pikatopia

Same here! And the Senior's U is saying to me, "Why study with the student, when you could work with the real deal?" It's a pretty compelling argument...(at least for me!)

Admittedly, I don't know much about the area of Comm you are interested in...but I will say this - some institutions won't allow you to apply for their PhD program until you've successfully completed their MA degree. It's not like that everywhere, but you may also want to look into the possibility of doing your MA and your PhD at two separate institutions...but that is a matter of preference!

I think reviewing can sometimes take more than a week... I was notified that one of my schools was "reviewing" the first week of February, but I didn't get my acceptance notice until the very last day of the month. But a short, simple email can't hurt you - especially if it helps you quell a little anxiety!

I've been accepted to both UMass-Amherst and UNC-Chapel Hill... I don't know how/if either of the schools stagger their admissions process, but UNC is hosting a Welcoming Weekend starting on 3/19. UMass has no specific weekend, but does encourage visits.

There is another thread in "Decisions, Decisions" subforum...it has some very helpful information! (There is a CGS that mandates schools on that list adhere to April 15 - so you can check if your school is on it...) Here's the link: viewtopic.php?f=67&t=15184

Wow - I was not trying to start anything...it was just friendly banter. Nonetheless, sorry if you were offended...but it was not a personal dig at you or anyone else here!

I don't know much about Comm Journ, as I'm in Comm Arts & Sciences...but from current contact, I would suggest maybe looking into UW-Seattle. I'm in touch with a current PhD student there whose interest is in EcoComm...pretty interesting topics that he is working on, but the department may be completely different than what you're looking for.

And I'm so glad we have our own forum!! Although I have to admit, it is a little nervewracking to see others who have applied to the same places... : ) Best of luck to everyone!!

I *think* (and I'm not positive, so take it with a grain of salt) that UMass-Amherst notifies right before they go on their Spring Break. At least that's what past applicants have relayed. Although, I'm not sure if you're talking about UMass-Amherst or Amherst College?

I also got accepted to UNC's MA program in Communication - : ) Fun to find others who applied!! Will you be going to the Welcome Weekend?

I have one acceptance that came with 3 PDF attachments - one was the acceptance letter, the next was funding information and the last a contract. Nothing via website, nothing in snailmail - unfortunately! (and believe me, I was stalking both the website and my mailbox ) I'm sure it varies from program to program!

what about the ones that just came via email? (as an attachment of sorts...)

I'm not in History, but I do agree with this... My GRE scores barely BARELY broke into 4 digits and I was accepted to two "Public Ivy" schools...other than those tragic scores, my application was about as strong as it could be! So my GREs didn't destroy me...WHEW.

Will I be missing out on key information if I don't stay with a grad student host? I chose not to stay with a graduate because they are putting me up at a hotel...

I just cackled. That is too funny!!!

I just got accepted into a prestigious Top Choice of mine and my GRE scores barely cracked 1000. Emphasis on BARELY! So while I'm not saying that GRE scores don't matter, I am saying that lower scores won't take you out of the running...

I didn't think it was common and usually give myself a break with the obsessive email checking... but THEN I got an acceptance notification yesterday!! (checked it after Valentine's dinner and it was the BEST present ) So I would say...who knows what timeline these grad committees are on...keep hitting that send/receive button!

I looked at only ONE since uploading it online because they also requested a hard copy....and discovered that I left the "s" off Illinois. ARGH. I corrected it in the hard copy that I sent and just prayed that they either won't notice it or will forgive me since I corrected it. And nooo idea why my Word didn't catch it!! aaaahhhhhhh.

I applied for MA programs this year...I was guaranteed a full fellowship for my first year only - second year is contingent on my academic performance.

According to my department at Washington, they are "in review" and notifications will be sent out "mid-February" and by email. I'm sure it varies slightly by department, but I'm hoping to know something from them by the end of next week!

CONGRATS!! I got my first acceptance via email from the Grad Admissions Chair and then also from a potential advisor...on Jan 15th. My funding has already been determined (about a week after that)...but still nothing "official" in my mailbox (and believe me, I've been checking!). So I don't know the answer to that, but would guess that like everything else - each institution is different! I want mine so I can stick it on the fridge or something!!

Honestly, every extra score that I've requested from ETS has made it...which would lead me to believe it might be lost in the department's sorting system.

I don't really know the process, but is there any room for "bargaining"? As in...can you tell FSU you love them/want to go there...BUT have a better funding opportunity elsewhere and see what they say?

Apologies for the potentially inane question, but are "student fees" different from "mandatory fees" ?

Not University related, but in terms of high schools - the teachers at my International (and fairly highly ranked) high school are in the upper 60s at initial placement and pretty close to 6 figures after a good run. They are also tax free!!