Vicki

Thanks for the help, everyone! I realize I shouldn't be reading too much into the travel aid, but it just seemed abnormal--especially for a Performing Arts degree. I'm just itching to get that formal letter!

I received the casual/unofficial acceptance email earlier this week (official letter with funding info to come by mail). In the email, the POI seemed genuinely interested in me/my research, and invited me to the school to sit in on classes, have meetings, etc. Fairly standard, except the POI offered $200 for my travel to said school. This is the first time I've been offered a travel stipend for visiting a potential school, and I'm curious about a couple of things: 1. Is it normal or widespread for schools to offer travel aid for a visit? 2. I'm dying to know what the funding is going to be like--does this travel aid bode well for my receiving a decent offer? Thanks all!

I'm also surprised that people are hearing so early! I heard from Maryland College Park last week, and Colorado Boulder yesterday. Both acceptances and via email, with formal letters to follow. Congrats to everyone so far!

@Boston, yeah, it's a pretty good gig! It just doesn't pay very much. I'm hoping I'm not placed in the position of having to work retail (again) or be a barista or something. Oy. Have you heard anything yet? I suppose it's still too soon--we probably won't hear anything until mid-Feb. at the absolute earliest.

Contingency plan: theatre internships, continue writing/submitting to conferences & publications, and freelance production dramaturgy. I'm currently employed as a freelance theatre reviewer, so I'd continue to do that as well, but I'd need to figure out getting something that pays decently while I wait for application season again. *sigh* Also: it's really not helping when people keep telling me, "Oh, don't worry! You'll get in EVERYWHERE!"

Theatre PhD applicant over here! I finished my apps last week. Now the waiting begins! I'm freaking out about rejections, of course, but here's hoping someone says yes--SOON! I applied to: Univ. of Colorado Boulder; Univ. of Oregon; Univ. of Maryland College Park; and Univ. of Pittsburgh. *fingers crossed* Now back to thesis research!

Quick update on the programs I'm entertaining at the moment. I'm basically choosing programs that back up your academic studies with at least SOME form of practical theatre. I know some programs don't allow you to do practical work (i.e. directing/dramaturgy). I think it's important to do the practical aspects because most often faculty positions consist of some directing. I also want to continue doing contracted dramaturgy after PhD. So as for these schools: Univ. of Oregon - they have a good mix; a broad range of classes for theory/crit/history, you get to teach a variety of classes as a TA (not just Theatre 101), and you get to direct a mainstage show Univ. of Washington - I'm actually reconsidering this one. It looks like they don't really want you to do much practical work. This might be a no for me. Univ. of Pittsburgh - In addition to your studies, you have to choose a "practical specialty," which can be directing, dramaturgy, design, etc. And you take classes towards that as well as your regular classes. It's kind of like a minor. Univ. of Colorado - Boulder - Boulder was recommended to me by my good friend. I haven't read a lot about it yet, but their site says there are opportunities in practical work that can be applied to the degree. I need to email someone over there and get more info. Univ. of British Columbia - UBC was recommended to me by that same friend. I don't know much about the program, actually, but their site does say they incorporate theory with practice. Univ. of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - this is where I am now, and I like it. I want to keep options open though. Tufts - they are one of the most respected schools for a Drama PhD. Like Pitt, Tufts wants their students to select a practical specialty, specifically directing If anyone has more info on these schools, please let me know. Also, if you have questions about UIUC (and to an extent UCI) let me know, and I'll see if I can answer them! Thanks again!

I went to UCI for my undergrad studies in Drama. It is a really good program, but I don't really want to go back to CA. :-) Thanks for the info!

Thanks to Seeking for telling me about this thread! It's nice to see that there are at least some Theatre/Performance Studies people here. I'm not actually "Waiting it out" right now, as I'm currently in my first year of my MA in Theatre History. I am, however, shopping around for potential PhD places for Fall 2013, and I was hoping to get some insight on a few schools. Right now I'm looking at: Univ. of Oregon Univ. of Washington Univ. of Pittsburgh Univ. of Colorado - Boulder Univ. of British Columbia Univ. of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Tufts I'm looking for programs that combine theatre research/history/crit/theory with practical aspects (i.e. I love directing and dramaturgy, and I'd like to be able to do so while working on my research). I'm really trying to stay away from programs that discourage (or even forbid!) their PhDs from doing any practical work while they're *supposed* to be studying. Two questions: (1) does anyone here know anything about these programs, and (2) if I want to work in the U.S. ultimately, is it a COMPLETELY bad idea to get a PhD in Canada? UBC was highly recommended to me, but I'm concerned about whether or not employers in the U.S. would be as willing to hire someone with a Canadian PhD. Thoughts? Thanks! And good luck to everyone who's still waiting...

