NowMoreSerious

I'm not leaning any one direction and am still going over my options. Tufts is an amazing program and would be difficult to turn down, though.

I'm sure all the acceptances are out already. I heard from them weeks ago, so I doubt there's a whole other wave coming of anything, except maybe waitlists.

Hello and thanks. Yes, I will have an MA by Spring.

I hate to say it, but the way I've been thinking about it, I am at least glad we have found the grad forum because then we know our implicit rejections. And let me be frank, 9 times out of 10 an implicit rejection is a rejection ultimately. And I am saying this as somebody with tons of implicit rejections from elite schools. Can you imagine if I didn't have this forum? I would still be holding out hope for all of these schools that are probably ultimately going to send me a rejection email sometime in april, which would be brutal.

I think my set of acceptances and rejections makes for an interesting case study, and after this is all over I am going to make a long post about it. I bring it up because I think it pertains to "fit," what factors certain schools must weigh, and what I set out to do at the beginning of this application season and how it has fared so far. Ultimately, I applied to 16 schools, but had I only applied to 8, it is entirely possible I would have struck out completely this season, which sounds absurd since I have 7 acceptances. But some of my earlier versions of my school lists would have resulted in complete strikeout for me, and I probably, honestly, would have given up. So for people with 1 or 2 acceptances, I really think it's somewhat random and if things fell differently here and there you would have several more options.

Wait until you make the visits. My ex-partner was in the same exact situation last season with those two schools. You cannot go wrong there, though, really. edited: Or phone calls/emails/correspondence if you aren't able to visit.

Stanford is obviously a great program. I gave myself the choice between applying to Stanford and UCLA, and I chose UCLA for fit. It was probably a good idea because private schools seem to hate me while the public universities love me, as demonstrated by my acceptances/rejections.

If I don't hear on day 1 of when everybody else does, I assume rejection. I know some schools roll them out, but for me it's always proven true that if I don't hear early, it's rejection city.

Chicago is "sexier" than most any of the Ivies, if that makes any sense.

Rutgers will ruin my weekend if I don't hear anything.

I hear they are picky about only accepting people who've applied there. At least that's what a professor who came from there told me.

"oldies" of the world unite! I'm 34 and as recently as 4 years ago I was 99% sure I would never again find myself in college. An abrupt layoff and MA program later, I am on the cusp of doctoral work. And yes, having worked long 6-7 day weeks, I certainly appreciate and relish academic work in a different way than I did when I was younger. And I did mention my previous work, briefly, to begin my SOP, but only because I could connect it to my research interests.

Let me take another approach. I read this post before you deleted it and I actually didn't have the sense of anger that some others have. I sort of understand. But I do want to tell you, with good intentions, that you will drive yourself crazy if you maintain that attitude. Every indicator tells me that graduate school is a very very humbling experience. Most people in it have been the "stars" of their class at some point, if not throughout their entire academic careers. Some of these people bring their competitiveness and illusions of grandeur over to grad school and suffer greatly. Though admittedly, some bring their competitiveness and succeed. But remember, almost every job is a people job. I've often heard of people being hired because, "They would fit in well here," or "Seem like they have the ability work with others," over people who look better on paper. But on a personal note, I truly believe that all forms of knowledge are collaborative. If your ultra-competitiveness is preventing you from having a sincere collaborative relationship with your cohorts and advisors, then I will go so far as to say you are selling yourself short, both as a scholar and as a human being. There will always be people better than you and that's ok. What is it we are doing in the humanities? What is it about? For me it is a lot about critical thinking, social awareness, and appreciation, but also developing an acute sense of empathy and sensitivity. Call ME naive, but I feel that way. I'm not judging you at all, but think deeply about why you are doing what you are doing. You say you want to be heard, but what it is that you have to say? in good faith, IMWANT

You can just admit it was you. So what did you say?

Nope, they were kind enough to private message me when I inquired here on one of these threads.

Yes, a regular poster here got accepted with Merit Scholarship a few days ago. I don't know if that person is keeping their acceptances a secret, but if they want I'm sure they'll respond. In other words, I think USC has started sending out acceptances, perhaps slowly. I'm waiting on them myself, so I'm with you on this one.

LOL at Gap "years." Try multiple 2-3 year gaps and other year long stints that had nothing to do with Academia.

Congrats! Tremendous accomplishment.

Absolutely! I haven't made any decisions (even unofficial) yet, but obviously LA is at the top of my list. I live in LA, too, so I don't even have to travel.

Are going to the welcome week?

It looks like it was the Friday after Valentine's Day Massacre if you applied to Princeton, Brown, or UNC and either got rejected or didn't hear from them (implied rejection).

good question. It just says USC.

Can anybody claim the USC acceptance? There goes my weekend.

I feel like after this weekend, Rutgers, Maryland, and a new wave of Berkeley rejections and acceptances will be upon us. My money is on Maryland tomorrow.

All she told me was that they told her funding information was to follow. I don't know any other details.