rmgerdes

I received a rejection for a PhD in the last week of February.

I really don't think anyone should give up until the end of the March. Good luck hanging in there!

I just emailed two of out the four schools I'm waiting out. Both replied immediately: Check back if you don't hear anything by the end of the month. I suspect that, unless another program is forcing your hand, we should wait until the end of the March to ask. I'm not even going to email the other two, as I'm sure they'll say the same. I'm going to lose my mind!

This is me! I've been working full time for three years. My stipend will be half my salary. While I have a partner, he'll also be leaving his job when we move to my school. It's highly unlikely he'll find full time work right away, so we're having to reassess a lot of things. I'm not sure how we'll make it work, but we will. Somehow it is just reassuring to know that other people are going through the same things... To complicate things we also have SEVERAL pets (four cats, 15 parrots, and a snake). They are very expensive and finding housing that suits them is difficult. But we made those commitments several years ago (worked for a rescue--we've actually gone down in pets over the last three years by two cats and six bird--natural causes) and are committed to their care. Still, it makes things much more difficult.

The uncertainty is starting to screw with my mind. The last three nights I've had VERY vivid dreams about offers (all, of course, kind of bizarre and dream-world-y), but when I wake up it takes me several minutes to figure out I've been dreaming. I feel like I'm starting to lose my grip on reality!

I contacted the department yesterday and I'm waiting to hear back. Thanks for all the good advice!

I would love to get a laptop.... alas, not even acceptances can build up my depleted bank account.

On Saturday, I received a letter of rejection from Ohio State. I was disappointed, but I also received my first acceptance so it didn't sting too much. Today, I recieved an email from the office of financial aid asking for more information so they could process my funding offer.... The hell?? I called the graduate department and left a phone message, but now I'm all in a tizzy. I'm QUITE fond of their program..... oh why must they torture me... TWICE!!! I mean, it is probably some evil clerical error. But it could be on either side, right? DAMMIT!

I also have a good feeling about this week. I just feel like I'm my bound to get SOME news, and whatever it is at least then I can start planning!!

Eight hours until I get home and can check my mail... I feel like this is going to be a big week!

There are also schools that do rolling admissions. Basically they notify students of acceptance as funding become available. I applied unsuccessfully last year, and didn't hear from all schools until early April. However, as long as you hear by April 15th, the schools have treated you well. The part that makes me angry is when some schools don't notify rejects at all; that is unnecessarily cruel. Good luck. Don't give up. You may also want to look at the results survey to see when your fourth school send out acceptances and rejections last year. That may give you an idea of what to expect in the coming weeks.

I think a factor in your decision should be the job prospects. For example, if were like me, an English major, you would be insane to pay that much for a Master's degree. But if you could expect to make enough money with your degree for it to be worth it....

That's a keeper!

Hear are some good tidings... after two years of trying and 9 rejections, March brought me my first acceptance!

3/3: Insurance bill. Rejection from Ohio State.... FIRST ACCEPTANCE!!!! From Okalahoma State, fully funded

I've never even been West of the Mississippi... can anyone let me know what these towns are like?

This is coming from someone who is sitting on pins and needles, hoping with all her might that this time is the time I'll get in (this is my 2nd round applying).... but, here's what I learned after not getting in last year. Life goes on it. And, what's more, it is still pretty awesome. I firmly believe that life unfolds with purpose, and while I would not have chosen to teach another year, it has been a positive, wonderful year. My partner made some important professional strides that he would not have been able to do without our staying here. I completed several personal goals (the most significant of which was final reaching my goal weight, after 3 and 1/2 years and 170 lbs). I strengthened my application and got more involved the department I work in. It isn't as though, if we don't get into grad school, we stop learning. But this is something we all very much and so we make it more important in our minds than it is. And because there is rejection involved, in feels incredibly personal, as though we aren't good and worthy people. But your ego, like mine, will heal. And your life, like mine, will fill. If you don't get it in this year, and it is something you really want, you'll try again next year. And you'll grow in the process. All that said, here's to acceptances all around!

This is the best thread ever. I wish I had never told anyone, not even my recommenders (we'll ignore the obvious logical pitfalls of this strategy)... so no one would ask me about it.

I imagine the first round of letters have come and gone. Expect to hear more the first week of March. I'm trying to fool myself into think it is impossible to hear anything until next week, so that I'll relax a little until then. It isn't working, but it is helping

FOUR rejections in a row. I am sad.

This topic gives me hope. I found a typo... "Sfard's insight are..." And I almost gave immediately. *Deep breaths.* Life goes on. I think the lesson here is to never, ever reread your SOP after submitting it

Year two for me as well. I feel like my application is much stronger... which makes no acceptances so far that much more terrifying....

This is my second year applying, and last time I didn't get all of my rejections until April... So, you know, take some deep breaths and get used to it. (Which is not to imply that I'm not also miserably waiting)

What a terrifying, but useful topic. This is my 2nd time as well. I feel like my application is as strong as it can possibly be. If I don't get in this year, is it time to consider another path? I have a MA, so I've been teaching full time as a visiting lecturer (which I love), but this year is last year they'll have full time, non-ongoing positions (due to budget cuts). I can't afford to adjunct... so... does this mean I give up on this career if I don't get in this year? I would totally try for a permanent position, but someone would need to leave or retire for one to become vacant. This uncertainty makes my heart, and head, ache.

I'm freaking out, without any real weaknesses in my application, because last year I applied and didn't get in anywhere. This year I applied to more schools (10, instead of 4), and really shored up my two weaknesses (wrote a much better statement of purpose and kicked ass on the GRE)... but... If I don't get in this time, I'm not sure if it is worth applying again. I don't know. I'm feeling scared and discouraged and I know I still have months to wait.