cschields

I was contacted about my acceptance nearly a month ago and have still yet to receive word on funding. Was this letter attached to the formal e-mail?

Thank you! 'Mastery' is not so much my goal at this point; basic familiarity will complement the languages I already know (and which are more central to my research interests), and this sounds like a great place to start. Thanks again!

I'd like to brush up on some research languages this summer before beginning my doctoral studies. Has anyone effectively taught themselves how to read (at an elementary level or otherwise) French or German? What materials might you suggest? Again, my goal is reading comprehension and not conversational competency.

My question is slightly different than the OP but no less a matter of etiquette that I'm sure many of us are confronting. After receiving offers of admission from the DGS or Department Chair -- in other words, not personally from your POI -- is it advised to informally e-mail your POI to convey your excitement about working with them and that you anticipate accepting the offer? I should add, of course, that I will be accepting the offer from this school. I'm hesitant to send an e-mail without pressing questions, or a note that does not solicit a response (they're busy people, after all), but I know that my POI lobbied for me and I'd like to make her aware of my intentions. Do I need to appear measured right now or can I infuse this oft cryptic dance with some informal enthusiasm?

From what was described to me, I do not have to use the second year of funding during my second year of course work, and was advised to utilize it while writing my dissertation. The details are still pending, but I wanted to get some early feedback. Thanks for this helpful information.

I'm seeking counsel with current PhD candidates (or anyone with an opinion, really) on the potential promise or problems of a two-year funded offer. I know that accepting an offer rests on a myriad of equally important factors, including department fit, adviser relationship, et al. But let's try, if we can, to focus on just one of these elements: money. I'm sort of jumping the gun here, because not all of the decisions have been handed down, but it's highly possible that the best offer I will receive is two years of full funding and stipend at a USNWR top-ten history PhD program (for whatever that's worth). Like most public universities at this time, the school I have been accepted to is beleaguered under the current economic crisis. Going into debt is absolutely out of the question for me. I have applied for outside fellowships, though the likelihood of receiving any significant scholarships is slim given this year's high demand and qualified applicant pool. Of course, the possibility for renewed funding will be dependent upon my performance as well as the school's ability to provide it -- which, as I mentioned, looks unlikely given the state of things. I suppose my question is: what good is a two-year funded offer? How much pressure would it add to an already demanding schedule to be appealing within and outside of your department for additional years of funding? I'd like to stress that I'm ecstatic that my application has come so far, but it seems prudent to carefully assess this offer before jumping in. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Feel free to check again, but I called a minute ago to make sure I heard properly. The message says the applicants were notified for the 2010 competition. Regardless, I have yet to receive any confirmation that they even received my application, so it may not matter all that much in my case. I had some luck getting a non-automated response when I e-mailed a change of address notification. Maybe give that a shot?

I just called the number provided on the website to verify this information. The message says that all alternates and principle candidates for the "FY 2010" fellowship have been notified. So, this may be good news for those of us -- and I'm assuming that means you too, lechatgris -- who applied for the FY 2011.

I received a call last week from my potential adviser saying my application had been viewed "quite favorably." She asked if I was still interested in the program and I explained, very nervously, that I am indeed still interested. She went on to say that five-year funding was unlikely given obvious limitations but could probably offer two years. The call was brief and concluded with the promise of an email in the next several weeks pending final decisions by field. My initial excitement has descended into unbridled anxiety; was this some sort of preliminary interview? What answer are you supposed to give when asked if you're still interested in the program other than, "yes, absolutely!" And, while I'm inclined to view this call in a positive light, how confident can I really feel about my admission until a firm offer arrives in my mailbox? I suppose I'm seeking some sort of statistic on how many people receive similar calls and wind up with a rejection or admit without funding.

I still haven't received a confirmation from them...I'm curious if anyone else is in a similar position?

Thank you for this advice; I've done my best to move beyond what has been written on the website and to carefully read this professor's scholarship. I'm still grappling with matters of propriety, however. Is it insightful and not insultingly forthright to ask a potential advisor what he seeks in an advisee? Because, to me, this would have major implications for us both and could, again, save us each a lot of time. In lieu of the contact information of any of his graduate students (also not listed on the website), is it appropriate to get his take on the interaction between faculty and students and the cohort as a whole? These are things I am genuinely curious about and which weigh heavily on my decision to apply to a particular program, but I have been told that they are not always best directed at faculty, and it would be a shame if these sorts of genuine inquiries put me out of the running. As far as confidence goes, I trust in my ability to conduct good scholarship, but I am positively terrified about this meeting tomorrow...I just have no idea what to expect and probably won't know until the conversation is underway. Thanks again for all of your help!

These are all great pieces of advice -- thank you. Sometimes you get so wrapped up in the goal, ie., 'getting in,' that you forget part of this process is supposed to be enjoyable and informative, not merely a means to an end. I'm sure my anxiety will be pretty overwhelming (and, regrettably, already is) prior to the meeting, so I suppose I'm asking what I can expect when I go in there. Yes, conversations follow their own logic, but I'd feel much more at ease with some concrete speaking points. I have been preparing some thoughtful questions while allowing room for the natural ease of good conversation -- that said, what are some things that have been asked of you during these meetings? Anything that you wished you had given more thought or attention to?

I'm curious if any brave and weathered PhD applicants (or current candidates) have advice for someone heading into a face-to-face meeting with a faculty member who I have my sights set on as a potential advisor. While I can speak articulately enough about my own research interests, and will certainly familiarize myself with those of the faculty member, I am trying to formulate some appropriate questions. These discussions, I've been warned, can be highly nuanced and I don't want to ostracize myself by asking ill-informed or inappropriate questions. More succinctly, where is it appropriate to ask direct and forthright questions, and where is it wise to tread lightly? I appreciate any help you can contribute!

I was named an alternate to the Netherlands, too. I got really excited when I saw a large manila envelope, and my heart sank when I felt the weight of just one sheet of paper. So the wait continues...

Wow! Congratulations! Your good news, however, scared the living crap out of me! Took me a minute to remember NAF grants aren't the only type of full research grants. I am trying to regain my breath and control the shaking of my hands. Unless all of you got emails saying this same thing, and then I guess I should resume my shortage of breath and continue with shaky hands.