bandanajack

Exactly what I was thinking. I was very surprised to hear from them so soon. They weren't even on my radar for at least a week. But I will try to take this as a good sign. From the digging I've done on gradcafe, the earlier you hear back, the better. I guess we will see.

So anyone else get an email from a uni that said to check the status of your application only to find it says "update pending." Read the email again and it said a formal letter will be posed in the portal 1-2 business days. First off, why tell me this at 12:41 a.m. on a Saturday morning when I have to wait till Monday or Tuesday.
Second, this sounds like a rejection? Don't acceptances typically have "congratulations type of email" or a phone call. Why not just tell me outright. 

Yeah lol I heard that Amherst and Storrs (UConn) are rather isolated small New England towns. And to think I don't even fancy Pennsylvania winters and I want to go north lol.
I graduated in May with a B.A. in Journalism and B.A. in Sociology. I am in AmeriCorps as a gap year, but I am working with a prof on research around American (specifically undergrad education majors) stratification beliefs. We asked them a bunch of questions about race, gender, background, etc, all relating to the chances people have to succeed in the U.S. and why (based on individualism or structuralism; who is responsible for success and failure, the individual or society and in what way etc.). I spoke with a prof at UMass and he does similar research, but geared more toward long term unemployment, which I think is really interesting.
I would like to pursue research along these lines, but tbh I am interested in quite a few things. Another thing I would like to study is how do different communities respond to poverty/inequality. Why do communities respond differently (based on resources available or because of stratification beliefs). Ideally this research could be used to help communities (govts, non-profits, etc) employ best practices. Generally speaking, I like anything that has to do with socioeconomics and the role public policy and beliefs shape our society. UVA and UConn has some people that look at this from the macrolevel, which I also love. (How do large economic forces and national/international govts. shape our society in terms of inequality). Lastly, at some point in my career I want to get involved with environmental justice and environmental practices through a soc and public policy lens. What about you?!

When you say “only” 2 acceptances, it hurts ? I wish I had that. Congrats!

Let's kill some time while we anxiously await responses... What are everyone's top choices, and why? I'm really interested in Northwestern because that's where I'm from and they have a strong emphasis on qualitative methods, which isn't as common in the top 10-15 programs. I've also been told that it's a smaller and more tight-knit department, which appeals to me. I also was really interested in Duke because they have a strong emphasis on economic sociology / wealth inequality, but sadly it just wasn't in the cards. And then my long-shots are of course Harvard, Michigan, and Stanford lol
So far I've only been admitted to UCLA and UT Austin. Does anyone know much about what the culture of these departments is like or any other information to share about how they compare? I am a bit apprehensive about them because I want to graduate as quickly as possible, and I've heard it can take six or seven years to finish at these two.

Still waiting myself. Not that I expect to even get an interview there, but I haven't heard a peep. Looks like they are scattered over the past years when things get done. I'd imagine we'll hear something in the next week, but that's just a guess.
 
Edit: Looks like my guess was legitimate. 2017 interviews went out in late Jan. 2018 was mid February. Good Luck!

Me every morning...

Got a phone call this morning when I was cooking... it says, "this is from the Department of So...(omg I was so excited...)...cial Security... ok...fine...

Unfortunately yes, it's normal. Obviously depends on your specific program, but many program will only send out decisions in February (usually mid to late). From what I see, and UMass Amherst says explicitly on their web page to not hear anything back until the end of this month. So I am also in the waiting game... Hoping to hear back from UConn any day, any hour, any minute now... Good luck!

Unfortunately yes, it's normal. Obviously depends on your specific program, but many program will only send out decisions in February (usually mid to late). From what I see, and UMass Amherst says explicitly on their web page to not hear anything back until the end of this month. So I am also in the waiting game... Hoping to hear back from UConn any day, any hour, any minute now... Good luck!

Has anyone else been watching their phone obsessively? I wish everything was via email! I'm worried I won't be coherent over the phone because I'll be too excited! 

If anyone needs me I'll be at work AKA refreshing the results page all day!!! 

Idk why but I felt like something would happen today too, even though I'm not really expecting anything until next week. I'm just losing all patience and composure lol. At any rate I wish you all good fortune. Keep us updated.

Wow I got into UCLA! Now I feel like a complete ass for thinking I wouldn’t get in anywhere. I’m so relieved to be accepted somewhere.

Same. This is me in real time as I wait to hear from UCLA:

 

I'm at the point where every new email that comes in that is not from a school gets unsubscribed from so that I'm limiting my chances of disappointment.
Feeling positive about today for all of us. Good news has been coming out on Fridays it seems.

Still waiting for my first offer...life is so difficult...

Ugh I feel so insane for only applying to T10 programs. Part of the reason is because I’m interested in economic sociology, and a lot of good Econ soc programs are in top schools. But I also felt weirdly optimistic about getting in before. Now it’s like why did you apply to 3 programs ranked #1 are you insane???

congrats to those receiving minnesota offers! 

we specialize only in exports
 

Hey thanks! I wish you the best. Hope to see you posting some good news on hear soon enough.
Also, Art Vandaley? As in the importer/exporter of Vandaley Industries lol?