~Mufasa~

Yes! My 94 year old grandma and her crew at her senior citizens home gossip about the people at the old people table almost every time I visit.

Wait... you mean to tell me that someday I will actually feel like an adult?  

Obviously we can't really get into the professor's head here, but in my own experience, I have found that sometimes students use personal anecdotes as a way to talk 'around' the texts. It's unclear whether they really understand the assigned readings or even read it carefully, because it's fairly easy to extrapolate a broad theoretical idea (even just reading an online summary) to a personal story. It usually depends upon the individual students, but I do sometimes get frustrated with how derailed a class can get when people, rather than talking about the text or relating it to other texts, relate it to their own research. Further, having not done my own ethnographic research yet, it's hard to contribute if everyone is talking about their fieldwork.
I think relating to personal experiences and research has its place. But that place is probably after we have walked through the text, make sure we understand it in depth and have identified some strengths and problematics.

I got my admissions decision from NYU on March 2nd last year, so I assume it will be a similar date this year. 

Got an acceptance to LSU's PhD program today!

Just a note about grad life at Berkeley. It's striking to me how many students on Grad Cafe express their unwavering desire to attend Berkeley for doctoral work. And when so many don't get in, how disappointed they seem on the results page & forums. As someone who has spent the past two years in the department (was rejected for PhD in 2016, but offered a funded MA degree, which I accepted), I just want to say that, your rejection to study at this institution is not actually a loss on your end. Support from faculty is minimal, more students seem to be unhappy than happy with the program overall, funding is not good - especially when weighed with cost of living in the Bay Area, teaching jobs can mean you are responsible for 80+ students per semester (the school loves to have you as a laborer - not a researcher), average graduation time is 8+ years (again, due to lack of support, terrible funding and other factors). Once you get to know it, Berkeley is not the thriving, energetic place of your academic dreams! In fact, the hallways of the anthro department are stagnant & silent with every professor's office door shut. This is all coming from someone who is, on the whole, optimistic; I haven't had a bad time at Berkeley, but this is my honest reflection as I leave here for another program. I think we should all realize that the status of Berkeley's name does not reflect the actual experience of being a grad student here. So don't be hard on yourself for not getting in, and know that there are other programs out there that are less 'famous' but far more supportive. 

I haven't posted on the results page yet, but I got an email from CUNY. It was the first contact I had from them, and I had kind of given up when I saw other people were emailed a few weeks ago about interviews. Mine was a pretty generic form asking to set up time for a conversation over skype. He didn't say interview, but I guess that's what it will be?
The email just described the details of how many they want to admit and asked if I was still interested/need funding. 
My subfield is cultural. 

Wait... you mean to tell me that someday I will actually feel like an adult?  

Guys! I have been accepted into Washington State! My top school, so I am very happy!
 
I got the news yesterday when I woke up...I was feeling super down lately because I had only received rejections, so I was planning to spend the weekend working on a proposal for a school in Europe. But then I saw THE e-mail....freaked out, called my mom, my friends, etc..

Hahaha that’s why I’m asking!?! When will we be recognized as working adults, dammit!

Hi all!
In trying to over-plan the fact that I got into a program (yay!), I am wondering how much of a student people feel while doing their Ph.D. One of my worries about pursuing studies after an MA was still feeling like I’m a pre-adult at almost 30 years old. I guess financially it gets more independent—but what about professionally? Do you feel like you’re a professional with a job? Or still in limbo?
My program is a Literature one, if that helps. 
Thanks!

I would email back and say you're still very excited in the program, and for them to let you know if there's anything additional you could send over to help push you up. Maybe also send something similar to the dept's director of graduate studies!

All of us waiting on decisions: 
 

I'm sure you did way better than you think!! Anyway, interviews are hard af so don't beat yourself up about it either way.

I'd say just the basics (I'm interested in studying x by doing y) and then follow-up if they ask more questions -- which they likely will! You'll do great, don't over think it

I believe interview invites were sent out 10 days ago and interviews are tomorrow. But you never know, they could do a second round!

Oh, I see!
Good luck with the PhD admissions as well!