CafeConGabi

I'm not in the biophysics or data science field but I want to offer some hope. I started off in the natural sciences (forestry major) right after high school but after 3 semesters I practically failed every course. By then I had a cumulative GPA of 1.909 I got kicked out twice at that point. So, I gave up on school/education all-together. I was going to move to Los Cabos San Lucas and live out the rest of my life. But, something in me was telling me that I wasn't done. Like, there was more that I was capable of but had no idea what it was. For the first time in my life I picked up a book just for fun. I was hooked on history. So, I allowed myself to soak up every book I could get. I decided to be a high school history teacher. So, I started form scratch. Remedial English, remedial math--basically at zero. One class turned into two, and then three. Then five and a half. I eventually finished my AA in Social Sciences with a 3.695 GPA. And decided to transfer to a UC, where I made the Dean's List and the Chancellor's list a handful of times. I graduated cum laude with a BA religious studies and a minor in history, and an academic excellence award in Religious Studies. In that last year, I found research and decided to become a researcher/professor. So, I did the little things to make that happen. I was also worried that I wouldn't get into grad school having been kicked out, but I still applied. Out of self-sabotage, I only applied to one. I was accepted in the Divinity School at Harvard (yes, Harvard-Harvard) on a fellowship. Everything was paid for. Now, two years after graduation (and lots of rejection letters), I finally got accepted into a doctoral program at UCLA (in the humanities). I'm so excited to continue my journey! All this to say yes. There is definitely hope. Even if nothing happens this round of applications there is still hope. I'm not sure who said it but luck is where preparation meets the moment of opportunity. I sure do wish you luck! : )

Well, I did reach out to a current student and the way she worded her answers gave me some insight. I ended up not applying to that school. Second, I went to a few open houses (via Zoom) before applying. I was split between Religious Studies and History. Noticed the answers by current grad students and realized I couldn't see myself in that department. Third, I read current student profiles. Chose to not apply to some schools based on this information. When I did my master's my cohort was 88 people and none of them focused on anything close to what I focused on. Thematically, yes, but that was about it. It was such a lonely time. Fourth, I talked to professors. I have some close professor mentors who have knowledge about different departments and people within them. Lastly, I contacted potential advisors. Some just said "sorry I'm not taking students. Good luck!" and felt like maybe that's not the kind of place I want to be in. So, I didn't apply to those programs.

I spoke to POIs before I applied but only one of them explicitly said he wanted to work with me. That school didn't do the (in)formal with me after applying. I just got accepted into the PhD program he's in. I applied to 7 other schools. 2 that didn't interview me and sent rejection letters the other day. 5 other schools i haven't heard from at all.

Thank you! I sure hope I see y'all at some conferences! : )

Thank you! I'm still waiting to hear from 5 more schools though I'm 99% sure I'll take this offer (waiting for financial package info to come in). I realized that I'd be happier with a supportive advisor than a school with a big name. The ultimate goal is to finish up the degree and continue my research. UCLA didn't interview me but I knew the professor wanted to work with me; it was just a matter of whether the rest of the faculty believed I was a good fit for their program. I spoke to the POI back in August/September and the vibe was good. He really sold the program. I was worried about the "Chicanx Studies" part of the program because I've done Religious Studies since my community college days (circa 2013). I mentioned these doubts and he reassured me that I would be fine if I got in. I checked their current grad students page yesterday and they already have 2 other Harvard Divinity School students! Hahaha! I'll be the third. I was bummed about the last cycle I applied to. I can see that if Harvard or Notre Dame took me in 2019 I'd be missing out on this amazing community of scholars. I hate sounding so cliche but it all fell into place, at the perfect time.

Just heard from two more places. Rejected from Notre Dame's history program. Not too surprised. Accepted to UCLA's Chicano Studies program (focus on Latinx religion)! Yay! I hope the funding is good. They're still working on that. Phew! One in the bag! ?

