peppermint.beatnik

Everyone seems to be succumbing to IS. What if you don't feel that way? I certainly don't relish in my accomplishments, quite the opposite. In fact, getting my BA and MA were quite anti-climatic; just a means to another end. However, I don't feel like a fraud, or undeserving in any way. I got to where I am because I put in the time and energy. I'm sure there's lots of brilliant people in the world that don't have the inclination to put themselves through 10+ years of post-secondary education. I realize that it is an internalized state of mind, but I'm wondering if there's something wrong if I don't have it

Well then students in my previous program were pretty damn successful. We got at least three OGS, CGS, SSHRC, a year.

This isn't necessarily true because the apps are ranked. In my old department (at a large Canadian research university) whatever faculty member was doing the ranking, his/her students were forwarded. It was such a ridiculous process that favoured one sub-field over all others. That's just my experience, though.

I'd go for option B, but only if they give you money. Sounds like part of you really wants that new and exciting experience, even if it's a little scary.

All of my schools had Dec.1 deadlines. I've only heard back from one.

I don't think it's a good idea to do more than 2 degrees (BA/MA, or MA/PhD) at the same school. I've been told it's incestuous. I know a lot or schools that don't hire their PhDs, either.

I have heard from 1 of 4 schools. My schools are always slow, so not unexpected. Two of the schools have not yet started to notify. The other, I don't know what's going on . . .

This is me. Every Sunday night, I always think, "well, this week, at least I'll know," and it never happens, and I never do anything about it. Mind you, all of my schools are known for dragging out the process until the bitter end, so I'm not sure why I expected things to be different this year.

BU is always pretty slow, but I don't object to the pestering

I think it's more what you do with your PhD than where you get it. I know two profs, from my previous department, who went to Harvard and did nothing with their career. T. Conrad Gilliam, the guy who cracked the human genome, went to third-rate institutions (I am not going to name them, but you can look them up) for his degrees because no "ivy" would have him. Now he's up there with Einstein, and Chair and Director of Human Genetics at UChicago . He has also headed Columbia's Genome Center. He did a post-doc at Harvard. Get the point? p.s. I don't know about the English department, but IU-B is a good school, and, while small if you're used to a big city, Bloomington is quite nice. The campus is beautiful!

I know you're asking for advice re: your writing sample, but just try to put forward your best possible application (in every respect). There's no magic formula when it comes to PhD admission. Unfortunately, x+y does not always equal z. Anyone who tells you otherwise doesn't know what they are talking about.

Does anyone know if ad coms/schools are a tad slower this year? While there are exceptions, it seems to be a general trend. I am not expecting to hear from two programs until mid-late March, but I am wondering if it might be even later this year. I submitted all of my apps Dec.1, so I've been waiting for what seems like forever. p.s. I am in reli st., hence the posting in this thread.

You are welcome to join me in the "uncool about this" club!

I have only ever heard of it being an issue if you want to attend med school. It's not an issue in grad school (within reason!)

If it's a 2 year, MA, definitely Chicago if you plan on doing a PhD.

"GirlattheHelm," I thought of this the other day when you said SUNY-B was your safety and you didn't get in. I think state schools are difficult as a safety, this year, due to the economic downturn. I don't know if that helps, but I thought I'd mention it anyway.

Thanks for that!

Hi . . . This is my first post on this forum, but I have been lurking for sometime. Like everyone else, this process is killing me and I can't stand waiting for any longer. An earlier post mentioned Columbia. I applied to the MA/PhD. If you haven't heard, does that mean you're rejected? I noticed on the "results search" that some PhD, and MA, acceptances have been posted. I assume that I am rejected, but I want notification so I can move on with my life. It's gotten to the point that I log into my e-mail hoping I have a rejection letter from them. Sad, I know Any thoughts? Do they wait-list, or is it only accept/reject? Best of luck to other reli studies people