Cryss

For reasons I prefer not to go into, I was stuck between a rock and a hard place and had to do an unfunded MA. I'm not totally against them. Some people really want an MA and there aren't enough funded MA spots for everyone. However, I will say that I did not have any undergrad debt. Since you already do have debt, if I were in your situation, I would not go further into debt. I would use the year to get a job in the industry, present at conferences if possible, strengthen my application and apply for funded MAs and PHD programs next year. Of course, you need to take into consideration the effects on the economy the pandemic is having. There is a possibility that the same opportunities this year will not be offered again at some schools for a couple years, but there is also a possibility that this school year will be trash anyway, and you'd be better offer trying to make money while strengthening your application. Ultimately up to you based on the things you value including timeline, cost, what your life would look like with more debt while facing placement problems in academia, etc etc. But if it was me, barring any pressing issues, I would not do it.

This just brought a fresh wave of anxiety. I hope this will change by May/June. But that also means that it will probably take longer to get an appointment.

Understandably. Keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you! And also for all of us.

Same. Got laid off yesterday. I was trying to have some savings for moving with my spouse and starting grad school, but everything is so messed up. Strength to you during this time though. It's really hard to simultaneously be thankful for the good things happening when it's overshadowed by this international disaster and uncertainty for a future you began planning for. Can't speak from a place of expertise, but I imagine since the offers are already made to us, they will abide by it as best as they can. This is not to say we won't feel the effects, and funding for the things you listed are indeed important, but we are (*hopefully still*) among the luckier few whose funding packages for the next 5-6 years are still guaranteed. I am worried about the students entering in the upcoming years who will not only be dealing with job scarcity and insane competition for program admission (aka, the usual), but would probably have to worry about the scale and duration of funding. Will we see smaller cohorts with good funding? Or funding for less years? Will they shed parts of the funding package, like health insurance? Such an uncertain time. Crazy that this happened in a matter of weeks.

Yesterday, I also got laid off from my job due to the 'Rona effing up profits. Guess now is as good a time as any to heavily dive into binge-reading science fiction novels, binge-watching shows, and sprinkle some academic reading in there.

I was thinking if things keep going this way, they may offer or require incoming students to defer a year. And if that happens, it will royally screw with next year's application process for sure.

This topic aged well.

Also, does it even make sense for some schools to push the deadline while others do not? Surely this would not make things easier for people who have multiple offers if some schools require them to make a decision by the original deadline and others extend the deadline. Even if schools do push back the deadline, with the scale of what we're dealing with, when would the new deadline be and how would this be determined? It would be chaos unless there's some standard across the board. Then as @SolusRex mentioned, what would happen to waitlist students, especially those who also have April 15 deadlines to abide by for some offers? So many variables. A tough situation for everyone for sure.

Yes!!! Congrats!

This is insane. 5 days to move out?! That is irresponsible of them and tells me about about how much they don't empathize with international students. Are they paying for tickets, etc? This is unreasonable to ask, and borderline classist to assume everyone can afford to do it, especially with such short notice. PS. I understand the extremity of the preventative measures, but still, seems like the empathy is lacking greatly.

me currently

https://www.chronicle.com/article/After-Announcing-Firing-of/248168?key=sDFk4Qum8UZIcp0FmqC6TgxUZDvCGgPBdZ8FWy0URNPNa9iSeObsWfznuizyyFuGNXhZSjc2OThDQ1c3aFBDR2otTkE5NjBsOV92bDVVSlp4cS1BLVNQMzl1Yw&fbclid=IwAR3FNgWb_xugPmDBn_KOXdS9lTlVddTcFe22q_NJoUjmN6_96wg3QR8YWtQ Update: seems like things are in a bad state over there.

I think it's important to note that people may have directly opposite experiences from one place or one person and can only speak for their own experiences. Also, it's good to note that tokenism is a thing, not negating anyone's success of course, but for example, just because a person of color may be treated well in a space that respects them, it does not mean that racism does not exist at all in that space. At the same time, we may need to be careful suggesting the space is always racist to everyone. It might be unfair to suggest that these schools (and the grad school application process) do not like/respect/accept non-traditional students. Similarly, it's unfair to say that it is not an issue just because it was not your own personal experience. It's possible that the truth lies in the middle of those two perspectives.

I feel you. What I did was write the email first, spent 10 mins tweaking words to sound as kind and grateful as possible, then spent the 10 mins after that trying to give myself the courage to hit send. Turns out, the DGS was very sweet about it and even thankful I let her know in time for someone on the waitlist to attend the visit. The DGS(es) and your LoR writer will understand that you needed to do what was best for your future and that includes a holistic look at the entire package/place/cost of living/program/personal well-being etc etc, according to what's important for you. Don't worry! Also, congrats on making a choice!

I really am. Most of the tension/stress amassed during this process is gone and excitement is settling in its place. Now I can start really planning towards August and getting all my ducks in a row sooner rather than later. Good luck with your decisions!