Silent_Bobina

Based on the response I recieved I would think not. I just think it would be nice to write about movies for a less narrow audience than the academic field. While I enjoy writing at the academic level I write about a lot of media that's meant to influence the public's opinion and change the way people think. However, how many people can you reach if you don't write for some mainstream publications? Perhaps I'm naive but my professors in the past have been very supportive of this goal and after presenting at an academic conference and recieving a lot of positive feedback and attention to my work I do think it's possible to make a difference by writing about movies if you write for the right publications. While I know this is not the point of film critics I feel that writing reviews might gain later attention to my academic work by those in the mainstream. However, this is probably just an optimistic pipe dream

While I appreciate the candid concern it's not so much that I think I will be fatigued just that I will probably want to work as a critic as well as studying for my Phd. However, you seemed to imply that it is mostly a sideline anyway so that may be perfect. I did read online that some people feel the degree makes you over-qualified for criticism although others said that it's mostly about writing well and submitting to the right places as you also seemed to verify. Thank you for the advice and clarification.

Isn't this a possibility after seeking a masters? I always assumed this was an option. Although I'm a very devout academic, I have thought that studying at the masters level would help you get into the field as well... otherwise what do cinema studies students do if they're not interested in getting a PhD? I am still interested in getting a PhD however I'm not sure if I'll be so gung-ho after two more years of research to go into the PhD track right away. What kind of practical experience can you expect after getting this degree?

FINALLY! A response, an acceptance at that! Good Luck to anyone still waiting.

I e-mailed 2 weeks ago. Still no response although my status date changed on March 28th, perhaps I'm waiting for something in the mail?

I don't know much about NYU's program but I can say I did not personally apply despite its reputation. After hearing that it is so expensive and brutal I don't think I would want to go. Just because a school is good for filmmaking does not mean it is good for film studies. I also do not know your profile but I would say that I've found it hard to find programs that balance the media glamour of studying to become a critic with a serious academic reputation. If you are attracted to the glamour then perhaps NYU is a good fit. It is all about location and I have to say it is important. I'm waiting on Penn State with an acceptance from Boston University and I honestly think that the city life is probably better for building connections. Although this mostly sounds like a rant I guess it comes down to what you want to do with your masters.

Ok so today I got a call from the school with the April 29th decision date and they asked about my decision. I have not called them back as I was on the way out of town. What should I say? He mentioned something about funding and I'm not sure if my funding is at stake or possibly able to increase... I don't know what to do.

I have been accepted to one program so far and they do not require a deposit and acceptance of offer before April 29th. I am still waiting on a school that I have high hopes for as most of those accepted have similar statistics as me and recieve aid, etc. plus one of my LOR writers was an alumni however I am not sure when I will hear from them as they keep pushing their decisions back. There have been posts stating they sent mail last week and early this week however I am going out of town for a few days and moving late next week to my home which is 8 hours away. Should I continue to wait after early April for this school to respond or send in my acceptance for my first offer in the early days of April without hearing from this other university? Will the April 29th deadline be respected by the school that stated it or should I take no chances and try to accept the offer before the 15th?

My nightmares have stopped since I've quit my job to move home for a while. However, before that I was so stressed they were pretty much nightly and repetitive. One was about my dream school rescinding its rejection after I had sent in my acceptance to the only program I've heard positive from and I panicked. Then I started having dreams that right after I sent in my acceptance to the program I've been accepted to the one I'm still waiting on sent me the dream package, I've had this one several times and I'm still holding out for the department even though I have heard literally nothing from them... in the next few days though I'm prepared to step down from waiting on this school.

Alright so maybe this is a dumb question but do they have to recieve your acceptance/declination by April 15th or do your decisions simply have to be posted by April 15th?

I keep trying to be optimistic about not hearing anything and I'm totally phone shy but I figure e-mail's non-intrusive. If they don't bother to respond to me then they might not be giving me an offer anyway, I guess that's where my pessimism kicks in.

