I'm a current PhD student in history at Penn State. Having gone through this process some years back, I understand the frustration of waiting to hear about admissions and funding. The current economic climate does not help this process at all either, which adds to the anxiety. However, I think it is worth pointing out a few things. First, as anyone in Penn State's history program will tell you, the graduate administrative assistant (Jenn Gilbert) is arguably one of the most helpful people at this university. Despite the huge amount of work that she is assigned, besides taking her own coursework, and besides coordinating major events (such as our recruitment weekend), she has always been available and willing to help when I have come down to ask a question, apply for a grant, coordinate funding, or just try to use the copier, etc. Yes, such things might be her job, but she always does them extremely well and efficiently and has always been willing to take the time to help out us grad students. Beyond her excellent and professional performance at work, she has also gone out of her way to help grad students out beyond departmental matters and has helped people move, fed them, housed them, arranged wedding details, arranged travel, listen to people vent about life's frustrations, and a plethora of other similar things above and beyond the call of duty.
Indeed, I have never known her to be remotely rude and I am quite shocked that a prospective student would accuse her of that in a public forum such as this, without ever having any interaction (I presume) beyond a telephone call. It shows a lack of professional courtesy towards a dedicated member of our department and I assure you, it is not a welcome attitude. The department runs on the difficult, demanding, and often tedious but necessary work of its administrative assistants and they are appreciated by us grad students and the faculty above measure. Be patient and don't alienate the people who, should you be accepted to our program, will work tirelessly to help you earn your degree and find success as a researcher and instructor.
