Cryss

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!

WashU for me this Fall!

Very helpful, thank you. Also, this was one of the hardest emails I've ever had to write. Turned down UPitt. Hopefully this opens up a spot for someone.

https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2020-02-28/uc-santa-cruz-fires-54-graduate-student-workers-wildcat-strike What do we think about this? Side note, as an international student, it's really difficult to stand up for yourself in this way if it means being fired/ consequently removed from the program and country. It definitely seems to perpetuate the "keep your head down and do what you're told" ideology. But thoughts?

They all are. It's a thing. Straightforward, clear details and statistics about placement seem to be rare. Schools frame it in a way that makes it look better than it is, either by grouping years together (eg 2014 may have been a great year, so they give statistics from 2014-2018), speaking generically about jobs students have gotten without indication the time frame it took them to get that jb (ex. We have had students who went on to teach at Harvard, etc.) or not being clear about the timeline (ex. 60% of students who graduated between 2010-2015 found TT positions- yet we don't know if it took them 1 year or 5).

I thought it would be a good idea if we compile important things we learned throughout this abysmal journey, for future readers, and for others who may be repeating this process next year. I applied without having GRE. I wasn't able to take the exam because it isn't offered in the country I live in. For some schools, this was the first year they decided to drop the GRE requirement after the whole debate about GRE upholding socioeconomic and socio-racial hierarchies. Other schools still required it and I emailed them to ask for a waiver. What I learned was that some schools were happy to waive it, even though it was still officially a requirement on their website, which may be indicative of it fading away as an "official" requirement in the upcoming years. I quote "official" because while some schools may not require it, it does not mean it is not a consideration at all, and in some cases, we will never know how important it is to admission committees unofficially. Other schools I requested the waiver from flat out denied me, or told me their system prevents them from waiving it, but that I should apply anyway, which was interesting advice. So for anyone considering applying without GRE, this was my experience doing it.

My application season ends with the official Penn rejection. Hope to never do it again. But alas, academia. Sending good vibes to everyone.

I hope it does cooperate! Bad weather and plane issues will definitely mess up a 3 day trip. And thank you! I'm bummed I can't be there, but also I know that lots of international students do/have done the whole sight unseen thing. I'm just trying to do as much as I can remotely.

Are you going to WUSTL? Please let me know how it goes and your thoughts on it. I can't make it?

Same. I am really thankful for my acceptances. I don't wanna sound ungrateful or anything. But it's been hard to receive 5.5 rejections (expecting the Columbia one soon) in a row, with one being from my reach school. It's quite hard to separate rejections from self worth (and having done Creative Writing in undergrad, I consider myself a pro at receiving rejections). This process has been unusually and probably unfairly brutal. I know some people are also facing shut out. Sending so much strength to everyone here. You are definitely worth it.

Yay!!!!! Congratulations!!!

and did you nickname it the mugged mug yet?

Congratulations @meghan_sparkle and @The Hoosier Oxonian!!! Amazing accomplishments

Is it at least a cute mug?

I find the intersection of early modern drama and race and/or colonialism so captivating! I've mostly read re-imaginations of The Tempest from a colonial perspective, but do you have any suggestions/favorite pieces that really delve into Shakespeare and race theory? I'd love to add it to my reading.

Yasssss! Congratulations!!!!

Will you be a teaching assistant or have your own courses that first year? If you haven't been an adjunct or had teaching experience yet (usually you may have some experience while doing an MA), it can be intimidating. I'm guessing there should be some sort of training somewhere. If you are expected to have your own ENGL 1 and ENGL 2 courses from the first semester, that seems a bit crazy to me. I think a big factor is how you foresee yourself adjusting to grad school. Learning to write 15-25 page papers for each class and read a book per class per week can be a huge jump from undergrad experience. To add teaching service on top of that when students are just transitioning is a lot. A fellowship for the first year seems like the better deal to me and perhaps you can eventually seek opportunities at that school to at least TA for literature-heavy courses. But ultimately, if the teaching experience is what you value more, and you think you are willing to push through the transition phase, then it's your decision.

Ran out of reactions for today but I cosign this 100%. I enjoy having you here @meghan_sparkle and I don't think it's fair for anyone to tell anyone how they should feel about this process whether they have acceptances or not. It's a really hard time and everyone's allowed to feel stress even if their situation is different. Also I will say intentions and tone are easily misconstrued in writing, especially without knowing the strangers on the other end. But so many of us support everyone here and are happy for each other, even if we wish for more for ourselves. (Not my place to speak about the mental health discussion so I won't)

Welp. Thanks for trying!