NOWAYNOHOW

Just got an interview with Rutgers! Let's hope we are starting to hear more good news for everyone!

YES!

I got an invite to interview over Skype with Yale! I am freaking out! General email with 2 professors CCd, one was a POI and another I'm not familiar with. FINALLY!

Cool -- thanks for sharing all of this. Totally agree! As for a MA degree, I think it depends. I might not get in anywhere this year, but I think an MA is crucial if you have been out of undergraduate for a while. How would people without MA degrees get LORs if they have been working as professionals for 5+ years? How would they have access to university resources to strengthen their applications? What about people (like me) who don't come to the discipline until after a completed BA?

Congrats! I'd be curious to hear about what you think helped you this round, as it sounds like whatever it was certainly worked! I'm also curious about your area of interest. Again, congratulations!

Congrats to the Brown admits! Care to share? A very interesting chat with my boss (tenured at an R1 social science department, intimidating, blunt, brilliant, etc.) just now: a prospective student recently emailed to reiterate their interest in the program. My boss is on the admissions committee and said that despite being a little bit annoyed by the email, that the little nudge turned out to be quite helpful as the committee reviewed the 200+ applications. Now my boss was on the lookout for this student's file. When there are so many stellar applicants for a handful of available slots, just getting your name to the forefront might get your application a closer look than what my boss describes as a "shamefully brief" review of almost all applicants across the board. I didn't mention that I had just done the very same to a POI. I know it's just one professor's point of view, but figured it was worth a share.

I could be wrong, but I think NYU MCC is meeting today to finalize shortlist. Interviews are typically sent out not long after. Good luck!

I feel like cenobite gifs really get me. Anyway, it is the POI I have talked with most and in the department that has been the most enthusiastic about me. That was all before my applications were due. In my note, I literally was very straight forward - I reiterated my enthusiasm for the program, I explained why I couldn't visit last term when I had been invited (I was very sick), and that I feel strongly about the department/school. I mean, I'm a straightforward person. I'm an adult. It is kind of like applying for a job. I didn't want to send BS pretending to be something important, I don't have any big CV updates and I wanted to be honest. I love the program, I am serious about it. I didn't really try any tricks. It could hurt me or it could help me, IDK.

I know it's wrong but I definitely just reached out to a POI to reiterate my interest. I wanted to clarify why I hadn't visited yet (short version: was very sick last term, just resolved) and to assuage some fears they had expressed to me about students relocating from big cities. Breaking cultural taboos left and right ya'll. PhD applications be like

This is SO true. Rampant professionalization in PhD programs has trickled down into the application process and then some. I'm sure a lack of funding across almost all disciplines is also to blame. I have a friend who is a student rep on an admissions committee this year in a humanities discipline at a top university and they were blown away by applicants with not just research experience, but also major publications in key journals for the field. My friend and their cohort doesn't even have that many publications yet! The department where I work just started interviews last year, partially because they heard other programs were doing it too. If it is like this now, can you imagine what applying to jobs will be like? Adjuncts will have to have like 2+ books. More hoops to jump, I guess.

Yale person, I want to know your POI. This week:

Not a historian, but dropping in to say a friend is on the CUNY history adcomm and they are meeting 2/6 (or 2/3, I could be mixing it up). My friend says the SOPs and CVs are all really impressive so far. Good luck everyone!

You ANIMAL. 2/2! Not bad. Does anyone else die a little when they see astronomy results? I always read the a---- and then feel like I'm going to faint. THREE other people I know have gotten into programs this week (other disciplines) and it is making me so stressed out!

THIS x 10000000! When I load the page, I am pretty sure I am feeling all the emotions. Unrelated, but damn, there are a LOT of Princeton sociology rejections! Pour one out for the sociologists.

Congrats!! Do you mind telling us where? Don't be nervous, you're gonna nail it!

Who was bonkers enough to call Brown? It's not even February! That post on the results board is going to haunt me for days. Guys, I don't think I can take the stress! My Academia.edu hits are not giving me good news either -- random hits from Quebec, Florida...UGH! Also, as far as I know, policy at NYU does not require everyone on the short list to be interviewed. Most are, but not all.

Unless someone wants to claim the NYU acceptance, I'm calling a fake -- the department faculty meeting (where the committee usually presents the final short list and the faculty votes together) isn't until 2/3 (the schedule is up online) and classes don't start until tomorrow.

On second thought, I'm going to agree with the posters who think it's never a good idea to get in touch. Yes, in SOME cases (like Daykid mentioned) there might be a reason to check in, but otherwise they will come to you. Hopefully they WILL get in touch, but nagging isn't going to do anything. I also second the TV binge watching idea. I am finishing my THIRD season of Top Chef since turning in my applications.

I think it is way too early. Some schools have not even started for the term yet, so it is unlikely that many committees have made their shortlists. I would try and stick it out as long as you can. Congrats on your good news so far!

A tip for Skype interviews (I don't know if it has already been mentioned) -- prop your laptop up on a few large books before starting the conversation. The angle is much more flattering this way.

Anyone want to claim the UConn interview? I would be curious to know your subfield and whether it came as an 'official' interview or a POI chat. I've already spoken to my POI twice, but only through them. Congrats!!

It's not always for everyone, but many interdisciplinary and media studies/critical theory departments will have people interested in these topics. I would just follow the scholars...see where people you like are teaching, etc.

Mondinec, your topic sounds awesome! We are applying to a lot of the same programs and both med/soc! If I were you, I wouldn't worry...most people have told me that a Fulbright is a golden ticket anywhere you'd like! I'm sure you'll have happy news soon Are you the Virginia interview? I'm sure they just want to make sure you are a good fit and that you'd be a good colleague. It's not academia, but in her book Tina Fey says that SNL always tried to hire people you wouldn't mind running into at 3AM. I can't help but think interviews are partially in the same spirit... Sounds like most of the grad students I know! Glad the Skype interview went well!

It is very common for only some students to be interviewed. I have been told in some cases, only international applicants are interviewed. I have also heard sometimes interviews are scheduled to clarify fit, etc. Congrats on your acceptance!

Somebody was Googling me from Cambridge! I wonder if it is someone at MIT?! Historically, they send out interview invites around 2/4...so a bit early, but maybe a POI? Anyone else having the pleasure of freaking out every time you get an Academia.edu notification? Oy.