mentalyoga

Waiting tables (blech!) to gather my moving fund--I'm trying to move the first week of August. Also need to plan a trip to Boston to househunt, hopefully mid-July. Reading lots and lots and lots, essentially to catch up on a handful of classics that I've managed to avoid until now, as well as enjoying the books that had been sitting on my bookshelf, gathering dust, while I was too busy during the semester. I've got 40 texts on my summer reading list, which I'm hoping to get at least half through.

I've been out of the loop for a bit (busy end of the semester, and then started working immediately after graduation, to begin gathering money to actually *move* to Boston). Thought I would check in here and see how everyone's doing, what plans are for the summer, make sure the excitement level is still sufficiently high!

Anyone doing the Open House thing next weekend? Also, thanks for the advice on accommodations, traveling, etc--I think I've got the details of my visit all ironed out!

Yeah-I went ahead and asked, and was told that it's a liability issue. They apparently aren't allowed--at least officially--to organize this sort of arrangement. But everyone at Brandeis has been so honest and helpful through the process, so I'm definitely pleased with my interactions with them. I'm sure I'll figure something out--I might try a hostel (though I'm a bit scared to do that, as I've never stayed in one before and am traveling alone). My close friend knows people in Boston, too, so I might have him talk with them about possibly letting me crash at one of their places. Any case, still looking forward to it all-just worried that it's going to be a much larger dent in my pocket than originally expected.

I suppose what I mean to say is: if they don't offer outright, is it pompous for me to make the first move and ask? It would obviously alleviate some of my trouble with budgeting, but I also don't want to come off as presumptuous or have a bad experience while there because I'm forcing myself on someone who is too busy/too stressed/too offended-by-my-assumption to help me out.

Thanks for the help, cricket and 8in2009! By the by, another question: is it too forward/imposing to ask about being put up with a current student? I feel a bit strange about throwing myself on someone in that way, but my budget is super slim, and I'm not seeing much in the way of accommodations for my stay for under $350, even at really awful motels. I'm staying four days, but I would only want to stay with a student for the weekend (I think it'd be really cruel to expect someone to keep me for the days they're still going to class). Is this at all appropriate?

Happy to say I've confirmed my intention to enroll and now everything is in motion! I'm visiting the weekend/week of April 26th, and was wondering if anyone had suggestions or advice? Re: accommodations, transport (like, how I'm getting from the airport to my hotel to Brandeis itself, etc.), general advice on visiting a program, especially since this isn't a recruitment visit...? I have this strange inferiority complex--like I'm going to visit and they'll regret letting me in? It's silly, I know, but I've never really done this sort of thing before. I guess I'm approaching it like an interview when I should be thinking of it as a get-to-know-you, we're-happy-to-have-you conversational sort of thing. Anyhow-for those who have visited, what are your experiences or thoughts?

Obviously it worked out in the end (and I'm positively thrilled about the acceptance I did get), but I definitely expected to have gotten into more programs, as did the profs I've been working closely with. There were two rejections I was absolutely shocked about, and two that were more or less expected, but still hit hard. But after the cards fell, I realized it worked out in the best way possible for me. I'm heading to a program that's perfect for me, and I couldn't be more excited.

I'd be in, too! And thanks for the info-I wasn't really planning to live in the city anyhow (unless a good opportunity arises), so if Waltham is more affordable and convenient, that'll be my route. Anyone have an idea when I should begin apartment hunting? And when do people typically move up before beginning a program? As this all becomes more 'real,' I only feel increasingly excited about it!

Just got off the phone with a professor at Brandeis, and if a bit awkward (though, I can't imagine how these might otherwise go), I'm definitely planning to enroll in the program. Anyone know how realistic a $20k stipend is for living in the area? It sounds good to me, but I've never lived entirely on my own and certainly not in a "big" city, so perhaps I'm being a bit naive. Oh, and I'm planning on visiting during the grad fair in the last week of April--anyone else going to be there around that time? *edit* I should clarify to say that I mean awkward in the sense that there wasn't much to say just yet--I didn't have anything of note to mention beyond how excited I was, and the professor outlined my funding package.

I'm going into the English PhD program (and I respect the sciences too...I'm just awful at them!).

I'm giving my official word to Brandeis on Monday. Looks like I'll be there in the fall! I'm stoked.

I'm still waiting on one, which is funny, since there are people who have been rejected, accepted, and waitlisted. I'm actually wondering if my letter was lost in the mail or something. I'm going to contact them on Monday if there's still no word.

That was more my approach--I outlined my interests and framework to an extent that it would (hopefully) be quite clear which faculty would align with me. My only evidence is that in the one program I've had any success with, there were specific questions on the application concerning which faculty you'd be interested in. As we all have been reminded through this process, there's no way of knowing anything with absolute certainty--it's all dependent on context, you, the program, the adcom (of which you know almost nothing), funding, blahblahblah. I just figure if I end up having to reapply next year, I'll try some different things with my apps in the hope of a better outcome.

Well, thus my regret in taking that strain of advice. Like I said, if I had gone with my gut and been more proactive about 'namedropping' and showing off that I had a familiarity with the faculty I'd like to work with, I may have faced a different outcome in this round of apps. I could be wrong-there's no real way of knowing what happens in the adcom, so maybe it didn't have as much of an effect as I might think. In any case, if I end up reapplying next year, that'll be a main focus for me in making my apps stronger.

