KentuckyCurls

Absolutely! I sent a couple messages via the Message Center embedded in GATS (once a week ago for the TOEFL issue, once yesterday regarding transcripts), but have not heard back from the department. I also called and left a voicemail regarding the transcripts. The transcripts are showing up as received now, and there is now a message underneath my received components stating "** If you completed or will complete your education at a university where English is the primary language of instruction, we do not require TOEFL scores." I'd advise you to still contact them, just in case.

Thank you for posting your stats-- which are dauntingly impressive. I believe you have the right attitude regarding getting rejected from programs. When you *are* able to find recent admissions stats for programs, you typically see that many departments have 100+ applicants for a handful of spots. Given those who apply to doctoral programs are generally competitive by nature, it makes sense that applicants often have relatively similar GPAs, GRE scores, and experience. Fit can make or break an application, and sadly the departments often have a better perspective of our fit than we do (despite our diligent research efforts). I will confess that I am coming from a pretty rigorous master's program at a tiny liberal arts university-- one that I most likely would not have chosen had I known I would ultimately want to pursue a doctorate. Fantastic little program in terms of learning theory and honing writing skills, but there have been zero opportunities to work as a research or teaching assistant. Also, I wasn't encouraged to submit papers to conferences until fairly late in the game (roughly around the time I was wading through applications). That said, if I find myself in the position of reapplying next year, I refuse to beat myself up.

The Graduate Application Tracking System for UPitts is giving my heart a workout. First, my application was incomplete because of missing TOEFL scores (I'm a U.S. citizen, so...). Then, yesterday afternoon, my transcripts were suddenly missing from my application-- transcripts that were uploaded with said application when I submitted. This morning, transcripts are back in place, but the application is still marked as "incomplete."

While I did not know about the scandal in the Philosophy department, you hit on some of the key reasons I left CU-Boulder off of my list this year. Coming into a program that is undergoing big changes feels like it might be too risky of a move at this point in my academic career. If I find myself in the position of reapplying to schools next year, I may reconsider-- depending on what their situation looks like then. I can also add my name to the long list of people who didn't make the cut at UPenn today. I'm not devastated. For me, it was one of those schools I'd feel silly not applying to-- because you never know.

Congrats!!! The silence is almost deafening on my end.

Not a word. My application still says "Incomplete"-- though I did email them last week and let them know that I am not required to submit TOEFL scores given I'm a U.S. citizen.

Does this mean, by chance, that it is possible to be accepted to Wisconsin-Madison without having been interviewed...? As in, they may only be interviewing folks who they were either uncertain about OR they may want to reward with additional funding?

Congratulations! I've been waiting to hear back from this program, but no word yet. Good luck!

There was an acceptance for Penn Annenberg in the results section a couple days ago stating that they had contacted all they had accepted. However, I just tried searching for it for you, and I can't seem to find it (despite trying several different search term combinations). Maybe it was someone trolling us. Congratulations on the Michigan acceptance. How exciting! Did anyone else apply to Northwestern's Screen Cultures program? I've seen invitations extended to other Northwestern Comm/Media programs, but not this one yet.

I emailed the Graduate Coordinator for UT RTF a couple days ago to touch base and was told decisions will be available by the end of February. Keep in mind UT closed a couple days this month because of ice and snow.

Yikes. That has to be incredibly frustrating. Will your applications still be considered? Did you try getting him to send them in after the deadlines? It's to my understanding that schools are a little more understanding about late LORs than they are the other components given they're out of our hands. But yes, I totally agree-- getting the LORs submitted in a timely fashion was easily one of the toughest parts of the application process. Well, that and waiting...

Congrats! You are killing it this season. Which specific program at Northwestern?

Oops. Didn't mean to mislead. I've actually done my BA and MA at private schools in the area-- not UK. Regarding UT Austin, I'm wondering how/if the recent $50 million gift from the Moody Foundation ($13 million of which is earmarked for graduate student recruitment) will impact decision-making this year.

