isa_cl

I checked the ¨Apply Yourself¨ page-- the same place where you fill out your application and it tracks your letters of rec. and official scores/ transcripts. It looks like the emails came out this morning and there was a direct link.

OK...me again! Just re-checked the website and noticed at the very bottom that as of yesterday, my decision was available online, and the link took me to their standard rejection form letter. Not a surprise....actually just a relief to have an answer either way! No email, so if you are still waiting from UVA, I recommend logging in and scrolling to the bottom of your application's home page. Best of luck to everyone else!

Thanks, sareene. I came to the forum to see what the general consensus was for those of us who've not heard anything yet. I'm really itching to accept the one offer I did receive (which I am grateful for) but feel like doing so before hearing back from all the programs is unwise...not that I think I'm getting an accept, and honestly I prefer my accept to CUNY than UVA (for location and program-fit reasons), but it would be nice for them to just let us know by now. They have sent out rejections, right??? What's holding them up...I mean, if 95% of us are rejects (approx), isn't it pretty clear whose made the cut and who hasn't by now?!

I freaked out during the application period and wrote all of my schools asking if and how holding an MA accepts the admissions process. The answer from most schools is that they just expect more from you coming in-- higher GRE subject scores, stronger (or at least more developed) writing sample. I kind of get it, kind of don't. I'm fairly sure that if I hadn't gone through the MA process I wouldn't have gotten into any programs, so maybe if I did hurt me with some schools, I still got into one, and I guess that's all you need! But seriously, Penn State, step it up! Maybe they will think about moving up their deadline next year!

This is a tough time for all of us applicants...I am throwing in my two cents because I think this was briefly voiced in some of the above messages, but bottom line is that we are ALL playing a waiting game in some sense, whether it's with acceptances, rejections, or wait-lists. While the pressure is off somewhat for those who have an acceptance, there's still the question of wait lists and funding and while April 15th seems like so far away from now, in reality it's just a few weeks. Three weeks, in relation to a decision that is literally life-changing, for the short-term time of the program and all of the ensuing professional and personal effects, is really not that long. Personally, I would have LOVED to have made a decision by now, unfortunately, I am still waiting on a definite decision from two more programs. So, I imagine that in many cases, where people do have an accept but are just waiting until all the cards are dealt (just because I am that kind of person), would love to move forward with the process but cannot because of the program taking their sweet time to get back to everyone. I don't think this is really helpful or answers your question, because my answer is "No, I won't necessarily wait until April 15th, but right now, it's out of my hands when I will have the information I need to make a decision. When I do have that information, I will make a decision as quickly as possible, both for my sake and the sake of the whole PhD applicant program community!" Take care and good luck!

Thanks for posting this. I am waiting on NYU as well (and UVA and Penn State)....all three basically seem to be firming up their acceptances before sending out their rejections and if we haven't heard anything yet than it's probably rejection. I was going to email or call all the schools this coming week but it looks like NYU won't have a straight answer for me.

HI there, just going to offer my two cents-- I am in a similar situation where I have an accept from a program I really do like, but am still waiting to hear from 3 others. While part of me says "well, just accept it, you love the program, etc.," the logistical fact remains that there is one month until the deadline to accept. I know that everyone is itching to just finish this process and wants to commit and be done with, but at the same time, it's just another few weeks to wait and in the long run of everything the phd will entail, holding off for a few weeks and knowing you've made a decision you are the most possibly comfortable with, instead of making a decision while having these doubts, is totally worth the wait (in my opinion). Regarding the wait-list...it is absolutely OK to call and ask for details, but don't expect to get anything more than "you're one of our top wait-list candidates." It is highly unlikely they will give you an actual number. Further, wait list for PhD programs are really particular because they are probably sub-broken down by area of interest...so even though you are #1 or 2, if their first decline is from the area of interest from wait list person #3, #3 is probably going to get that spot. I don't know if visiting or contacting POI's will influence THEIR decision, but it may (more importantly), influence YOUR decision, and if you are in a position to visit, I would definitely do so. And one last thought (sorry...apparently I have many thoughts about this)...it sounds like the program you've been accepted to is a great fit for you. As you say, the "ranking" is off because of weird ranking practices. I hope you do not let this actually determine your decision at the end. As you note, your actual program is really strong, and in the end, assuming you stay in that same field as a career, people who know the field will know the strengths of that program and not care about the number that US News assigns to the program. Good luck and congratulations on your acceptance!

You may think I'm crazy for saying what is about to come out in this post, but as someone who has spent most of my life living in both NYC and NJ, you may really like New Brunswick. This of course depends on what it is that you love so much about NYC that you would want to make the commute, and yes, I'm about to compare New Brunswick to NYC here, which I am very well aware that it is not, but what it is is a nice, vibrant city with many cheap, good food options, an active cultural arts scene and not too shabby shopping. I'm actually in the opposite position of you where I've been accepted to CUNY but was not accepted to Rutgers, where I was really hoping to go. I have a good friend who commuted to NB from east midtown for law school and it definitely took a serious toll on her. I would agree with the other feedback to try out NB for a year and use NYC as your weekend "get-away" Good luck and congrats on your acceptance!

Hi all! This is my first time on gradcafe and I'm glad to have found this list. I was accepted to CUNY in early February with an ECF. My specialty (this seems to be hot this year!) is 20th Cent. ethnic American lit. and poetry, particularly mixed-race and interethnic reading. I'm unfortunately unable to make the open house because I'm finishing my MA in Madrid this semester, but I would love to hear back from any of you once you've attended. Right now, CUNY is my only accept-- I am excited about studying there, though I realize the teaching courseload will not be easy. So glad to "meet" potential future classmates.

I received my rejection from them last week and wrote the English Dept. today to ask for information about my application. The replier was really kind and was very familiar with my application, which she said likely would have been accepted if they had more funding (which doesn't really help me, but I guess was nice to hear). For anyone who applied to English, she said they accepted 6% of their applicant pool.