TexasTiger

Nope. In my interview, I was told we would find out in the next two weeks...and tomorrow is two weeks from my interview.
 

Honestly, with the collapsing job market incentivizing more people to apply only to top tier programs and top tier programs cutting their cohort sizes, I really wish Harvard's grad school would reconsider its three lifetime application limit.

American history; both 19th and 20th C interests mentioned in statement.

No one in this thread is suggesting I'm "special" or giving me hope of a TT job here, nor am I asking them to. I've already addressed these strawmen and red herrings several times now, and I don't think it's worthwhile for me to continue this conversation. 
As for my good old boys comment, several of us have expressed frustration today because this forum has been mostly dominated (in often unhealthy ways) by those who have a Ph.D. and "already know" all of the advice. I suggest you listen to the women and people of color who've begun to express how they feel differently about this space. Most importantly, I'm very disturbed by the diversity comment posted today and the initial lack of reaction to it. This forum won't improve if criticism is met with gaslighting, strawmen, etc. I've read about your path to the Ph.D. on this forum, and although I still don't know the intricacies of your personal history beyond what you've already shared here, I know you're a white man with a Ph.D. from an ivy. Like all of us (myself included), you have certain privileges and blind spots. 
You frequently remind us all that we aren't "special," but that same truth should lead the more seasoned users to act with humility and grace when interacting with others. Moving forward, it seems like many of us who're truly using this platform as it's intended want things to change as far as attitudes and the focus/organization of this forum. We've all read and presumably benefitted from the statistics and experiences shared by the more established users that are meant to warn us, so perhaps starting to share them more on the appropriate threads or websites would be a good first step. There needs to be healthier outlets for those of us who rightly feel burned, bitter, and disappointed due to the state of the academy to work through through issues. As I noted earlier, I'm stepping away from this discussion for now. I hope to see this forum becomes a more positive, balanced, and equitable space

To out myself, I am one of the people that is impacted by the race/diversity comment. I literally had a professor get a tap on the hand and quietly sat out for allowing a bunch of racist shit to happen in a grad seminar for AA history... and he's a professor/scholar of AA history... as a cishet white male. I literally heard that someone said a slur in a grad seminar last night for no reason. Too many institutions have not enough diversity as part of their faculty, and if they do, it's at the expense of people lost in the intersections. As a black femme, I want to see faculty representation reflect the students that they are serving. Especially in light of everything going on right now in the academy.
However, to be quite frank, I think everyone just needs to take a break from this thread for a day... unless you're asking about notifications/application stuff. Message people if you have questions about anything specific that was posted, but it just feels like there's a lot of hostility, and I ... don't come on here for that. I come on here to be surrounded by other anxious people that just want answers about what their trajectory looks like for the future. This isn't to negate advice, demean anyone, however, it is to acknowledge that I think we all just need a break right now. However, I will also echo sentiments that there is a post here that felt really demeaning and reeked of privilege.  
You can't expect for others to give you grace if you are being a butt and giving snarky advice to people who didn't even ask for it. 

I agree with this idea! I think letting these two different topics occur in a single thread can create unnecessary hostility and brings forth the potential for toxicity.

So what's the solution? Go back to school for a second bachelor's and more debt? Spend a couple thousand (that I don't have) on a coding course? Attempt to force myself to do something I have no aptitude for? I think my ultimate frustration with this conversation is that time and time again people suggest alternative career tracks that also involve considerable personal sacrifice, investment, and debt. 

Yes, but I wasn't one of them. My concerns shouldn't be automatically and unfairly lumped in with them and dismissed.
It's concerning that the recent race/diversity hiring comment received the least amount of attention and pushback out of all the posts in this particular discussion. In a lot of ways, Grad Cafe often feels like an extension of the old boy's club. I hope we can all work to make this a more fair and equitable space as the academy is already problematic enough as it is. I agree with the other users suggesting that we divide up the forum more neatly. 

I agree with this idea! I think letting these two different topics occur in a single thread can create unnecessary hostility and brings forth the potential for toxicity.

It seems that there are competing ideas about what this thread should be used for. Would it be possible to have a thread (this current one or another) devoted simply to people who want to discuss the application process/notifications/decisions and another for people who want to give or solicit advice about whether one should do a PhD vis-a-vis the job market? I think that could diffuse a lot of tension on here. 

