cquin

It may be because I'm tired and up late right now, or because I am emotionally exhausted by this application process, or maybe both, but these made me cry. Thanks very much for posting them.

Whoops, don't know how I missed that. Thanks.

Does anyone know if Brown has a tendency (like NYU) to offer some PhD applicants a spot in their MA program? Just curious.

I only have a BA, but I sympathize completely. I worked my ass off to earn my 4.0 and revised my SOP week after week until I thought it was excellent--and yet that's still not good enough?! Good luck, I really hope you get in somewhere great!

catherinian-- I spoke to Wanda Bak, the graduate English administrator. Of course, until I actually receive that rejection email I am going to foolishly hope that I have a chance, but she sounded rather clear on the matter. I wish you the best of luck, though, with UMass and your other schools. And yes, I also feel as if the world of academia has collectively and unanimously decided that I am not fit for graduate work. I'm already planning my second round of applications for next year...

So sorry to hear about this. But thanks for your perspective, it's a helpful dose of reality.

Oh, if only. That way I wouldn't undulate violently through periods of despair ("I am doomed to a life of minimum wage work! I will be barred from academia forever!") and periods of fragile hope ("Multiple acceptances and rejections have been posted already... but maybe TOMORROW I'll get my acceptance email!"). It'll end eventually.

Thanks for the kind words, everyone. I sent an email to my professor (who wrote one of my LORs) and asked for his opinion on the matter. I'm trying to remain optimistic. Good luck to us all!

So I just received an implicit rejection from my undergrad institution (UMass)... I called grad admissions and was told if I haven't received an e-mail, it means rejection. I'm going to try to talk to some of my professors to see if they can offer any insight, but the fact that I was rejected from my own former university makes me feel like I don't have a chance in hell at any of the other schools. I'm feeling extremely discouraged right now, and cannot stop obsessing over every element of my application and wondering how I could have done better. Sorry for whining... just needed to get this off my chest

Haha, I was about to make an identical post... I also checked the website and found nothing but a confirmation that my app had been submitted successfully.

I was under the impression that (and someone please correct me if I'm mistaken) 1. schools do not require official proof, they only look at what you list on your CV, and 2. they will be lax about your knowledge upon admission, with the expectation that you will rigorously study the language as a grad student and pass their exams.

Bahaha, I cannot tell you how disappointed I am when I check my email and then realize--curses!--it's Saturday.

NOPE! Definitely not. At least I don't get rejection letters from Jack Daniel's.

Ah, I figured that might be the case, but I was really hoping that the lot of us who didn't receive an interview might still be considered for the waitlist.

Still no word from Duke (Lit program) even though many others have received rejections and interview invites. Could I be waitlisted? I am very, very tempted to call up the department and inquire into my status, but I worry that I'd be committing a serious faux pas. Should I just sit tight and wait for a response? Or is it okay for me to contact admissions?

You have read my mind. I echo all of these statements exactly. I am completely distraught at the mere prospect of spending another year working at my mediocre job and going through the whole life-consuming process of reapplying. I received my first rejection today from CUNY and I definitely had a mini breakdown. We're all turning into dramatic psychos, I think!

Just received my first rejection. WHY, CUNY, WHY??!??! I listened to this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaV6eDvgiG4 and read my rejection e-mail out loud. Helped me laugh at myself a bit. I'm trying so hard to remain lighthearted...

Oh lord, you are not alone. I just embarked on a two day binge drinking marathon in the hopes that it would distract me. Wrong. I ended up checking my Gmail on my phone while in a bar and, upon seeing no new emails, drunkenly cried out to my boyfriend, "WHY HAVEN'T I HEARD ANYTHING?!?" Not my best moment. In short, I too am going insane. It'll all be over soon... right?

This gives me a little bit of hope. Thanks!

Same here. But maybe it means we'll be waitlisted? Waitlisted with funding?? I can dream...

YEP, nothing from UMass either. I think I need to add the Results page to my list of blocked websites. Bourbon sounds like an excellent idea, don't know why I didn't think of that one myself...

So multiple acceptances and rejections have been posted for Duke and CUNY, both of which I applied to (and, in a cruel twist of fate, are my two top choices). I have not received anything from either school and it's driving me nutty. I'm starting to worry that I incorrectly typed my e-mail, which is absurd because I received messages from both schools confirming that my application materials were received. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? I actually just called CUNY and was told (somewhat dismissively) that decisions are still being made and I could receive either e-mail or snail mail. Since I live in NYC, I'm wondering if maybe they're going to snail mail their decision? I don't know, I'm grasping at straws here. I'm trying to distract myself with reading, watching movies, etc. but every ten minutes I'm opening my gmail hoping for... something. Anything. I guess I'm just looking to commiserate with fellow applicants, since my boyfriend, friends, and mom--while sympathetic--don't quite grasp why I'm freaking out so much.

Haha, I read and loved the Protector of the Small series as a kid!

I applied to Lit, not English, but just chiming in here (I posted this on the results page, so apologies for the redundancy): I was informed that all invitations for interviews had been e-mailed already. A part of my brain is hoping that, because I still haven't received a rejection letter, I'm waitlisted, but I suspect that's just wishful thinking... Good luck to everyone, though! Anyone here received an interview? Seems as if there's only one so far.

Some of my applications request that I list the other schools to which I am applying. This doesn't appear to be a mandatory question, though, since the site allows me to submit my application without answering that question. My gut reaction is to leave it blank (I have a paranoid image in my head of all my desired schools conspiring against me), but will that hurt me? Help me? Do absolutely nothing? Should I just answer the question? Thanks in advance.