Anonymouse124

I tried to find my notebook with all the questions I had, but I couldn't find it! I started off cold emailing professors in my field, mentioning my interest in their work, told them that I was working on a WS about xxx and that I would love to get their input on sources, and asked which programs and professors would be good to keep on my radar as I continue fielding schools to apply to. Yes, we Skyped and Facetimed which made it way easier to chat! I definitely recommend reaching out to profs in your field!

Congratulations, everyone!!!

Hey there! Happy to share some of the helpful tidbits of advice I received throughout this process ? Competitiveness - I personally don't have any publications/conferences under my belt but I'm sure another GC'er will be able to speak to this topic. I have been told, however, that applying at least 2-3 weeks before the deadline helps greatly. Not sure how true this is, but at the very least, it ensures all of your paperwork (GRE scores) gets in on time. Apply to at least two funded MAs (I hear Villanova's is great, I personally applied to Purdue's). What drew you in to the schools you applied to? Is there a critical mass of professors there for you to work with? I'd suggest sending out emails (I did this the summer before I applied) to profs in your field. I spoke to them about my writing sample and asked to pick their brains about the field and possible programs that would be a good fit. Take a look at the work grad students have recently done at the schools. There's a chance if someone in your respective field is graduating, the ad comm might be interested in accepting another! Finances permitting, I've heard applying to 8 schools is the sweet spot. Also make sure to check for application waivers! I would also suggest starting an Excel spreadsheet for the schools you're applying to with professors you're interested in working with, if they require GRE scores, cost of applications, etc. It's definitely a lifesaver. I would definitely suggest writing a new WS! I did this the summer after I graduated from college and it was tough. What was helpful was speaking to professors in my field over Skype/Facetime to get their thoughts on sources/theory and having a friend of mine enforce deadlines. The summer was getting away from me and having deadlines (I would actually email my friend formally saying 'Dear Professor X, I have attached the most recent draft of...etc.) really, really helped. Most important point: make sure your WS reflects the interests outlined in your PS! The ad comm wants to see your intellectual evolution and you should show them where you're at! I freelanced while applying too and I know how tough time management can be. Make time for rest. Read for pleasure. Have family and friends help out with the more tedious parts of an application (opening up accounts on all the portals and filling out info). This is a tough process and having those moments will tide you over. I've got my fingers and toes crossed for you!!

My hands were shaking the whole time, I was so nervous! I even had to rehearse a couple of times with my best friend. I really love the prof and definitely want to work with her in the future so I wanted to make sure my sincerity about staying in contact came through. Time to go take a bath and not think about anything for a week ?

Will be attending UPenn in the fall! ?

Just called my favorite professor at UMD College Park to turn down their fully funded Ph.D. offer. This one hurt but I've got my fingers crossed for any GCers out there on the waitlist!!

Turned down funded Ph.D. offer and provost fellowship from CUNY Grad Center! I hope this helps out a GC'er out there!

Declined fully funded offer and additional fellowship at UIUC! Hopefully that helps a GCer out there!!

I took a gap year after my first round of applications (to MAs alone - none of which were even funded Good god) and got into my dream school. It’s a top ten and in the city I was living in at the time and it felt like everything was falling into place. I felt like I’d won the lottery; I spoke to professors, toured campus, bought the obligatory sweatshirt, listened to Heaven is a Place on Earth on a loop, but when it came time for me to take out my loans through FAFSA, I couldn’t do it. I was looking at paying back approximately $130k in loans and interest over the course of thirty years for an MA that would last one single year. I had been lucky enough to have been granted a full ride in undergrad and the realization of what the cost of the MA would be didn’t really hit until the night I was applying for loans. I spoke to my best friends, my family, and my professors. I cried a lot. My family thought I was being stupid, but my friends and professors supported me, convinced that I could get into the PhD programs I thought were out of my league. So I took the year off. I spoke with professors on skype and over email, I conducted independent research, wrote a whole new writing sample reflecting my new interests, developed a new personal statement, and it paid off. I would not have developed my current research interests if it hadn’t been for my previous application cycle. I learned so much and now have six acceptances to fully funded programs. All this to say, sometimes the first journey is practice for the next one, but also: if it’s not funded, don’t do it. (Edit: I didn’t even apply to the “dream school” in my second round because the fit was definitely not it. I wouldn’t have been in a position to make such a call in the first round.)

