Duh_Divinity

Hey Dondi, I will be at Union too! We should meet up. Are you from the NY area? I am in Vermont. I am going to move to NY next month to get settled and everything.

I have decided on Union. Anyone else going there? Also, I decided against asking VU why I didn't get it. Union aligns more with my interests.

Anyone asked a school why they were rejected or how they could of improved their application? I want to, but not if people dont do this.

Thanks for the responses I was thinking about why and how I could have done better. I did get into other schools, but this one is what I would, and probably everyone else would, consider as easier to get into. I tailored my essays very distinctly to each school to align with them. This one especially. I'd just like to know if anyone has ever asked in the past and how that went.

As the application/admissions season comes to a close I have two questions 1. Can you ask a school why they rejected you? I got into two programs I thought I had >20% shot at, but one I thought was more like 50% rejected me. Why?? 2. Do I need to thank recommenders again? One retired this year so I never see them. Should I reach out? Let any and all recommenders know the results.

ok. You had posted that you had not received an invitation and never updated that you did, so I was confused. Congrats!

When were you interviewed? You received an invitation later than everyone else that got one?

I must be confused about Friendship House. Isn't the point to room with someone? Also, any housing options for cheap connected with VU for you and a partner that doesn't attend?

I agree with that it displays a lack of interest and that it won't matter that much. Also, I think like carmelears said it probably helps your application doesn't hurt. I can't even handle the hds, nd, and yds stress right now, hahahahahahahamwuahhaha. I'm losing it. I think yds always releases on the 15th, can anyone correct that? Speaking of nd anyone heard from them?

Back at it again...

I think the response was a form letter. I'm imagine dozens have asked. Overall, it reads as a form letter, but the line "for the next few weeks" is what really sounds generic. Few means three or more. We don't have 3 more weeks before march 15. Personally I am betting on them releasing decisions on the 11th or 14th, complete conjecture though. However, if my speculation is accurate that would mean 1 week for invitations and to complete the interview. You just can't expect people to be available on a whim for an interview. Other schools have offered two weeks for interviews. Anyone that has interviewed: did you see how far out the calendar went?

I checked the fafsa website to see if their is an efc like they have for undergrad but don't see that option this year. Did they take it away, is it not offered for grad programs, am I missing it? I know I won't get the max because I won't qualify, which for Duke is what I'd need, but I'd still like an estimate.

Where all have you heard from if you don't mind me asking? Where and why did you decline?

nope. Nor has anyone else I know that applied, including interviewees.

They don't, but they do have applicants submit the fafsa.

Where on the website does it say this? I missed that.

Everyone has offered to cover tuition- I have heard from 3. However, I really need the hybrid program. The other hybrid programs do not offer the best chance at getting into a good phd program, in my opinion and for my situation.

Did they say anything about additional financial aid?

I went back and reread my letter. My offer states it is for scholarship. It says nothing about financial aid to come or anything. But even if I get the max loan and grants, which I don't want to do any loans at all, I don't think I can cover tuition. I will probably just accept one of the other offers that cover tuition and offer a stipend.

I applied to Duke's hybrid/online program as opposed to their residential program. I know that their hybrid is more competitive. In an online session they said they only have 7 students in it out of over 100 applicants (I think they said like 170+ applicants, but really can't remember). I do recall thinking how I probably won't get in with those slim stats. Since the hybrid is more selective and people applying to it have limited options concerning similar hybrid options I am wondering if Duke holds back on scholarships and aid because they know how unique the option is. I mean if I go the hybrid route, Duke is the only option I am really interested in. Other schools just don't offer this option. Has anyone received financial aid information from Duke yet?

I went and checked last years admissions results page on TheGradCafe for hds. It looks like most were uploaded on March 10. I don't know how the interviews will impact this, if at all. It only goes back one year, and last year was unorthodox with COVID and everything. Just a thought that if they do decide to release on the 10th that is 9 days away. Last year the 10th was a Wednesday. Don't know why I think that it being a Wednesday is important, but alas. Also, no idea if they usually release on that day because I can't get thegradcafe admissions results to go back another year. I saw on a past forum where people have looked back at past years. I have attached the link. They are discussing results released in 2019. Synopsis: the earliest they had seen was march 12th ( 2021 they released on the 10th), and one person said the Monday or Tuesday with the 15th in it (again 2021 was released the week before the 15th). Since this is the first year they are doing interviews they could understandably extend their timeline.

I got in Duke too, the online program. Since it is the online program the lower funding they offered might make it worth it. Time will tell. Anyone know how you can get more funding from duke? Lol, do they offer appeals or anything?

Can you elaborate on what summer funding is? I just heard from Duke and got in. Much lower funding offer than the other schools I've heard from

According to the Phd thread on this site for Harvard CSR, decisions have been made, confirmed by a current student, but no one has received their decisions yet. I'm wondering if HDS for master's is a similar situation. Anyone know if masters and phd timelines and admissions structures at hds are similar enough for that to be the case?

I concur. I was also wondering if they would actually say they have completed all interviews. Maybe they are just saying they extended so people won't call and ask. Sorry to put my negative thoughts and nerves off on others.