canadiana

I've had that dream, too. They say you dream about what bothers you.

It could also be that they the broke up the applications into groupings and have worked through some of those groups. UPenn always rejects many more students than they accept, so maybe there are some acceptances floating out there that just haven't made it to the forum/board.

That's an unsettling thought! Possible, though....hmm....my GRE scores AND my GPA are very low compared to yours, though. They would have rejected A LOT of people to weed out that wide a range of applicants. But maybe you're right. I wish the decision process was more transparent.

Cornell07, we think alike! I am in exactly the same situation (hopefully will get into a GREAT MA program which will be a stepping stone to the PhD), and I won't let the rejections dampen my passion for history. I aimed too high this time as well, but I'm so glad I did. I'm a very cautious person by nature, so I've never taken any big risks. Even though I failed, I'm glad I went through it because I realized that I can actually deal with failure a lot better than I thought! Hopefully all applicants learn from this experience and are able to view themselves with more critical distance.

It's more than that, though, isn't it? I mean, your application was read in its entirety. It may just be that certain professors fought harder for their potential students than others, or that they decided to focus on building certain subdisciplines more than others this year. I'm just speculating, and in fact, I don't think any university will weed people out on a quantitative basis. If your statement and LORs explain why scores or marks may be low, or if it blows a reader away, then they won't automatically disqualify that student. As the rejection letter stated, the applications were read. They just decided it wasn't what they were looking for. Also, you may want to call/email and ask for feedback to improve your application for next year.

I think they only rejected in this round. Since UPenn receives so many applications each year, the first weeding out was probably to remove applicants who they felt were not at all competitive. I think their next step is probably deliberating on whom to accept/waitlist/reject among those applicants they found at least a bit promising.

Oh, UPenn, you've been placed on such a high pedestal that your rejection really stings. I am both hurt and relieved that a decision was made so quickly...probably my terrible GRE scores.

I just got my website rejection from Pennsylvania. Kind of relieved and sad at the same time. This is not going to be a good weekend.

I know what you're going through (except for the ulcer...you might want to have that checked out!) I'm a stress eater, though. I cannot chill, either, and I've cried a lot over the past few months (as dramatic as that may sound to the tougher ones on this forum). Yes, work already busy here, but I cannot concentrate. The worst part is that I go from "It's going to be okay," one minute to "What is wrong with me that not one school has responded yet?!" the next. Oh well, bring on the chips and chocolate! And hang in there...I think we'll be hearing either way over the next couple of weeks. Of course, that's another can of worms.

I don't know if ranting is allowed in this thread, but I wonder if anyone else is in the same boat: I know deep down inside that I would have been contacted by now if I'd been accepted to certain schools, but can't help believing that "no news is good news." I don't live in the U.S., so that thin, sad envelope is going to take a while to arrive.

Yeah, it's worse when the secretaries are oh so rude to you, even though it's not your fault there's been a mistake. I understand that they have a lot of things on their plates, but this is an important undertaking for all of us applicants. Good luck to your husband, and I hope that all the running around will be for some good news!

Yeah, I figured it's more appropriate for a job interview situation. Thanks for the feedback, lucifer2 and minnesotan!

Not necessarily. Maybe the waiting is the worst part for you, which is good in the long run, since it's temporary. I'm sorry to hear about your rejection, though.

HAH! That. Is. Awesome.

I watched the eclipse tonight!

Kissesofthesun, your undergraduate university's rankings probably don't matter much in the grand scheme of things. It's more important that your recommenders are respected scholars in their field. Students from top tier colleges are rejected in favour of lower tier schools in many cases...or at least that's what I've heard.

Hmm...well, then I guess I will try to contact the departments as well. Thanks, Amanda!

I know what you mean. My parents got so tired of me asking them if they checked the mail (twice a day, everyday) that they gave me a copy of the key to the mailbox.

Nofia, NO! I don't think a degree in museum studies works against you. In fact, you can probably use it to your advantage to show your superb understanding of the use of history for memory and commemorative purposes. Also, I hear you about the waiting...it's tough, and very distracting. Just hang in there.

I have a question: now that the rejections have started rolling in, is it appropriate to send short thank you notes to the professors at various universities with whom you were interested in working? Or will that seem too arrogant, as if assuming that they actually read your application?

[quote name="Louiselab

jaw17, congratulations! It totally depends on where he is on the waitlist. If he's in touch with professors at Stanford, he may consider contacting one of them to find out his rank, or even just try the department administrators.

Yes, I just got my first outright rejection. I hope you guys are right, and that it gets easier over time.

That's hilarious! Certainly had me laughing out loud in the dead silence of the library, and cheered me up a bit, too.

Hi MissyCari, Supposedly, you can call Brown and find out whether you've been accepted or rejected. That's what I intend to do tomorrow. Also, congratulations! Your acceptances are so impressive -- I'm actually a little intimidated. :oops: