I'm finishing out my second year of apps with nothing but a waitlist to show for it, and I have become exasperated. Granted, I don't have an MA, and I turned down an offer for an MA program last year and applied to 9 PhD programs this year. Dumb move, it seems like now, but like lots of others, I was following the advice of professors I trusted. They encouraged me to apply at large, well-known state universities, as well as shooting for the stars and going for a couple Ivies. I think it's true that things have changed so much since they've applied that their expectations are now outdated and unrealistic. So I took this position teaching through Americorps specifically because it's a year-long program and I was convinced I'd be accepted and starting a program this fall. Now there's a good chance I'm (excuse me) totally fucked.
Anyway, I'm grasping for something constructive here, and I think everything you guys are saying is spot-on. Unless I get this acceptance I'm hoping for, I'll begin the whole stupid process over again only with way, way different schools. I know they're out there -- great programs that we're all missing but that would be perfect for us -- and I guess it's just a matter of finding them. And, of course, spending all that money their application fees. Ugh. I'm off to class to try and shake this off. Good luck Myshkin, and to everybody else as well.