wannabeaphd

OMG! Congrats hitomimay! Now I can't wait to get home and see...

Thanks cokohlik! I should be hearding about that school in the next week *gasp* Good luck all!!!

They wait to secure funding. Shouldn't be too long now though!

I don't know if it helps or hurts, but I have it on good info (personal contact in the SOC dept) that USC has made it's choices and is busy setting up funding for the 10 people they accepted this year! It's more acceptances than in the last couple of years, so good luck all!

Security guard is a good idea if you feel comfortable with that. I also had a friend who worked as security on film sets around Boston for about 7 months while waiting to hear back/go to grad school... Personally, I find that temp work usually pays the bills... as long as they're not too high. I've temped in Boston and in LA and I've made it work. They always seem to start you out on small short term assignments for around $10/hr, but if you do well (show up on time and in appropriate clothes) then you can usually transition to something longer term that pays in the $12-15 range. It's no way to live, but it will do in a pinch!

@ coffeeplease -- I actually had a dream that I had to go back to HIGH SCHOOL because I was a few credits short... the worst part is that I had this same dream when I was applying to MA programs like 4 years ago!

Well, I’ll bite. I’m a 2nd year applicant too. Or maybe 3rd, depending on how you look at it. I applied for a couple of PhD programs and 2 MAs in 2007. I got accepted to a single MA program, which turned out to be one of the best things I’ve ever done. I got straight A's,. learned more about the field, and got great LoR writers. Since I’ve been in a LTR with my soul mate since 2005, when I finished my MA, it was her turn to go to a MA/PhD program because she worked to support us though my MA. She got into a MA program (after applying to 4 PhDs and 1 MAs) so we moved all the way across country and I worked 9-5 for 2 years. Last application cycle (for fall 2011) was the year we both tried our luck at PhD programs again. We each applied to 8 programs across the country (in corrasponding locations). She got into all but 1 program and I got rejected from every single program I applied to. So, she picked the best program that offered her money and we moved back across country. I decided that I would try again one more time to get into a PhD program and applied to all of the programs (5) in my discipline in our new area. So far, I’ve interviewed with one (which I have good feelings about) and have been accepted informally to two others! And, if I get into the one I’ve interviewed at, then my SO and I will be doing our PhDs at the very same university! And, since her program takes 5 years and mine would take 4, we would even graduate the same year! The things that changed about my apps from last year to this are: my GREs (I took teh new test and did really well), my SoP (which got more directed and project-focused), and one of my LoR writers got a new job @ NYU. Stay optimistic! It can really happen!

"I'm sure I'll hear something by the end of the week" "All I want in the WORLD is to get in" -- this is not true because the $$ is kinda important too! "I CAN'T WAIT to quit my job!

Oh also, I'm thinking of getting my nose rings back... now taht I'll have at least 4-5 years w/out a 9-5... I'll have to decide if 28 is too old

If I get into the grad program with amazing funding for 4 years, my partner and I are going to Hawaii! (I've already gotten into one, but I don't know the financials yet...) When I get acceptances (I hope) on paper, we're going to break out a fancy bottle of Belgian beer! I'm also getting myself a laptop because I've been without a computer since undergrad (5 years ago), but i'm going to wait until the summer so I can get a free ipod or printer with the new mac!

Congrats abr2116! I know just what you're talking about. My confidance has shot up recently too, and now I'm just waiting *and daring to hope* for the formal decisions. Good luck!

hitomimay - I think you may have to wait a few days for the post... I'm literally almost in the same zipcode though, so I'll let you all know when/if I hear!

Congrats abr2116! Hey all, just wanted to let you know that I got an unofficial acceptance from UC Riverside just now over email! FYI. Hope everyone else starts to hear soon! P.S. I don't know if I let the wider forum know, but USC should be sending out acceptances on Wednesday, Feb. 1! GOOD LUCK!

tli -- I applied to the SRM program too! Any idea when they'll start notifying? Also, my interview at USC went really well last night! I think it might have been an unofficial acceptance! *fingers crossed* They said that they will try to get notifications out on Feb. 1, so not too much longer!

hitomimay, about your question: when I spoke with Dianne I asked her how candidates were matched/admitted and she said that students would be admitted on a cohort basis and not directly tied to a particular prof. She said that in terms of funding, students are funded 1/2 through a professor, and 1/2 through the department. And there is even a provision for students who want to change advisors after the 1st year. So, I think that even if someone dosen't have room for you this year, they may next year and you wouldn't be excluded if you're a really strong applicant. I hope! I know, I'd hate to get rejected too at this point, but I'm sure it's still possible... *blarg* USC is my 1st choice and I'm so nervous I think I might vom! Thanks for the congrats and good luck to all!!!

hitomimay, Yes, I'm the other person on the results page. I'm sure that the campus invite is because Dianne knows that I live in LA. I haven't been contacted by any professors, but Dianne called me about a week ago, said I was a good fit for the program, and asked me to rank 4 profs "in an ideal situation." She said that I would maybe or maybe not get a call, depending on the prof. But then she emailed last night and asked me to come in this week. So we've arranged a meeting tomorow. I think it may be with one or more profs. I'm SUPER nervous, but some news is better than no news here right?

Hi! I just registered. This is my second year applying. This year is much better than last though! I heard from Irvine last night that I'm admitted (Ed. Policy and Social Context). And I've had almost the exact same experience as hitomimay with USC... except that I've been invited to campus for what looks like an interview. The DGS emailed me and asked if I could come in for a "meeting" tomorow. Anyone in the same boat? WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?! Thanks all and good luck!!! ______________ Applied: UCLA, USC, UCI, UCSB, UCR Accepted: UCI Rejected: