Germaine123

But, I don't get it. Don't schools evaluate the entire pool of applicants before making decisions? I can't imagine why they'd "trickle in" results unless they were doing some sort of evaluate "this many" a day thing, which, doesn't make sense to me either. Lyoness you must be referring to the time in Washington, eh? It's so unfair that over here in NYC I have to wait until 9pm on any given day to get any sort of [barely] relief, haha. I'm sure a lot of people are experiencing the same thing.

Ah, yes Quentin, that does help! Though it probably won't help in tearing me away from my computer, haha. This is my last school, thus the anxiety. But it looks like you've got quite a few left on your roster so, good luck to you as well!

Hahahaha deal. I think that the last school I'm waiting on [uW], is reviewing PhD apps. first anyway [and I'm for MA], so, it's either get it together and get my reading done or keep sitting in front of my computer [wait this sounds like every other day]. Anyway I'll let you know.

I have to admit I'm pretty anxious. I didn't expect to be, but, maybe because it's my last school I'm starting to freak out. I was so calm up until now... My plan is: if I don't hear back by the end of this week, to try and stop thinking about it. I wonder if it'll work.

Haha, I wonder if on GradCafe there is this weird underlying pressure (especially for the writers among us) to create a clever, pun-induced, lit-related user name. So far I've been really impressed by everyone's ingenuity and one word lit references, haha... I chose "Germaine" because it even though I hate the word itself (I had a teacher a long time ago that used to say it at every available opportunity), it reminds me of Flight of the Concords. Anyway I feel like there's a specific thread for conversations like these. Meanwhile, has anybody heard from UW?! Not I. Ha.

Haha, exactly. And thanks – best of luck you as well!

Yes, thanks so much for the update, and congrats! And no, lyoness I'm not the admit, clearly, haha. I actually changed my username (formerly Stesha123). Maybe now I'm like the P-Diddy [or whatever his name is] of GradCafe...

I emailed about the MA/PhD confusion, and what I gather is that they SORT OF have a joint MA-PhD where if you are in the MA you are expected to continue on. But if you have an MA you can start at the PhD level and apply directly. I was told my application (originally directed toward PhD) will be reviewed with the MA candidates. And, I'm picking up on this board that programs tend to review PhD apps. first? On one hand it's great to be notified via email rather than snail, but, I have to say, I definitely did not need anything to prompt me to become more obsessed about checking my inbox, ha.

That doesn't make any sense. Is it like Madison-Wisconsin - they understand you are applying to the PhD, but, if you don't have an MA they tell you to pick the MA option when applying. Is that what they mean? At this point I wouldn't mind doing more MA work as long as I knew I was on a good track to the PhD, which, makes logical sense to me. But if their MA and PhD degrees are indeed separate, and should be applied for separately and under different circumstances, then why make the assumption that students would definitely be moving on to the PhD? Can't be both...

Are you serious? I believe it is time for me to send a strongly worded email or something...

What? I never saw anything about this on their website. They say - "The Ph.D. program may be completed within five years of the B.A., generally within three years of the M.A., or within four years for those entering with an M.A. from another school." Doesn't this imply you can apply to the Ph.D. without an MA? Now that I think about it, I may be misreading it. But there is no information on the website about this, therefore, I assumed there weren't specific restrictions. I applied without an MA last year, and again this year (still waiting). Would they completely ignore the fact that I am wasting my time and money applying to a program I can't even get into? What the hell.

Totally. Feel your pain. March is like the month of slow painful death. Wine will soon be replaced by vodka... (it's okay, I'm Russian, I can take it, haha).

I'm currently in the midst of my second semester in the CUNY MALS program. I had applied to English Ph.D. programs straight out of undergrad (with obvious unlikelihood of acceptance), and was referred to this program instead. I decided to do it (and consequentially move across the country) because CUNY has a wonderful Lit and History department, and for the cost of tuition, I personally think it's a steal. For me, there are positives and negatives. I've mostly taken Ph.D. level English and History courses and they are difficult, rewarding, and academically inspiring. In terms of the MALS program itself - it can seem a bit disorganized and frustrating; like there isn't a whole lot of support for you as an individual student. As a MALS student you have to work harder to get Profs interested in what you're doing, and you may also feel a little isolated in some of the courses where all the other Ph.D.'s know each other from years of sharing the same plight. However, most of the people I've met have been very welcoming and friendly. Just my 2c. Have you heard back on your app yet?

Thanks! I'm currently still in the process of my MA so there's always next year. Just the thought of going through the whole application process – yet again – is quite cringeworthy. Anyway I'll probably keep obsessively checking this thread until I get a response from them – I just hope it doesn't result in my trolling (i.e. neglecting coursework) for the next month. "Stesha" it's like the Russian pronunciation of "Stephanie." So crafty about my identity, I know.

This is the last school I'm waiting to hear from (English PhD, with 5 rejections behind me), and it kills. This is seriously messing with my ability to focus on my CURRENT courses; not good. I'm over in NYC and have no inside info on UW whatsoever. I really appreciate all the information people have been posting so far. Keep it coming, if possible! Also - if people have gotten rejections already, does this constitute "the first wave" ? If so, does anyone know when this "second wave" may be occurring? Thanks much! (First actual post on GradCafe, finally caved out of sleepless frustrated angry desperation, ha.)