Purled

Anyone want to claim the "JHU - waitlist via postal mail"? And, really, actual mail? I never receive actual mail, at all; I've had to unsubscribe from every periodical because I live in a black hole of mail delivery.

I've spoken to two adcom members at top tens, and was told that once they get down to the last cuts, they open up the sample to somewhere in the middle and read a bit; I also know someone whose POI mentioned their writing sample in the acceptance. This differs between departments and programs, though. Virginia requested "your best and longest piece of writing," I assume to confirm that you know how to write well in long form.

Yes, and frequently applications include a space for the names of other programs to which one has applied. Additionally, the programs that I've been admitted to have asked me to keep them informed about other offers I receive, in order to gauge their own competitiveness and possibly improve their funding offers. Some schools have different levels of awards and funding - funding allocated by your department and funding awarded by the graduate school. You should feel comfortable asking your contact in your department if you are currently being evaluated for department funding, and, if so, if the department's funding decision will be contingent upon funding at the college level. If you've only just learned that you've been accepted, then you should still contact your department and ask them when they believe they'll have a financial package put together, and let them know that you've been nominated for a college-wide award. As far as spilling the beans on the other schools you've applied to, I generally just give the names of those of an equal or greater tier - additional financial pressure doesn't hurt.

Wow; I suppose that this goes to show what a wide variety of opinion exists among advisors and adcom members. Still, though, I'm very surprised. Maybe this differs by subfield? I certainly felt that my sample was a significant part of my application. By applying to grad schools, you're implicitly asserting that you're capable of rigorous thought and serious work. More than GRE scores or, frequently, undergrad grades, the sample is where you actually show how you work, not just that you work. But, hey, everyone approaches it differently, I suppose.

about face

I'm basically at the point where I show up, stare at the Results page for 7 hours, and then leave. Thankfully, we're extremely slow right now, so nothing is actually suffering. To be honest, after coming in exhausted and twitchy for the past year - first studying for the GREs, then completing the apps, now waiting for results - I assume that they suspect I've developed a drug addiction and/or a personality disorder, and will be relieved when I finally quit.

Sometimes I think I should get this tattooed on the back of my hand, as a constant reminder. Then I remember that the job market is tough enough already, and I don't fancy wearing a glove for the rest of my life.

Ahh, thanks. I'm over-thinking this. It's a (sometimes bad) habit. It's just, well, first impressions, etc... Also, I'm a chronic sufferer of impostor syndrome.

Advice, anyone, please? I've just received an email from each of my two PsOI at a program to which I've been accepted, and I've been writing responses to them...for the past hour. I can't seem to unknot my tongue and respond to their awesome, unexpected emails. Being this tongue-tied is a pretty unfamiliar experience - sure, I have questions about the program, and I have questions about their recent work, but I know that most of those questions will be answered either at the recruitment weekend or by the department grad students who have volunteered to answer my questions via email. As far as their recent work goes, I know what they're each working on, roughly, and don't think that casually chatting about it over email makes sense, especially since this is a theory program. Time keeps passing (received one email yesterday, the other about an hour ago), and the longer I go without responding, the more difficult it seems to become. Should I just thank them for taking the time to reach out and reiterate how much I look forward to meeting them at the weekend? I mean, these are two very highly respected academics - I can't just send out what is basically a form email. Can I? Also, I'd like to congratulate every Harvard admit. The Harvard pressure has been building up around here the past few days, and it's wonderful to see so many of the forum's active posters admitted to what is clearly a lot of people's dream program. Well done, everyone!

gun shy

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Your verbal GRE should really break 700. At most top tens, the initial application culling happens somewhere between 650 and 700. Depending on your subfield, your quant also needs to go up, unless you're aiming at theory, in which case you're okay.

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From my very limited experience, it has been the case that the actual graduate school does follow its stated protocol, but the department to which I've applied may call or email - either an adcom member, the head of grad admissions, or POIs. The department and the grad school are technically different bodies responsible for different parts of the process, and the department and committee may have their own reasons for reaching out via phone or email (i.e. sounding out a candidate's enthusiasm or competing offers).

Wholly agree with this, and would add that acceptances delivered over the phone cast a greater warmth (for lack of a better word; I'm tired) than those posted on the application systems or even delivered via email. Though the influence is difficult to explicitly track, it's definitely one of the many minor particulars that, for me at least, have begun influencing the way I regard potential programs. Which is a long-winded way of saying that the way we're treated influences the ways we respond, to which I would add, Duh. And....time for some sleep, obviously.

Same here, no interview, just conversations regarding other acceptances and funding offers. Official notifications are due out next week.

They were due January 15th. You've got time, don't worry. As for the rest of us, well, it was a hell of a stretch, anyway.

pressure cooker

Not at all. In fact, I'm jealous. What's your subfield, if you don't mind me asking? Also, congratulations!

Well, I know for a fact that an adcomm member was looking at my app a couple of weeks ago, so who knows what step they're currently at. I'm trying not to think too hard about not having received any communication from them as of yet.

secluded cabin

And JHU is on the board. To be honest, the Wisconsin Senate Showdown has been much more consuming today than the results board, thankfully. Felt nice to get a day off from grad app obsession/anxiety.

May I inquire as to your subfield?

From a financial aid point of view, this is a good idea, especially if you're married and your spouse is not a student. Federal aid definitely hits married couples the hardest when only one of the couple is a student, and purchasing a house allows you to move more of your money into a mortgage, and therefore out of the government's equation for determining your expected financial contribution.

Ha! Great news, congratulations!