[Fall 2018 Applicants]

On 3/6/2018 at 11:55 PM, L13 said:

Sorry to respond so late, but I know exactly how you feel. I'm an international student who didn't get into a PhD program the first time around and ended up at one of the schools that rejected you after reapplying. (I didn't, and still don't, have any publications or conference papers, by the way.) Lots of people go through several application cycles before landing somewhere, so I urge you not to give up. Be realistic about your chances, but don't be too down on yourself. The application game is kind of a crapshoot and it's very possible you'll fare better next year. Give yourself a break for the time being, figure out what you're going to do next year in terms of work/life, and then start brainstorming ways to improve your application. You may have to tweak the focus, pick different schools to apply to, or consider a master's program.

Thank you very much! I really appreciated your suggestion.

[Fall 2018 Applicants]

Hi, guys I have not heard back from Johns Hopkins, UCSD, and Columbia. I guess at this point it might mean a bad result and the rej letters are waiting for me... and do you guys think I should apply for another year? I do not have publications, but two conference paper. I was originally planned to do women history, but it seems like a dead end. How do you guys think I can improve for next year. I will be done with my master in a history department in this May as an international student. I was very disappointed with myself since I did undergrad in a history department also...