Chiqui74

Also, as an undergrad, no one expects you to find unanswered questions so I wouldn't necessarily worry about that for a writing sample (which are typically, I think, papers written for undergraduate classes). You need a strong sample, but it doesn't have to groundbreaking.

The only way to know what the unanswered questions are is to know your subfield, and more importantly, your thematic concentration very well. This is easier in some areas than others, especially the ones that are still new or not as widely studied (the case with my, for example). So, read, read, read! You need to read the established seminal works in the field, which tend to be a bit older for reference in so far as the big picture is concerned, but also read new literature as it can better tell what you what is still unanswered. But also, most people will not end up writing their dissertation on what they thought they would while applying to grad school, or at least not exactly. So while you do need to have a clear idea of what you want to study going in, know that it will most likely change to a lesser or greater extent before you put pen to paper on that dissertation.

Ah, I see, I thought he/she meant the History program, and the Sociology of Science program.

UPenn History has done acceptances already but has not sent out rejections yet. I found out because I asked.

Harvard still hasn't sent an email to check website even though the results have been up for days.

Waiting is the worst.

His reply was much worse in my mind! In reality, he was quite nice.

But if you have offers, you are already in demand, holding on to them or declining them is not going to change that. I don't see how holding on to an offer you KNOW you are not going to accept changes anything.

Ugh. I just emailed my POI at Rochester declining the offer. I feel terrible. I know I shouldn't, but I do.

Congrats!

Congrats!

Oh yeah, placenta eating is a thing. Eew. Some less crazy people dehydrate it and take in pill form. :::shudder:::

Well, guys, I have officially accepted NYU. I'm relieved, excited, and terrified all at the same time.

Aren't the programs funding your attendance to the prospective student events? I've only been to one but they did. If they are, I'd go to the schools you are interested in attending and worry about PhD funding later.

My song to Harvard: "I never want to see you unhappy. I thought you'd want the same for me. Goodbye my almost lover. Goodbye my hopeless dream. I'm trying not to think about you; can't you just let me be? So long my luckless romance, my back is turned on you. I should've known you'd bring me heartache; almost lovers always do." "Almost Lover" by A Fine Frenzy.

I know, I'm just a big softie.

Well, it's not like I was blindsided. It's good to know once and for all.

Well, now that I've heard from all the schools except the Michigan waitlist, I'm ready to accept an offer but I'm finding it backward to draft an email to the POI at the university I won't be accepting telling him that, well, I won't be accepting that offer. They have been incredibly helpful, enthusiastic, there's been good communication between us, and the offer is good, so I feel bad about rejecting it. Any thoughts?

I asked in an email.

Well, rejection from UPenn. I'm done now.

I would not have accepted anything until there was a financial offer on the table. What are you going to do if they offer you no funding?

There is no University of Southern Florida; it's University of South Florida. Based on that alone, I suggest you research the programs better.

Thanks!

How did it go?

I'm not sure, TBH. I do feel there are more people in Michigan that I could potentially work with in my subfield and time period, but there are other issues that make me inclined to accept NYU instead. For example, NYU REALLY, REALLY wants me. I've even had professors not in my field contact me offering help and offering to talk to me about anything that may make my decision to accept the offer easier. They've done a superb job in courting students, and although I can't speak for others, it has worked on me. Michigan only has me on a waiting list which means they can take me or leave me, as they say. Also, since I'm bringing my family along, I need to think about career opportunities for my husband, who is the main earner since I'll be on a fellowship. NYC has a HUGE market for what he does and Ann Arbor, well, does not. Sure, we may be able to afford a larger place in Ann Arbor, but only if my husband can find a job at all, which will not be a problem in NYC. So, despite my feelings that perhaps Michigan would be a tad better for me academically speaking, it's not significantly better than NYU for me to disregard all the other considerations. Also, I've always wanted to live in NYC so there, I get to move! Honestly, I am very happy with NYU and do not feel it is a consolation prize at all, but it would have been nice (not to mention the BEST fit for me) to get into Harvard. Ah well, c'est la vie.