Henry Hudson

Amherst, definitely. A cluster of small college towns with great quality of life and culture, close to metropolitan commercial centers, in a geographically beautiful part of the world - in all seasons. Buffalo is not without its perks, of course, but not early on the same par.

I was in that position last year, but decided I had set my sights too high (only applied to three top-tier schools). I sent out four apps this time; if I do not get in anywhere, I am done. Not getting into the first round of acceptances this year was discouraging, especially for Rutgers (as their rarely seems to be a second round). Onl one actual rejection thus far, but I am not particularly optimistic at all right now. In prior years, I would get into all but one of my choices. Now I cannot seem to get into any. I guess leaving one PhD program has been the kiss of death for me. This will be it for me, win or lose.

Branch out

three of my four schools have begun accepting people, according to the results search, and two of those I really thought I could be a top contender for. 'under review.' 'under review.' 'under review.' 'under review.' blah.

Camera lens

I cannot speak for specific programs, but in general it is not as difficult to get into as Ivy League, Berkeley, UMich or the like, but it is generally well ranked. Use the Results Search feature, and use key word searches, to get a general sense of acceptance/rejection ratios for your program. Just remember they only show results from people who have entered them on this forum, not the total applicant pool. But it is a start.

It is perfectly fine to say that you are waiting to see what other results you get, so you can make the best decision. It is also fair game to tell schools what others are offering to see if they will sweeten their offer.

I am American, and have I have lived in Canada (BC, Ontario, and Newfoundland, plus spent plenty of time in Alberta and Quebec. I've been to all provinces and 2 territories). I have also been to: In the Americas: Mexico, Costa Rica, and the French overseas territory of St. Pierre and Miquelon In Europe: Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, Ireland, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Italy and Vatican City.

Sled dog

as a waiter, I once waited on Mercedes Ruehl (from Frasier, the Fisher King, etc). as a journalist, i met Al Roker, Kate Pierson (of the B-52s), Frank Serpico, Eliot Spitzer, Hilary Clinton, Kirsten Gillibrand, and a few other politician-types (oh, and several times talked to Chuck Schumer on the phone, if that counts). While I was in art restoration, I met Al Roker and Jack Cannon (an old TV actor). In chance meetings, i have met Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer at my local bookstore, and actor John Shea (Lex Luther on 'Lois and Clark') at an Irish bar in NYC. In other chance meetings, I encountered (but did not actually 'meet') George Pataki, Al Sharpton, kd lang, Amanda Plumber, William Devane, Chris Jansing (NBC news), and Senator Paul Simon. at comic book conventions, I have met Margot Kidder, Richard Hatch (original BSG), and tons of semi-famous comics people. I once had dinner with scifi author Poul Anderson, before I knew who he was (I still have never read any of his works, I confess). Added: Oh, and Adam West! how could I forget Adam West!?

I ditto MathCat, although I once had such an acceptance just waiting for that one delayed recommendation. So it could be nothing, or it could be something. I suggest keeping hopes positive but not way up in the clouds.

keep the faith! I have not heard from anyone yet, although 3 of my 4 schools have begun acceptances. My 4th, GMU, based on past results, might be accepting any day now. Maybe we'll both get in there!

Robin Scherbatsky

too many variables to say: the school , the dept/program, the funding, internal issues. Some depts seem to go in multiple waves, others seem to only do second batches after applicants decline. Other depts seem to do a wave, then make later decisions on an individual basis. The best thing to do is use the search results feature and look at how your school/program has done things on recent years.

A year and a half ago I poked into an opportunity to go to Otago. I didn't work out, though.

I almost applied to York for History. Funding and admission for non-Canadians now is actually better than it was a couple years ago, when depts were each only taking one non-Canadian. from what I was told, the funding package I could have expected, had I applied this year, would be little more than tuition and related basic costs; I would have had to take out serious loans for my first two years until being able to apply for landed immigrant status. Trillium awards are possible, as I understand it. Vaniers are apparently so tough to get they are almost an urban legend - everyone heard of them but no one seems to know anyone first-hand who ever got one. Ontario (and Quebec, as I hear it) are not nearly as supportive of non-Canadian grad students as they used to be. I got my MA in Ontario; the policy changes even 4ish years ago felt like the door was slamming behind me.

mine too. I logged on right after I saw the new batch.

Well, I am not in the first batch of Rutgers decisions either. Ashiepoo, I need some of your magic! Can you spare any?

I will actually seek out reviews or summaries of a work (ideally several of them) to give me an idea as to what to look for that other academics got out of it, and look for ways to meaningfully agree or disagree with those. i find it easier to filter assigned readings by placing it in the academic discourse, and i like to dive into them knowing what the gist of that discourse is.

Jim Beam (you should be! )

Good luck to you! I did a History MA at Trent, and if Trent's policy on US student loans hadn' changed (along with poorer funding for international students) I might have switched over to the Indigenous Studies PhD there. I almost wound up in Trent's Canadian/Indigenous MA, but History offered me slightly more money. I still took some of the same course I would have in either.

Pizza delivery

Way to go, Telkanuru!

damn, girl! Leave some for the rest of us! You're giving me a complex here! but seriously.... congratulations.

in prior cycles (MA and initial PhD program), I usually only got a single rejection - the rest were all acceptances (I generally apply to 3 to 5 programs). then last year, seeking a new PhD program (the first one did not work out) I got all rejections. It was quite disappointing. But I am back at it for one more try, because damn it, this is what I really want to do! for me, the struggle is what to do in the interim.