Turned down UC San Diego today! Hope that helps a GCer out there

Ahhh thank you so much!!! ?

Does anyone know where to find that list of things to consider/ask faculty and grad students on prospective visits? I've been searching for ages and haven't been able to find it! Thanks in advance!!!

Agreed!! I don't get why people do this. We're all doing our best and trying desperately to make it through the cycle. There's no need to be a jerk.

Begun to make initial offers? Didn't they inform people weeks ago?

Did Yale lose all our emails or...?

Declined Purdue's funded LTC MA! I hope that helps one of you guys, fingers and toes crossed for everyone!!

Has anyone received any news from Yale (rejection or otherwise)? I see there are three acceptances on the board (congratulations, you guys!!) but it's been a blank slate since. So weird considering last year's rejections came out around the same time as the acceptances. Would appreciate some insight (or even commiseration) on this!!

AMAZING!! I'm going out for sushi with my mom for a chill day today! I listened to Heaven Is a Place on Earth on a loop after I got into the MA last year (oops), and have been putting together a celebratory playlist for myself this year haha.

Ooh yes, I definitely have to give that thread another look. I've skimmed some of it so far, but I need to sit down and take some notes on it! Thanks for reminding me! Yeah, I've heard some horror stories about extremely competitive and brutal programs. My undergrad department was quite aloof and I didn't really have the support I wanted (it was huge and difficult to find community, so I'm definitely looking for a supportive one for grad school). The vibe will be a lot easier to read on a visit; hopefully, the current grad students will feel comfortable enough to tell us their genuine feelings about the campus/area. I'm on the lookout for the same thing. I'm curious about a program's support for interdisciplinary and inter-department study, as well as funding for study/research abroad, specifically! Also, am super excited to see the places I might call home in the fall! I totally feel you about implied rejections. With Yale and Berkeley as my final two schools, I have a feeling I'll be waiting a while for those rejections!

I totally feel you! There was really no way to call any of the decisions. So grateful for all the options we have!! That’s awesome! So glad you’ll be able to visit and get a feel of all your schools. Do you have anything on your list you’re looking out for when you visit besides feel and ~~fit~~ ? I’d love to see what other people have on their lists to ask about/look out for! Waiting on Yale and Berkeley, but those are definitely IR! You waiting on anywhere else?

I had a lot of help and support from a friend who went through this whole application process last year! I also had a lot I wanted to improve on after my applications to MAs alone last year. It’s definitely a trial and error thing and it helped to have had that previous experience!! I’m definitely trying to keep an open mind and visit the schools who are willing to help out with a travel stipend! Here’s to figuring out exactly how nebulous ~fit~ can be haha. What are your top choices?? Fingers crossed for our decisions ahead!

I’m fresh out of my undergrad with absolutely no conference or teaching experience (I know, I know). Lucky enough to be in at six programs so far, so I don’t think professional experience counts against you, though I’m sure it could only help the application!

Thank you so much @alexanderhamilton and @Ramus. I’ve been thinking about job placement opportunities (both in academia and “out” of it) a lot now that it’s time to make a decision about a school. I’ve been told fit is the most important thing, but wouldn’t I be more marketable as a job applicant if I were from a more recognized school vs. a school that has an excellent department that not a lot of people outside of academia know about? Thanks again for the advice!

Yes! Been lucky enough to get some invites and have been unable to make a few of them because of prior commitments. When I explained this to the different programs, all of them were extremely accommodating and put me in touch with whoever is in charge of scheduling. As far as travel grants go, I think that's mostly on a school-by-school basis (a couple have clearly stated that they do not offer travel reimbursements though they take care of accommodations and vice versa). I would definitely make sure to emphasize how much you want to go to these visits, but because of a prior commitment, you will be unable to do so. You would however, love to visit and learn more about the program at a later date if that is at all possible...etc. Hope that helps @The Wordsworthian !

Sweating. Any bets on when we'll hear back? I had it down as an informal rejection since the first acceptances a couple days ago.