m41

I'm sorry, maybe I've lost my sense of humor at this point in the season, but this is a joke, right?

Hi everyone, I'm wondering if anyone has insight into the schedule for acceptances at Columbia or Harvard. I've tried using the results board, but there do not seem to be many acceptances posted. In other fields at Harvard (such as African American studies), I know people usually get calls around Valentine's Day. Any help would be appreciated as I'm also trying to think about alternative plans (when to make them, etc.), especially considering my girlfriend. Thank you!

I lived in Cambridge while at Harvard and I want to offer advice about where not to rent. Whatever you do, avoid 929 House. The location is fantastic, and it seems decent during a visit, but trust those reviews at apartment ratings. Very unsafe, very poor (though friendly) management, water problems, mail problems, break-ins - everything you'd want to avoid worrying about while trying to focus on coursework.

John Stauffer (of Af-Am, English, and the head of Am Civ) directed my thesis. He gave me detailed notes on every paragraph I wrote, suggestions on content and style, suggestions for further reading, and endless enthusiasm. In the African Languages program, John Mugane will arrange for you to learn literally whatever language you want. These experiences were not anomalies. I have found the department to be the intellectually generous and extremely supportive. From my own experiences, I don't agree with the idea that "if you are at Harvard that you are on your own." It is true that you must be extremely motivated. But, if you are not, then why are you attending graduate school anywhere? I hate responding to the I-knew-someone-who-knew-someone-who-hated-Harvard-so-I-didn't-want-to-go-anyway-and-they're-really-a-bunch-of-phonies talk. Especially during admissions (and rejection) season. But since there is relatively little information about Af-Am programs, I want to offer those personal experiences with the department and strongly recommend it. See the various speaker series and Du Bois colloquiums (see "events calendar" at http://aaas.fas.harvard.edu/news_events/index.html). See the breadth and depth of courses given on African studies (http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~cafrica/aca ... urses.html). See what's happening at the Du Bois (http://dubois.fas.harvard.edu/). Negatives? They're not transparent at all about the admissions process. If you apply for one primary field, and they feel you are a better fit for another, they will not transfer your application, but ask that you re-apply next year. Also, if you fall off pace, no one seems to really go out of their way to pick you back up. In my experience, if you're down, they're down; if you fall off, you're wasting their time. I can't say that I disagree with that. But it is certainly not for everyone.

That's very funny...but I'd say no. Seems s/he just likes talking shit about Harvard. It happens.

I go to Harvard and disagree emphatically. (And I was also rejected from AAAS.)

I'm sure that the assistants in this particular department (who are awesome, no doubt) are not allowed to release that information.

Sorry for the confusion - a friend was notified on Feb 22, 2008 for admission to the joint Yale Af-Am program. (Not sure if s/he'd like anymore identifying information than that posted.) I can say, however, that customarily the congratulatory call is made by the potential advisor. Good luck - I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!

Hey GG - I know someone in the Yale program who was admitted on the 22nd of Feb. Good luck.

I'm currently at Harvard and I am shocked to hear this. Can you elaborate (maybe by pm)? So depressing...

Hey, did you just post the Af-Am acceptance at Northwestern? Congratulations if so - or to whomever did!

Where did you apply, and what is your concentration?