pikatopia

small bit of UMass info - they have already sent out their rejection letters...so if at this point, you still have not heard anything - you're likely on their wait list.

I've asked around a lot about UMass-Amherst (as I'm going to visit this week)...and the way I've heard it described is "self-contained". And also a bit isolated...also hear that the campus is not the prettiest one around... But I suppose I'll be able to share a bit more about it after my visit! PM me if you would like!

After visits and a lot of debating...my final 3 are: UW-Seattle, UMass-Amherst & UNC-Chapel Hill. I eliminated two schools based on visits and faculty interaction...I have yet to visit the last two (heading to both this week and next!), but have long bee in contact with both programs. How about you??

Is Columbia your first choice? I withdrew from a waitlist because I am pretty tired of the waiting game! (And I am very happy with the choices that I do have, which helps!)

I think that anyone going through this process knows how completely agonizing it is and isn't PURPOSELY just sitting on an acceptance to drive others mad. Personally, I'm taking my time because it is a really big decision. I have 3 programs left to visit and since they have been at the top of my list since the very beginning of this process for me - I intend to do as much thorough research on them as I can. (And for the record, I turned down one of the places that I have already visited because I knew it wasn't the right match.)

RE UNC-CH...the Communication department and the Journalism/Mass Comm department are different. I don't know about the Journalism dept, but the actual Communication department IS holding their Welcome Weekend starting this Thursday, with events running through late Saturday morning. Chapel Hill seems to send all notifications via Postal Mail - I was notified around Feb 22nd. About UMASS - Carbaugh is away on his Spring Break this week and will not have frequent email contact. I don't know if Kathy Ready is in her office at all (she is the Grad Program Secretary) this week, but it may be more pragmatic to contact her.

I withdrew from a waitlist...didn't see the point of continuing to play the waiting game when I knew I wouldn't go there. But I know that's different than simply withdrawing an app.

CONGRATS!! : )

...this is a TOUGH question! I am probably not going to Ohio...and not the waitlisted school that I withdrew my app from!

Arizona sounds like a Waitlist...the second sounds more like "don't rush us".

I'm not trying to be the Negative Nelly (hahaha) here, but maybe they just tried to cover as many bases as possible with one single form email? (i.e. Let everyone know they are reviewing, when the letters will be sent and that if it's an acceptance what they will be sending.) Honestly though, that is a REALLY cryptic email. Very confusing!

I'm really sorry - I wasn't meaning to offend at all (if I did)... :oops: I'm just kind of OCD and need all loose ends tied up before something feels *done*. And I will agree - it does feel good to know that at least I have somewhere to go... Sending you good luck and positive energy!

I think the fact that you were accepted still speaks volumes - they wanted you, they just couldn't fund you. Is there any word on whether if a funded accept drops that you might be offered this funding? I'm obviously not on a grad comm and have no real knowledge of your field...but will offer any insight where I can!

two thumbs up, sixty bazillion cheers and 110% agreed with you on this one!! it's come to me screaming at the computer/email program/the air/imaginary grad comm - "JUST TELL ME SOMETHING!! ANYTHING!!!" i have callouses from hitting "send/receive"... now, in all honesty, i'm only waiting on my last two (and already have my top two in the bag - yay!)...but I just want this exhaustipating process to be OVER...and I can't really consider it "over" until I have all the results.

I got some of the BEST information - not just best, but the most HELPFUL - at the "pub meeting" that was set up for me. I heard the good, the bad and the in-between (and got to sample some reeeeallly great microbrews)...and while I enjoyed all of them as company for those several hours, I was really glad to have my hotel to retire to at the end of the evening. What I've learned: if they pay for a hotel, take them up on it...just make sure you get some quality time with grads in the non-academic setting.

Can I ask if anyone has visited UMass-Amherst? (and if you're not comfortable on the board, pleeease send me a private message!) I'm planning to head out there fairly shortly - any insight is welcome! : ) ...even if it's not my department, I'm curious about the campus/town/all that goodness.

Just for safety's sake, I would also email the Grad Program Assistant or Secretary to the DGS, whichever your program happens to have.

It doesn't sound like you made your decision lightly and the best part is that you sound completely comfortable with it. Good for you!! And good luck!!

Definitely let us know when you hear!! ...and GOOD LUCK

Have you updated the Results board with that (unfortunate) news yet? I'm just asking because it will be helpful to next year's applicants. Sending you many positive thoughts for your remaining applications...

I mean...choose the people, not the school. If you only want Stanford simply because it's Stanford...that may not be just cause to go there.

I'd say that's pretty positive... I don't think they would encourage an offer to visit and contact faculty (which is time consuming for the faculty, as well) to someone who they are not considering at all. It takes time and energy on all parts - I doubt they would waste their own faculty's time on someone they were not seriously going to consider for admission. But then again...it very well could be a standard response...I guess?

Have you visited UW's campus? Seen the department, met the people? I think that's a huge part in making the decision - how well you 'fit' with the people and environment...esp with the commitment to a PhD program.

Maybe SUNY-Buffalo or Purdue?

I think it really depends wildly on what institution, what program, other circumstances... I don't have any personal experience myself, but have Friend A - graduated top of his class from UnivA, departmental honors but was waitlisted for the MA program simply because the department was trying to avoid 'inbreeding' (I think that's what he said)...and they encouraged him to branch out for his MA elsewhere, but return to UnivA for his PhD. Friend B - graduated not top of his class, but was involved in a big important research undertaking at UnivB and was encouraged to apply there for his MA...got accepted both there & a few other places and to my knowledge is still making his decision. These are two situations in the same field...just two different people at two different universities. You may want to touch base with professors in your department to see how they feel about it - ask them to be honest!