wantaphd

Magisme, Looks like we applied to a couple of the same schools! Are you going to the visitation this weekend at Purdue? I can't, so I'm going to visit later on in the month. If you don't mind sharing, what are your areas of interest? Mine are race, representation, and sexuality; more specifically, how African American lesbians have represented in literature and popular culture. Gender performance is also in there somewhere. P.S.: I was rejected by WSU as well. Not quite sure why, but I heard they weren't going to fund any first year PhDs this year so I don't think I would have gone anyway.

Congratulations!

I noticed the same thing so thanks for starting the thread. I've been accepted to Purdue, and will accept their offer as soon as they let me know about funding. I applied to a couple of other programs as well but I believe Purdue is the best fit for me. How about yourself?

Same here. I've been admitted to my top choice and nominated for a fellowship that would include four years of guaranteed support. Don't know if I got it or if I'll just be offered a TA. Or if I'll get anything. It's definitely frustrating; I will not be able to attend if they can't fund me..

I had the same moment of panic as you and checked my app to make sure that I checked the "please give me money" box. I'm in the same boat; got the acceptance, waiting on funding. I've been in constant contact with the director of my program since my acceptance, and he knows I'm just waiting on funding information to accept their offer. If you haven't already contacted your department, do it! Let them know how much you want to attend, and ask them very politely when the funding decisions will be made. They may not be able to give you a date, but at least they will know you are interested and keep you in the loop.

I can only speak for myself, but I was rejected from two schools, one by mail that did not update my status on their webpage. The other one sent me a nice email the same day they updated the site. The program I was accepted to sent an email and letter by post about two weeks earlier. In my experience, acceptances are sent out earlier, but don't give up until you get the letter in hand.

I've already worked it out. When I told the director I couldn't make it this week and asked if I could come at a later date, he enthusiastically agreed and immediately gave me the names of several professors and graduate students he thought I might be interested in talking to. I emailed most of them, and have spoken with four of them already! I'm visiting later in March, and have already made plans to tour the campus and visit with potential advisors and students while I'm there. I hope the communications I've had so are are indicative of my upcoming visit. Everyone has been wonderful and honestly, barring something crazy or unexpected, I'm pretty sure I'll accept their offer. (Ahem, as soon as they finalize funding!)

I've been accepted by my top choice, but alas, no word on funding yet. If they don't fund me, I can't go. I also applied to a program where I've heard that they won't be able to fund first year phds this year; I've pretty much written them off, although it would still be nice to get an acceptance from them. My third program funds everyone, but it was my reach school, so I'm just waiting for the inevitable thanks, but no thanks, letter.

I was feeling pretty good until I realized that I might not get funding. I'm waiting to hear now, and it hit me like a ton of bricks that if they can't fund me, I can't go.

Thanks for the replies. I don't think I'm going to be able to make it next week, but I'm going to see if I can reschedule for the week that I'm actually going to be closer to that part of the country. If not, I'll try to visit sometime before school starts.

Hi Disco, Will you be attending a visitation weekend at Purdue? And by the way, Indiana is the Midwest!

I've been accepted in to my top choice graduate program and have received all of the official notifications (except the one on funding of course) and only found out TODAY that there is an accepted students visitation weekend, NEXT weekend. They are not funding the trip, and the director of the program wants an answer by Friday because he might be able to arrange accomodations with other graduate students. I live about 1800 miles away and factoring in the cost of a plane ticket, ground transportation, and a hotel room for three nights, I'm just not sure I can go. More importantly, I also have a daughter (she's 18) who lives 2500 miles away that I was planning to visit during my spring break (late March). I won't get to see her again until May. I really want to see my kid and parents in March, and I've pretty much decided I won't go to the visitation weekend. But I'd still like input from you all. What would you do?

I've been accepted into Purdue's American Studies PhD program. Anyone else headed to West Layfayette this fall? Doesn't matter the program, I'd just like to meet someone headed that way. Thanks!

Applied: 3 Accepted :1 Waiting on the rest.

I'm not sure, but I'll be at Purdue as well. Just wondering what things are like.

What's even more annoying are status websites that aren't updated for weeks.

Update: I finally received the acceptance letter from my #2 school Saturday after seeing a status update on the website a week earlier. I was also nominated for a fellowship, which comes with four years of funding. I suspect I'll get a TA regardless, since pretty much everyone gets that in this program. I'm excited and ready to move now!

This is too funny! And too true.

OP, Please keep in mind that most graduate applicants usually waive the right to read their recommendation letters, mainly for the reasons you describe. It would not be in your best interest to let anyone know that you've actually read the letter. In my discipline, most professors won't even write you a letter if you don't waive the right to read it. With that said, there is no real way for you to approach this guy for tips or advice on what it would take for you to get from "very, very good" to "brilliant." The only thing you would probably accomplish is ensuring that he, nor anyone else for that matter, would ever write for you again. I don't mean to be harsh, but there is an entire thread on reading letters of rec and the consequences that may occur from doing so. Protocols are extremely important in academia, even if they don't make much sense. But you can't actually expect anyone to write you an uninhibited letter of reference if they know that you'll just read it. It's all about builidng relationships, and if you don't think this particular professor has your best interests at heart, then he is not the person you want writing you a letter of recommendation. If you don't believe me, try seaching/posting your question on the chronicle forum. Most of the forumites are in academia, and will give you unbiased advice on academic protocols.

I'm afraid to say until I get the official notice! I will allow though, that it is in a midwestern state. I know it's crazy, but I'm afraid to jinx myself!

I hope you all are right! I'm on pins and needles hoping that the official acceptance comes soon.

"Recommended by Program; processing at the Graduate School." When I logged in to check my app status today this is what appeared. Does this mean I'm in?!

It told me I would get into everything. I'm almost positive, however, that it will tell me the opposite tomorrow. Sigh. It is going to be a long, long winter.

As far as I know, you are correct. My MA program didn't do them, and the school I attended did not do them for PhD applicants either. I Know several people in English/Literature Phd programs, and none were interviewed as part of the application process.

Minnesotan, Thanks for the heads up. As a matter of fact, I also applied to Purdue's English program, as they allow you to apply to two programs at once, and I figured it wouldn't hurt. I had actually forgotten I had done so until I checked my application today! I'll make some calls to figure out the rest. Do you mind if I pm you?