pregasauraus

Lapin, once I read your post I immediately realized that this must be one of glaring problems with my SOP. I do talk about my teaching, and though I do frame it as feeding into my research interests, I think I probably highlighted the teaching over the research. When I do my applications for next year (I hope you don't have to!) I will most certainly either not mention the teaching or diminish the importance of it in the SOP. That, or I'll focus on the schools you mentioned are more dedicated to pedagogy - but which schools are included along that qualification? I was wondering why my application seemed to be pretty well-received last year (2 wait lists vs. 4 outright rejections this year) and this year is going so horribly. But last year's SOP focused only on my research interests and didn't mention my teaching background. Why, oh why did I change that SOP?!?

Thanks, Lapin. It might have taken me a little longer to get in the PhD race, but I ended up in a very well-paying job right after grad school, and decided to pay off a good chunk of my student loans from my bachelor's and master's degrees and pay for my wedding. I don't regret anything I've done, from that job to the marriage and the baby. Though I've never felt I had to hide the marriage, I have definitely not made it common knowledge to any school that I'm expecting a child. I know I've been quite vocal about it on this forum, but that's because it's coming up soon, and I am excited about it. And who's going to reject me here - we're all here to support one another through this stressful process. I realize that it's unethical to discriminate, but that doesn't mean that it isn't practiced. Honestly, I don't feel that it had anything to do with my rejections. I know I'm qualified, but so far, this year isn't working for me. This has much more to do with my SOP not outlining my research intentions well enough than anything else. So, if the last four schools don't work out for me, I'll just regroup, get some good advice, try to get something else published, and apply again next year. The life of an academic is the only one for me, ideally. And I can't give that up. Not yet at least.

Bob, thanks for being straightforward. I really appreciate it! Now I can remain focused on my rejections as something I can fix, which keeps my hopes up.

Fullof, I would like to think that one isn't immediately dismissed due to marital status. If this has to do with the financial commitment, I would think that having a spouse would help the financial standing. In my application it does state that I am married (since all of the titles for me were Mrs.), but there was no mention of a child. Nor did I mention the baby in my SOP or hint at it in any other document. I am not the average age of grad school applicants - I just entered my 30s, but I already have my MA. I think marriage is a little more common for those who have already completed their master's degree. I do want suggestions for improving my application, but since I don't plan on getting divorced, I guess the only way I could improve my application based on your information would be to have my title as Ms. Still, most applications do ask for your marital status, and I can't really lie about it. I also did NOT apply only to schools that were near my husband's job. I applied at schools with professors I admire, and who I'd been in touch with about a compatibility between my projects/area of research and their interests. Don't get me wrong, your feedback is appreciated. I just don't know what you're suggesting that I do in order to improve my application.

Lapin, I'm in the same boat as you, except that I'm still absolutely up for the PhD. You make a very good point about the glut of people with similar research interests and the possibility of a grim job future in that field due to the overwhelming amount of interest. Even though I'm aware of the competitive nature of our field, your observation really hit home. I've been teaching for a while now, and I don't know what I'll do either (I'm not really expecting any acceptances this year). I do love teaching, but the pay is very minimal for the amount of work I do, and I live in a very expensive city. I'm somewhat interested in museum work, but know that it wouldn't be near as good of a fit for me as teaching is. That's why I see the PhD as the only real route for me. But since I've been unable to get in after two years of applying, I think I'm going to go to pastry school. I'll teach part time, and try to find work making wedding cakes or something. And I'm only half-joking.

Paperclips, that sounds positive to me. Maybe they're just trying to gauge your level of interest in the program.

For me, it's a little less like "pause" and a little more like super-slow motion. Things are moving ahead, but it's at an agonizing pace. I don't know if we're going to move, if I can set up a nursery for our baby (due in 2 months), and if I should just give up and look for additional teaching positions for fall semester. In addition, having a partner makes this waiting game so much more intense. I have inflicted the "life on pause" experience on my husband, who doesn't know if he's going to have to look for a job in a new city; plus he has to deal with an overly emotional pregnant wife (also overly emotional due to the application process) and adjust to the idea of becoming a daddy. Poor guy.

My applications were across the board - including a range from top schools to a couple of safety schools. I would have applied to SAIC, but they don't have a PhD program. Thanks for the positive spin. I am very excited for this baby.

Oh, my fellow art historians... Today is a breaking point. I am in the middle of a 5-day-long visit from my in-laws (who are staying in our apartment), sick of the bitter cold, hugely pregnant with my first baby - I finally got a break today to do some research for class (I teach), and on my way out the door, received my third rejection letter. All three rejection letters have come in just over one week. The cost of living in my city is unbelievable, I don't get paid much as a teacher, and my husband was notified today that he's not getting a raise this year. It doesn't look good for the remaining 4 schools I haven't heard from yet, and I'm starting to have a hard time facing my family and friends with the news of all these rejections. Like all of you, I'm sure, I've never wanted anything more in my life than to get my PhD. And now I'm facing another year where I'm going to have to revise my application materials, get the money together for multiple applications, and bear down for another wait for results. I am not sure how to go from here. I have had my application materials reviewed by people in the field, all have given me great feedback and positive reviews, my test scores are solid, my GPA is solid, I've visited the schools or at least contacted professors to see if they think we'd be a good fit. What else can I do? I don't mean to sound like such a downer in my posts, but I'm really having a tough time with this application round. Any advice would be greatly welcome. And I am very grateful that I have a job and a wonderful husband with a job, too, so please don't get me wrong. I know this isn't the end of life.

Ditto that.

I haven't heard either.

Thanks, mims. I am really happy for you and all the others who have gotten accepted this year. I received another rejection letter this week (the same day I hit my 3rd trimester), after which I asked for some feedback on the reason for my rejection. A professor from that school who I have been in touch with over the last 2 years wrote me back with fantastic information. I feel really lucky to have feedback like that about my application, all of which made a lot of sense. If this isn't the year for me (again), I know I'll give it another shot next year.

It looks like historically Yale accepts via phone during the last week of February, and sends rejections the week after via email. I hope you get a phone call soon!

During my times of feeling utterly (and sometimes literally) rejected, I always picture the scene from "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" where the main character plays the saddest version of the Muppet Show opening theme song. For some reason, it both rips at my heart and makes me burst out laughing.

Kate_ellen, if both programs seems equally satisfying to you in regards to resources and faculty (and financial packages), then I think you should make a decision based on where you want to live. You're looking at spending years in one of these locations. Have you visited both campuses? And congratulations to you for being in the position to have to make this decision!