marisawhy

I definitely tried to make sure I wasn't repeat-posting, but I must have missed this. Thank you, it does help!

@Boomski Your reply is super helpful--thank you!

@Yanaka I asked about mentorship style, and the example I was given was a professor answering a question a RA had about the literature. (It also just sounded like the professors didn't engage with the research assistants very much.) And unassigned mentors/advisors are wonderful too! I'm glad to hear you have some.

I recently realized a program was not a good fit for me (not an English MA program) because I didn't like their answers to my questions about mentorship. While I realize I may have been spoiled at my undergrad institution (a mid-sized state college of mostly undergrads, so undergrads get most of the attention, especially if you care a little bit about learning), I wasn't sure anyone in this program would get to know me well enough to actually be invested in my success. But, then, I've heard that's a concern with a lot of Masters programs. Does anyone have stories to assuage my worries? What type of mentoring should I be expecting from these programs in general? If you just want to tell nice stories about your mentors that's cool too. Thank you in advance!

I've been using this list of questions from the Campus Visits thread (I don't think it's been dropped here yet - sorry if it has): While it has questions for a variety of people, some of them are (to me) definitely important for PoIs. Hope this helps!

Thanks so much for the update!

They are! I replied to the email thread but changed the "to" address to the address she provided. However, when she responded it was from the first address. So... go ahead and use the one she provided? I mean, she still got it, so it works. It is a little confusing, though.

Hi all! This is my first time posting on the gradcafe (longtime lurker, first time poster, etc). I have a couple of acceptances and I've been waitlisted at Penn State. I have a question, though, and y'all seem kind and knowledgable: Are the Oregon State waitlist notifications only by postal mail? I thought I was going crazy because everyone seemed to know their status and I've heard nothing (obsessively checking my spam box and looking at the application status... you know). My application still says "In Review," though, and if some notifications are only by postal mail, my mailman does have a tendency to send my mail to the wrong house. Any insight? PS re: @nervousrex - I think it's totally fine to send a reply email! I at least replied to my Penn State waitlist notif (partially because it asked about other prospects), thanked them for the email and their consideration, and reiterated how much I'd love to be in their program. The DGS replied within a couple of hours.