The Dudester

Anyone hear from W&M yet? I have not been rejected or accepted, or even waitlisted. Heard nothing. Any news?

Ultimately, I want to be a university professor so I can read, write, research and teach. I have to get a PhD to do that. There is no better reason or no reason not to. People might say doing a phd is stupid or pointless or hard, but it is all moot because to do what I want, I need that PhD. So I'll try to get it.

FWIW, there is more than one U of T.

I'd wait. They can't pull the admit. You should just accept while you are there.

I made sure I got my Thesis finished before hearing back from schools. I wanted to make sure that I had it done in case I got all rejections and could not bear to go on.

If you go, make sure you own a pair of jean shorts.

"Thank you for your application! Unfortunately, there were qualified applicants and we just can't accept a chump like you. Our favorite thing about your application was pinning it up in the office so we could all laugh at how foolish you were for applying. We're done now, and we are forwarding it to Burger King, where we fill your talents will be appreciated. Good luck in your future career as Fry Technician." This is what I read when I read a rejection.

This is interesting. The MA department I am coming out of is relatively young. It had one of those shifts where the older guard retired and was replaced in a wave. Consequently, many of them were hired in the last 4-8 years. They've given me spot on advice about the PhD application process, what to expect, the job market, etc. So the disappointments have been easier to handle. I can see how an older department wouldn't know how to handle that.

Hate to say it, but I wouldn't go. If you spend 4-6 years there, just considering tuition, you are probably looking at 6 figures in loans. You would spend eternity repaying it.

Right now my career choices seem to be limited to shitty retail jobs or teaching high school. If I get a PhD and no one wants me, the choices are the same. Might as well take a stab at what I like.

I like this. It is a way to say you are being published without seeming like you are flaunting it.

I have a visit scheduled for this month to a campus. What is the etiquette regarding other school offers? Will they ask me where else I have been accepted, and if they do should I tell them? Will other grad students ask what funding or support I have gotten, and should I tell them? I really am not comfotable revealing this informaiton, but don't want to be a jerk either.

I totally sympathize with the OP. I am terrified that everyone will know I am not as smart as them the minute I get there, and I will make a fool out of myself.

I've thought the same thing. But I also know some people who in previous years were basically on an unofficial waitlist, or a second wave, and they really are going to still accept people. But I agree. If you don't want me, pull the band-aid off now.

My only thought is that your deferral might end up costing someone a spot who really badly wants to go this year and has no backup plan like you do. I wouldn't want to do that.

For what its worth, I have heard that McConville can be a little crabby and really try to "test" you if you go there.

Maybe they are worried you are "too close" to your subject. They don't want you to go all Edward Said on them.

For what its worth, that is a fair way to handle things and a relatively gentle way of letting you down.

Not in Berkeley.

I'm worried about contacting adcoms. I think that if I haven't been rejected yet, contacting them will only draw attention to my application and get me cut. Otherwise, I might slide in with the rest.

Anyone else think that if they get through this and get their degree, and get a job, that they will try to reform this system to have less heartbreak?

I'm interested to see how your career proceeds. It seems that military history is rapidly becoming a thing of the past, but your work seems more broadly applicable.

Berkeley living can be mighty expensive, I know that. But I wouldn't worry about budget cuts with the current governor.

For mercy's sake, all of you accepted should turn down places as fast as possible so those of us in limbo can get our news faster.

Well, there is the Flutie effect.