rubyrunner

This is solid advice. I'm also preparing for phone conversations with faculty, and I plan to ask about their current research projects, new interests, etc. Department websites and JSTOR are bound to be slightly outdated, and I'd love to get the inside scoop. I also plan to ask a couple of questions about upcoming seminars, though I need to work those out a bit more!

My writing sample was on the sequel to Pamela. I'm a Richardson fan (I think he's hilarious), but that pushed my limits.

Thanks for the information, everyone. Timeshel, my husband and I would also be looking to move close to campus if I accept the offer. I haven't done much research on housing yet, but I'm excited that there's a Trader Joe's nearby! BattlingAnxiety, best of luck on the waitlist!

Seconding this. I e-mailed the grad department at UW to confirm that all my materials had been received (online status never updated).

I haven't heard anything, but I'd love to go to this program. It's worth noting that I got my waitlist notification last year on a Sunday.

Congratulations, Timeshel! I'm very excited about UCR. My area is 18th century British literature, especially journalism and history of the book. Will you be attending the Open House on April 5? I'm hoping to if I can get someone to cover my classes for a couple days.

Don't lose hope on UCR. I just received an acceptance from them this morning!

Pimm's--or more specifically, Pimm's Cup. Truly delicious.

Same situation. I would love to go to UC Davis, where I was waitlisted last year...but everywhere I applied this year is a pretty good fit, and I would be happy with any offer. Good luck to you!

I’ve heard it’s a good idea to be able to articulate research interests and goals concisely: a short description of your projects in under 30 seconds, and a lengthier 2-5 minute description if asked. I figure that will be a good skill to have even if interviews don’t happen!

84, Charing Cross Road by Helen Hanff. Another quick read, but perfect for restoring a love of literature after the soul-sucking application process. It's the true story of a correspondence between the author and the owner of an English bookshop.

Both sound like great opportunities, but I'm leaning towards teaching the class. With budget cuts, many programs are emphasizing teaching more than ever. You can always apply to conferences once you start teaching and have a better sense of your schedule (I presented at one this semester that coincided with a long weekend). Unless, of course, the conference in question is MLA--and if that's the case, I'm jealous!

Don't worry! bdon: Since UT-Austin doesn't have a terminal MA, I'm pretty sure it's just sorting out applicants who don't have the MA from those who do. My app says I'm applying to the Ph.D., but that's because I already have my MA. Rose: I got my UT EID a couple days after I submitted. Somewhere on the website (I forget where) says it takes a while to go through. Of course, I'm freaking out about a million other things!

Anyone turning down Davis? Much appreciated!

Just got my rejection letter. Best of luck to all of you!

I'm still waiting. I'm not really expecting to get in, but hoping...I grew up in Seattle! I expect to be one of the last ones to hear, since my MA transcripts arrived ridiculously late.

I'm in the exact same situation (live close to the school where I'm waitlisted & didn't feel like I could make the decision to attend on short notice without visiting). I decided to visit, and I'm incredibly glad that I did. I'm pretty sure it didn't make an impact on my chances of eventual admission, but it was personally beneficial to chat with POIs I hadn't made contact with before and affirm that I would jump at a chance to go to this school! Most people didn't even seem to know that I was waitlisted, but I'm sure they would have treated me respectfully either way.

I haven't heard one way or another yet, but one of the graduate advisers told me that there would be two waves of acceptances. I called in a panic after my MA program forgot (!!!) to send my transcripts, and was told I would be evaluated in the second pool of applicants. Hope that helps a bit!

I'm wait-listed at my top choice, and was told I'd probably hear back AFTER April 15th. Anyone else in this situation? I don't know if I'd be willing to hold out and risk not entering a program at all (if I end up with another offer, which I currently don't have). Best of luck to my fellow wait-listers!

I just received word that I'm waitlisted at Davis. Any other waitlisters out there? I'm just relieved to have heard something from one of my top choices...even if that something means more waiting. I'm also wondering if it would be appropriate to visit campus, since I'm only an hour away. I don't want to push my luck! Congratulations to all those accepted!

I have an email that says application decisions will be made in March (although I'm not sure whether MA & PhD decisions will be made at the same time. I'm applying with an MA). This school is quickly rising to the top of my list, so I'm sure there will be plenty of fingernail biting at the end of February!

New here! Like many others, wish I'd discovered this site while I was still applying... UC Berkeley UCLA Rice Stanford U of Washington WUSTL Applying for 18th-century British lit, textual studies & print culture. Good luck, everyone!