JeremiahParadise

So, uhhh... why is everyone disregarding the advice from this year's applicants who said the GRE is the least of our concerns? According to every accepted applicant on this forum (as well as every admission committee member I've ever encountered), we'll be evaluated on our writing sample, statement of purpose, letters, grades, and scores -- in that order. Focus on your writing, friends -- we have a long year ahead! The GRE is probably the least of all our problems. Stately? Grimwig? Others?

I spent a few days having some doubt, concerned that I rushed my decision. And then, two things happened within twenty four hours to remind me that I absolutely made the right choice.
 
1. The University of Maryland recently approved a policy that guarantees six weeks of paid parental leave to graduate students! As I plan on having kids within the next few years, this news elicited a huge sigh of relief.
 
2. The English Department upped my first year fellowship by $5,000! 
 
I am happy to report that all feelings of doubt are gone.

I'm so sorry, this breaks my heart. I bet you'll do exceptionally well next year!

Well, shucks, I can't wait to be the next proflorax! (And five years ain't that long ago!)
 
AND just received admission to Loyola Marymount University! Hooray!

Congrats! Also, since I'm assuming you're the recent post on the board, I want to thank you for the recent information. I hope that you make it!

Phone! You? I have to remember to spend some more time studying the Writing Program this week.
 
 
I have no idea. UMass hasn't given me any indication if they are finished with acceptances or not. Sorry-- I know the feeling! I was in Ohio State limbo for a long time. 

Let me take another approach. I read this post before you deleted it and I actually didn't have the sense of anger that some others have. I sort of understand.

But I do want to tell you, with good intentions, that you will drive yourself crazy if you maintain that attitude. Every indicator tells me that graduate school is a very very humbling experience. Most people in it have been the "stars" of their class at some point, if not throughout their entire academic careers. Some of these people bring their competitiveness and illusions of grandeur over to grad school and suffer greatly. Though admittedly, some bring their competitiveness and succeed.

But remember, almost every job is a people job. I've often heard of people being hired because, "They would fit in well here," or "Seem like they have the ability work with others," over people who look better on paper.

But on a personal note, I truly believe that all forms of knowledge are collaborative. If your ultra-competitiveness is preventing you from having a sincere collaborative relationship with your cohorts and advisors, then I will go so far as to say you are selling yourself short, both as a scholar and as a human being. There will always be people better than you and that's ok.

What is it we are doing in the humanities? What is it about? For me it is a lot about critical thinking, social awareness, and appreciation, but also developing an acute sense of empathy and sensitivity. Call ME naive, but I feel that way.

I'm not judging you at all, but think deeply about why you are doing what you are doing. You say you want to be heard, but what it is that you have to say?

in good faith,

IMWANT

[insert whiny, inconsiderate moaning and groaning]

Hey there. Sorry to hear about NW. I had a similar pep talk with myself after Wisconsin rejected me. Not totally over it, though. Struggling to find that positive feeling without hearing a peep from UMass and CUNY. REALLY hoping for a waitlist from one of them. I keep telling myself that it only takes one acceptance, but I am having trouble thinking even one will accept me if 9 other (and very similar) programs won't. Really scary times, friends

Thanks-- that's what I was thinking. Most of my schools notify in late-Feb, early March, so I really couldn't imagine a visit weekend being on March 2.
 
 
 
Radio silence on this end too. But I did just go through the threads from 2011 and 2012, and that strangely gave me hope. It was nice to see that some of the Grad Cafe greats didn't hear back from schools until March or even later. ComeBackZinc didn't hear back from Purdue until March! One of my favorite posts on the results board is of an acceptance on April 7 to UMD College Park's PhD in English program; it simply says, "only acceptance. Got in off the wait-list. WHAT?! Wow." So it's definitely not over until it's over.
 
P.S. The fact that I have a favorite Results Survey post means that I'm the cool kid, right? No? Oh. Okay. 

I like this philosophy and I think you're offering positive advice. That being said, I do recall you throwing a tantrum and swearing and shame spiralling on the board when you received your first rejection of the app cycle. I gather from other threads that now you've received some more positive news (congrats!) but you should also remember that there is some emotional/cathartic value in completely hissy fitting at the first sign of bad news. I'm sure you know that as you probably felt quite a bit better after your wallowing. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people give "look on the bright side" advice when _they_ are in a good place, expecting others to be emotionally aligned to receive said advice. All I mean is, there's a time and a place.

This is great! Congratulations!!! So good

Man, today has been dead! I was led to believe that the whole eastern seaboard would have reported by now. Someone needs to be held accountable!

But seriously... where are all the notifications? This shit is bananas.

Does anyone know if there's like, a standard procedure for schools making contact with their prospective entering cohorts?  I've had several very personal welcomes from POIs (to the extent that they talked about my SOP, my writing sample, AND the people my LORs were from).  If this is the school's way of reaching out, consider me reached! (Well, funding is still TBA.  Barring that, though, CONSIDER ME REACHED. )
 
eta: and I mean that in the happiest, glowiest possible way.  I realized it might sound like I thought it was creepy instead of welcoming, whoops!

Berkeley acceptance via web!!!!!!   Heart was threatening to pound out of my chest while I was trying out a half a dozen passwords to get access.

Good luck to all!!

As one of my profs said recently: It's not over until April 15th!

http://gifninja.com/animated-gifs/313632/oprah-you-get-a-car

Let's just go ahead and say everything east of the Mississippi is tomorrow.

After my Vanderbilt rejection, I went out and drank everything BUT rum. Explains why I didn't feel any better.
 
I did, however, find myself standing in front of one of my top choice schools, pleading with the building to accept me.
 
I'll be sure to let you guys know how that works out for me.

I just got my official acceptance letter from Nevada, complete with an invitation to recruitment weekend.  Happyhappyhappybouncybouncybouncy.
 

Man, I love this game. I still think Berkeley's coming up soon and I think Michigan is too.

I know what I will be doing to distract myself from my empty inbox...
 
ACADEMIC TIM GUN.
 

Fuck wolverine access. I'm having a similar problem with Brandeis's Sage (same interface) and I have confirmed that it is just a system error. I would guess it is ok.

Congratulations on your interview invitations everybody! You all might want to peruse the Duke thread from last year if you haven't already:

The Duke Lit relevant stuff is mixed in -- interview stuff starts around page 9/10ish and should demystify some things or relieve some anxiety or maybe send you hurtling into a pit of smelly, viscous despair.   It probably won't be that latter.

I can tell you that last year there were in-person interviews during a prospectives weekend and skype interviews for those who couldn't make it (all international applicants, I think). Both in-person and skype interviews were with the entire admissions committee (7 people last year). The in-person interviews were done in two settings in one day (with half the group each time) and I believe the skype interviews were with everybody all at once. I have no idea how much of that has changed for this year.

And for some generic (and unsolicited) advice: look at the interview as being as much for you as it is for the adcomm (maybe more). I know it can seem daunting, intimidating, and a little ridiculous when no other program asks this of you after an already-stressful application season but it's actually to your advantage since it gives you a clearer idea of some of the people and personalities in the program and what they're working on, what they're interested in you bringing to the table, and where you might eventually go together. I think for most of us last year it was really helpful in determining whether Duke Lit was or was not the right place for us. So "this is your chance to find out," I guess is the theme of my pep talk.   Maybe take it as more of a productive discussion than an interview. And prepare a few questions to ask! That way you have something to fall back on should your mind go blank AND you won't feel like you're being interrogated. Or, less so. 
 
Good luck everyone!

I think this thread has officially jumped the shark.