I'm currently in my first year of my MA in Theatre History, and I'll be applying to PhD programs for Fall 2013. I'm starting to shop around for various programs because, though I like my current university, I think it would be wise to go somewhere else for the PhD. Right now I'm looking at: Univ. of Oregon Univ. of Washington Univ. of Pittsburgh Univ. of Colorado - Boulder Univ. of British Columbia Univ. of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Tufts I'm looking for programs that combine research/history/crit/theory with practical aspects (i.e. I love directing and dramaturgy, and I'd like to be able to do so while working on my research). Two questions: (1) does anyone here know anything about these programs, and (2) if I want to work in the U.S. ultimately, is it a COMPLETELY bad idea to get a PhD in Canada? UBC was highly recommended to me, but I'm concerned about whether or not employers in the U.S. would consider a Canadian PhD as "marketable." Thoughts?

Starting August 22nd! Anyone registered yet? I just called Grad Admissions and they said my formal admission package should be here soon. I can't wait to get started! I'm anxious to see what my .edu address will be (silly, I know!).

I am also looking forward to the winters! Actually, looking forward to SEASONS! Something we do not have in California. It *can* get that hot, but it's not typical. Usually we're in the 90s (Farenheit) for the summer.

Just to wrap this up, in case anyone is looking for Stony Brook timelines for next year: I finally heard from Stony Brook on 04/18/11 and they had still not come to a decision on MFA Dramaturgy candidates. They did, however, offer me admission into the MA program while they were trying to finalize their MFA choices. I declined the offer and withdrew my application to the MFA. I accepted UIUC's offer instead. I just had a bad experience with Stony Brook. In my opinion, you should never keep a candidate waiting that long, and to not even have final decisions after the April 15th deadline? To me, that is ridiculous and tells me that this is not the program I want to be in. YMMV, but there's a heads-up to those who might be applying next year.

Heading to UIUC for MA in Theatre! Hello all! California born and raised, so I'll also be adjusting to the winters.

Thanks for the help. I am really interested in Stony Brook, but I am a bit concerned by the fact that they are waiting so long to offer admission. Also, they haven't been really good in responding to emails quickly. It makes me wonder what it would be like going to school there. Hrm. I've had such an opposite experience with UIUC. They have emailed me constantly, and really showed that they want ME. Maybe Stony Brook is just not the best fit for me. Not sure. It is disconcerting that they've cancelled their mainstage shows. That right there might be reason enough not to go anyway. I really am conflicted about Stony Brook. I'm going to give them this week to figure out if they want me. If I don't hear from them, I will assume that UIUC is just a better fit for what I want. Thanks again!

Oh my goodness! Thank you so much for letting me know! This has been driving me crazy. I hope I hear soon (yes or no, at this point I don't care. I just want to know!!) because if I get accepted, I'd like to visit the campus/faculty. I live in CA, so it's not really budget conscious of me to just go there without knowing for sure. :-/ What program did you go for? Did you like the campus? The faculty? Your program? I'm dying to hear! I haven't seen any one else on this forum who's applied to Stony Brook Theatre. :-) Thanks!

Just got my Cornell rejection letter in the mail yesterday. Kind of a bummer, but very much expected. :-) I was a little annoyed that it was a 3-sentence form letter from some admin assistant. At least the reject I got from Yale was personalized and written by the dept. chair. LOL. So far it looks like UIUC is where I'm going. I'm pretty stoked about that actually. I guess I should feel good that this was my first application season and I was accepted by 2 schools! Not bad I suppose. Still waiting to hear from SUNY Stony Brook. I'm thinking that's going to be a rejection, too, just based on how late in the admissions season it is getting. Has anyone else applied there/heard from them?? Good luck to everyone!

No, I applied for the MA.

I got the email that I was admitted, but have not received the full packet yet. Do you think you will accept?

Just heard that I was accepted for NYU Performance Studies. :-) That makes 2 yes and 2 no. Not bad so far. Has anyone heard anything from SUNY Stony Brook? I emailed the dept. secretary and she said letters would be going out in the next 2 weeks, but I'm worried. Has anyone interviewed with them? The waiting is killing me!

Thanks for the info. Hrm...I wonder if they interview all Theatre MFAs. That would be a bummer since they are my top choice. I did just hear from UIUC and I got accepted for the MA in Theatre! I am so excited about that. It's nice to get the first admit.

*Raises hand* Another Theatre applicant over here! I applied to MA/MFA programs. Here's where I stand so far: Yale - Dramaturgy - Rejected Columbia - Dramaturgy - Waiting Cornell - Theatre Arts - Waiting Tufts - Drama - Rejected NYU - Performance Studies - Waiting SUNY Stony Brook - Dramaturgy - Waiting UMass Amherst - Dramaturgy - Waiting (and #1 choice--fingers crossed!) UI Urbana Champaign - Theatre History and Practice - Waiting Washington University in St. Louis - Theater and Performance Studies - Waiting I'm really hoping to hear something soon. I'm kind of freaking out that I haven't been asked for an interview. Has anyone heard from any of these schools?