bookchica

I used a chapter from my master's thesis in my apps this year to no avail. (0 for 7) This particular chapter of my thesis, touched only marginally on the work I claimed to be interested in in my SOP. I'll probably need a new sample for next year, very clearly related to my SOP interests. I too have a 2.75 undergrad GPA (in English courses even) that surely didn't impress adcomms, so I'll have to do better with my writing sample and SOP next year. Paperchaser-- so the pieced together MA thesis WS was successful in your apps this year?

I'm glad to know I'm not alone (I guess?) Although I wouldn't wish rejections on anyone in this process. My new plan is to get practical: I need a real job; not to take the LSATs or some other test which fosters an application process, more debt, etc. I will still apply next year, but as Muffinlit suggests-- perhaps a career change is necessary in the meantime. I want to eat and live without using my credit card to do so. Thus, a two-pronged attack: working towards practicality and a dream. The dream (get into grad school) plan: Take another grad English class: Although I already have a master's in English from an unranked program, I intend to take a graduate course at a top university this summer to prove I can hack it. (I've already taken 2 graduate English courses at a top university that I've been rejected from twice now.)-- Let's try somewhere else-- why not run up transcript costs in the next app go-round? GREs: Medievalmaniac, I got 660 Verbal and 680 Math on the GRE. Although my math score dropped 80 points from the second time I took the GRE, I don't believe that's the problem. I won't retake either the subject or general GRE. I don't think that's where my focus should be-- I don't think adcomms care too much about the GRE-- some more than others. But SOP and writing sample are key. SOP & Writing Sample: Well, time is on our side I suppose. Like Muffinlit, I'm starting to think I'm not a good writer (or at least not a stellar writer) I believe my ideas are solid, but perhaps they're couched in language that isn't. I'm going to work hard on writing in the 6-8 months before I do this again. Undergraduate GPA: It's bad. 2.75 in English classes. Definitely one of the reasons I am getting rejected. But my master's GPA in English is 3.84, so it's not that I can't do it. I just wasn't focused on English during undergrad. I had another major, music, and that's where all of my attention went. (Music major GPA: 3.7) My field: 19th and 20th century American and Canadian literature (probably the most common, eh?) Restrictions of Geography: NONE, here's where I applied this year: Rejected for English PhD: Brandeis, Buffalo, LSU "waitlisted"- but I count it as a rejection because they waitlist all non-accepted candidates, Purdue, Syracuse, UC-Riverside, UWashington Any suggestions are, of course, welcome, as are others' plans, frustrations, vents, etc.

I got my 7th and final rejection in the mail today. What to do next is the looming question. On the negative: this is my 2nd year applying, so not feeling so good. Thought I would get in this year. On the positive: have been in contact with a program I found after apps were due that might be good. Everything's a might-be in a post-rejection world. What will you do? (I'm sad and bitter-- I hate the world, yet I will almost definitely do this again next year.)

Last year, a friend of mine was accepted to a Ph.D program in late April / early May. He had assumed a rejection since he hadn't heard, but in fact this school does not inform the people on their waiting list until it becomes clear they are either accepted or rejected...

I think calling's the way to go if the school's being slow. My school had a history (according to the results pg) of April and May decisions. That's ridiculous. I called. I found myself on the rejection list I knew I'd be on. But it was better than the infernal NOT KNOWING!!!! They know, yet the secretary informed me they wouldn't notify formally by mail for 2 more months. Why?!?! Still waiting for 1 school / (rejection) .... 1 result on the result pg today regarding school #7. 0 for 6.

Yep. On to looking for jobs. Ugh! Right? I think I'm done being severely depressed. The tears have stopped, I think, until final rejection #7 comes along (currently 0 for 6). I will probably be back here next year. Hoping and stressing. This really does suck. As a way of looking on the bright side, I talked with a friend who has her Ph.D from USC. She graduated several years ago. She says only 1 or 2 of her classmates have tenure-track jobs. Some, like her, are lucky to have lecturer positions, but most have found their way to other fields. Perhaps not making it in, isn't the worst case? Getting a Ph.D, after all, could be like getting a law degree and never passing the bar exam (yes, it happens quite frequently to people such as my brilliant father, who became a successful engineer)....

How did you manage to get rejected from UCR so early? I heard / read that they were late notifiers....

Thank you all for responding, many of you are saying what I am thinking. Let me add details and my own opinion. 1st) Why I applied: the school is my safety school. I like the area, it's near a relative, and for some reason my boyfriend wanted me to apply there. (Yes, I realize these aren't the greatest reasons)... However, there are professors at this school whose knowledge could benefit my research and dissertations very similar to the one I anticipate writing have been written at this school. So, it fits, in some ways. 2nd) My reservations: 1) That it isn't the best fit. 2) That it isn't a prestigious enough institution. 3) I've looked at the classes offered over the past 3 years, very few looked appealing, even fewer courses looked exciting. 3rd) My hope: that I get into a better school next year. 4th) My application assessment: GRE scores= fine. 660 Verbal, 680 Math, 5.0 AW. My statement of purpose= good, but not great. My writing sample, good, maybe even great in places, but other than this safety school, perhaps not applicable enough. 5th) My decision: I think I'd like to go visit, spending money out of my own pocket for a flight and rental car, to make sure I wouldn't be happy there. I'd like to meet some current students and faculty members, sit in on a class, and roam the campus. It's worth investigating, but my gut says "no" right now. However, I don't believe in initial impressions. You can be wrong about someone, something or a school. 6th) My March 2nd leaning: take a chance by visiting; I won't turn it down outright.

Would it be wise to turn down the only offer you receive from a school you aren't crazy about for the possibility of next year's application season? Many rejections this year, but could next year be more promising?

Somehow it makes me feel better that I'm not alone. Thank you all for responding. This is my second year applying too, muffinlit (though last year I was very unrealistic in the 3 apps I sent). I am off to a coffee shop to work on a review I'm writing-- that's got to be better than sitting here. The mail came an hour ago with no news. Chins up, I suppose-- it's so hard though. I agree with you tortola, and thanks for the encouragement inextrovert. Applied: Brandeis, SUNY Buffalo, Louisiana State, Purdue, Syracuse, UC-Riverside, UWashington Accepted: Waitlisted: Rejected: SUNY Buffalo, Purdue

Ugh! Just want to reiterate how hard waiting is. I got 2 rejections last week (2/8 & 2/10) and then BAM!!!-- nothing this week. Perhaps I should be thankful I still have 5 apps out there-- but it's so hard to stay positive. If I were sitting on an acceptance life would be a lot easier. How are you all keeping busy? Do you run to check the mail or find a reason to be out when it comes? Do you check your e-mail 50 times a day or just check it regularly? So stressful!

2!! Why not put that info on the website? 2!!??

No information, but I would love to know the answer to your question. I applied to UBC and UVic last year and was rejected. Thought about McGill this year but decided to go All-American.

I am in tears NOW. 2 rejections and 5 unlikely apps still in the mix. This is round 2 for me. I don't think there will be a round 3. 3.84 MA G.P.A. from a nowhere state school, GRES 660 Verbal, 680 Quant (down from the 1410 I scored the first go round)... my SOP seemed solid to those I've shown it to. I don't know. It isn't that I don't want this, but I'm not sure how much more I'm prepared to put into it. Panic seems like a valid option to me. It's a recession. Let's be realistic. Not everyone who applies will get in.

I was rejected 3 weeks ago. Good luck to all who haven't heard yet.