Safferz

Email from the graduate coordinator just a few moments before I shared the news

I didn't know it either until I found myself waiting for one more school So happy!! Thanks everyone, I'm pretty overwhelmed by my results since that first rejection! Nope, but I do have a paper published in a relatively unknown journal that's the only one for the region I study in Northeast Africa, and a few undergrad journals. I don't really know what did it, my application overall was strong but so are most applications these schools receive. The only school I applied to that has professors that work on the Horn of Africa is UPenn and West Africa tends to dominate Africa in most history departments, so I was worried I didn't have a fit anywhere... so it could also be that my research is unique in that way and this year some departments wanted a student that looks at a different region of Africa.

I JUST GOT INTO HARVARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Or was it StrangeLight that had a Canadian MA? In that case, I do apologize for thinking that was an America's hat/51st state type joke (we're polite ) *puts hockey gloves back on and skates away*

Oh no you di-in't!

Yep, same department -- I received an email from the chair of the graduate committee on February 8th, with an invite to the visiting day on March 16th. I don't know how else their admissions process works (whether they sent all their acceptances out then or if they start with a first wave of offers like some other schools), but I do know from the email that there's a waiting list in place. On their website they have admissions statistics (the most recent year on the chart is 2008), and they seem to average a little over 30 offers each year for an incoming class of 15-18.

That's my guess, too -- a lot of the other disciplines branch off into different streams with entirely different methodologies, whereas we're all historians and all applying to history departments, with the only variation between us as candidates being our temporal and regional focus.

Glad to hear that! I think Yale acceptances trickled out over a few days last year as well, but I'd imagine they're done now (or close to it) because visiting days are in two weeks. I don't know if they have a waiting list or not, though.

Unless you're in that person's specific subfield (with the same POI), it really isn't worth the stress and any information they share here will not tell you anything about *your* application. The process is just getting started -- Harvard will get to all of us at some point, so we just gotta wait it out.

They really need a new server for this site!

Fly to New York, and from there you can take a shuttle service or a train to New Haven: http://admissions.yale.edu/travel-arrangements#air

Hmmm perhaps they did at some point in the evening, but I don't remember seeing him in the montage. He was just such a great writer, thinker and musician, it's a shame he doesn't get the level of recognition he deserves. *wanders off GradCafe to go listen to GSL on YouTube*

Found it -- UChicago conference on Jersey Shore Studies.

I've already come across Jersey Shore studies on one of my gender studies listservs... give me a sec and I'll dig it up

Excluded in life and in death!

How could they forget Gil Scott-Heron during the tribute?

So as we approach another new week that I'm sure will be as eventful as the last, I want to wish everyone the best of luck. I started off this week with a rejection from the lowest ranked school I applied to, and I was so sure that meant definite rejections from the rest. By mid-week I was thinking about a plan B, and kicking myself for aiming too high by not being realistic with my applications. Then I received the email from UPenn just before class on Wednesday afternoon, and by Thursday morning I had five acceptances. So stay patient and optimistic, and don't question yourself, your abilities or your worth as a candidate! Also keep in mind that it's still early in the process, and interpret silence as a sign that you're still in the running. Good luck folks! I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I haven't heard from my top choice yet, so I'm waiting for news this week too

This, and read over your writing sample too! Be prepared to talk about your research interests as outlined in your application, as well as your plans for the future. It's also a good idea to have some questions in mind to ask your POI if you're given the opportunity.

You guys are a riot!!

It's the right thing to do! There's one more school at this stage that I'm close to declining, but I'd like to sleep on it for another day or two. I also haven't heard from my top choice yet, and I'm really curious to see how that pans out.

I declined my UPenn offer, since I'm certain I won't be going there and it doesn't make sense to hold on to a spot when there's a waiting list. Not sure if they've notified waitlisted students of their status or not, but someone will be getting good news soon

Good to hear! I'm really looking forward to my visit

American History European History African History Oseirus, Singwaya18, Safferz Latin American History teachgrad East Asian History Near/Middle Eastern History Others???

Any predictions on what schools we'll hear from next week?

Last year there was a separate thread called "Decisions, decisions for historians"... maybe it's a good idea to get one of those started in the next week or two, since others in our discipline (and sub-fields) can offer more useful and specific advice than a general decisions forum for all grad school applicants.