I sent them an e-mail to ask about decisions but haven't heard anything. I wouldn't be too concerned except I'm going out of town next week and am sitting on another offer waiting for them. I'm not sure how long it's smart to wait.

I have been going crazy waiting for them! I am waiting for the m.a. program in media studies. I saw the few responses on the board but wasn't sure what was going on either. I hope the news about this week wasn't just for Phd's.

It may not hurt but it also may not help. I sent an e-mail to USC about a week and a half ago. They just responded yesterday and all they told me was that all decisions will be made by April 15th... ok... so I have to wait till the last minute or accept another offer with no official decisions from my pending schools? The options this process leaves some with are bleak. However, there was someone from my department who e-mailed a while ago and recieved a much more negative response so this may at least mean I'm still being considered although it just seems to be a waste of time to wait.

Thanks for the offer of advice. I've been looking up info like crazy and it does seem fairly safe if you're aware and the cultural opportunities are a major draw. I am going to school for MFA film studies and the large amount of film festivals and film culture in the city is a big plus for me. I would love to volunteer to my time to help at one or gain an internship. However, when I say I've only lived in the country I mean like grew up in a cornfield and now live in a safe little pocket of colleges... it's intimidating but I think it's what I want.

Did anyone here apply to Penn State's program? Although it is only a masters concentration it has it's own faculty and courses. I've yet to hear from them and I'm wondering if I should bother waiting...

I am personally excited to have an offer from Boston although I did not particularly want to be right in a big city... I have grown up in the middle of nowhere and went to a college in nothing but college country and mountains. My anxiety about living in the city is immense but I also find the prospect exciting. I applied to 3 programs in the city and three in the country. Other than Boston I have one decision from a school in the country still pending. It is ridiculously different for money but my fiancee (after some anxiety about crime that I completly share) is pumped about the city. My question for myself if I am accepted is wether cost of living should make this decision. I re-examined the program I'm waiting on and still like both programs for different reasons and cost of both seems to be the main difference. I'm not sure what is the deciding factor, an awesome location but high cost of living or more of the location I'm comfortable with and less money spent...

OMG hilarious! This thread has made me feel better about life. That phamplet is AWESOME! The worst thing I've been told is "you probably didn't get in because you admitted you were bi-sexual in your SOP!"

I know that this does come across as having little confidence. I guess it is silly to think that the number makes a difference. It's just the waiting... after getting rejected from multiple schools I felt confident about in match, interest and faculty it makes me wonder if it's worth waiting for another letter if this one acceptance is all I will get. As I said before it is funded and I don't mean to sound ungrateful as I'm glad to have even one acceptance and from a program I'm excited about still it feels wrong to give up now.

That would totally happen to me... I have only really checked the first lines of my letters for good or bad... that's terrible!

I have been rejected from half the programs I applied to and have one acceptance from a school that is expensive but a perfect fit. I have recieved a good-sized scholarship offer from this school but am waiting to hear from another... However, while waiting I am panicked that the only acceptance I've recieved is a fluke (especially with the scholarship). While I'm excited the waiting is killing me. If you only get into one program does this mean you are not grad school material? Even my safety school rejected me so is it worth it to wait for my last letter?

I just e-mailed USC today and have heard nothing. Although I've seen on the boards they can be a bit snippy about e-mails, that was my first application in and I have an offer I'm seriously considering... I just want to know if I should wait it out... Still I agree in general that now is the time it's alright to go asking. I'm giving Penn State another week before I bother them.

and now there was a USC post stating they got a mail acceptance.... one of the few I've seen from the school and not in my department. Not sure if it's worth holding my breath when I've got a perfectly good admit option.

So this is the e-mail I am considering sending, is it balanced? Dear adcomm rep, Thank you so much for granting me admission to your program. I am both excited and pleased by this opportunity. While I know that I have worked hard to strengthen both my credentials and my application materials, I was curious as to why I was chosen for admittance. Thank you again, xxxxxxxx

True the balance is important and that's really what intimidates me most about writing an e-mail like this.