PHILOKEV

In my case, I learned much later that the weight of one of my recommenders was the difference in my acceptance into the department. The submission of your best writing sample, along with the reputation of your recommender is going to be an important detail. I do not believe that the move to online distance platform is going to impact you, particularly given the fact of the pandemic and how most, if not all, of the class of 2022 are going to be in the same boat. I wouldn't worry about that. It is probably baked into the application considerations for that year. However, I would get a jump on contacting your anticipated recommenders. If they are rather shifty, you may want to make sure that you have them in the bag, so to speak. Also, when you do apply, do not make the mistake of applying to every T30 school that you can. Makes sure that you have safety schools, those schools that are ranked lower. We all appraise ourselves very high. But that limit situation is lurking. Unless, of course, you will only accept offers from a T30 university, or if you do have the known pedigree, gpa, and GRE scores to get you in. In that case, I say do what you know you can do. But I digress. Perhaps you can share your interests with your prospective recommenders and get their feedback. It may be helpful to find out if your recommenders have good relations with certain faculty or departments at other institutions. Find out about these institutions and go from there. I just got lucky last year and applied to a university where one of my recommenders is worshipped. Of course, I did have an awesome writing sample by that time as well. I believe - again, in my case - that it was a confluence of those two things. Good luck to you! ?

Congratulations. This is a great university! Go celebrate yourself. ? ✨?

Right? It is almost as if these scorned applicants are stepping all over each other to demonstrate that they are, in fact, NOT PhD material. Way to go! In our cognitive discomfort, let us go ahead and validate the suspicions of the institutions that have shut us out. Nice!

The last four #s of the SSN are present on many transcripts. UC Davis requires applicants to remove or sharpie-out these numbers. The application goes in the trash if you don't. Otherwise, I have no idea how SSN would be a part of the application.

I can really only speculate. I suspect that this delay may [note: MAY !!!] be a result of the departments in these universities having to wait for information on the funding and number of spots they can offer this year. In fact, a couple of universities accepted applications, but then sent out letter expressing that they cannot admit any PhD students this cycle. Humanities departments are really being squeezed lately. Yes, it seems wrong for them to have even accepted applications and the associated fees under such conditions. But what else would one expect unless it is the case that the department itself was waiting to hear back about funding and placement #s? Still, it is amazing that you still have 9 applications out there with just three weeks to go. I am no rocket surgeon, but probabilistically speaking, I'd say that you are certainly on some waitlists and have very good odds. I was on only 1 waitlist last year. If I were on 9, I would have felt pretty optimistic. It looks like you are going to have some eventful days within the next few weeks. Best of luck to you!

If you still have a few applications out there on waitlists, or even hidden waitlists, do not despair just yet. I put in 8 applications last year, and believe it or not, #8 was the one that bit - and way out in late April, too! However, if you do get shut out, I would advise that you try again next year, but this time, match each T25 application with a safety school. You suggest that you wish to make a career of this; well, you are improving your chances by adding safety schools into the mix. My advice is purely speculative, however. Perhaps you are well suited for a T25 program and this year's uniquely high volume and limited number of spots are to blame for the results you have experienced thus far. Nonetheless, even if this were the case, many T26-100 schools would bend over backwards to have you. Don't give up! Best of luck!

I would second much of what @Absurd'sTheWord stated. I think an interdisciplinary or humanities track may be conducive to your interests. I would just add that you may want to take an account of all Jesuit universities that offer a PhD in philosophy; not all do. Continental philosophy is still very much relevant in the Jesuit universities, although many of the faculty will require that you write in analytic form according to the background and desires of the professor. I am discovering this in the current semester [my Kierkegaardian style is not doing it for one of my professors...but I digress]. A few of my fellow PhD students entered the program with undergrad or grad degrees in other fields, the most common being theology. So, according to your interests and background, the Jesuit institutions [there are several in the US] may be interested in having you. Nonetheless, you will want to think long and hard about what you are trying to do after earning your degree. The Continental credentials may not serve you well in the academic job market here in the US. In addition, few Jesuit universities are ranked very high. These are just a few considerations. Best of luck!

Strange that it is taking them so long this year. Last year all first round offers went out on Feb 5th, just 4 days after the application deadline. If my experience from 2020 is conveyable, you may have good chance to get an offer. I will be sending good wishes on your behalf to the spirit-saints of good fortune. Best wishes!

I once had an ethics professor who admitted that when she was doing her PhD at SUNY, a large number among her cohort, including herself, tanked the Logic exam. I believe she said that the Logic professor had to create an ad hoc scale to grade based on this poor outcome. My point is simply this; non-math minds struggle in Logic. In fact, I pulled As in most every course, excepting Logic. I agree with @ShadyCarnot that the fact that you moved from a C to an A, demonstrates a movement from cursory to mastery of the subject. I do not see this initial grade hurting you; unless, of course, you are pursuing a concentration in Logic. Even in that case, there is usually an abrogating effect given the subsequent A that you earned on your second go. Best regards.

