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I will say, I took a couple of years off between my MA and starting the PhD and worked in real estate, and was making about $45K with health insurance to boot. So, I'll just leave that in addition to the legal field recommendation above, which I also agree with!

I was admitted last year with no interview, but I believe some people did do them, so it's a bit hit and miss. If you don't get an interview and others do, don't assume you're out of the running. It's not over till it's over.

Hey folks, I have gotten a bunch of messages since posting my one acceptance, asking about my application process, etc. and I am happy to provide any feedback and answer questions whenever I can (as long as people know that this is not like a magic potion. I'm very lucky to have gotten in, but I don't pretend to know the secret to applying that nobody else knows). I have long felt that the nice thing about this community is that it's a group of wishful scholars supporting each other and providing a little clarification where possible to the more mysterious parts of this grad application process. That being said, I got an message this morning asking me if I was admitted to a particular program because it was the only program the writer had applied for and they stated that they hoped to "influence the outcome any way I can." This is so unbelievably inappropriate. It makes me sad to think that members of this community are going around trying to talk others out of attending programs that they were admitted to in the hopes of clearing their own way. Deciding on a program is a hard and intimate decision, and nobody should be trying to influence each other in any direction, let alone out of a good placement. I am going to step back here, and won't be reading any new messages. Please everyone try to be good to each other, and supportive rather than covetous when it comes to others' admissions. I know we are all desperate for good news in a hard year, but just be kind.

Congrats!!!

Both after, last cycle and this cycle. Have to agree that doing the applications after fully completing the degree, with grades in place and connections built and established, and more refined thoughts on my research interests, was very helpful. I think it would have been too overwhelming applying during my MA, don't know how you all do it! it has been an extremely competitive year, I hope you apply again next year when it will (hopefully) be a bit better.

Sounds like we have similar backgrounds ❤️ I'm sorry it has been so rough on you, we definitely all need to be self-aware when it comes to our mental health and the toll that the cycle takes. Hope you're doing alright, and I'm sending you good vibes.

One of the best things I did this year was severely cut down the number of programs I applied to. I only applied to places that I thought were a truly perfect fit, and for which I could really effectively support that assertion. And applying to fewer places meant that I could dedicate my time to just those apps.

If it helps, I am three years out of my MA and this is my second cycle applying before getting in anywhere! I think that applying multiple cycles allows you to really refine your research ideas and thus your application. I did some things differently this year that I think really helped me to make a better impression! I fully understand how much it sucks to wait and apply again, but I think your Cambridge MPhil will make a difference, and you'll be able to apply everything you learned from this cycle!

I don’t think they’re doing one. Sounds like it might be some virtual programming instead.

History Department.

I received an unofficial admit email earlier in the week from my POI and an official one from the department chair Friday.

I was accepted and there is no change to my portal either, so I wouldn’t say that means anything.

I have no clue when decisions will go out! I'm just trying to be patient, hard as that is!

I don't think mine was really an interview, just kind of an informal chat with POI before I submitted my application, to make sure we had good communication, fit, etc. I think, like any other school, that they evaluate all parts of the application pretty holistically. It sounded like History of Science will maybe take 2-4 students this year, and it's likely to be on the lower end of that. What made you decide to only apply to Harvard?

Yeah I've had email and zoom contact with them, but it has been a while. They told me some time ago that their admissions were likely going to be cut by 50-75%, so it's a long shot for everyone I think. I don't have high hopes.