aco2
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Posts
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Posts posted by aco2
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On 1/4/2022 at 3:52 AM, scarletwitch said:
Does anyone know if we should be expecting to hear from Chicago re interviews? I saw one person post on the results page asking about interviews but I do not know whether it means they themselves have an interview? Thanks
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.
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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.
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1 hour ago, boydivision said:
As an update, received an email offering admission about an hour after this post! My only acceptance so far and a great academic fit, so I'm feeling great.
Congrats!!!
- boydivision and HRL
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40 minutes ago, HRL said:
Ah, one more question for you - did you apply twice after getting the MA? Or once before having an MA/being in an MA program and once after?
Both after, last cycle and this cycle.
20 minutes ago, brownrose95 said:Not pointed at me, but as someone with 2 MSc's I may be able to offer insight.
I enrolled into my MSc at LSE (History) with the idea that a strong BA, an MSc (Political Science) from a top Dutch university, and greatt projected grades would be enough to bag at least one PhD spot. I ended up applying to 4 US colleges while undertaking my MSc. I was naive. When I did not get in, I was disappointed but not too surprised and focused on finishing my Msc degree in History (which I thought was the missing piece).
This application cycle, I was much more prepared: two Masters under my belt, reached out to all relevant POIs, a distinction (gpa 4.0), and a prize while having worked closely with one of my LSE professors in polishing my research project ,and getting great letters of recommendation (don't want to namedrop but a top Economic Historian wrote a fantastic letter for me).
Still no chance. I will chalk this one up to COVID messing a lot of funding up, and it thus becoming a very competitive year. Nonetheless, in my experience, though unsuccessful, applying when I was done with my MSc degree, having all my grades, connections, and having the time to properly think about proposed research, felt much better.
Disclaimer: I was lucky enough to do parttime work which allowed me to pay my bills and basically work fulltime on my application for a couple of months.
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.
- Maguire, brownrose95 and mercuetio
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9 minutes ago, brownrose95 said:
Second cycle applications definitely aid in refining research questions and polishing everything. At the same time though, the waiting, the rejections and mustering up the energy again and again to apply take their toll.
I have 2 master's degrees, one of them being a distinction in MSc International History from LSE where I won the prize for best dissertation in all MSc courses and I still have been rejected from all US universities I applied to. It is really tough out there at the moment and the lack of feedback is infuriating (yet understandable). Herein I realise, I need to look after my mental health first and foremost, which most likely means not going through a third application cycle and resigning to the fact a PhD just isn't for me. It's tough to accept, but at some point one needs to cut their losses and move forward rather than being stuck in a loop of reaching out to POIs, applying, waiting and getting rejected.
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.
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5 minutes ago, scarletwitch said:
Yes, for sure. I’m definitely going to concentrate it more in this next cycle and really give it a lot of thought over the Spring/Summer, then plan on applying in September before the MPhil starts in early October. Going to consult with some friends at my current university as well who are currently in the PhD program at my institute ?
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.
- generalstrike, CafeConGabi, Maguire and 3 others
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2 minutes ago, scarletwitch said:
Thanks for this - I’m fairly sure I’ll have to go through another cycle to get accepted but c’est la vie!
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!
- Maguire, TagRendar, CafeConGabi and 2 others
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4 minutes ago, TagRendar said:
Out of curiosity (I'm assuming at this point that I am neither waitlisted nor accepted to the program at U Chicago so this really doesn't affect my life beyond wanting to know), did your contact mention an official History Day visit date? I'm just curious about whether or not they're going to attempt one this year given the pandemic and the restrictions that the city has been placing and lifting with regard to visitors to the city from certain areas.
I don’t think they’re doing one. Sounds like it might be some virtual programming instead.
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5 minutes ago, baseballboy said:
Thanks for the heads up. Was this from the history department or an independent HOS program?
History Department.
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12 minutes ago, RMR31 said:
Also curious whether the Chicago admits who were notified of acceptance by their POIs earlier last week received a more official notice from the department on Friday. From the results page, it looked like the waitlist notifications were semi-official emails from the department that went out all at once. I would have expected the department to give all the admitted applicants notice at the same time. If they did, then it's clearly all over. But if not, there may still be hope that certain POIs are just jumping the gun (as the post from the Chicago undergrad on Friday suggested).
