Nothingtown

Declined an offer from UVA this weekend. Withdrew from UNC waitlist last week. Just withdrew a waitlist spot (#1) at the University of Kentucky this morning that I didn't even know I had, so apologies on being late with that one. Looks like they may be moving on to the waitlist if anyone's interested. 

Declined an offer from UVA this weekend. Withdrew from UNC waitlist last week. Just withdrew a waitlist spot (#1) at the University of Kentucky this morning that I didn't even know I had, so apologies on being late with that one. Looks like they may be moving on to the waitlist if anyone's interested. 

Accepted an offer at Baylor. Really excited for this fall, and kind of in shock that this whole process is finally over.

Accepted an offer at Baylor. Really excited for this fall, and kind of in shock that this whole process is finally over.

Accepted an offer at Baylor. Really excited for this fall, and kind of in shock that this whole process is finally over.

I've accepted Yale, for the joint program in Classics and Philosophy (Classics track)
Declined Stanford and Toronto today and took myself off NYU waitlist

I'm glad you two were able to see eye-to-eye. Admitting to your misjudgement doesn't make you an idiot. It shows respect for your daughter, and I'm sure it means a lot to her. Congrats to you both!

Accepted my offer from GSU this week. (!!!)

Hey you guys, OP here. 
I'm an idiot. Your comments helped though.  All calmed down here....and D is happily heading towards the school of her choice....

I just accepted my offer from Pitt :))))))

I hope this indicates that many people are just waiting for very late visits, as UVA's is mere days before the deadline. Then after they visit, they'll make a decision on the 13th or 14th--though that's not too much time for others to act, it is better than 5pm on the 15th.
Though I'd say in general, you're probably correct--with so many people holding onto waitlists until the last minute while sitting on other acceptances, it's going to make for a crazy day on April 15th. I'd say almost moreso than usual, given the late visit times so many schools seem to be having this year. We'll all have to do our best to be conscientious of our offers and waitlists and give others as much room as possible. 
One thing I highly recommend waitlisters do as we near April 15th is to get in contact with schools to determine likelihood of getting off the waitlist. Especially on the 14th or 15th, if you reach out to them, you'll get a much clearer picture of expectations going forward than if you just wait for their email. I know they're probably all going to be very overwhelmed on those days, but if you look at last year's April 15 thread, a lot of people did get responses to their emails and were more informed about their status as a result. It'll help you make a timely decision if you remain in contact, I'd imagine. Of course if anyone who has applied in previous years has any input on this point, please share!

I hope this indicates that many people are just waiting for very late visits, as UVA's is mere days before the deadline. Then after they visit, they'll make a decision on the 13th or 14th--though that's not too much time for others to act, it is better than 5pm on the 15th.
Though I'd say in general, you're probably correct--with so many people holding onto waitlists until the last minute while sitting on other acceptances, it's going to make for a crazy day on April 15th. I'd say almost moreso than usual, given the late visit times so many schools seem to be having this year. We'll all have to do our best to be conscientious of our offers and waitlists and give others as much room as possible. 
One thing I highly recommend waitlisters do as we near April 15th is to get in contact with schools to determine likelihood of getting off the waitlist. Especially on the 14th or 15th, if you reach out to them, you'll get a much clearer picture of expectations going forward than if you just wait for their email. I know they're probably all going to be very overwhelmed on those days, but if you look at last year's April 15 thread, a lot of people did get responses to their emails and were more informed about their status as a result. It'll help you make a timely decision if you remain in contact, I'd imagine. Of course if anyone who has applied in previous years has any input on this point, please share!

