travgrad

Claire, may I ask where you are deciding to go? I'm interested in applying to both programs for next year (if this year doesn't work out with my choices) and I'd like to know your thought process is for choosing. Many thanks in advance!

*correction: I'm guessing it ISN'T enough in this year's applicant pool.

Txelizabeth- I, too, was rejected from UMich. It's my fourth rejection, but somehow this one has hurt the most. I'm holding out for three more programs. My prospects aren't looking too good. It may be the case that I become a second-year applicant. The problem, however, is that I'm not sure if I can do another year of this process. It's too expensive, and I'm not sure if I'll be better off next year. I think--no, I know--if I can get into any program, Master's or Doctorate, I'll be able to prove myself and have more linguistics courses under my belt to demonstrate my abilities. Unfortunately, I attended a small liberal arts university for my undergraduate degree, and there was no linguistics department. It doesn't seem to matter that I took every course offered in linguistics (general and hispanic) during my tenure. I'm guessing it is enough in this year's applicant pool. At this juncture, I feel I should have gone with my initial instinct of applying for Master's programs, but all of my professors strongly encouraged (and even required) my applying to PhD programs. Sigh. My congratulations go out to all of you. Do you have any suggestions for me in the event that I find myself in the undesirable position of not attending graduate school in the fall? I send many good vibes to those of you in my position... with the slightly stronger hope that I get an acceptance, too.

txelizabeth, it appears we have our hopes in the same dual phd program... maybe we'll both be accepted?? good luck!!

Does anyone know if it is okay that I haven't heard a yay or a nay from UMich dual PhD in Ling and Romance Languages and Literatures? Very specific question, but I thought I would ask... Thanks for the welcome!!

Hello all, this is my first message to the forum. I just wanted to say for the record that this is the best and worst website for hopeful graduate students. I don't believe any explanation is necessary here. We all know what I mean. I've had a particularly disappointing week, consisting of three rejections. The remaining four programs have yet to tell me their decision. I'm eternally optimistic, however, and I appreciate all of your enthusiasm and good luck wishes. I'd like to vent briefly that as much as I love my professors, their strong belief in my academic potential and their unsolicited ego-boosting have only left me with higher expectations than I originally wanted to have in this process. It's time to bring myself down to earth and wait patiently. If it works out, it will work out. If not, I could always try again or just move on. The last option of moving on is not very common for me, so I guess I'll be trying again next year if I find myself without an acceptance. Again, thanks to all of you for being so positive and, above all, gracious in your acceptances and rejections. I have so much hope for our generation of scholars. I wish all of you the best.