Appiah4

Hey everyone! Congratulations to all who have gotten in! My partner is planning to apply to the WGS and Feminist Studies programs as well as some interdisciplinary programs in humanities such as Rhetoric at Berkeley the next cycle. I know that this is still early and you are still waiting and making decisions but just wanted to ask if you would be willing to share with us your statements of purposes/research statements? We'd really appreciate any help! Best of luck to those who are still waiting and making their decisions.

Any news? On Toronto especially?

Expecting this. Thank you so much!

Did anybody hear anything from the Comparative Thought and Literature program at Johns Hopkins?

Hi everybody, The VCS program at the University of Rochester decided to suspend the admissions for Fall 2021 after a month we all submitted our applications with an email that does not give a shit about the the effort, time, hopes, and "precarity" of the applicants, and acting as if there is nothing wrong with making this decision after receiving the applications. The email, sent by the graduate school with the name of the VCS graduate director, is as follows. This topic is for the applicants to discuss the possible courses of action against this situation. "The Steering Committee of the Graduate Program in Visual & Cultural Studies has decided to suspend admissions this year. After careful deliberation, we determined that providing enhanced support to our students was the best course of action considering the global health crisis and the increased precarity it has introduced into an already uncertain academic fellowship and job market. Enhanced support will be equally distributed amongst all students in the 2021-22 academic year. We will refund application fees to those who applied for possible 2021-22 matriculation to VCS. While current circumstances occasioned the decision to provide enhanced support to students, other factors also played a role. The pause in admissions allows us to examine how to strengthen the teaching and training we do in VCS in a manner responsive to the changed nature of academic labor and the expansion of non-academic careers for people with PhDs. We aim to better understand this transformed situation, even if we cannot easily solve the problems it presents. In so doing, we also aim to continue promoting the ongoing success of VCS students, staff, and faculty alike. Joel Burges Associate Professor, Department of English Director, Graduate Program in Visual and Cultural Studies Film and Media Studies, Digital Media Studies Rochester Decarceration Research Initiative University of Rochester Rochester, NY"

Oh cool, congratulations! I am sure, and hope, you'll hear the good news soon. Did they tell you anything about the admissions process this year, how many people they will admit and whether they interview all the selected candidates? And I wonder if it was a formal interview with the admissions committee or some informal chat about the specifics of your application. It is interesting that they rejected some of the applicants right away, conducted interviews with some, and still told nothing to some others.

Wait, were you interviewed by them? Or, just posted one of those "I have not gotten anything" posts on the results page? Sorry for my lack of understanding. Best of luck to you.

Can anybody confirm the interview from Cornell's comparative literature on the results page? I am also one of those applicants the program put in suspense. It seems weird that only one interview is posted though, given that they would also send interview requests to those whom they will waitlist and reject eventually. So, I guess, the number of interviews posted should have been a bit higher than one? Or, I am just deceiving myself with the possibility that I am not rejected. I would appreciate it if anybody can confirm the interview or has an insider knowledge about the program's admissions process. Good luck to all!

Can anybody admitted to Berkeley's Rhetoric or Chicago's Social Thougt share his or her background, research interests, and SoP if possible with me too? That would really be helpful, as I am planning to apply to them next year.