Well @A_bad_philosopher, I am at the competing university in Milwaukee, but live just walking distance to UWM. So, if you get in off of the waitlist and decide to attend, PM me and we can connect. ?

Congratulations to the unicorn who received acceptance into University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's PhD in philosophy program, a graduating class of just 1 and growing !!! [see results page]

I probably could never get into a T10 university, in all honesty. Not because I am incompetent, but for the fact that one of the most reliable determinates for admission into a top university is pedigree, and as far as that goes, I have none. My initial plan was to earn an AA in business and leave higher education behind. So, naturally, I hastily signed onto a diploma mill and only later realized that the research, rather than the padding of a resume, was my true calling in life. So, my path to a top-30 program was completely severed on the basis of my undergrad pedigree. I assume that you do have the pedigree. However, this cycle cannot not be called normal by any stretch of the imagination. The 2021 application year realized record applications for fewer spots. So, the fact that you are currently 0 for 8 with 6 pending does not reflect on your talent or potential. It bears on your luck, given the downturn in probability. Not that you ought to be receiving this advice given what I have communicated of my own choices; but if you were to indulge me, I would suggest one of two things: 1) You could wait and see if you get in off of a waitlist this year (if you still have 6 out there, I would say that you may be under consideration. And I suggest from the experience I had last year, accepted off of a waitlist on April 20th after 0 for 7 with 1 pending). Then, assuming you do not get an offer, you could simply reapply 2022, 2023 et al at T10 universities until you get in. 2) Or just hedge the probability of getting in somewhere by matching each application to a T10 (R1?) school, with a corresponding application to a safety school (R2). Think of the sunk cost fallacy. If you want to keep sinking money into the same premium stocks each year without diversifying, you are going to find yourself penniless in no time. Diversifying may mean studying the movements of universities that both fit your interests, and are moving from T-40ish to within the T-10-30 range; and, in fact, this is to include safety schools that would clamor to take you. Of course, if you are looking for a PhD path into an eventual professorship at Harvard or Princeton, you will either have to relax this standard, or if you are unwilling to do so, continue to only apply to these top programs - year after year ad infinitum. I accepted an offer last year from an R2 university. My situation is my own, so I cannot judge you or your long-term plans. But I have found that these artificial evaluative processes are not always tractable to talent, potential, or even ultimate success. You surely can get into a program. But you should not perhaps allow the perfect to become the enemy of the pretty good; at least, not if you truly wish to do philosophy and shoulder the responsibility of making your own luck, once the power of pedigree comes up against its own limits.

You came off neither as insensitive, nor as a show off. You are among friends here. everyone here is experiencing the very same vagaries of the graduate school application process [which, much like capitalism, remains skewed in favor of the best off]. The only problem with your post is the fact that anyone attempting to offer some tacit guidance is essentially doing so from an external position of limited information. I am not sure what is going on with this absentee professor, but in terms of taking the offer from the university with uncertain funding potential, this is going to depend on the feasibility of completing scholarly level work while, at the same time, working to pay your own way. I was able to work 2-3 jobs while completing 4 undergraduate degrees and a masters. But then again, certain professors will accept work that is done on little sleep, whereas, in such a case, the best content is the grammatically correct spelling of one's own name top-left. However, I have found that PhD level writing is scrutinized well above the undergraduate level, and so to be well rested and clear headed is essential to performance. If you do choose to pursue this offer that you have without funding, you should lower your expectations of the quality of your work in anticipation of a drop in your GPA - at least in your first semester. That's okay. My GPA has dropped a bit. But just be aware that until you find a source of funding, you will not be freed up to do your best writing. You state that you have labored and toiled in remedial work to get yourself through university, and this is admirable. Surely you demonstrate that you possess the work ethic to push through and meet your goals. Nonetheless, I began my first semester as a PhD student in philosophy with a 10-20 hr part-time job to supplement the RA stipend, and I found that for me it was too much to handle. So, I would advise that you honestly ask yourself if you are ready to be resourceful and hard working in order to make this work. I have never heard anyone, here or elsewhere, advise a PhD applicant to accept an unfunded offer. I would not go so far; I would not apply such an absolute rule of sorts. But you may, again, want to run a feasibility test on the entire situation [do I have love money or angel investors? what are the chances of funding in subsequent semesters (scholarships, grants et al)? what is the cost of living and employment wage in the city of this university? employment rate? employment opportunities at the Univ? and so on]. Congratulations on this offer. Regardless of the details, this has been a brutal application season and all-in-all, you have done very well so far as I can see. I am hopeful that you find your way off one of those waiting lists and into a program that answers this funding problem. Best regards.

From what I can infer, your two "top-choice programs" are not necessarily your "favorite program," but you have been accepted into you "favorite program" without guaranteed funding, while you have not yet been shut out of your two "top-choice programs," but rather, waitlisted at one and left to speculate on your position relative the other (which, I would suspect means that you are perhaps waitlisted at both). Does this invite elaboration, or do I have this right?

