diber

Just checked the results board. Saw some Columbia accepts/waitlists last week. Soooo, guess that would be no cigar....

TOTALLY!!! Penn is such a dreamy program. Everyone is so nice!!! I had a lot of contact with Tim, and he said I was *just* short of waitlist. Which in the end, doesn't really help. But he is so nice about it. Yea, I'm worried about BU's funding situation, too. I'm going up there next week hopefully to check it out in person. I'm still waiting from Columbia and Harvard, too. But, I think at this point, if their peer institution (Penn) has already made its decision, I'm just assuming rejections. TBH, I didn't think they totally fit me and my subfield anyway.

I got a call from BU with an accept on Feb 14. Right there with the fellow Penn rejects. It was my top choice. Not to mention the fact I already live so close I could bike there!! Super bummed.

I got a reject from my dream school on Friday. I REALLY thought I was going to get in. I did everything right. i played that game hard. I shook for hours, and cried a lot. And ate pizza. And numbly watched TV. I'm still in shock a little bit. For months, I've been living the dream in my head of going to dream school. It's like my Friend the Dream died. And I have to start mentally living another reality. I think it's okay to mourn a little bit. Probably healthy. The other schools, which I'm pretty much assuming are rejects now, didn't feel as personal as this one school, and I'll probably just scowl at the letters when they arrive. I'm a little pissed, because I spend SO much money on this round of applications. I do have one accept at a school that's pretty good and I think I can be happy with....just the money situation is a little nuts there. (As in, they don't have it)

What you said.

Okay, I contacted Penn today and all their waitlists/accepts have already been notified. I'm really bummed, since I really thought i was going to get in. But c'est la vie... At least I have my safe school, wh isn't too shabby. I'm assuming that the other 2 Ivies I applied to have already made their decisions and that they don't include me.

Hmmm. Maybe you can work in to your conversation/emailed replay, "...and, as I was saying to Prof 2..." That's a tough one.

I only applied to 4, so if I get accepted at all, I plan to visit all.

Yea, in my experience, this happens after acceptance, so they would contact about acceptance and then visiting.

Any more musicology results?! I'm going nuts!

Woohoo!!! Totally addicted to Ravelry! I really began knitting in November. Since I started applications, I've knit 6 hats, two pairs of mittens, and a couple of small things. I consider it to be slightly more constructive than biting my nails. And I can still watch Netflix and knit.

This is the story of one my favorite profs in my undergrad. Good for you!!!! I'm 33. I have two kids and at least wanted to get them in school. Motherhood is such a tricky thing to balance in academia.

You should also think towards the future. These professors could potentially become future colleagues. Even if it feels like there's no way you could have any kind of connection with these people now, you never know what the future holds.

So I have one accept at a program I really like, but has poor funding. I'm waiting for the other three, which I expect will have fabulous funding, and one of wh is my top choice. If I get accepted there, this whole conversation will be moot. BUT if I don't get accepted, I have Fall Back School. I really do love Fall Back School. The major problem is money. They don't have much. Probably not even to cover tuition (for a PhD!). But the program is growing and getting more university recognition. The prof I'm in contact with said that finances will likely improve in the near future. And a student I talked to said they accepted a bunch of people last year with some money, not expecting that all would come, and all did come, so they blew their budget. (granted, that's a student report) Money aside, I believe the program is a good fit. Do you think it would inappropriate to ask them to defer my acceptance until next year when they could offer me a better financial package? I could be fine with just tuition covered and a TAship to cover incidental expenses and childcare, since I have a wonderful, loving, supportive spouse who could cover our family's cost of living. So I don't think I'm asking for the moon. Do people ever do this? defer acceptance?

Students can probably give you a more candid picture of department community/politics. That's a key area I try to feel out, bc no matter how prestigious programs/scholars are, if you get stuck in a bad situation, it sucks. I've had too many friends go through grad school nightmares bc of bad advisor situations. I would try to get a feel for who you would want to work with, and what is the success rate of students studying with this person? what is the average time students finish with different advisors? (sure, each student varies, but the profs do have a hand in guiding the process)

well, if it's by location, I would choose Pittsburgh. Great town.

It sounds like basically the same as waitlist. A few years ago I was waitlisted at a great program. A former faculty member of that school who I kind of new said that they never waitlisted anyone they didn't want. So they probably do want you and are trying to work with their uni to make y number of people fit into x number of spots. That still doesn't mean "you're in!" but the game isn't over yet. So, like the previous poster said prepare for the best, expect the worst.

And I've just finished knitting my 6th hat since I filled out applications. Just trying to make my hands do something besides check email.

Yes! I'm expecting an early March response from a couple of my places, and I just don't get it! Why the torture!? They had very early due dates for applications...in Dec! What's taking them so long!? I mean, they know they want, just get on with it, then.

I see Penn is a place you've applied--I've applied there, too, different dept, but I've done some sleuthing around and a previous attempt a few years ago, and I know my dept doesn't notify 'til the end of feb/beginning of March. Just to say...Keep the faith, hope, whatever! These humanities peeps are taking their time.

((hug)) that's a horrible feeling.

Cool!!! If we don't move, (two schools would require a move, two wouldn't), I'll plant a garden. Hoping to get in some good camping, this summer, too. And our annual pilgrimage to Maine. So love Maine.

Oh great, I was just making a pact with myself to take a break from freaking out over the weekend. There that goes! LOL

Yea, I feel like barfing. Ha! Congrats on the P'ton accept, though. That's great! And I've heard that Harvard doesn't get back to you 'til March. GAH!!! I sure hope I don't have to wait that much longer, bc right now a day is like 1000 years.

Yes, j e remy y ud kin called me. Still nothing from Penn. I don't know how the heck I can afford BU, though. This is going to take some creativity.