundreds of applications for very few places in the program, and we've had to turn down an enormous number of talented people with very impressive records, many of whom no doubt will go on to distinguished careers.      
 
This email will serve as your only notification of your application results.  We appreciate your interest in Cornell's Department of Literatures in English and wish you success in your graduate studies.  Thank you for sharing your work with us. We also wish you good health and much support during the ongoing pandemic.
 
It expresses gratitude and then condolences. It also acknowledges the talent of all applicants and seems to genuinely believe in the future success in their careers. I’m not saying you HAVE to do something like this. But this is a rejection letter and the fact that forums like this even exist says a lot about how stressful the process is. A little kindness goes a very long way. 
But idk, it’s not that rude. I just think it leaves a lot to be desired. 

I don't mean to be histrionic but Vanderbilt rejecting me is the biggest mistake Nashville has made since its country music industry rejected Lil Nas X.

Congratulations!! It really feels wonderful to see/hear hard work paying off! 

I just got accepted to UC San Diego. I can't really explain how relieved and proud I feel. Last year was a nightmare and I got shut out of every single program, but this year, I published articles, gave more presentations and workshopped the living hell out of my SOP and it really paid off. I'm just beside myself with happiness.

In at Davis!!! My first English acceptance of this cycle. Really exciting and particularly validating since I was rejected from their program in my last app cycle. I'm so happy! Funding details to come, but it feels amazing to have multiple good offers on the table.

There are so many reasons this could happen. Departments have to deal with a lot of bureaucracy every year to get funding. One reason could be that they use dept funding for their first pick offers and then could still be waiting to hear about fellowships or other external funding sources that would allow them to accept more people (or vice versa). Sources are limited. There are also a ton of other reasons that things go that way. That's just how it is. It's not a very transparent process and as unfair as it might be, we kind of just have to deal with it. We all "have to wait" in one sense or another.

You’re definitely at least waitlisted, if not accepted! Did they mention you being a finalist at all? 

I'm another 2021 applicant! Just finished my MA at Columbia and am now nervously preparing to apply again.
I'm a 20th-century Americanist and I'm interested in feminist theory, particularly theories of the body. I applied the first round focusing on Southern lit and was rejected from every PhD program (accepted to two Masters), so I think that might be a bit too narrow of a field for me (if anyone knows any good Southern lit specialists, however, please let me know - it's a bit of a dying field and many notable academics only work at small Southern colleges that often don't even have grad programs).
Also happy to swap SoPs or have a look at anyone's!

Just venting. Writing SoPs SUCKS. I feel like I'm playing whack-a-mole--every time I solve one problem, it creates a whole bunch of new ones. 

Applying this year for Hispanic Studies. Happy to take a look at anyone's SOPs, especially in the Humanities, or do a swap! 

Applying this year for Hispanic Studies. Happy to take a look at anyone's SOPs, especially in the Humanities, or do a swap! 

Not the OP, but I would be so thankful if I could take you up on that! 

I think you've gotten it perfectly @a_sort_of_fractious_angel. If a tuition waiver isn't guaranteed, some people have been kind enough to include that in the notes section! With so many schools and programs now covered in the document, it's impossible to verify 100 percent of them so updated information is appreciated even if the school's information has been entered in a previous year.
While not all schools offer mandatory fees, there are some schools that do. Tuition waivers and health care coverage aren't included under stipend because the amount isn't paid to you. Sometimes, information regarding conference funding can also be found in the departmental handbook if it isn't included in the acceptance letter.

Hi! So - @Warelin, please correct my errors as this is your creation - the funding package sheet tells you the stipend amount. It doesn't include tuition waivers or healthcare details (or conference funding/other financial support) as that information isn't considered part of the stipend that you earn for TAing or what have you. So, in your example, you will get 15,000 for 9 or 10 months (I'm assuming 9 months) and then a summer stipend of 5,000, all for rent/living expenses/etc for the work you do as as TA (even if that requirement is waived for your first year) or as a fellowship recipient. 
Additionally, health care & other fee coverage changes from school to school - for example, one of the programs I was accepted to covered all mandatory fees and healthcare for the duration of the degree and one of the programs I was accepted to covered 80% of healthcare, didn't cover all mandatory fees, & didn't cover minor tuition fees after a period of time (post-coursework). The third school that I considered offered a different combination of healthcare and fee coverage. 
I think the chart is more meant to give a more general sense of what schools are offering their students. Additionally, I'd assume that all of the schools on the funding list offer full-tuition remission, partial (if not full) health care coverage, and some amount of conference funding (whether it is through the dept itself or the grad school) -- all of that detailed info will be included in the offer from the school, too, of course.