eleatics

Not particularly philosophy-related but posting this here anyway since I'm wrapping up my applications for graduate programs in philosophy within the next few weeks, but damn. This process really is such a crapshoot. It seems like everyone has a 4.0 GPA, stellar letters of recommendation from well-known professors in their fields, flawless writing samples, etc etc., and I feel like my application is decent but nothing exceptional. I have genuinely no idea what's going to happen come February-April. It's going to be terribly embarrassing if I get shut out this cycle and have to explain to friends and family that none of the 20+ PhD programs I applied to this fall decided to accept my application. Just needed to vent. Best of luck to everyone submitting applications this cycle!

Hey! This might also be useful: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13LIpf9vUTi6rDvQ1IDrS7EGKkdO5NxdZh5GPdVOt4M4/edit#gid=0

Hi @eleatics!

I, too, am remaining cautiously optimistic (albeit being patient is not my strong suit), and I figured that, at the very least, programs would have to admit fewer students this cycle. I've definitely added more funded MA programs to my list, but, unfortunately, it seems like there are less continental MA programs with funding than analytic, and I come from a continental background and have primarily continental interests.

I'm going to be meeting with one of my professors from undergrad on Sunday, and he knows some higher-ups at Emory, Penn State, and DePaul (and likely more, these are just the ones I know for sure), so I'll ask if he's heard anything about those programs and let y'all know if he tells me any juicy deets. 

Thanks for all your advice @eleatics--I'm set on going to grad school, so I'll still be applying to programs this year, and I sincerely hope I get in somewhere. Like you said, I think it is only going to get worse from this point on vis-a-vis competition and funding. Good luck to you as well and stay safe! 

Hey! I'm also applying to programs this cycle and totally feel your pain. To my knowledge, departments are still in the process of meeting to discuss future funding for graduate students this month, so we'll know more in the upcoming weeks. For now, I would only suggest being patient and continuing to work on your applications. If it helps, I'm remaining cautiously optimistic that these programs (UChicago, Rice, etc.) will remain outliers -- I have heard on good authority that many top programs will continue to accept applications this year albeit it is highly likely they will be accepting smaller cohorts this year than they have in the past. 
Some good advice I have heard from other folks who plan to apply this year is to consider adding some more funded MAs to your list. From a discord channel for folks who are also applying to philosophy programs this year: "For what it's worth, I think it is unlikely that funded MA programs will be pausing admissions, particularly those that are at big, public research universities. This is because budgets at these institutions are typically set in the first quarter of the fiscal year after departments have already taken applications. So, in a sense, these places are fairly secure, but will have to worry about funding NEXT year. Notice that all of the programs (to my knowledge) that have announced a pause in admissions are affiliated with high-ranking, private institutions with very large endowments. Funding is likely not as tight at these places as the situation would seem to indicate, but they are choosing to prioritize continuing PhDs who will be graduating into a completely frozen job market."
Re: waiting to apply later -- if you're set on going to graduate school, I would personally advise against waiting until next year to apply.  The competition is only going to steadily increase over the coming years, and your chances of getting into a funded program will start to decrease as higher education begins to experience the long-term financial impact of COVID-19. 
Breathe. Have some solid back-up plans. It will all work out. Best of luck!

Hey! This might also be useful: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13LIpf9vUTi6rDvQ1IDrS7EGKkdO5NxdZh5GPdVOt4M4/edit#gid=0

yes! i've been following that via reddit