Leahlearns

Yes, total pause. I cannot wait for it to end. I'm also (largely) unexpectedly/suddenly unemployed. I have a volunteer position, which seems like the only option at the moment, although I continue to search. It is far from fulfilling enough, however. I need more structure again soon or I'm seriously going to go mad. Of course, uncertainty about what my situation will be next fall is just what I need on top of this economy. I may regret saying this a year from now, but I would give anything right now to be insanely busy and sleep deprived studying what I love.

Did you apply to the master's program or the PhD program? I only applied to master's programs. My interest is regional studies though, not language and lit. There were some posts back in mid-February from people who had been admitted to Harvard's MA program. I'm wondering whether those were made up or not, however. It seems like if they had sent out acceptances over two weeks ago I would have received my rejection by now. I haven't seen anything posted about Stanford's EAS program. I'm hoping this just means that all the programs are on different schedules and not that they're just taking their sweet time shipping off the rejection letters. I'm also waiting on UW-Seattle. I guess the lang and lit program sent out letters earlier this month, but the Chinese Studies program hasn't. I was told I can expect to hear from them in early March. That would commence tomorrow... By the way, I know someone who is currently in the program at Yale and loves it. I didn't apply because it's a little too close to home for me, but it sounds like a great program. Congrats on your admittance.

I probably fall under the socialist label too. I believe that everyone can/should chip in so that basic needs can be met for everyone health care, education, public transportation, etc. But a lot of what I see on the "far left" in the US I disagree with. I think the "far left," perhaps especially in academia, can get awfully whiny sometimes. There are problems. There are people who are not treated equally. I don't think there's any denying that. But I don't think it all needs to be turned into a who's more oppressed competition. On a related note, I also think sometimes those of us on the "far left" tend to romanticize "the other" a bit-- the Free Tibet protest last spring being a case in point. Sure, there have been abuses. But how many of those protesters could name five major cities in Tibet or tell you the first thing about how the next Dalai Lama is chosen. We might be able to help. But we should help where we know how. I'd love to see the same level of outrage we saw all across the country regarding human rights abuses in Tibet last spring over the lack of national health care (a problem most Americans have first-hand experience with). I think the reason that hasn't happened is because Tibet and Darfur and Palestine, etc are more "romantic." I'm not saying there aren't real problems in those areas, but I just doubt that many of the people involved really know the complexities/ what they're fighting for/ what would really help.

I'm also waiting to hear from both of those programs...

The waiting (after one rejection that came a month ago this week) is killing me. I felt far more optimistic about my chances prior to that first letter. I don't know what the realistic way of thinking about all of this is supposed to be. Sure, I could still get in elsewhere. But somehow I find myself thinking about the odds that I won't get in anywhere far more often these days than I did prior to that rejection letter. I want to hear news and it often worries me that I still haven't heard anything from any of the other schools, but at the same time, for whatever reason, at this point I have a hard time imagining that news being positive. The first emotion an acceptance letter would trigger in me at this point would probably be disbelief. Ecstasy would, of course, follow. But opening e-mail and checking mail these days has become a task that requires first mustering up courage.

I'm just curious to hear what people who were rejected the first time around and reapplied this year have done in the interim. What have you been up to? Have you found it worthwhile/useful/enjoyable? Any advice for those of us who may be in that position this upcoming year? Of course, economic conditions now may make for a slightly different game... I don't know whether that will be me or not. I still have a few schools I'm waiting to hear from, but I feel like I should be thinking about it so that if I do get rejected everywhere I don't go into a tailspin (which may happen regardless of my efforts). Meanwhile, during all this endless waiting my thoughts about Plan B have been changing/evolving quite a bit.

Congratulations on UCLA, that's awesome. I'm still waiting to hear from three schools...and feeling very impatient.

I'm in the exact same boat. I just wish I knew when I would be notified. Getting rejected everywhere would leave me feeling awful and that scenario certainly is not out of the realm of possibility, but it would be so nice to get it over with all at once. If I don't get in, I'll try again next year. But, the waiting/ anxiety is torture.

Don't give up. This process, as I'm sure you know, is far from scientific. Getting in or not getting in one place tells you very little about your odds elsewhere. Can you find something that makes you happy, however impractical, and indulge? I've been doing a lot of that lately.

I think it does vary from school to school and from program to program, but it seems to me that one reason for notifying accepted applicants first would be to give them more time to visit schools, talk to people, etc before they have to make a decision. This would especially make sense as it gets closer to April. It also seems like there are a lot of cases where people are notified that they've been accepted, but then they end up waiting a bit before they get any news about funding. (Although many students final decisions are contingent upon what kind of funding they receive, but maybe at least knowing you're in would compel you to put off accepting another school's offer). All speculation here. Personally, I almost wish I hadn't done so much searching on the internet. Now I have a very good sense of when acceptances and rejections were sent out last year (which come first, which come later, the approximate dates, etc) and it's making me even more nervous. Ignorance would so be bliss, even if that doesn't have the power to change the ultimate outcome.

Yeah, everyone I know who knows anything about Asian Studies just sings UW-Seattle's praises. One professor when I told her I didn't get into Berkeley literally said to me, "Amen! You don't want to be there anyway. UW-Seattle is the place to be." Plus, it sounds like (at least from this board) unlike other schools they tend to provide some funding. Of course, with the economy the way it is who knows. The only bad part seems to be the competition .

Yup, also rejected at Berkeley. I'm interested in East Asia though. I also applied to UW-Seattle, Harvard, and Stanford.

Anyone else only receive rejections thus far? I've only heard back from one school and I didn't get in. I didn't apply to all that many schools (only 4) and have no idea when I can expect to hear from the others. It's so nerve-wracking! They're all competitive. There just aren't that many terminal MA programs in my field to start with...On the upside, I only need one acceptance. I would be very happy at any of these schools. I have no hierarchy. But, of course my fear is that I'll be rejected everywhere. (I know I'm not alone there). I do have a back-up plan. I want this though!

I don't know if anyone has heard yet, but I was just wondering when you are notified by e-mail do most acceptance letters have attachments of some sort? Is that maybe a sign to look for before you brace yourself to open the e-mail?