If you still have one out there, do not despair quite yet. I got the call April 20th 2020 [not from UCSD though], having been on the waitlist for some time. Be cautiously optimistic if at all possible.

I had something similar last year, 0 for 7 out of 8. The very last one bit. Do not despair. Hitting on that last #8 certainly gave me direction...LOL. You have hope and cause for optimism here. ?

Perhaps the prospective applicants who gain admission at the very least have a self-awareness to understand within themselves the onset of cognitive discomfort relevant the injury of rejection. This self-awareness defines the philosopher. There is nothing wrong with being the second, third, or fourth to be offered the part in this film, so just chill a bit. Stymie the cognitive spectacle and stay hopeful.

@millionrubios Unless there is something I am missing, you do not have to disclose anything about your applications with other departments. An offer needn't be contingent on whether you are desired by other departments - waitlisted, rejected, pursued et al. You are being evaluated solely on the reception of your application at that particular institution. In terms of disclosure, I would bear on the side of "less is more." But @MtnDuck has picked up on something that I omitted, namely that you have until April 15th. My experience began around that date [April 15th], and so my advice only really applies to anyone who may be offered admission after that date. Thanks for catching that, @MtnDuck.

Greetings @millionrubios. I would not worry too much about what you have already disclosed to this department. First, congratulations on your admission! Just remember that you are one among probably 4-6 out of hundreds who were offered a spot. This should be for you both validating and humbling, concomitantly. Second, I was admitted into a Philo PhD program a year ago and experienced the same line of questioning during the admissions phone call. My response was a bit of a bluff to be honest [to be honest about being dishonest...]. I said that I was waitlisted in a few departments and had yet to hear from a few more. The truth is that I was at that time on just one waitlist, and I believe I perhaps had just one university to hear back from. Regardless of this white lie, departments usually give the admitted student a specific amount of time to mull the decision over. For me, it was two weeks; I took just one day. If you do not know how much time this department will afford you to make a decision, you need to email or call the person who contacted you and make sure that you know precisely how much time you can take. Obviously, if you know for sure you will not be accepting the offer, decline asap. But do not assume anything. If I were in the position of having a few applications for top-tier schools out there in the mix while being admitted to a middle tier university that is demanding I make a decision within a two-week period of time, for example, I would personally take the full two weeks and hope that the better schools exclude or accept me within that time frame. If, however, I had not heard back from those top schools, perhaps I would get in contact with them just to inquire about my status. If I then find that I am on a waitlist for two or three really good schools, I would try to learn where I am on those waitlists [high or low or not sure], and then consider accepting the current offer at the lower-tier university as a hedge. Remember, this is a one time shot; and although some feel it is a violation of common decorum to arbitrage like this, if you were to accept one week and politely ask to recant your acceptance the next week, most every department would certainly grant you this consideration and just move on down the list of applicants. Anyhow, this is just my advice on the matter. Best regards, ~ PhiloKev

@JesusFdz I hold an AS in Busn Mgmt from a brick-n-mortar school, three [3] BAs in Busn Admin, Philosophy, and Religion respectively from a FULLY online school, one [1] MA in Philosophy from a state university, and it appears I am on the verge of beginning a PhD w/funding from a well known Jesuit university. I believe @Duns Eith has done a superb job of laying it out for you so that you can see the scope of what's ahead of you if you decide to move forward. It is unlikely the landscape for humanities pedagogy is going to become reinvigorated within the next decade, particularly in light of the poor fiscal state of the departments that I envisage as a result of the global pandemic. But if you will be content with scraping out a living with adjunct work, or even entering an entirely different field upon completion of your graduates degree and perhaps supplementing the income with adjunct work, then indeed, proceed. Like you, I was looking to Scotland for university. If you suspect that you'd do well through distance education as I have, then by all means go for it. Few are able to self motivate in the way necessary for success and as the distance platform requires. The perfect candidate for Edinburgh's program would be someone who does not require firm deadlines or someone who requires little hand-holding to complete course requirements. If you go this route because you are suited in this way, well, good for you. Heck...if you do well and decide to do a Doctorate, the University of Aberdeen has an online option for the PhD in Philosophy! It's not for everyone, but then again, neither is analytic reflection on the scale of the trained philosopher. As a caveat, I will concede that the in-person traditional university experience will always be preferable. I've had much of both. Best of luck!

Never mind. I accepted an offer from Marquette with funding and tuition waiver on the same day it was received - April 20, 2020. Thank you. I guess that clears it up on my end.

Has anyone heard from Marquette? Of the 8 schools I've applied to, they have been the least transparent/most mysterious. Following the application deadline of Feb. 1, there was a string of acceptances on Feb 5 but then virtual silence ever since. I suspect they are in panic mode with this move to online format. [I know what you will suggest: "just call or email the DGS"...I've already been there, done that] What say you; what's the word?