I hope this indicates that many people are just waiting for very late visits, as UVA's is mere days before the deadline. Then after they visit, they'll make a decision on the 13th or 14th--though that's not too much time for others to act, it is better than 5pm on the 15th.
Though I'd say in general, you're probably correct--with so many people holding onto waitlists until the last minute while sitting on other acceptances, it's going to make for a crazy day on April 15th. I'd say almost moreso than usual, given the late visit times so many schools seem to be having this year. We'll all have to do our best to be conscientious of our offers and waitlists and give others as much room as possible. 
One thing I highly recommend waitlisters do as we near April 15th is to get in contact with schools to determine likelihood of getting off the waitlist. Especially on the 14th or 15th, if you reach out to them, you'll get a much clearer picture of expectations going forward than if you just wait for their email. I know they're probably all going to be very overwhelmed on those days, but if you look at last year's April 15 thread, a lot of people did get responses to their emails and were more informed about their status as a result. It'll help you make a timely decision if you remain in contact, I'd imagine. Of course if anyone who has applied in previous years has any input on this point, please share!

I hope this indicates that many people are just waiting for very late visits, as UVA's is mere days before the deadline. Then after they visit, they'll make a decision on the 13th or 14th--though that's not too much time for others to act, it is better than 5pm on the 15th.
Though I'd say in general, you're probably correct--with so many people holding onto waitlists until the last minute while sitting on other acceptances, it's going to make for a crazy day on April 15th. I'd say almost moreso than usual, given the late visit times so many schools seem to be having this year. We'll all have to do our best to be conscientious of our offers and waitlists and give others as much room as possible. 
One thing I highly recommend waitlisters do as we near April 15th is to get in contact with schools to determine likelihood of getting off the waitlist. Especially on the 14th or 15th, if you reach out to them, you'll get a much clearer picture of expectations going forward than if you just wait for their email. I know they're probably all going to be very overwhelmed on those days, but if you look at last year's April 15 thread, a lot of people did get responses to their emails and were more informed about their status as a result. It'll help you make a timely decision if you remain in contact, I'd imagine. Of course if anyone who has applied in previous years has any input on this point, please share!

Congratulations! I was very impressed with them through my correspondences while applying. It seems Duquesne not only has a great philosophy program, but caring people who work there. I hope you enjoy it, and congratulations again! 

Thank you! Yeah, they have been incredibly responsive and the people seem just really respectful of the difficulties that applicants are going through in the process. I’m really glad you’ve been successful this cycle, its heartwarming to see people in this forum do well.

I CAN FINALLY POST HERE Y'ALL. Accepted at Baylor!

Hey there! Congratulations on making it through all that and finally getting to think about grad school. 
I've been on two campus visits and found that the grad student population was more diverse in age than I expected. At one school, quite a few people were in their 30's. At another, there weren't as many and most were young, but there were still a couple of people who were older than average. It is not uncommon for people your age to be returning to school. 
If you have the money, I'd recommend applying to quite a few MA programs (especially those with good funding--Georgia State and University of Houston are good for that, I've heard). Depending on how good your grades were in '07, and if you get any good LORs, you could even try some PhD programs--but I agree, you'd probably be looking more at an MA, especially because it'll be hard to get good LORs after all this time. 
But I don't think you should be discouraged by your age at all. Some people go to PhD programs right after undergrad, some have life get in the way and have to wait a few years (I'm one of those people, but I'm still in my 20's). I promise, the admissions committee has seen cases like yours before. 
EDIT: I'd definitely find a tasteful way to address the gap in your Statement of Purpose. Find someone to look over it and confirm you stated things well, but definitely do explain briefly why you should be taken seriously after the gap and I think you'll be fine. 

Baylor.

Hey there! Congratulations on making it through all that and finally getting to think about grad school. 
I've been on two campus visits and found that the grad student population was more diverse in age than I expected. At one school, quite a few people were in their 30's. At another, there weren't as many and most were young, but there were still a couple of people who were older than average. It is not uncommon for people your age to be returning to school. 
If you have the money, I'd recommend applying to quite a few MA programs (especially those with good funding--Georgia State and University of Houston are good for that, I've heard). Depending on how good your grades were in '07, and if you get any good LORs, you could even try some PhD programs--but I agree, you'd probably be looking more at an MA, especially because it'll be hard to get good LORs after all this time. 
But I don't think you should be discouraged by your age at all. Some people go to PhD programs right after undergrad, some have life get in the way and have to wait a few years (I'm one of those people, but I'm still in my 20's). I promise, the admissions committee has seen cases like yours before. 
EDIT: I'd definitely find a tasteful way to address the gap in your Statement of Purpose. Find someone to look over it and confirm you stated things well, but definitely do explain briefly why you should be taken seriously after the gap and I think you'll be fine. 