The sweet, sweet relief of health insurance. I honestly keep forgetting about this because every program I applied to has it, but... yeah... I haven't had insurance for a hot second. 

PhDs can be a hot mess and unsustainable after you're done, but I've worked for the past 4-ish years without any sort of health insurance. Hell, my program does partial tuition waivers, and the only reason that grad school was affordable for me is because I was offered a lot of fellowship money with my initial offer. A stable income (that is around or surpasses cost of living) with insurance feels worth it. In addition to the other stuff. 
 
Yeah, I think the thread should be broken into two. 

Funny memes, but those of us who voiced concern weren’t doing so based on a false, naive view of the academy or our trajectories within it. As a longtime lurker, I've seen a lot of patronizing attitudes and what appears to be personal bitterness hidden under the guise of concern. We’ve done our research, accepted the risk, and understand the financial consequences since that seems to be what the forum is most concerned about right now. Still, we've chosen to apply in spite of the academy's dire state (as I’m assuming you also did before choosing to get your Ph.D.). Everyone has a different financial situation and doing a PhD is going to mean different things for different people of different backgrounds. If you're from the upper middle class in Boston where PhDs are a dime a dozen, getting one feels different than if you're from the Imperial Valley of California. Doing one has different financial costs for students with debt/no debt, students at schools with stipends that match the area's cost of living vs low stipend schools, and students in growing fields (i.e., African American history) vs shrinking fields (i.e., medieval history), etc.
Again, this is a website primarily for those currently navigating the application process. Especially as a woman, I don't need another space in academia where a man centers himself when it isn't about him and uses his experience, Ph.D., etc. as an excuse to be dismissive and patronizing. That might sound harsh or like I'm pulling "the woman card," but I'm being 100% genuine when I say that. 

Congrats to the Michigan admit!

Well, congrats on wherever you were admitted! and hopefully many of us hear good news from Michigan!
 

Really embarrassing but I read the email wrong, so I thought I got into Michigan but it was for another department. Haven't heard from UMich history yet!

Congrats to the Michigan admit!

I know this is random, but I just want to say congrats to everyone receiving acceptances so far and solidarity with everyone still in limbo and nervous about rejection

I know this is random, but I just want to say congrats to everyone receiving acceptances so far and solidarity with everyone still in limbo and nervous about rejection

Honestly, a hard thing about applying this cycle for me has been figuring out which field to apply in at each program. My project straddles the U.S. field, Latin America...and when programs have it World/International/Global/comparative and the exact fit has differed between programs.

I know this is random, but I just want to say congrats to everyone receiving acceptances so far and solidarity with everyone still in limbo and nervous about rejection

I know this is random, but I just want to say congrats to everyone receiving acceptances so far and solidarity with everyone still in limbo and nervous about rejection

I know this is random, but I just want to say congrats to everyone receiving acceptances so far and solidarity with everyone still in limbo and nervous about rejection

I know this is random, but I just want to say congrats to everyone receiving acceptances so far and solidarity with everyone still in limbo and nervous about rejection

@TexasTiger The nerves are real. This is my second season and I remember barely being able to concentrate on virtual classes, etc. once I heard back from the first school (Loyola sent out their notifications super early last year because their cohort was so small) until I heard from the last.
The waiting isn’t easy—it’s still not easy.  If it doesn’t go your way this season, it is entirely possible that it will feel like the end of the world.  I can guarantee that it’s not, but it’ll feel that way.  I don’t know about anyone else, but I cried after most of my rejections and it’s 100% okay to do that.
The one thing to keep in mind (and this will sound incredibly trite) is that it really isn’t personal, especially in this era of COVID admissions and a ton of uncertainty in academics at large. There just aren’t enough spots every year for everyone who applies, no matter how qualified.  After the season, after you’ve processed outcomes, you breathe. If you had a bad season (last year I did), then you take some time to sit and decide whether or not you’re going to try again or if you go a different route with your life.
Part of why we’re here is to support each other through this process. I wish everyone the very best of luck, regardless.

I know this is random, but I just want to say congrats to everyone receiving acceptances so far and solidarity with everyone still in limbo and nervous about rejection