Congrats! That has to help relieve some of the tension of waiting. Is it UCSB's Film and Media Studies program or the Communication one? (I ask because I have not heard so much as a peep regarding the Comm program since I applied.)

Congratulations!!! Such a fantastic program. As a Kentuckian, I will say that the Bluegrass State is a cool, beautiful place to live. The countryside just on the outskirts of Lexington is stunning. My professors strongly encouraged me to apply to UK, but I opted not to because I have the worst case of wanderlust right now. That, and I've completed both my BA and MA here.

Nope. No word from UCSB on my end. Status still shows "Submitted." Perhaps this person learned of their rejection via email from their POI? Given there are no other UCSB rejections yet, that's my best guess.

Congratulations on the interviews! How exciting! So far I've interviewed and been accepted to the Media and Communication program at Temple, but my other application statuses haven't changed yet and I haven't heard a peep from any of the remaining schools since I submitted in December. Hopefully there will be a little more movement this week, but it is still a bit early.

Just did a round of checking my applications to see if there's been any movement-- and my status changed on my Temple application to "University Acceptance." Even though I still have seven more to hear back from before I make The Big Decision and no word on funding yet, this is a pretty awesome feeling.

GRE prep materials: $90ish GRE: $185 GRE score reports: $175 Application Fees for 8 Programs: $551 (Yes, $551. UMW's $56 application fee made me chuckle.) Transcripts: $0 (Both my undergrad and grad institutions were private and only charge if you need 'em overnighted.) Grand total: $1000 Or, you know, a month and a half's rent, 13 months' cell phone bills, two and a half years' internet bills, or just shy of ten and a half years' worth of a Netflix subscription.

hellofandom, I spoke with Dr. Campbell this afternoon regarding the doctoral program in MM&C. We got so carried away talking about research interests, funding, and such that it was an hour and a half long call; needless to say, he was pretty engaging and helpful. I walked away with a list of four or five titles that I have not read that I will certainly be tackling over the coming months. All in all, even if I am not accepted to that program, I am grateful for the opportunity to speak to someone with similar interests and get some advice regarding the process.

I was emailed by a professor at Temple University this evening to set up an interview to discuss my interests and any questions I may have regarding their program. Prior to Christmas, someone within the department sent out an email stating that no progress would be made on reviewing applications until class resumed on January 6th. Imagine my shock to be contacted on the 7th. It's exciting to be contacted so soon-- especially when you fear that your application may be in a recycling bin somewhere...

Your situation is certainly uncommon. While this is my first round of PhD applications, I will say that what I've gathered from stalking these boards when applying for master's programs and in the last few months-- this is not something that happens regularly. Speaking in broad terms, it seems that people generally begin hearing back from programs with decisions toward the end of January. In fact, many do not receive interview requests until after New Year's. That being said, congratulations! That is pretty awesome news with which to start the year! At the very least, as you wait to hear back from other programs, you have peace of mind knowing that you've already gained acceptance in one program. Kudos to you!

Ha! Agreed! I know I shouldn't wish my life away, but... Longest. Break. Ever. I've been juggling a full course load, full-time job, and PhD application stuff with no real vacation since *January*. You'd think I'd be loving the downtime this month, but it's kind of torturous. Hope everyone's had a wonderful holiday and that 2014 starts off with some great news for us.

natebassett, I am so sorry about that situation. It's certainly a frustrating one. Maybe, just maybe, the admission gods will smile upon you and look the other way for being off by a day on a postmark deadline. I am currently in the awkward position of stalking my applications to see if my recommenders have submitted their letters. While one knocked her share out in one fell swoop in October, the other two have chosen to do them at the last possible minute. For my apps due on December 1st, they were completing them on the 30th. (Heretofore referred to as "the longest day of my life when I just refreshed my email account until sundown.") I've sent gentle reminder emails, complete with mailing addresses and offers to resend any links that may be missing, and they have yet to finish the ones due on the 15th. My nails? Bitten down to the quick.

First round of applications have been submitted! I am now the kind of tired where my soul hurts... Anyhow, just checking in and wanted to wish everyone the best of luck!