Theory007

Soo, only one person got a rejection from NYU so far? Oh man what is taking so long, I just want to get my rejection and forget about it.
Note: I also sent an email to NYU DGS on Monday asking about results, still no response.

Maryland! Very excited. Waiting to hear from some waitlists and some pendings before I make the final decision, but the fit is so good and their conflict professors are amazing so I’m super happy. 

Okay. I have you not heard from NYU yet? It might be a good time to reach out to them and check. I think I'd take Albany and not wait for Georgia if I was in your position

It may be worth checking with the DGS on that. Most schools have an agreement that prohibits them from setting deadlines before April 15 (and I think Albany is one). It may be different for you, but there may have been a mistake. 

I wonder if this is a correct use of the downvote on the original post? I mean one can disapprove of the rejection but still support the person rejected.

Ok different story. I understand that's a hard choice.

The application process is messy and trust me there is zero guarantee that you would have gotten into Harvard had you applied next year. Whether or not you get in depends on if a faculty member happens to have sufficiently overlapping interests with you and if that faculty member has space/capacity to take on a new phd student. It also depends on who is reviewing applications that particular year. Since you did not get admission to several other competitive programs, I would for sure count myself lucky and wait it out for Harvard. If you get into Harvard then that's amazing, but if you don't you should definitely go to Northwestern. The idea that you would have gotten in in a normal year year because you were waitlisted during covid does not make much sense to me. If you don't get off the waitlist, go to Northwester.

The application process is messy and trust me there is zero guarantee that you would have gotten into Harvard had you applied next year. Whether or not you get in depends on if a faculty member happens to have sufficiently overlapping interests with you and if that faculty member has space/capacity to take on a new phd student. It also depends on who is reviewing applications that particular year. Since you did not get admission to several other competitive programs, I would for sure count myself lucky and wait it out for Harvard. If you get into Harvard then that's amazing, but if you don't you should definitely go to Northwestern. The idea that you would have gotten in in a normal year year because you were waitlisted during covid does not make much sense to me. If you don't get off the waitlist, go to Northwester.

The application process is messy and trust me there is zero guarantee that you would have gotten into Harvard had you applied next year. Whether or not you get in depends on if a faculty member happens to have sufficiently overlapping interests with you and if that faculty member has space/capacity to take on a new phd student. It also depends on who is reviewing applications that particular year. Since you did not get admission to several other competitive programs, I would for sure count myself lucky and wait it out for Harvard. If you get into Harvard then that's amazing, but if you don't you should definitely go to Northwestern. The idea that you would have gotten in in a normal year year because you were waitlisted during covid does not make much sense to me. If you don't get off the waitlist, go to Northwester.

The application process is messy and trust me there is zero guarantee that you would have gotten into Harvard had you applied next year. Whether or not you get in depends on if a faculty member happens to have sufficiently overlapping interests with you and if that faculty member has space/capacity to take on a new phd student. It also depends on who is reviewing applications that particular year. Since you did not get admission to several other competitive programs, I would for sure count myself lucky and wait it out for Harvard. If you get into Harvard then that's amazing, but if you don't you should definitely go to Northwestern. The idea that you would have gotten in in a normal year year because you were waitlisted during covid does not make much sense to me. If you don't get off the waitlist, go to Northwester.

I'll just emphasize that the application process is truly messy. It's possible you did nothing wrong at all and simply was rejected. Even the most qualified applicants should count themselves lucky to get into MIT and many do not get in. That's unsatisfying of course but if you apply to more programs next year you'll increase your odds. I understand your apprehension about coming to the US but, despite all the difficulties, things are great her. In my opinion at least.
What do you all think?
Yes there is division these days and many things I don't like, but at least it's true that in any phd program you'll find like-minded, curious, intelligent, and brilliant people. I also find that the division is exaggerated - most normal people get along just fine in spite of political differences. Everything is blown up on the news but you could really come here and make a great life for yourself (I think).

