The Last Byzantine

I was in a very similar situation to you last year as, while applying to PhD programs, I had to explain why my pre-med gpa was bringing down my whole GPA. 
One avenue you might wish to consider is *highlighting* your scientific background as that professor said to you. It's not as much of a deal with the literary aspects of classics, but on the historical side of it the incorporation of scientific evidence is becoming more and more important to the field. Advertising that you are well-trained to handle this data (especially if you can find a way to incorporate it into the "project" you're pitching in your application) could be very good for you. 

Finally got some good news: I was admitted to Central European University's MA program in Late Antique, Medieval, and Renaissance Studies with a full tuition waiver, so it looks like I'll be in Vienna for the next two years. After a 4 month slog of non-stop disappointment, it's nice to end my season with some good news. 

Finally got some good news: I was admitted to Central European University's MA program in Late Antique, Medieval, and Renaissance Studies with a full tuition waiver, so it looks like I'll be in Vienna for the next two years. After a 4 month slog of non-stop disappointment, it's nice to end my season with some good news. 

Finally got some good news: I was admitted to Central European University's MA program in Late Antique, Medieval, and Renaissance Studies with a full tuition waiver, so it looks like I'll be in Vienna for the next two years. After a 4 month slog of non-stop disappointment, it's nice to end my season with some good news. 

Finally got some good news: I was admitted to Central European University's MA program in Late Antique, Medieval, and Renaissance Studies with a full tuition waiver, so it looks like I'll be in Vienna for the next two years. After a 4 month slog of non-stop disappointment, it's nice to end my season with some good news. 

Finally got some good news: I was admitted to Central European University's MA program in Late Antique, Medieval, and Renaissance Studies with a full tuition waiver, so it looks like I'll be in Vienna for the next two years. After a 4 month slog of non-stop disappointment, it's nice to end my season with some good news. 

Finally got some good news: I was admitted to Central European University's MA program in Late Antique, Medieval, and Renaissance Studies with a full tuition waiver, so it looks like I'll be in Vienna for the next two years. After a 4 month slog of non-stop disappointment, it's nice to end my season with some good news. 

Finally got some good news: I was admitted to Central European University's MA program in Late Antique, Medieval, and Renaissance Studies with a full tuition waiver, so it looks like I'll be in Vienna for the next two years. After a 4 month slog of non-stop disappointment, it's nice to end my season with some good news. 

Vienna is a beautiful city and in a great spot travel within Europe. Also, I know a couple of the PhD students at CEU if you ever consider doing a PhD there or just want to meet other graduate students. Best of luck with your MA!

Finally got some good news: I was admitted to Central European University's MA program in Late Antique, Medieval, and Renaissance Studies with a full tuition waiver, so it looks like I'll be in Vienna for the next two years. After a 4 month slog of non-stop disappointment, it's nice to end my season with some good news. 

Finally got some good news: I was admitted to Central European University's MA program in Late Antique, Medieval, and Renaissance Studies with a full tuition waiver, so it looks like I'll be in Vienna for the next two years. After a 4 month slog of non-stop disappointment, it's nice to end my season with some good news. 

Finally got some good news: I was admitted to Central European University's MA program in Late Antique, Medieval, and Renaissance Studies with a full tuition waiver, so it looks like I'll be in Vienna for the next two years. After a 4 month slog of non-stop disappointment, it's nice to end my season with some good news. 

Well, looks like that's it for today (for east coast schools at least). Here's hoping for news tomorrow!

So the thing I love about this forum is that we are all getting really nervous but are also supportive of eachother

I just got an email from a POI at Northwestern that I've been placed on their waitlist!  
I'm proud to have made it to this point. At many points, I've had to contend with doubts about being a "nontraditional" student. And this is that department saying that I am qualified and prepared enough to be offered a spot there. 
Many thanks to everyone here and I'm wishing the best for all you.

I do not think it is safe to assume rejection just yet. Looking at the reports of informal admission e-mails from Harvard, they seem to stagger them over multiple days, or even over a week. For instance, in 2017, one person posted they got theirs on February 1st, but another posted on Feb. 2nd. This could mean that the person waited a day to post it, but then you have other posters who say they woke up to an e-mail on February 3rd, and then another person on February 7th mentioned they just received an e-mail letting them know they have been recommended. For 2018, people list February 4th, 8th, 9th, and 11th for the dates they received their e-mail. There is still much hope for you all!

Just received an acceptance from Northwestern! Feeling ecstatic!!!!!

MOO, a good rule of thumb for posting anything on an internet bulletin board or social media is to not post anything one would not mind reading on the front page of the New York Times.
And, FWIW, I have learned the hard way that how one thinks and communicates privately about the craft, the profession of academic history, and the Ivory Tower generally shines through much more than one realizes and also in ways one doesn't expect. 

Finally, for those who have the sensibilities of the "Millenial generation," previous generations are strugglingly mightily with the changing times. 

Hey everyone, after a bit of lurking I finally decided to make an account here. I'm mostly applying to History programs, but since my speciality is ancient-history and byzantine studies, I'm also applying to a few classics programs. OSU at this point is what I'm hoping for so that I can work with Antony Kaldellis. 

For what it's worth, when I met the director of Graduate Studies while visiting Harvard (he's who I'm hoping for as an advisor) he maintained that they were taking about 20ish people in the program. This was in late October. Perhaps something has drastically changed since then, but every other professor I met was very upfront about the possibility that the cohort might be downsized but he said nothing of the sort. 

For what it's worth, when I met the director of Graduate Studies while visiting Harvard (he's who I'm hoping for as an advisor) he maintained that they were taking about 20ish people in the program. This was in late October. Perhaps something has drastically changed since then, but every other professor I met was very upfront about the possibility that the cohort might be downsized but he said nothing of the sort. 

For what it's worth, when I met the director of Graduate Studies while visiting Harvard (he's who I'm hoping for as an advisor) he maintained that they were taking about 20ish people in the program. This was in late October. Perhaps something has drastically changed since then, but every other professor I met was very upfront about the possibility that the cohort might be downsized but he said nothing of the sort.