stressed_applicant

Is it a bad idea to email to ask about the status of my application? I saw a couple rejections go up on March 9th and March 14th, but I haven't seen any waitlists or acceptances and I personally haven't heard anything yet. It's a small program (someone who was rejected said the DGS emailed them personally with feedback and said they only accept 2 students per year) so it's possible those who were accepted just didn't post their acceptances. I'm assuming that acceptances are always sent before rejections, but I'm thinking I am maybe on a waitlist or something. This is the last application I'm waiting on and it's my top choice. I also need to know so that I can decide on my other offers as those decisions are due in the next 2 weeks. I've heard mixed things about emailing to ask about the status and I don't want it to hurt my application, but it's almost the end of March.

Got an offer letter from IU this morning- I'm so relieved! Still waiting to hear back from 6 more schools now, but happy to have something secured. I think this last week was the most stressful week I've had since undergrad applications.

Thanks!! Yeah, I am trying to stay positive and keeping in mind that I still have a little over twice as many places to hear back from as I have received rejections for. Mostly the fact I haven't heard anything or received any interview invites for the places I haven't heard from yet is what's killing me... I hope you hear back soon as well with some good news!

Sure! I also applied to Brown's Modern Culture and Media Program. I applied to UChicago's Cinema and Media Studies program and was deferred to their MAPH program, which I can't afford, but it gives me some hope. The last one I applied to was Cornell's Performing and Media Arts program, as that's where I attended undergrad for English. I thought about applying to the Stanford program you applied to as well, but ultimately, I didn't. I completed my applications in a similar way to you. I applied mostly to English programs that had faculty or a concentration option in Film and/or Japanese media. Some other programs I was looking at were at Boulder, University of Michigan and NYU, but they all strongly recommended an MA or MFA before applying, which I do not have. I also looked at Yale and the University of Oregon, as they both had options for English with a concentration in Film. Best of luck on the applications! It's definitely an interesting field to be in.

Thanks- I kind of am assuming this. And same here! It's been tough this year for sure. I hope you hear something good soon too!

Today I got another rejection (well, I was referred to the masters program, which I can't afford) and then I saw an acceptance go out for my undergrad university (Cornell University) in the media studies program I applied to. I applied to 10 programs, which seemed like a lot at the time as I am working full time, but as I've gotten 3 rejections now and no interview invites, it's hard to stay positive. I applied to a mix of Media Studies, Comp Lit and English programs, which maybe wasn't the best idea. If worse comes to worst, then I'll reapply, but it's going to be so hard to pick myself up again after this. 6 more programs to hear from still, but I'm anticipating rejection as it's been so selective this year. I'm thankful for all the support after lurking on here though and being able to see when acceptances are posted. Fingers crossed for everyone else who is still waiting to hear back- it's really tough!

Would you say then if I didn't get an interview invite for UPenn yet then I should prepare for a rejection? Stressed as this was one of my top choices, but this application season is tough.