[Columbia's MA (Only) - Worth it?]

I'm not trying to be judgy. I don't care what personal decisions people make because it's not really my business. I just can't imagine paying 100K for a Columbia MA in English (or MFA, for that matter), and when I try to put myself in those shoes, I do literally feel a little queasy. Debt is terrifying, and I am legitimately curious what situations would make that amount of debt worth it. I think it's interesting that someone dinged me a red mark just for asking the question--why? Why do people feel this is the best decision for them? I'm not trying to be a jerk, really.

Sarandipity, I dinged you. I was concerned that some posters might feel hurt by the tone of your query. Now that I have read your second response, I think I simply misunderstood the spirit in which you were asking the question.   As I am not the OP, I can't say why in the world someone would do that.  I sincerely apologize for jumping to conclusions and dinging you. I hope you'll forgive me. I'll un-ding you if I can. 

   

[Cornell]

I'd like to know your research area, etc!

My research area is Shakespeare and the Renaissance. I had all of the stats they say you should have but a less than stellar writing sample. I thought that meant certain rejection everywhere.  I don't want to get too specific on here (perhaps I already have), because I am a paranoid person, but if you want, shoot me a PM.    

[Cornell]

First of all, congrats!!

This might be a silly question, but what time was your email sent? I've been anxiously checking my email the past few hours and I'm thinking their offices should be closing soon. Looks like last year, the majority of the acceptances on the results board came on the same day....Also, do you know how many they've accepted by chance?

Not a silly question at all. I got it at 11:11 EST (although I am not on EST)

[Cornell]

I got in with funding...If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask. Implicit rejections everywhere else I've applied except Columbia, where I haven't heard. I'm in total shock.   

[UNCG]

 I'm totally thrilled for you!!!  I was really hoping that you'd get in this year; I can't think of anyone who deserves it more. Let's hope you get even more good news as the rest of your results come in!

 

[The Rejection Sound Track]

Fantastic idea.  Here we go...my favorite

[Verses of despair]

 These are awesome! What a fun idea. I have adapted some lines from Shakespeare's Cassius, the true master of the self-pitying diatribe. Unfortunately, my lines don't quite scan

 

Come, Chicago, and cold Wisconsin, come,

Revenge yourselves alone on this poor applicant,

For she is aweary of the world;

Hated by one she loves; braved by her top choice; 

Check'd like an adjunct; all her faults observed, 

Set in a rejection letter, learn'd, and conn'd by rote,

To cast into my teeth. O, I could weep

My spirit from mine eyes! There is my dagger,

And here my naked breast; within, a heart

Dearer than the sum of all of your collected app fees, richer than gold.

I that denied thee an adequate writing sample will give my heart

Strike, as thou didst at my friend Jane, 

Whom thou didst waitlist last year, for I know, 

When thou didst hate Jane worst, thou lovest her better

Than ever thou lovest me! 

[U of Wisconsin Madison]

I am 200...maybe even 300 percent sure that those of you who did not receive the email have nothing to worry about. I would bet anything that it's just a random error. I received TWO of these emails simultaneously, so clearly their system is not perfect. I can't bear to hear you guys worrying about this when I'm sure it's ok.  Meanwhile, I'm slowly going insane because I'm convinced I've been implicitly rejected from one of my top choices. I should take the advice of the fair Ophelia: "Do not, as some ungracious pastors do,Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven;Whiles, like a puff'd and reckless libertine,Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads,And recks not his own rede." XD 

[GRE Lit: "first sweep"?]

I was able to get a 700 working more or less straight through the test, start to finish. My personal feeling is that if you are reasonably confident that you can finish the test in the allotted time, the sweep method is not necessary. I was not at all certain I could finish in time, but after taking a practice test I realized that this was feasible for me. I agree that working straight through is less stressful, although I do see that the sweep method could give you a greater feeling of control.

While taking the test, I had a close scrape. I accidentally misread/failed to read the directions to a question (I thought the question had asked me to mach each passage to an author, but it was actually a question about five passages by the same author), which caused me to waste a fair amount of time. I only barely figured out my error in time! So, even if you are going quickly, try to make sure you are actually reading the questions. I know it sounds obvious, but I still fell into that trap!

Good luck, you're going to be fine!

[Model Statement of Purpose]

Agreed on all counts. Personally, I think that sample is exactly how not to apply to most programs -- misuse of words, overuse of 'fancy' words, overboard sense of self worth, and a cheesy, half-hearted attempt at making it relate directly to Berkley.

Interesting! If you have the time to spare, I would love to know which words you think this writer misused and which areas of the essay you found most objectionable. Her use of "contest" in reference to her own opinions struck me as incorrect, but aside from that, I thought her command of the language was quite solid. I think she had enough substance to be able to pull that kind of style off fairly well. Perhaps your objections will help me with my own writing--I may have a blind spot when it comes to pretentious, faux-academic writing...