fortiesgirl

I applied to one of the joint Ph.D. programs and that process takes longer to being with. There was no option to check whether or not I would consider the master's as a secondary choice (don't think I would, because I already have my M.A. from NYU), but I think department to which I applied automatically defers people to the M.A. if they aren't accepted to the Ph.D. The website states that we'll have to wait until early April to hear? That's insane!

Hmmm... that's interesting because it's Temple that has me listed as a non-resident despite the fact that I own a home in PA and pay taxes here both for residence and employment! It makes no sense whatsoever!

As far as I know, it's one of the top for Robotics, but I'm in humanities and not in engineering. My husband went there for Computer Science and I'm only going on what he knows. He has certainly done extremely well with his degree.

I got rejected from CUNY yesterday. Were you the one who posted that you received early notification regarding your acceptance from the professor at NSSR? I'm just curious because I haven't heard from that program other than they will begin mailing decisions today, and that it took them longer than usual to render their decisions.

Oh yeah, sports and/or local radio is a riot--especially with the accent, which I don't have btw. The sports fans vary from horrific to tame.

You can get a studio in a decent neighborhood for about $500-700 in Philly. That would most likely include some of your utilities, depending on the unit. I know my husband used to have a studio that included his utilities for $450 and that was in a ritzy neighborhood. Prices have gone up since then of course, but I'm sure you could still find something. Our one bedroom on the brink of Society Hill ($$$) was $800 at the time. This was several years ago, but I think that apartment today would be about $1000-1100 or so. As grad students, we obviously aren't looking in that market, so you could definately afford to live in Philly on a stipend. Many of Temple's graduate history courses are offered on the Center City campus, so you wouldn't even have to go into North Philly all the time. Philly is a city that people like to knock (and for good reason some of the time), but it really is a great city. Like all cities, it had its downfalls, but it also has its perks. I think the sports fans (when the teams lose, that is) give it a bad name.

I haven't heard from 4. I should receive notice from one via USPS any day now. One of the others hasn't notified yet. Don't know what's up with the other one. I'm pretty sure I was rejected by the fourth.

I hear ya. If you know they're definately out of the running, then you're decent if you tell them asap so they can offer the spot to someone else. Of course, if you weren't sure, there would be no harm in holding onto it.

I sent cards, but then again I'm probably older than all of you :wink:

Like you, my husband is very supportive of my decision to go back to school. He's just the greatest. I also applied to programs within the vicinity of where we live because we have no plans to move, and I've been fortunate enough to get two offers from those programs, with one being within 45 minutes from home. In terms of selling your home, have you heard of those home swap websites? They are becoming increasingly popular. I saw them advertised in Time. Basically you list your home as though you were selling it, and state where you'd like to find another home (in another part of the country). Another buyer on the site might swap your home if the need fits. Then you do the legit real estate deal as normal. You might want to check it out if you find that you need to sell and can't.

I'm was told that I'm being considered for a TA, so that's why they weren't able to give me a definitive on the stipend. It will depend on what the need is for TAs, and whether or not I decide to do it during the first year. I've been teaching and it would only add to my experience, so I haven't decided just yet if I want the TA or just the stipend. I have time to think it over though. Are you going to visit or are you not going to consider it?

They called me last night. I'm sure you'll hear something soon. I did the same thing to misterpat when I heard about his acceptance to Temple because I haven't heard anything yet. I had to go back and edit in the "Congratulations."

Congratulations! I still haven't heard anything... I hope they give you funding.

I just got accepted to Delaware. Well, I had to call a few people first to tell them the good news. They offered me full tuition and a stipend (four years), though no word on how much (stipend) yet. I am so happy because I really love the program. Guess I'll be able to sleep tonight!

I have some Ws on my transcript too. The thing that really bugs me is that I was NEVER enrolled in those classes--I only took them to audit, and then I decided I didn't like them and I stopped going. The professor marked me as a W. I don't think it will matter, as the rest of my grades are good.

Congrats! I'm really happy for you (though I must admit I felt kind of sick to my stomach when I saw I had no missed calls).

0. fortiesgirl 1. 2-I've been accepted in previous years but had to decline offers for personal reasons 2. 9 3. 3 rejections, 1 acceptance (hoping for funding) 4. The rejections came from top ten schools in my field, so I expected it. The other schools range from more tangible to safety, so hopefully the news will be positive. 5. not sure if I can. 6. I won't have the funds and I'm not getting any younger! Also, I've been accepted to one program already that I would be happy to attend. If I get funding there, then I will probably go. 7. I've been teaching adjunct for two years now so I'll keep doing that. I'll probably have to eventually find another pt job though.

What about adjunct teaching 3 hours a week? I have taught the same course for over two years now, so no prep work is involved, other than light grading and light prep. I am signed up to teach for the next semester. I haven't accepted any offers yet, but I have a feeling that a "non-employment" stipulation may be included. Do you think I should mention this if it comes up?

I am a resident of PA. I own a home here and have for the past 12 months. When I applied to a certain state school in PA, they listed me as "non-resident," indicating that I would not be eligible for in-state tuition. So I guess the fact that my husband and I pay property taxes, local city taxes, and oodles of other state taxes aren't enough to cut me a break and give me in-state tuition. Sheesh!

Congratulations to everyone on their acceptances!

I voted for Delaware. I do, however, have some follow-up questions. Will this be a terminal M.A. to advance your current career? If so, then DO NOT go into debt for the sake of a Master's. Not worth it regardless of prestige. Are you planning to pursue a Ph.D.? If so, then I might consider changing my vote (even though Delaware is not a bad program, but obviously not as prestigious as Chicago). Still, I think Chicago should give you more $$$.

I think this person is right on the money. Unless the program tells you that your GRE scores were the sinker of your app, then bringing them up will not necessarily boost your chances. There's really no way of knowing and there's no guarantee. I know this from personal experience. I have excellent grades (3.95), research experience, honors in both majors, I have presented at numerous conferences, a Master's in a subject relevant to the degree to which I am applying, relevant job experience, supportive LoRs, and I have been told that my SoP is good by advisors. The only item that really held my application back were my GRE scores. I heard this time and time again when I asked for feedback. It was no surprise because I knew they were terrible. This year I really worked on improving my score and I scored almost 400 points higher. Hopefully it will pan out and I'll get into the program I want.

I apologize if it appeared as though I misread you, because what I was trying to say is that I know how you feel and where you're coming from. I guess that didn't come through in my post. Like Comfect mentioned, you should definately visit the program and see if it's right for you. If it's not, then definately wait. But if you think you can make it work (and you don't feel forced), then I would say go for it.

You might want to ask about cheap places to eat, hangouts, subletting ore renting (if you plan to do this), subway routes, etc. There were particular subway routes in NYC that I learned to avoid for eh hem certain reasons. Locals will know why.

I literally laughed out loud when I read this because the juggling comment conjured up quite an image in my head. I mean no offense to the OP. It's been an anxious and stressful four weeks and and I haven't laughed like that in awhile. To the OP--I think it's been a tough year for everyone. Even applicants with the most competitive dossiers are not getting spots in some programs. That is not necessarily a reflection on you or your credentials, but on the fact that there is simply little funding to go around, and most programs like to fund their students. I have heard that this year in my field alone, many programs are taking in half of their normal cohort. If you were accepted somewhere (especially with funding) I would go for it. But I will be honest and say that if I were in your shoes, I would probably be second-guessing myself too. I've only been accepted by one program but I haven't heard the final word on funding yet. Lately I've been working on getting excited to attend that school because I know there's a chance I might not be accepted anywhere else. Definately visit the program and see if it's the right fit for you.