Marcus_Aurelius

Waitlisted at NYU, got same email as Mithrandir

No word from them on my end, also curious.

--Responding to recent literature but also addressing a relatively established problem within the literature that one can (subtly) demonstrate understanding of and professors can envision one doing more work on --An argument one can make thoroughly in 16-18 pages without much fluff --Critiquing a position is probably better than arguing for it --Something one won't get bored of, but doesn't need to be one's biggest interest, since it's more important to position oneself well in the literature --Something one's advisors/editors will be able to help with/have familiarity with (assuming one has, which definitely helps)

I don't claim to be an expert, but I've been incredibly fortunate this cycle, so a few thoughts for future applicants: As others have said and as is the received wisdom, the writing sample is paramount. Before this process, I didn't understand the virtues of rewriting. I did an independent study in spring semester of my third year of undergrad to produce a draft of my sample, which I thought I'd just revise somewhat, but then I ended up rewriting it from scratch in November, and it came out a lot better, albeit still with flaws. Those flaws will always remain, but it's so important to commit to one's argument and show why it's so interesting. I also learned through this process the importance of a good topic; my advisor guided me well in encouraging me to pursue a topic based on a recent paper on a topic common but not overdone in the literature, so I felt like it was easy to understand how I fit into the discourse and could make an interesting point. Seeming professional with citation style can also be so important (though I didn't go in for the professionalism of LaTeX). Another interesting lesson I learned from this process is that less can be more regarding footnotes; I love them, but some of my advisors rightly told me to only keep the ones that actually advanced my argument or showed a relevant source that directly agreed or disagreed with me (although interesting, the "Cf. X for interesting discussion of this concept"-type footnote just isn't so helpful in this sort of paper; it's important to seem knowledgeable about the literature, but no need to flex). One more repetition that the right topic is so key. I stressed about the statements of purpose before my sample was solid, and that was a mistake. SoPs are important but can come later. Show multiple drafts to profs and particularly ask what will pander to the folks in a certain type of department. As one of my profs told me, SoPs are a game that everyone just has to play, and no one remembers afterward what's in them. I tailored the last paragraph for each program, mentioning a couple profs whose work seemed cool (using language, on the advice of a prof, like "I'm interested in the work of X" or "I've taken inspiration from X," *not* "I want to work with X"). It's so important to have different types of advisors throughout the process. My main advisor, who's a respected professor in my AoI and has been helping me since my first year, is nearing the end of his career and knows little about the application process (though he gave generally good advice and wss fortunately honest with what stuff he had no idea about). A current (late-stage) grad student in my AoI helped me a lot with sample and SoPs, particularly because his editing/comment style is very different from my main advisor's, and another prof helped me a bunch with SoPs. Getting a broad swath of experience in various philosophical disciplines sometimes isn't talked about, but I'm guessing it gave me an edge. (My main advisor encouraged me to do this throughout undergrad, and it took me a while to see the wisdom of the advice.) Taking grad courses as an undergrad isn't necessary, though. I'm fortunate to have good GPA and be a good test-taker, so GPA and GRE only helped me, though as others have noted they're not make-or-break as long as they're past a certain threshold. I have no idea if it helped, but in my mid-late third and early fourth year of undergrad, I submitted for undergrad journal and conference opportunities, and I was accepted to an undergrad journal and presented at an undergrad session at a larger conference. Even if it doesn't directly help applications, the revision process can be a warmup for that required for the writing sample. If anyone wants to ask a question privately or see my sample or SoP, feel free to PM. Best of luck to those still waiting this cycle and to those applying in the future!

There might yet be more rejections if not many people decline quickly? Or a low spot on the waitlist might be like a rejection.

Official Princeton rejection came earlier today.

This post has lots of suggestions for what to ask the interviewers about their program:

Hi, are you in the right forum? This is specifically for Classics.

Major congratulations to all admitted to Princeton and Harvard! Alas, no word on my end from Princeton, but I'm fortunate to have great options already, so no complaints here.

No idea about the wait for Harvard, but for Princeton surely we shouldn't be uncomfortable if absolutely no one has heard anything. That doesn't make the tension easier, though.

Yep, been waiting somewhat anxiously for Princeton. Was talking to a prof today who was really surprised Princeton hasn't said anything to anyone...

Not HPS, just regular Philosophy department. And thank you, and best of luck to you.

Thank you, lurkingfaculty and Kantattheairport. I just withdrew from Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Notre Dame, Pitt, and UT-Austin. I couldn't always find a DGS/DGA, but I tried to find the most relevant email(s), and I'm sure folks there will be able to forward them to the right place.

How does one withdraw an application?

Congratulations! In that case, please do message me if I can help with any questions about the school, professors, or New Brunswick.

I don't know if this is at helpful for you, but I'm finishing undergrad at Rutgers, and from what I understand Rutgers' post-bac is the most affordable (basically paying in-state tuition by credit). The cost isn't nothing, but most of the people who do it have substantial jobs too and the cost seems workable for many in that situation.

I was just admitted to the Classics track of Yale's Ancient Philosophy joint program. Not sure about the Philosophy end, except that I was told they're offering admission to someone for the Philosophy track of the joint program. I also heard Yale is aiming for a Philosophy cohort of 5 people, if that helps.

Really glad to hear!

Accepted to Yale (classics track of ancient philosophy program)!

Chicago rejection also came in by email yesterday, Friday 2/8.

Rejected from Michigan via email today.

Thrilled to say that I was accepted to Toronto! (The email said I was notified early because of consideration for university scholarships; I have no idea when the rest of the results will be released. Also not sure how to update the Google doc.)

My understanding is it definitely does. Not just in philosophy, of course; I know that such "yield protection" is common in law school admissions. But it's intuitive: if a school has a limited number of spots and wants to maximize its yield (i.e. the percentage of its initial acceptances who come) and the quality of its students, it should pass over some students who will almost certainly go elsewhere, and it should reach for some students who will likely go elsewhere but night go to that school.

There are some schools that I applied to which, while I'd be happy to go to them and they're good schools, aren't quite my preference for a variety of reasons. Of the schools I applied to, in that category I'd put Brown, UT-Austin, and Notre Dame. (And of course the calculus would be very different for someone with another AoI.) That being said, my impression is that the concept of a true "safety school" might not apply so well because schools are unlikely to accept someone whom they think will be gobbled up by a more highly rated school and so won't take their offer.

My impression was that the rejections so far were from a preliminary stage and that their acceptances will take much longer. (But I'm right there with you.) EDIT: I see that Brown released acceptances in early February in the past, though, so I have no idea, maybe they are coming soon. Here's hoping...