Agreed completely. I think this may have been one of my biggest mistakes, along with not contacting profs (well, and applying to two Ivies...haha). I had advice from a number of faculty at my school, among other outside people, who told me I should NOT mention faculty names in my SOP. They claimed that I would be veering dangerously close to departmental politics--for instance, I mention Prof X in my SOP, and Prof Y, who is on the adcom, *hates* Prof X. Thus, Prof Y says I should be rejected. Well, that was what I heard, and so--with the exception of one--I did not namedrop in my applications. Looking back, I realize how impersonal that really made me seem--sure, I can say I appreciate the program, but there's little gauge as to whether or not I actually know anything about it, or have an idea of who I'd like to work with (even though I did! I just didn't go with my gut). Likewise, I hear now from so many people that making contacts in these programs PRIOR to applying is crucial. I did none of that, and I'm regretting it now. Besides your GRE scores, everything shines. The only other explanation I could possibly offer is a lack of contacts or, stretching a bit, perhaps that you might seem overspecialized? I truly empathize. This is an awful process even for those who do make the cut, and I can't imagine 14 schools wasting what seems like such obvious talent. I can only say this from what you've mentioned, but sounds like you'd have an absolutely stellar application. Don't get discouraged in any case. Take a bit of time to be despondent, but after that, buck up. It sounds like you are beyond cut out for the life of an academic.

Who was I before this? Hmm... 1) A confident (perhaps too much so) student. 2) A person who managed to get good sleep even in the midst of thesis work, coursework, and everything else. 3) An open, rather than secretive, alcoholic! 4) Sane. Just kidding...mostly. But I have to say, dealing with this and seeing others (mostly on here) cope, this process really puts a person through the shredder!

Still holding out on an inevitable rejection and a waitlist, but should I be in that position, I'm definitely in. I only wish I had found this place sooner--I honestly think I would have fared better in this round of applications with the knowledgeable, informative, and supportive members of Gradcafe. So yeah-should we end up for another round, let's band together!

Yay, congrats! W&M is my undergrad (finishing up this semester), and I couldn't recommend it more highly. Dunno much about the Education program, but the school itself is wonderful. Great faculty and staff, fairly friendly student body, and great location--small town aesthetic, but wedged right between Richmond and Hampton Roads area (Norfolk is great for clubbing!), and close enough to DC to make a weekend trip. Best of luck to you, and if you have any questions related to the school, feel free to ask.

0. mentalyoga 1. First time-finishing up undergrad now. 2. 5 programs; all English PhD, but one joint MFA/PhD 3. 3 rejections; 1 waitlist; 1 waiting 4. GRE scores middling; not finished with undergrad/thesis; SOP could be better 5. Yes yes yes, assuming I don't make it through the one waitlist (which is pretty much my current outlook) 6. SOP; use thesis for my writing sample; letters will be stronger (since I'm TA'ing with one of my recommenders now, and all three will be on my defense committee, which I'm thinking will be a really shining moment for me); re-take GRE and subject; research different programs and apply to more 7. Drudgery. Didn't want to take a year off, because I have no backup plan, no money to do anything interesting, no time to apply to internships/fellowships/etc--really counted on grad school a bit too much. Now I'll be stuck waiting tables, saving money to apply to more programs (couldn't afford it this year). Probably catch up on a lot of 'traditional canon' works, seeing as I'm pretty specialized (perhaps too much so) in 19th/20th century women writers, who for the most part aren't as established in conventional English programs (with the exception of Austen, the Brontes, Woolf).

Two rejections in three days here. And the biggest blow about a week prior. Yeah, I'm feeling bitter and lost and unmotivated to make it through the rest of this semester--but I suppose that would really kill my chances in the future, eh?

Finally received the inevitable rejection letter from Cornell. I have to admit, even though I had little hope of getting into my dream program, it's very humbling to see those dreams go up in smoke. I'm just glad I had a glass of wine in me to break the blow.

So I'm STILL waiting to hear from Michigan. I know they've made their decisions--evidently, all letters have been sent. Yet I'm still left hanging with them. I was just wondering, from those who have a better sense of this process than I do, is there any possibility that I've been waitlisted and not notified--or that they're holding on to my application until they hear more from those they've accepted/waitlisted? I'm on Spring Break this week, so I figure if I don't know anything when I get back to campus next weekend, I'll just go ahead and contact the program. I'm just really confused with Michigan, because it makes no sense for me to have heard nothing in any direction, seeing as acceptances/waitlists/rejections have all gone out. Maybe I shouldn't get my hopes up in any case.

Just received the expected email rejection from Brown. At least no more of this anxious waiting for it...

Definite agreement on that front. When I began searching for programs over the summer, I really had NO idea what to expect or to look for. The possibilities are endless, and I ended up doing what I'm sure many do--looked at rankings and began researching those that are ranked highly. I don't feel I'm so specialized as to be severely limited, but how am I to know what programs will fit me on a variety of levels--a strong focus in my interest field, professors that have worked on the things I want to research, professors that could work with *me*, courses that even out with those same focuses (I found many schools that had the kind of faculty I'd like, but these profs weren't teaching on their interests, which could say a lot of different things about the general structure of the system)...? I know the programs I applied to appear to be a good fit for me, and I should presumably be a good fit for them, but I'm not seeing the results now, and so I wonder-where did I go wrong? Specifically with Chapel Hill (with a flat-out rejection) that came as a real shocker, because even if they weren't my top choice/dream school (for un-academic reasons; I remain otherwise impressed), they probably offered the most 'perfect' fit among all the programs I researched. So I wonder what didn't mesh up, and how can I negotiate that problem if I end up reapplying next year. Again, as people continue to note, this is a crapshoot. And no one seems to be able to explain why--but I think there are astute questions posed here as to why we can't figure these sorts of things out, and what solutions might be offered.