Ablukhov

It's hard to remember that the adcoms are composed of people who are genuinely (and sympathetically) interested in us and not evil robots set on destroying our egos, dreams, hopes, etc.

I didn't... this year is round two for me. I made the wait list at Yale (actually the very university where I made my application mistake) but, alas, no one gave up their spot. Glad you've had some success in sorting your problem out! Best of luck to you!

I agree with Turtle that it probably isn't as big a deal as you are thinking right now, but I also know how crushing something like that can be after working so hard on apps. Try calling the Admissions Dept. and see if they will help you remedy the situation. I had a similar experience last year- I wrote some e-mails and got no responses, but when I finally got some admissions people on the phone they were extremely helpful and let me submit corrections. Good luck!

Great! We might be the only two on grad cafe, but hopefully not... This is my second year applying. The waiting period is awful but having a little community of people going through the same thing really helps. What's your area?

Let's wallow in our application agony together....

Yeah, I pretty much couldn't be more disappointed. Unfortunately though, I did sort of start wondering if this might be the problem as the process was taking so long. Here's an excerpt from the e-mail: But as happens every year (especially in Comp Lit programs), there were many competing interests at play. This year the end result was that the department did not accept any Russia-focused applicants, despite their (your) manifest strengths. Believe me, I deeply regret this! So all my focus is on Columbia now...and that is poor food for hope. Any news on that front, pelevinfan?

Thanks, Enzian! You too!

Just got the news from Prof. Lounsbery- they can't take anyone for ISR this year

Thanks ansoitgoes! I accept! (So wonderful to be wanted...)

Yes and yes! But, I've been watching a lot of Planet Earth lately to try to distract myself from despair, so I can't help but picture another option where this is a documentary narrated by David Attenborough : "It's the middle of the night but the applicant is still awake! This amazing creature engages in a frenzied ritual of e-mail checking unmatched by any other creature on the planet. Beginning in late January and extending well into March, the applicant's e-mail checking season..."

2 pm on Friday.... come on, adcoms! I can't wait through another weekend! Great sign, ComeBackZinc!

I'm with you.

Thanks for the info, jerzygrl! I honestly didn't think of looking into how schools deal with students with children when I applied, and it probably won't effect my decision too much, but it's still very helpful to have that in the back of my mind. I'm in the incredibly fortunate situation of having a husband who works free-lance and often from home, so I'm hoping that between two flexible schedules plus having my in-laws nearby we can manage... but this is all still in the future! We did successfully raise an energetic pup while I was doing my MA, and my mother (who has raised 2 kids and many puppies) swears that babies are easier than puppies, although I'm almost certain that this is just her way of tricking us into giving her grandkids

Thanks wildviolet! Everyone on this thread has such an inspiring story! Well, that's one worry off my list...now I'll I have to do is actually get accepted somewhere ; )

I'm not technically part of this club as I'm only 30, but I'm still significantly older than the majority of applicants and can definitely relate to these issues. In particular, children have been on my mind because my husband and I know we want to have kids and in all reality that means pregnancy and child-rearing while I'm getting my PhD. Thanks for the assurance that it can be done, WannaBeEast!

Haha! Me too!

YAY! I'm so happy for you! It must be wonderful to be able to relax a bit :-)

Love it! As clear as day, that sub-text! Maybe it's best you didn't mention the magic 8 ball; it is polite after all to pretend we have no idea what they have in store for us- let them think they really surprised us. (In all seriousness, thanks for the update!)

I asked the magic 8 ball if we would all get into ISR and it said "signs point to yes". Then I asked if we would all get huge financial packages and it said "most likely".... should we e-mail the adcom and tell them they we already know about surprise they are planning?

Maybe they are desperately trying to come up with funding to enlarge the program so they can accommodate three amazing applicants?!

Hey Enzian, any word on ISR?

I imagine it's a little like how people claim that mothers forget the pain of birth. (I should say- at least I'm hoping that's the case)

Congrats Pel!

I know what you mean! I'm checking my e-mail even more neurotically than usual today.

Oh, one more thing...did you apply through Slavic history or Slavic Lit, Enzian? Just curious.