pmcol

Hey @UmairrasheedI think for Berkeley 4 - 5 for each stream (Anthropology and Medical Anthropology) may be correct. According to Peterson's, 247 applied last year and 11 enrolled. Regarding the other universities mentioned, UMichigan (181 applied, 21 accepted, 11 enrolled) and Chicago (260 applied, 19 accepted, 11 enrolled). 
If you mean each concentration (Archaeology, Biology, Sociocultural, and Medical) having 4 - 5 applicants, I do not think that is the case. As for the number directly admitted per stream, this may be dependent on the faculty accepting graduate students per year. I would not assume that there is a hard acceptance rate per sub-discipline as some years may see a good number of sociocultural applicants admitted, others may see a greater number of archaeology applicants admitted.
In regards to interviews, it really depends on the department. Duke definitely interviews its shortlisted candidates. In such a case, I do believe they create a shortlist of applicants in whom they are interested and the interview is to assess fit, personality, interests, etc.
I hope that helps in some regard.

Hey @Nisaba your post is very helpful, thank you!
If I may ask one more question, how did you prepare yourself for your interview to ensure you were ready?
Congratulations and I hope you make it into Duke!

Hey @CharlieR I experienced this exact thing in my master's and, like you, it left me depressed and unsure.
First, and foremost, because you are on a university campus, you should have access to mental health services. I highly recommend that you get in touch with them and see what they can do for you. Having a professional able to counsel you is important.
I would suggest that you think of these three choices, 1) to stay and adjust, 2) to transfer, or 3) to quit.
As you said, you started in the fall, and sometimes it can take time to adjust. If you cannot find ways to adjust, I would recommend a transfer - especially if you still want to complete a PhD. But, if you think doctoral studies is not really for you, and you don't think you can find ways to deal with the issues causing it (as you said, spending your 20's at your current institution), I would simply recommend quiting. Your happiness and enjoyment in life is important, especially during this crucial period of youth. You can always come back later, it doesn't mean that it's permanently over.
A final option might be to request a hiatus so that you can deal with and confront issues bringing dissatisfaction to your life. You may find it has less to do with the university and the campus, and more to do with areas that you aren't able to address being a full-time student.
Hope that helps!

I've officially received all my rejections from American and Canadian schools. If anyone is considering throwing their hat into next year's ring, you might want to consider doing your PhD abroad and applying to a couple schools outside of North America. In some cases, while the rigor is the same, the competition to gain admission is not as fierce, and it could be the difference between getting to do a PhD or not at all, as was my case. 
In any case, good job everyone! You are all smart and capable people, regardless of how your applications turned out. Whether you decide to try again next year or pursue other areas, I wish you all the best of luck and success. ?

Hey everyone, checking in to keep everyone motivated on the best possible outcome! Fingers crossed ... let's keep our heads up. It isn't over until we receive that final decision.

Hey everyone, checking in to keep everyone motivated on the best possible outcome! Fingers crossed ... let's keep our heads up. It isn't over until we receive that final decision.

Hey everyone, checking in to keep everyone motivated on the best possible outcome! Fingers crossed ... let's keep our heads up. It isn't over until we receive that final decision.

Hey everyone, checking in to keep everyone motivated on the best possible outcome! Fingers crossed ... let's keep our heads up. It isn't over until we receive that final decision.

Hey everyone, checking in to keep everyone motivated on the best possible outcome! Fingers crossed ... let's keep our heads up. It isn't over until we receive that final decision.

Just wanted to share this thread with y'all. I think we could all benefit from it. I am not a huge fan of the "look at all the things you have that other people don't and you should be thankful for that" shit because it personally makes me feel worse when I am already feeling down but either way it made me smile. Hope this helps: you are all truly great and I am rooting for all of us!
 
 

Excited to see what happens this week. Good luck to everyone, hoping the best for each of us.
Fingers crossed!

Excited to see what happens this week. Good luck to everyone, hoping the best for each of us.
Fingers crossed!

Excited to see what happens this week. Good luck to everyone, hoping the best for each of us.
Fingers crossed!

Excited to see what happens this week. Good luck to everyone, hoping the best for each of us.
Fingers crossed!

Thanks for the kind words. I will try my best to relax as I just purchased new desktop, new keyboard and new headset. I am on five-day holiday from today, so I will try to ignore everything by diving into virtual world. Wish you luck too! Fingers crossed

Hey @cuppajoe usually international and US applicants hear back at the same time.
I feel your pain! Don't worry, I'm sure good news is coming your way
 

It's been (and continues to be) and emotional rollercoaster. But, I'm glad February is right around the corner. Whatever happens, I echo @phyanth sentiinment. Good luck to us all!

Hey @UmairrasheedI think for Berkeley 4 - 5 for each stream (Anthropology and Medical Anthropology) may be correct. According to Peterson's, 247 applied last year and 11 enrolled. Regarding the other universities mentioned, UMichigan (181 applied, 21 accepted, 11 enrolled) and Chicago (260 applied, 19 accepted, 11 enrolled). 
If you mean each concentration (Archaeology, Biology, Sociocultural, and Medical) having 4 - 5 applicants, I do not think that is the case. As for the number directly admitted per stream, this may be dependent on the faculty accepting graduate students per year. I would not assume that there is a hard acceptance rate per sub-discipline as some years may see a good number of sociocultural applicants admitted, others may see a greater number of archaeology applicants admitted.
In regards to interviews, it really depends on the department. Duke definitely interviews its shortlisted candidates. In such a case, I do believe they create a shortlist of applicants in whom they are interested and the interview is to assess fit, personality, interests, etc.
I hope that helps in some regard.

@pmcolI appreciate your overall optimism so much. Reading your posts always makes me feel less anxious. I just wanted to thank you. I am sure many other people feel the same way

@Umairrasheed Yes, they do in fact prepare a long list first, then, after interviewing candidates they prepare a short list. I counted 4 Chicago interviews, but not everyone who is contacted posts on this website, unfortunately. So take the posts with a grain of salt. Lastly, I think you are correct, most programs take 4-6 students, depending on the program, funding available etc.

It's been (and continues to be) and emotional rollercoaster. But, I'm glad February is right around the corner. Whatever happens, I echo @phyanth sentiinment. Good luck to us all!

It's been (and continues to be) and emotional rollercoaster. But, I'm glad February is right around the corner. Whatever happens, I echo @phyanth sentiinment. Good luck to us all!

I think y'all will really start hearing back next week, based on how decision filtered in last season. Wishing the best for everyone, I hope everyone is admitted somewhere! Also, if anyone applied to Kent State, I think interview invites should go out later this week or next week. 

Thank you, @pmcol! I'm so grateful for this forum and the support through this excruciating process. Can't wait to see other decisions and to congratulate you! I am truly shocked and thought it was all over for me...I was being a horrible pessimist just a few days ago...I guess there's a lesson that it's not over 'til it's over--I wasn't sure my fit was strong enough here as with other programs, and I was wrong (in a good way!)

Hey pyramidstuds, congratulations!