Update: Just heard back from UCSB's Chicano Studies (Latinx religions). It was a no-go. Not crazy hurt but maybe a little bit. Ahh! 7 more to go! >.<

I am not currently a PhD student. I applied to PhD programs this fall. Dr. Chang came in the year I left (2016) BUT I did hear him give a lecture at some point and thought he was great! I didn't interact with him too much (I was focused on other things) but he was always very helpful when I spoke to him. Very friendly. I was in a seminar with Dr. Lucia in 2015. She made me cry. ? But I think that's only because I was just getting my feet wet in the department/field of religious studies and would stumble with asking questions. I felt intimidated by her. She was also the advisor for the Religious Studies Undergrads. I was the president of the group so I spoke to her often. However, over time I realized how amazing she is as a scholar/researcher and now have a friendlier relationship with her. I definitely admire her.

I went to UCR for undergrad. Majored in Religious Studies. I LOVE their department. Super small but I LOVED it!!!

Same!! You too! Eek! SO exciting! : D

Oh how exciting! I applied to Notre Dame's history program: No email/no interview (yet?) And Yale's history program: No email/no interview (yet?) I did email my POI before applying but that was pretty much it.

Daaang. I feel that because I applied to programs kind of outside my field. I'm hopeful though. I still have hope for you. I know everything works out for the best. : )

Oh cool! How was your experience at the GTU? I was thinking about applying there but ultimately decided not to (not enough faculty in my area). I hear that. I applied to Notre Dame's Theology department in 2019 but didn't get in. I met with one of their professors there too but he didn't seem too excited about my project. I realized that my project and training wasn't in theology at all. I did my Master of Theological Studies at Harvard, but my work really was more of a historical project. Some theology but not a heavy emphasis. That helped to get through the rejection letter. I also applied to Harvard's Study of Religion in 2019 (and even talked to my letter recommender who was the Graduate Advisor at the time, and said he'd want to work with me) but didn't get in because my project wasn't clear enough at the time (my hypothesis). SUCH a different application then and now! And I didn't get an interview.

Awww. I sure hope you get some good news. Positive thinking? How many programs did you apply to?

Oh wow! Well, I sure hope you get into your program of choice! Especially if the faculty explicitly told you they want to work with you. Like, why would they not take you? I wouldn't be surprised if the number of applicants went up. I sure hope it all works out. That's so cool! Was that your first AAR?

I feel this. At this point not hearing anything from any of the eight programs I applied to is driving me crazy. I'm doing my best to "live life" (ha!) but I check the email, this place, and each application status on a daily basis. I did reach out to friends on Facebook and one of them shared that they didn't get an interview until February. So maybe there's still hope? And some folks didn't even get an interview but did get into the program because they knew a professor/audited a course/visited campus. Of course, that's all pre-COVID. Also, how was the AAR-SBL in 2019? I Didn't go. I wanted to but didn't make it (and I live in San Diego hahaha).

Whaaaaaat???? UNC did interviews???????? *internally dies* No?! In all honesty, I haven't heard from any of the schools. I reached out to my Letter Recommender (2 weeks ago?), in the Latinx Religion field, and she said interviews are not likely... Possible but not likely. Wow. Well, I guess now I have time to reconsider my life path ?. OMG. How was that interview at UTA? Had you contacted them before you applied? I hope you get into your programs! Eek!

Ha! Guess i'll share. I applied to Religious Studies (at UNC Chapel HIll and Univ. of Denver), History (at UT Austin, Yale, and UIC), and Chicano Studies (at UCLA and UCSB). I made sure to contact my POI via email before applying. My stats are pretty average. I have some research experience, and a master's in theological studies. Ahhhh! And now i have to wait. >.<

Way cool, TheWiggins! I was looking at Columbia too! I was bummed they didn't take applications this year. : / Grr. They wait! >.<

Wow, Tyler! That's so cool! Were you interviewed by your POI? I was totally going to apply to UTA's doctoral program in Religious Studies but decided to apply to the history dept instead.