heathenist

I haven't, and I'm assuming the worst.

When did you hear? Today?

Yeah, that's a pretty logical conclusion... or they somehow lost both my phone number and email!

It's not real until someone claims it right?

My program doesn't have a "thesis," but instead, it's a "master's research paper." It's still original research, but it's much shorter and you don't have to defend it (though you still need a committee). I like this option for a few reasons; less stressful, less work, but most importantly, the finished product is closer to being a publishable paper than a thesis would be. So with a thesis, my impression is, you do quite a bit more work/writing, but then have to cut it down if you want it published. With a master's paper, you can submit it to journals when your done and you still have research experience. However, if the option is between doing a thesis, or taking some type of comprehensive exam, I'd go with the thesis for the research experience.

What are your thoughts on the meaning of this? Emails haven't all been sent out, phone calls haven't all been made, or waitlisted? None of the above?

So I see a bunch of Vanderbilt rejections via email, and 2 acceptances via phone call. I haven't gotten either...

Honestly, I didn't even look into it. My reasoning is that my selection of schools was already pretty narrow, and if getting a degree from a top 20 school versus a school in the ~70 range meant an extra year or so, then so be it. Plus, how much could it hurt to have more methods, stats, and theory courses?

Finally got an official rejection from Washington, no surprise and not really a huge blow.

3-7? What happens if the 3 students they choose to admit don't matriculate? They have a cohort of 0?

I actually know someone in that program and she seems to like it, though I don't know her well and haven't discussed it in detail with her. But I will say this, if you can go to a funded MA program, I think it can great learning opportunity and a great way to bulk up your CV and focus your research agenda. However, just know that this means you'll likely have to take all of the core classes twice, since your PhD institution will likely want you to take those courses in their program, and it will generally take you a year or 2 longer to eventually get your PhD because of this. Additionally, you have to go through this terrible process of applying to schools twice. I am finishing up my MA at a ranked (not very highly) PhD granting university that separates the 2 degrees, and I just got offered a fellowship at a top-20 university with a great fit. That would have never happened 2 years ago because I just wasn't a very strong applicant.

Okay Vanderbilt person, out yourself! I'm just joking, but I'm sure we'd all appreciate any info about how you were contacted, I thought they normally did phone calls, but I'm not certain.

No, I don't think it's a red flag if that person doesn't write you a LOR, I think it's kind of expected that you would get letters from professors in your current program. However, there are some exceptions. For instance, the department I'm finishing my MA at right now is very small and therefore a lot of the same professors end up teaching all the grad classes. One of those professors who I had taken 2 classes with left with what seemed like very little regard for some of the people they left behind (I asked for feedback on a paper I wrote for their last grad seminar they taught here and they kept telling me they would get back to me with comments on whether or not it could potentially be submitted to present at a conference, and that never happened despite my constant badgering), so asking for a letter from them didn't seem smart. Additionally, I took multiple classes in the CCJ department, which is fairly close with the Soc department, but one of the professors was very forgetful(even though I was one of 4 students out of like 18 that got an A), so I didn't ask, and the other left for another university. That left me with having only completed courses at this university with 2 professors. Both of those professors wrote me LORs, but I had to ask an UG professor for the 3rd. It actually worked out pretty well because that professor does work in the same field as me and I actually cite them a few times in my master's paper and writing sample that I used, additionally, I did a research internship for them my senior year and I had still been in contact with them since leaving UG. In fact, they were the first professor to suggest the method I ended up using in my master's paper. What I'm getting at is that in some situations having UG professors write letters isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it also isn't really what's expected.

I've been thinking about this in regards to Vanderbilt, especially because they have such small cohorts. But it seems like A LOT of us applied there, so I'm thinking someone would have heard back if they had sent out acceptances.

Brb, going to go change my lit. review of my master's paper so I can turn it into a medical sociology/criminology paper rather than a social movements paper.

Nothing, and it's killing me.

Maybe look into University of Washington.

Much slower day than I expected, even with it being President's day, I didn't expect it to be so quiet.

You're on a roll. Congrats.

Anyone have any info or know of any rumors about when the streetcar project will be completed or how useful it will even be once completed?

Does Vanderbilt do phone calls rather than emails? Vanderbilt and UMass are the only 2 schools left that I applied to who haven't started sending stuff out yet, so I'm anxious to hear back from them. However, already having an acceptance at a great school with a pretty generous funding offer makes it a little easier.

It's none of my business, but if you don't mind sharing, why are you reapplying?

I can offer a little bit of advice from experience here. I am currently finishing up an MA at a place that separates the MA and the PhD program. The MA program is pretty well funded, you get substantive training in theory, stats, and methods, and you get research experience and if you're really on the ball maybe a publication and a conference presentation or 2. So when it's time to apply to PhD programs you have a much stronger CV and probably a better established research agenda. On top of that, you have somewhat of a safety net because you have a pretty strong chance of being accepted to the current schools PhD program. I know I wouldn't have had a shot at any of the programs I applied to this season if I hadn't been here. However, there are some downsides. The biggest issue is that it will likely take you a bit longer to get a PhD, especially if you end up at a different school for your PhD. You will likely have to take a few of the same courses over again, particularly methods, stats, and theory courses. Additionally, you have to go through this whole application process again, which is pretty terrible both times around.

oh wow. The only other school i know of that offers that much is Vanderbilt. But no health insurance could be a problem. Not that I even applied there or anything.

Judging by the results page, I'm guessing he is referring to Michigan.