I received an unofficial admit email earlier in the week from my POI and an official one from the department chair Friday.
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1 hour ago, TagRendar said:
I mean, when I checked the application portal a bit earlier this evening, there was no change, and considering how every other school seems to handle this, it's weird that there wouldn't be some kind of notification on the portal, too.
I was accepted and there is no change to my portal either, so I wouldn’t say that means anything.
- TagRendar, HRL and CafeConGabi
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Just now, setori said:
Because of a few prof. If they take just 2-4 students then it's unlikely that I will get in. Btw when will they send the offer/ rejection letters? Did you submit GRE scores?
I have no clue when decisions will go out! I'm just trying to be patient, hard as that is!
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9 minutes ago, setori said:
Oh my god. I only applied to Harvard. But I didn't have zoom interview. So what's their major evaluative criteria?
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?
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Just now, setori said:
Did you contact POI beforehand? When's the last time you mailed or interacted with him/her?
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.
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4 minutes ago, HRL said:
Ah that's awesome! Congratulations!!
It sounds like your POI said the other offers will be going out really soon, possibly even tomorrow?
Thanks! I got the impression that I could expect my official offer and funding info possibly that soon, but I don't know if that's true for all admitted students, or if they're doing it person by person? That said, I do think the adcomm has made their decisions, so hopefully it will be sooner than later!
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2 minutes ago, HRL said:
Just seeing a second person admitted to UChicago today. Is that person on this thread by chance? Would be really curious to know which field.
That's me! Just heard back! Roughly, I am history of science/ medicine and dealing with reception of classical medical ideas in the early modern period.
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1 minute ago, clinical.psych said:
So I shouldn't do it then? I'm getting a mixed feeling between not asking them at all or just waiting a few weeks/month before asking them. I totally understand your answers and I am not trying to dismiss them - just want to make sure I am comprehending right so I don't mess up. Thanks!
I wouldn't. Just wait it out, and you'll get off the waitlist or you won't. It sucks, but you can at least bask in the joy of making it onto the waitlist to begin with! That is an accomplishment, especially this season!
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6 hours ago, clinical.psych said:
Hi everyone!
So I recently got waitlisted at my top choice university. Although it is great that I was waitlisted, I am gutted that I was not the first pick. I wanted to ask a question if it is ethical to reach out to the other interviewees, ask if they got the offer, and how likely they are to take that offer? Or would that be inappropriate?
Any input would be helpful as I deal with the pain of being waitlisted. I am fairly certain that I will not get off this waitlist in the upcoming months.
I kind of think this is inappropriate. People are just starting to get very early decisions back, and there are a lot of personal and important decisions to be made. The last thing anyone needs is a stranger on the internet (consciously or not) adding pressure to that process. Give it a few weeks and let people figure things out. Some waitlist spots will inevitably open up somewhere and we just have to wait it out.
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48 minutes ago, AP said:
Unless there is a clear policy written somewhere, I'd refrain from thinking like this. I've received some applications and will be contacting people, but I don't think some of my colleagues with more applicants will do the same. In other words, unless there is a departmental policy, assume you are in the run until they tell you you are not (or other evidence becomes available).
You will be in this type of situation from now on every time you apply for something (there is an entire wikia for jobs).
Very sound advice, thanks!
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13 minutes ago, HRL said:
@aco2 I wasn't one of the two folks who originally posted a UChicago interview but got word yesterday evening from a POI at Chicago that he'd like to chat. He said it would help him better support my application if he's met me. (We had had one email exchange before I submitted my application, but never ended up actually setting up a time to speak.)
For reference, I'm an Americanist. What about you?
Okay interesting, that's helpful! So those of us who haven't heard anything but talked at greater lengths with our POI previously are probably still in the running. What a relief!
I'm history of science/ medicine, with focus on reception of classical medical ideas in later periods. Who is your POI?
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Just now, PhilgoreTrout said:
I received my official offer letter from the PAO on November 23rd and was notified of college acceptance November 30th.
What college were you accepted to? I've been accepted at Downing!
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Hey all, just wondering if anyone is applying to Cambridge for Fall 2021, and if so, are you applying for Gates Cambridge funding? The deadline just passed, and I think it's one of the earliest, so I just thought I would see if anyone else is in the same boat!
2022 Application Thread
in History
Posted
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!