Thanks for the insights ! Yup could be a straight rejection and that'd be fine as well... my transcripts came in really, really late so it probably did not help. Reality is that's a rejection, and I have to prepare for next year more properly.
Oh, I have been thinking about going to the US for study for a long, long time ; I am sure starting my adult life over there would be fulfilling and eye opening. It was not really a question of politics or values, more a comparison with the quality of life here in Montréal. I do not think there is a better student city in the world than MTL from the cost of living to the sheer diversity in people that can be met and things that can be done, experienced. I have ambitions as a researcher so obviously I think a Ph.D from the US is necessary, but with COVID and the political divisions in the US, Montréal had an appeal that made me reconsider If I should apply for 2021. I applied but not fully committed, so I am eager to try again next year with 15+ schools.
 

I wonder if this is a correct use of the downvote on the original post? I mean one can disapprove of the rejection but still support the person rejected.

I wonder if this is a correct use of the downvote on the original post? I mean one can disapprove of the rejection but still support the person rejected.

I wonder if this is a correct use of the downvote on the original post? I mean one can disapprove of the rejection but still support the person rejected.

I wonder if this is a correct use of the downvote on the original post? I mean one can disapprove of the rejection but still support the person rejected.

As always (I think) I agree with skoth_girl. If you are interested in a TT position I would not hesitate for a moment and choose OSU. As @Dwar also said, the funding situation tends to be a bit sketchy at OSU so you should make sure that's all sorted out before you turn anything else down. From what I can tell, OSU is a fantastic program and so is its placement. Going there will grant you a better degree, better research, and make you more competitive on the job market. The only reason to go elsewhere (in my opinion) is if you would get a particularly supportive/great/amazing/outstanding advisor elsewhere. But it's probably more likely that you'll find that at OSU compared to the others. Good luck and congratulations - you have many options and many people have none. 

It's hard to wait but least you already have incredible/outstanding/amazing/mind-blowing options  

As always (I think) I agree with skoth_girl. If you are interested in a TT position I would not hesitate for a moment and choose OSU. As @Dwar also said, the funding situation tends to be a bit sketchy at OSU so you should make sure that's all sorted out before you turn anything else down. From what I can tell, OSU is a fantastic program and so is its placement. Going there will grant you a better degree, better research, and make you more competitive on the job market. The only reason to go elsewhere (in my opinion) is if you would get a particularly supportive/great/amazing/outstanding advisor elsewhere. But it's probably more likely that you'll find that at OSU compared to the others. Good luck and congratulations - you have many options and many people have none. 

As always (I think) I agree with skoth_girl. If you are interested in a TT position I would not hesitate for a moment and choose OSU. As @Dwar also said, the funding situation tends to be a bit sketchy at OSU so you should make sure that's all sorted out before you turn anything else down. From what I can tell, OSU is a fantastic program and so is its placement. Going there will grant you a better degree, better research, and make you more competitive on the job market. The only reason to go elsewhere (in my opinion) is if you would get a particularly supportive/great/amazing/outstanding advisor elsewhere. But it's probably more likely that you'll find that at OSU compared to the others. Good luck and congratulations - you have many options and many people have none. 

The single best thing you can do is to spend a year getting killer GRE scores. It will make the difference I promise

Will you be back next year? I'll be here then to cheer you on. In the mean time work on those GREs (literally put in 10 months of study for them), perfect your statement and writing, sample and I'm sure you'll be golden next cycle! 

Will you be back next year? I'll be here then to cheer you on. In the mean time work on those GREs (literally put in 10 months of study for them), perfect your statement and writing, sample and I'm sure you'll be golden next cycle! 

Will you be back next year? I'll be here then to cheer you on. In the mean time work on those GREs (literally put in 10 months of study for them), perfect your statement and writing, sample and I'm sure you'll be golden next cycle! 

Well everyone, I got a rejection from my last viable school today. I still technically have an app outstanding at Yale but I've honestly written myself out of that race given all the other rejections. I'm looking into Master's programs now. For everyone that has gotten accepted this cycle, congrats! You've really earned them given how much smaller the cohort sizes are this year. For everyone else, there is always next cycle and I will likely see you all then.