chidi321

Just got my decision letter from University of Maryland's PhD in Comms program.  I did not get in.  It was the only program I applied to.  While I have a robust career I love, I am bummed about this decision because this program would have been a really great pivot point for where I wanna take my career next.
Gonna go pour a glass of something and go feel sorry for myself for a few hours.  Then, onward and upward, as they say, to a different path to get where I want to go.
Wishing you all the very best as more decisions roll in over the next week or so.
 

I'm sorry you didn't in to your top and only pick. I know how crushed that feeling can be. I hope you took some time to rest and unplug. Onward and upward to see where your path takes you

Checking my email every 5-10 seconds ....

I know it's hard everyone but let's try to remain positive and hopeful! Who knows, we might still get acceptances and/or waitlisted. Yea, we will probably also get rejections but there's still a chance. The show isn't over yet, folks! Especially as schools work their way down their maybe lists. It's still early March... a lot can happen in a few weeks. I know how badly we all want to get into our top choices and have multiple offers on the table. There's still time everyone  

I cant take the anticipation - I hope it is today! 

Im sure we'll hear from them soon since they started sending out decisions. I'm happy they're doing a waitlist this year though - usually they don't.

It's been 3 weeks since I submitted a TA app to Alabama...not that I'm counting! Best of luck to everyone hoping to hear something today!

Best advise is just to wait. They will give you an update when they have one.

No  and still waiting for CU boulder. 

Hi everyone,

My admission cycle has officially come to an end after getting accepted to NYU's MCC Ph.D. program. I received a call a couple of hours ago and I am still processing this new reality. It has been a tough ride but I am happy that it paid off. I am also writing this to share my journey, hoping that future applicants can be guided by my experiences. 

I am an international student completing my MA degree here in the US. My bachelor's degree is from my home country and my research interest centers on news media and what shapes their coverage of contentious issues. I began the applications in June, 6 months before the December 1 deadline. While many people wondered why I did this, I am glad I started early. This made me narrow down to seven schools that had faculty members who worked on topics that I am interested in. This also allowed me to reach out to faculty members early enough. I started sending out emails in July and also had Zoom chats with some of them. This demonstrated that I am proactive and it allowed faculty members to me and my research interests. 

These conversations also shaped my personal statement. I started working on it around the same time. My draft has been seen and edited by at least 10 people; my colleagues, mentors, past professors, etc. This helped sharpen my writing and made it clearer. I wouldn't have achieved this if I did not start early. By December 1, my statement was concise and very clear. Please, start writing this document early. It really helps make you research interest clear and easy to read and understand. Doing it a couple of weeks or even months might make it difficult. If you are really interested in grad school, start working on the personal statement at least four months before. This will allow you to make changes as you read more academic work. You will also get time to share with academics and mentors who will advise and critique your work.  

As I mentioned, I narrowed down to 7 schools; accepted by 2 (NYU&Rutgers), waitlisted by 2(UT Austin & Indiana), rejected by 2(UPenn&Harvard) and Columbia is yet to decide. NYU was my top choice so I will go ahead and accept. If you are waitlisted by Rutgers, I will decline my offer to make sure waitlisted candidate get the offer.

To everyone who got admitted, congratulations. To the ones who didn't, it's not the end of the journey. Prepare and come back stronger in the next admission cycle. 

Thank you all. 

Admissions Update: I got into Rutgers!!
Rutgers was the only school I applied to so I was nervous waiting to hear back. I am relieved that I was accepted and can't wait for recruitment day in March. Has anyone else committed to Rutgers? Let me know

Yes, to those 3 questions. Also have a few questions that you'd like to ask them. I've had quite a few interviews and they are pretty informal. If you made it to the interview phase all the qualifications/merit stuff is done. They want to get know you and learn more about why you want to study. Relax and be yourself. This is also a time for you to interview them. I also ask professors about their advisee style - is it hands off, is it independent, is it very hands on, etc. etc. 

The 3 questions I’ve been asked in nearly every interview are: Why do you want to get a PhD? Why is this the best department for your PhD? Tell me about your research project (and why it’s important)?
I found it really helpful to practice answering these questions and even record myself doing so. For a POI meeting I would also read up on their work and prepare a few thoughtful questions for them. Good luck!! You got this!

Update: I have an interview next week at Rutgers. Please send good vibes & any websites you use to help prepare for Ph.D. interviews. Thank you! ?

Hi! No app decision yet, but I was contacted a few days ago for an interview. 

Yes! I'm trying to stay positive because I know its more than likely no results will come for another 2-3 weeks 

Totally feel this! 3 weeks feels like a long time.
I received an invite for an interview at Temple; I'm very excited/terrified, etc. Just hearing back from one place kind of calmed me a bit, though. Wishing you all positive vibes and good luck! We do have a lovely group here ?

I’m in the middle of a convo over on Reddit re: sharing the names of POIs and I just wanted to express gratitude to our group here.
Everyone has been so supportive, (seemingly) genuinely happy for others’ acceptances, collaborative and non-competitive. 

Even though some of us are applying to the same programs (and even spoke with the same POIs), I firmly believe everyone will end up exactly where they belong. ??

Congrats! That is very exciting  

Heard back from UConn today, they offered full funding. Super excited.
 
Anyone heard anything from other schools? Crossing my fingers for everyone.

I don’t know what’s worse. Getting rejected on Valentine’s Day or getting ghosted. 

Hopefully today will be the day for UPenn answers *fingers crossed*

Hopefully today will be the day for UPenn answers *fingers crossed*

They seem consistent with the Feb 14th/15th date, so we're close. UPenn and MSU are my white whales (can that idiom be pluralized and still make sense?) and I think they're both going to release while I'm stuck at conference :(

I just got my acceptance to Columbia J-School (PhD in Communications)! I’m buzzing. Got an email from the program chair saying I got in! no word on funding - official email to come later