Maguire

I think it’s probably an authentic result but am surprised there is just one so far as usually you would see more than one, but then this cycle is super weird so who knows ??‍♀️

can anyone confirm that Princeton acceptances have already gone out?

I do know that Princeton trimmed its cohort size a little, but not like other schools (I think down to about 20 from about about 25, but don't quote me on that).

I spoke with my POI over the weekend and seems like they're not that close to announcing decisions yet and also that this year's cohort will be quite reduced. Hoping for a more "normal" admissions cycle/cohort next year. 

Sorry about the extremely tough cycle. The GRE is so intensely meaningless when it comes to hist application that when depts keep it I assume it has to do solely with the university. If it's optional and you can avoid it, then avoid it -- it's a waste of time and money and says nothing about your abilities as a historian. 

Yeah, I’m pretty bummed too. I really find it disappointing how long we have to wait for some official rejections. Berkeley was very good in terms of getting decisions out in a short window. I’m also wishing places had advertised in advance how small their cohort was going to be, similar to the notes provided on the Wisconsin and Berkeley websites. I really wish now I hadn’t applied to so many places as it was really expensive and it looks like none of the PhDs are going to come to fruition. Already planning where I’ll apply for the 2022 cycle. 

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.

Hi friends. I've been lurking a while and resisting making an account, lest it becomes pointless after my full slate of rejections. But here I am. I thought I'd let everyone know that I discovered *some* information re: Harvard & Yale admissions by reaching out as politely as possible to the department coordinators:
Yale - "Admissions decisions will be sent by late February."
Harvard - "All results will be posted by the end of the day next Tuesday, 2/16."
So at least Harvard gave a hard deadline. I am very certainly rejected from both. At this point I'd like to 1) move on and 2) make contact with POIs who I had positive engagement with in the fall to thank them and perhaps fish for some feedback. 
I've applied to 10 PhD programs - 4 rejections, 4 more surely coming (Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Chicago) and 2 pending that I'm not feeling so confident about either. I am a history/poli sci BA, no MA. 5 years out of school with great work experience and relevant to the field. I am, like many of you, the kind of student that my advisors thought was a very strong candidate for top tier programs. I think that's still true but it's also not enough, even in a good year. And COVID has really made this brutal. This is my first application cycle and I know that the pandemic has made it extra competitive. It remains to be seen whether I'll get after it again. I'd like to, but as I approach 30 I will need to be realistic about my time and resources in the long term. I can't afford to pay for an MA in history. So, not sure what my next steps will be. Wishing you all the best. At least we're in this rough cycle with good company!

I definitely understand what you are saying and appreciate it. I will be reapplying this next cycle but that would be it for me I’m pretty sure, and although I really have appreciated the support on here this year I think I may try to stay off here next winter when decisions come out so I’m not overly distracted during my MPhil (and so I don’t get overly anxious!) Ultimately the decisions will come when they come and I’ll just keep abreast of my inbox. 

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.

Has anyone been able to find out how many applications all of these top schools (especially Northwestern, UW-Madison, Harvard, Princeton, UVA) received this year? I am very curious about what the total numbers look like this year. I also wonder if waitlists look different--it seems there haven't been as many waitlist offers extended this year (haven't seen any for Northwestern yet?) and I wonder if departments are just going to go with whoever accepts their initial offers. Wishing you all the best--it's not over until it's over, but man, this cycle is tough!

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.

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 ? If anyone has any tips for how to contact POIs at places I’d like to reapply to again next year, I’d be grateful. I think most likely I’ll start getting in touch with past and new POIs from March onwards and try to keep in touch over the Summer/next Fall.

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! 

Thanks for this - I’m fairly sure I’ll have to go through another cycle to get accepted but c’est la vie! 

Two rejections in one day... (and possibly more to come) have officially given up hope for this cycle! And now am even starting to feel pessimistic about my chances for the next cycle despite the fact I’ll be working on my masters... ?

Just popping in to note that there is not a connection between the Princeton history and art history departments, so the decision time of one is not related to the other. (I'm sorry I have no other insight into when Princeton's decisions will be out!)

I'm sorry, I know this is such a demoralizing and difficult period. Just remember it only takes one good fit, there are more to come, and there is completely no reason to rule out anything next year. Don't give up hope--you seem passionate and enthusiastic, and things will work out one way or another. I'll have my fingers crossed for you.

Two rejections in one day... (and possibly more to come) have officially given up hope for this cycle! And now am even starting to feel pessimistic about my chances for the next cycle despite the fact I’ll be working on my masters... ?

Congrats to everyone who has received good news so far!
I have to admit, I'm losing hope on my chances of getting any acceptances. If that's the case I'll certainly be bummed, but I'm just trying to be realistic given how difficult this cycle is.
Assuming that's the case, I definitely want to reapply next cycle and figured there must be at least a few people who might be feeling similarly. 
Not sure if this is really the place for starting to talk about advice etc. for potentially reapplying, but figured since so many people are active on this thread I'd start it here. The amount of support and solidarity on this thread has been so amazing this cycle, would hate for it to fizzle out after this round is over!
 

Agreed - it’d be great if places could send out decisions over a shorter time period rather than making those not accepted wait for over a week or more to know the official decisions. 

Yeah, I’m pretty bummed too. I really find it disappointing how long we have to wait for some official rejections. Berkeley was very good in terms of getting decisions out in a short window. I’m also wishing places had advertised in advance how small their cohort was going to be, similar to the notes provided on the Wisconsin and Berkeley websites. I really wish now I hadn’t applied to so many places as it was really expensive and it looks like none of the PhDs are going to come to fruition. Already planning where I’ll apply for the 2022 cycle. 

Hi guys - congrats everyone to have already received a place. I am a UK MSc Student at Durham University, and as you guys seem much more versed with US PhD applications I was wondering if I could ask you some questions?
- I am looking at applying to a few US Masters degrees incase I get rejected from all my choices (Yale, Princeton (rejected), Chicago, Berkeley, Cornell, Georgetown, MIT). Are there any rules about which ones to apply to? If they are terminal does that mean I can still apply to a PhD programme afterwards?
- What is the funding like for these US masters? 
- Will it be looked at a weakness when/if I reply next cycle?
Thanks and good luck everyone!

Yeah, I’m pretty bummed too. I really find it disappointing how long we have to wait for some official rejections. Berkeley was very good in terms of getting decisions out in a short window. I’m also wishing places had advertised in advance how small their cohort was going to be, similar to the notes provided on the Wisconsin and Berkeley websites. I really wish now I hadn’t applied to so many places as it was really expensive and it looks like none of the PhDs are going to come to fruition. Already planning where I’ll apply for the 2022 cycle. 

Feel like Princeton will probably be this week - historically it’s always been second week of Feb and their own website says mid-February for decisions, so Thurs or Fri would be a good guess?