Raputa

Have you filled out a FAFSA? It's something you'd have to pay back (eventually) but I know that under certain circumstances you can apply for a loan revision/extra funding. You should check with the school's financial aid office. For example, I'm on a full fellowship, but since I filled out the fafsa this year, I still got loan offers. Obviously you should try to find some free money, but this might be an option if you're really stuck--way better than credit card debt. www.fafsa.gov

I'm glad someone started this thread. I currently have a macbook that I use to take notes, but I don't like sitting behind a laptop in class (especially in a seminar); also, even though I have a new-ish macbook, it's really heavy to lug around. How easy is it to mark up/annotate texts/pdfs on the ipad? I have to write on articles &etc--are you able to quickly annotate, or is it a pain? I'm considering waiting a couple more generations before getting one...

I'm declining Rutgers, and I've taken myself off the wait-lists for SUNY Buffalo and UPenn. Going to Michigan! Good Luck and congratulations everyone!

Haha! I hope so, SP! -- I was aghast at myself!

I started talking about Led Zeppelin---at a table of profs, current students and admits during a fancy open-house lunch. Yes, I did. I called them "Zep," even!

Yes. I studied the Nortons for the subject test and did fairly well---but the test I took absolutely did not resemble either of the practice tests (ETS & Princeton Review). People came out of that room traumatized! All the lit test says about you is that you've read some books. You know how to analyze a paragraph. The actual statement of purpose and writing sample should say as much--we don't need this test. I'm glad some schools are setting an example by not requiring it!

I got a wait-list email this morning as well. Pretty surprising as I just assumed I was rejected. I'm already sitting on a couple offers that are an excellent fit for me, so if I don't get in to UPenn I won't be upset about it. Good Luck to everyone! Jprufrock--I hope you get in if it's your top choice--UPenn does rule. It looks like you're going to be taking your pick!

I applied to UCSB & haven't heard anything. No change on the website either. Sheesh. I just checked the results for 2010: a couple acceptances in early Feb & the rest in early March. So, maybe next week?

Intextrovert, I noticed that you're at UM. I've just been accepted there. I hope you don't mind my asking, but how do you like it there? What is your area? I also have an offer from Rutgers (and am still waiting on a few), so I'm trying to weigh things/get info. Oh yeah, PM me if you don't want to say too much on the board. Thanks!

I applied as well. I did get an email in January that said decisions would be made mid-to-late February....but I still haven't heard anything either! The area around Ithaca is SO beautiful!!

I got a call today as well--totally shocked! Congratulations to everyone else! Anyone going to the visit day March 22?

I also want to chime in as a 33 year old applicant! I just got in to an amazing program (that obviously knows my withered old age! ) and am very happy. So I'll be 40 when I finish--so what?! A friend of mine once said, "You can be 40 with an amazing degree, or you can be 40 without a degree." Makes sense to me. We can do what we want--we shouldn't feel pressured to have EVERYTHING accomplished by 30. Life is too varied and too rich. To everyone in their early early 20s--if you feel like you need to take a break, do it! I waited over 10 years and I'm so glad that I did. We all have different time-tracks. Anyway, best of luck to those on the 2nd & 3rd round (and 1st round, obvs)!

Oh man--I haven't heard anything fro NYU yet....probably a bad sign! Congratulations to everyone who got in so far!

Yeah. The waiting is driving me insane at this point. I was pretty zen in, say, January. Not so in Feb. I haven't heard anything yet and it's put me in this weird mental lull. Though I haven't heard anything official, I take it from the SUNY Buffalo posts/thread that I'm not going there. Well, I wasn't that great of a fit with their program anyway...

Seriously. If I at least knew something about my plan for next year, I feel that I'd get into gear and re-motivate. But as it stands, I spend waaaay too much time online (hello?), drinking wine, laying around, eschewing my actual Homework That I Have to Get Done and (this above all) pointlessly speculating on any and all kinds of case-scenarios (acceptance to top program, award-winning dissertation and TT job? Career waitress? Who can say?!). It's this feeling of endless, sluggish stasis. Purgatory. February is the cruelest month!