Hi All,
Thank you for the kind responses thus far. All very much appreciated. During my first go round in undergrad, I expected to be a lifer, myself. The job situation wasn't much better, and coming from a small school, I knew there was quite the hill to climb.  I was, and still am, highly aware that I may be relegated to exactly what I am doing for work at the moment. I was eager to embark, however. I never wanted a family of my own, and grew accustomed to the idea that most of my life would be spent trying to 'make it in Academia.' 
Teaching was a goal, and tenure would be great, but what I want is the access, networking, conferences and hopefully to write and collaborate with others to write. I'm running out of leg room on taking long shots with my life, and this happens to be one I simply have not had the opportunity to take. 

Not a philosophy applicant, but I noticed your thread and thought I'd chime in.
I think @Duns Eith makes some very good points. If you're starting this degree with the intention of teaching, you're likely to be disappointed. Having a master's in philosophy may also make it difficult to continue your current career, as it suggests you'd rather be doing something outside of IT. However, if you are interested in teaching, consider getting a teaching certification along with a master's. Teaching English or history at the high school level (and perhaps being an adjunct at a community college on the side) could be a satisfying, intellectually stimulating career path. Plus, your master's will still afford you a higher salary, and in some states will help you get certified.
That may not be the best option depending on your goals and temperament, but I think it's a solid option that many GC users overlook.

You are not too old of a candidate. As the poster above me said, grad schools are often quite diverse in age range (like 22 thru 42, though most are late 20's, early 30's). You can be taken seriously if you put out good work.
I would encourage reconsidering grad school for other reasons, though. Grad school in humanities is for most people a professional dead end.* Not because they aren't good, but because the market is so harsh and the process of completing so grueling. I am in for the long haul, but I reassess my goals and justifications for completing my program every week or two. It isn't a terribly taxing reconsideration, but I'm acutely aware of the low probability of doing what I want to do. My situation is not unique, not even remotely.
My comments here are not directed toward you only. Grad school in humanities is a dead end for someone who is 22 years old, has good grades, can do good work, and can reasonably get into a good school. The fact is that the academic system has serious problems and PhD students (and those with PhD's in-hand!) suffer long and hard before they give up. Over and over and over again.
My comment is directed toward you in that if you can continue in IT and do philosophically interesting things (reading current journal articles; discussing with friends or acquaintances at deep level, say at a local coffee shop; engaging with people online; etc.) as a well-invested hobby, it might be in your best interest to take that course. I know no one wants to hear this, and some people reading will buck against this until they face it themselves, but I think it is good for you to hear it. I hope this is helpful.
 
* do the stats. Almost half of all PhD students don't complete their degree. The average successful placement into gainful employment is not at half across PhD granting institutions. Even among the top programs, it is not above 80%. Thus, for most people, literally most people, who begin grad school will eventually find it to be a professional dead end.

Mentioning mental health in a letter to a university is, at best, a contentious question in academia and TGC. 
In my opinion, I think you should play it safe and call it a health issue or medical issue, with no mention of it being a mental health issue. While most if not all people are sympathetic towards those with broad "health related" issues, mental health specific ones are received with more varied responses--you can't be sure that they would be sympathetic. I personally hope this changes in the future. 
With that being said, I am so proud of you for overcoming that and achieving such a high GPA afterwards! It takes real strength to do what you did, and you should be proud of yourself as well. Congratulations!

University Of Virginia Computer Science, Masters (F19) Rejected via E-mail on 5 Mar 2019 ♦ I 27 Mar 2019 wqnmlgb bye bye