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Just got an admissions decisions notification from UC Santa Barbara. I was supremely excited because I hadn't seen any acceptances or rejections pop up for that school yet. Rejected. /sigh. It's hard to keep hanging in there with two firm rejections, two very likely rejections, and two unknown.

I could only afford to apply to a handful of programs. I chose programs based on the individual scholars that I wanted to work with. I emailed the graduate admissions coordinator and he told me that I didn't get in. I didn't post it on the results page because it wasn't an official rejection. Based on our conversation the acceptances have already gone out. The guy was really polite about it. It's still hard news to hear.

So there have been two Stanford acceptances logged so far. Intuitively I want to say that these were unofficial telephone calls from a professor to students in his subfield. I emailed the graduate admissions coordinator and was told that "admissions decisions will be mailed out by the end of the month". Looking at the results search history it appears that telephone calls for acceptances are not typical and that email is the traditional way applicants learn whether they are accepted or not. Don't start crying yet boys, we might still be in the running!

You are assuming that the percentage of applicants that report their admits here every year is the same, an assumption that is quite unfounded. Hold your horses and think before you spread your dismay to others.

I dreamed that I was a class T.A. and I was leading the discussion. I looked down and I was naked. Then there were rats everywhere and I was bashing away at them with a broomstick.

Roman holiday

This Monty Python song got me through my last grad school application cycle.

I don't believe that your application will automatically be trashed, however, it is highly recommended that you retake the GRE. Buy one of the many GRE math workbooks or if you can afford it take a class. Retake the GRE and cross your fingers, unless you believe that you stand a significant chance of scoring much lower on your verbal exam if you take it again. Food for thought.

Dear Grads, I am in the first year of my two year master's program (religious studies). I intend to apply to PhD programs in the next cycle. My question is this: do PhD programs expect you to publish papers/deliver papers during your master's program? I am learning Arabic and taking a full course load so I am having a tough time finding "extra" time to publish or otherwise build my C.V. like I did during my undergraduate studies. Do PhD admissions expect lots of extra work or is success in a master's program (grades, thesis work, language acquisition) sufficient? Thanks

Like another poster here, my classes are easier than expected. I came from a very fast-paced philosophy program to a religious studies program. In fact I am thinking of switching back to a philosophy angle for PhD to get back in with my people.

In life, one is given much work to do and sometimes (if not most times) it is work that may seem pointless at the time. Even if you don't find it relevant to what you think you need, coursework develops concentration, theoretical thinking, writing skills, and reading skills. There are so many people on this forum bemoaning their lot as grad students. First, it is your fault that you did not research your program before making a commitment. Secondly, just DO IT. Every day I do things I don't want to do- it's part of being a mature, responsible adult. You sound like an overconfident spoiled brat who never learned to work hard and stick to your commitments. I'm not saying that you match the description above, but that is what it sounds like after a cursory reading of your post. P.S.- You think you've got bad career prospects? I'm getting my PhD in the humanities, and I still find graduate school meaningful and ultimately worth it. Count your blessings.

I find chamomile tea and a good *just for fun* novel is what I need to relax and de-stress. Also, I rigidly schedule school work. My approach is to make a weekly schedule of class/work/homework/free times. If I have homework scheduled, I begin right on time like I would if I had work or class scheduled. I also stop as soon as it is time for 'free play' (unless there is a serious impending deadline). I concentrate on what I am doing at the moment. If I am working, I think about work. If I am doing homework, I am not thinking about work or free time. This method works for me, but different strokes for different folks.

Graduate school requires one to prioritize activities that one used to take for granted. For those people here who believe they are having trouble finding time for religious activity, ask yourself this question: how much tv do I watch in a week? I frequently have self pity because I have "no time for anything" and yet I still manage to squeeze several hours of programming into a week.

I agree with you. When I signed my lease my landlord (who manages several properties and has years of experience) said that the worse mix is a well-dressed professional woman who has a small dog. He says that every time he has rented to a person matching that description the apartment has ended up wrecked. As a grad student in shabby clothes with a big dog he felt confident that there wouldn't be a problem with me. She peed on the carpet once, when we first moved in, (most likely nerves) and has vomited once. I invested in an upright carpet shampooer when I was potty-training her, but she is very good and can go for twelve hours without a problem. I take my girl to the park once a week to let her socialize with other dogs and stretch her legs. She also gets walked for a few minutes 3x daily to relieve herself. She seems like a healthy, happy pooch- but this sort of thing isn't for everyone. I am a homebody, so even if I do have a free evening I am usually curled up on the couch with the dog, reading a book. Also, travel is difficult and expensive! Just weigh your options. Different strokes, and what not.

Sigaba- thank you so much for taking the time to write that. Starmaker, that is a great idea, too!