Bukharan

free range

renovation plans

I just wanted to comment on this. No, you are right - once you have a Ph.D., the institution of your MA probably becomes irrelevant. So if you choose the USA, I think you are making the right choice. Follow your heart! All the best to you.

Gosh, it's getting hot in here. First of all, huge congratulations! You did awesome (your GRE is what??? )! You have an important decision waiting. I suggest you look at the placements at each school (perhaps... try talking to current students and each institution; they know best) and consider what you want to do after graduation, where you want to work and whether reputation of some of your schools will be particularly relevant to that! Good luck! Either way, you can't go wrong!

Georgian house

rain again

I don't know much about this. I feel like in the USA, it is not uncommon to get published and/or participate in conferences while you are still an undergraduate. In the UK, it is not uncommon to have a first publication when you are in the last years of a Humanities Ph.D. I had two small (c.1200 words) history/politics publications in a university commentary journal when I applied. No conferences.

car expenses

star conflict

lol. This can be a new low. Seriously? Some school messed up your gender? What are they thinking of?

I doubt there is a 'yes' or 'no' answer. Schools look at a package. If you can persuade them that what you did in college aided your development as an academic, shaped your academic interests and was of good quality, your chances of getting in will increase.

Oh my Gosh! You guys.... @... .... .....

Bhikhaari, do not get me wrong! I never said it was fine for schools to do something like this (or to be more precise... not to do anything). It is outrageous if after a $70+ fee some of them do not respond to us or get our last names wrong or send us a rejection letter saying 'Dear applicant'. However, if a school does not communicate, there is not much left for us but call them up and ask 'So what's up guys?' That's all I was saying. No, not sending a nice cordial e-mail to applicants is definitely not fine.

north west

green hill

Unfortunately, this sometimes happens. But rarely, very rarely. In case they remain silent, just ring them up and ask about the decision. OFTEN, however, candidates hear from their schools. It takes time and plenty of patience. They will get back to you! In the meantime, all the best with your applications!

Smurfs have a problem with placements though. Most of them have to migrate to Europe for jobs. Th Netherlands is particularly accepting of smurfs.

You definitely have hope. 1. Many schools, in fact most schools in our field, do not interview. Princeton and U Michigan ( and probably a few others) are notable exceptions. So no worries about that. 2. Many schools have not started notifying of their decisions yet. Harvard, for instance. No worries here either. You applied to very prestigious schools but you also applied to many schools! The latter one is definitely a plus when it comes to estimating the probability of eventual acceptance. Wish you patience and the very best with your applications!

I think School 2 sounds like a better choice for you. You like it, you feel more comfortable there - this is what matters. When you settle in that department and they assess your interests and strengths, you are likely to get access to what you want to do (besides, this can always change slightly, right?).

It is much easier than you think, Jochen! 1. You ask your professors for recommendation letters. As easy as that. Just send them a nice e-mail telling them if your life/career plans, which schools you are applying for, and how much you would appreciate a letter from them. 2. Professors normally send the same letter to all universities. Sure, this letter is personalized: they spend some time writing about you but it is only one letter. If you have a cordial relationship with your professor, you may ask him/her to further adjust each letter to a particular school (emphasize something specific for that school; leave a personal note for the faculty etc.). However, usually the letter they send out to different universities is the same. 3. Most schools now operate an online application system, i.e. all references are submitted electronically. When you register your application in such an application system, your professor is automatically sent a link with exclusive access to the section where he need to copy-paste a reference for you. I think what you also may find helpful is being organized: In order to minimize disturbing your professors, after they agree to write a letter for you, compile one big e-mail with ALL the information about your applications: all the deadlines, the nature of the programme, the faculty etc. So that your professors don't need to look for that info elsewhere. Then register your professors in all online application systems on the same day - so that they receive all those links on the same day! It will save a lot of their time. I applied to 9 programmes this year, and my professors submitted all references in two takes. So... just two evenings of their lives they spent on my future.

ehpurefoy, congratulations! Funded Master's - this is awesome (and rare)! The Green Bean - please, don't lose hope! It happens very often that the first decision is a rejection but then something really awesome arrives. It will only make your future acceptance (fingers crossed) so much sweeter!

kitchen knife

freedom radio

Have fuuun!

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