Clou12

Yayy Litjust!

So my background has been education and in hindsight I think I know where I may have went wrong this application season. First, it was applying to a broad range of programs like ethnic studies, social policy and interdisciplinary studies, instead of my field of education. The reason why I didn't apply to many education PhD programs because I wanted more diversity in job options later, not being confined to just education (I have a master's in international ed policy already) and the real reason, a lot of the top programs tend to focus on US based urban education. That is not my area of interest. 1. So I got formally rejected from USC-American Studies and my reaction was a shrug of shoulders and a faint, "meh." 2. Just by looking at the boards I see that HKS already admitted their social policy applicants and my reaction to that is "this was by far a reach school, because they admit maybe THREE people a year." 3. My hometown, Atlanta...Emory sent out interviews the end of January and people went to the invite weekend 2/2-2/4. Yet there are no admits or rejections posted on the board or anywhere. However, I assume I am rejected and that does hurt when the rejection comes from home. Overall, I have one formal rejection and two assumed rejections, I am waiting to hear from two more schools, both in education. I have since applied to four jobs in America because I already turned down my contract for work here overseas. Honestly, I don't know if I will reapply again if the last two schools turn me down. Another year is not going to make a difference in my application. What more can I achieve? I have dedicated over a decade in this field, committed to this research, achieved a whole lot, yet at the same time, sacrificed more. What more can I do?Get better GRE scores? I really think that is ridiculous to waste more time and money on that and refuse to sit for that test again. So if I don't get in, I think it is time for me to move on. This is how I am feeling after my first rejection and anticipating more to come.

Thank you very much FutureEdStudent12. This program was not an Ed program, so I guess I kinda expected not to get in. I hope to hear some good news soon though!

My silence has been broken. Just got an email from USC rejecting me. Actually, not hurt by it. Just hoping this is the start of hearing back from the other schools...of course, I would prefer acceptances next time!

Just got rejected from USC ASE a few minutes ago. 127 apps, 9 acceptances. Good luck to you all!

I just got my first response, a rejection, a few minutes ago. Weird, but I feel relieved just to have heard back from somewhere. I am not disappointed at all because I didn't really want to attend that institution in the first place. Therefore, I didn't spend much time polishing my application. So it was expected.

This is such a bright spot. That is my only weak area. Thank you for sharing, you restored my hope.

I am 34 and applying now for a PhD. I worry about not starting a family, building retirement, losing income etc. I am excited about putting my years of experience and translate it into research and sharing with others in a program of somewhat "equally minded" people. As far as having kids while doing your PhD. I have several PhD friends who said do it after coursework is completed, then it is easier to manage. That is my plan, if I get in. Oh and if I find a hubby.

Yeah, who posted about USC? Can someone claim it please? Deets, deets!

As time goes on and still no word from anyone... I might just treat myself to therapy now. Also, I have to invest in a new wine bottle opener. I broke mine a few days ago. What a cruel, cruel world. Ha.

I applied in November to most of my programs. Not a peep. Not one out of 5. I wish there was rolling admissions for the programs I checked. I also wish that if you know I have no chance at all and the answer is no, just say so already!

Awesome pep talk! I like that Thanks for sharing!

Part of me is starting to have second thoughts, I have had a multitude of emotions ranging from anger to extreme sadness at any given hour. I have been overseas for four years and it is time to move back to the United States, I am just ready for a break from living abroad. The ideal situation is to transition into a PhD program, I mean that is why I left the States in the first place...to conduct field research. However, I am also an older student and have to think about retirement, building a family one day, etc. You know, grown up business. Although I am so done teaching a classroom of kiddos, love the kids, just tired after 10 years. Yet. teaching (real school, not English) overseas is good money and I could be financial set if I just stayed away from US soil. However, I am looking for a change in my career outside the classroom and perhaps working would be much more logical than going to school and struggling in my mid 30s. Then again, I am quite illogical nowadays. Oh, I also have four months left until I move back to the states. I have no job. No residence. So yeah...no pressure ADCOMS!

Oh man that would be nice! I am just going to accept it as a loss. I clicked through too many pages on NYU's site trying to figure out what I had to do for financial aid and obviously went to the general NYU financial aid page and not Steinhardt. Sheesh. My mind is not operating right. Sincere apologies to anyone that I had freaking out for a moment, you dont need that!

Lol...I learned so much from Saved By The Bell! Good reference.

I looked again and I must be wrong, it looks like it was for undergraduate financial aid. Well, there goes $25! Sorry for confusing anybody. That will teach me to do stuff late at night. Doh!

That "what if not" feeling I totally understand. I just got off the phone with my friend talking about this process and I actually started to cry! I haven't even been rejected yet! I did not anticipate the wait would make me a nervous wreck! I have had stomach issues, insomnia and mood swings. I feel like this waiting process is hazing or an initiation. It didn't help that my friend ended the phone call and said, "Send me your resume." I am not ready for Plan B already!