First time posting, hoping to commiserate. I unfortunately went 0/8 this application cycle.
Based on my discussions with adcomm members/DGSs, a vague transcript from my previous PhD program was fatal. I attended the program for a year, achieved candidacy, but withdrew to care for a family member (father with PDS/Alzheimer's). My previous program had stringent residency requirements and proffered an ultimatum at the conclusion of my two semester sabbatical: return to the city - or within 50km - or have funding withdrawn. I chose the latter.
Unfortunately, and at the counsel of my letter writers, I forewent including this information in my SOP. Absent this context - and though my CV made clear my attendance period - many programs read my transcript as indicating I was just now withdrawing from a program I'd attended for four years. Justifiably, they were reticent to admit despite my otherwise favourable profile (4.0 GPA, several publications, many conferences, and a 170/168/6.0 GRE breakdown).
Dejected is a word to describe my current mood; soul-crushing annihilation is another! (Mostly kidding.) I'm not entirely sure why I made this post, to be honest. I think vocalizing the failure to a group of people who understand mitigates the sting - and perhaps prepares me for the embarrassing work of alerting all the "You'll get in everywhere!" people in my life as to my rejections.
To all the admits: congratulations! I hope to join you all next year. To the rejections: read like you're being paid to, publish like it's your job, and kick next year's ass.