2021 Applicants

[A Small Raven]

3 hours ago, mashatheicebear said:

@A Small RavenI am not sure what things have looked like in recent years but, it seems to me, based on previous experience, that this year is far more competitive than usual. With so many programs limiting cohort sizes or suspending applications entirely, everyone has been funneled into a smaller pool and the competition for those coveted spots (and funding) is fierce. This cycle, for me, has not turned out at all how I was hoping it would, but it may all be for the best, in the end. Hang in there!

I really appreciate the kind words, thank you! I definitely wasn't anticipating such a crazy competitive cycle, and being that it's my first cycle, I wasn't prepared for it to be quite like this. But you're right - maybe it is for the best right now. I have an alternate plan in place if I don't get in anywhere this year, something to hold me over and even enjoy until the next admissions cycle, so I'm thankful for that. 

At this point I've come to terms with my slim chances of acceptance this year. My biggest fear is that it will be just as competitive, if not more so, next year. That, and schools potentially reinstating the GRE for the next admissions cycle. ?

[AnxiousBean]

16 minutes ago, catchampney said:

Yes - same to you!! It's so stressful trying to figure out what goes on behind the scenes... full knowing we can't really, haha! Hopefully good news for both of us  

 

Checked my portal and it shows as submitted but that there's an admissions decision available under my recommenders. Holding out hope for you two! 

[brockdenbrown802]

3 minutes ago, AnxiousBean said:

Checked my portal and it shows as submitted but that there's an admissions decision available under my recommenders. Holding out hope for you two! 

Ahh thank you this is good to know! I double-checked in case I missed something and I still have no updates. Maybe they have individuals on the committee, broken apart by focus, updating the portal? or reporting back at different times? 

[JaneLWH]

51 minutes ago, A Small Raven said:

I really appreciate the kind words, thank you! I definitely wasn't anticipating such a crazy competitive cycle, and being that it's my first cycle, I wasn't prepared for it to be quite like this. But you're right - maybe it is for the best right now. I have an alternate plan in place if I don't get in anywhere this year, something to hold me over and even enjoy until the next admissions cycle, so I'm thankful for that. 

At this point I've come to terms with my slim chances of acceptance this year. My biggest fear is that it will be just as competitive, if not more so, next year. That, and schools potentially reinstating the GRE for the next admissions cycle. ?

I really hope they do not reinstate the GRE! It's a classist barrier and a waste of a ton of money. Not to mention that studying for it is boring and utterly unstimulating.

[languageisaskin]

39 minutes ago, catchampney said:

I double-checked in case I missed something and I still have no updates.

Same here! My browser is really not happy with my constant refreshing... I'm hoping that they'll get to everyone today, though it seems like we may have to wait a while longer

[OpenBook]

2 hours ago, JaneLWH said:

I really hope they do not reinstate the GRE! It's a classist barrier and a waste of a ton of money. Not to mention that studying for it is boring and utterly unstimulating.

Completely agree.  I didn't apply to a single school that required it this year, and I had been studying for it since my sophomore year.  Absolute hunk of junk, especially when EVERY professor I spoke with said the results were the least important part of my application.  As a low-income student, I'm so glad I didn't waste the money.  I heard from UChicago admissions that they've been trying to push English to drop the GRE for years, and this was finally the opportunity for a dry run without it.  I wonder how many other programs are like that.

Edited February 18, 2021 by 1 Pint of Ricotta

[dogeared]

Great change imo. Down with standardized testing. 

[JaneLWH]

8 hours ago, 1 Pint of Ricotta said:

Completely agree.  I didn't apply to a single school that required it this year, and I had been studying for it since my sophomore year.  Absolute hunk of junk, especially when EVERY professor I spoke with said the results were the least important part of my application.  As a low-income student, I'm so glad I didn't waste the money.  I heard from UChicago admissions that they've been trying to push English to drop the GRE for years, and this was finally the opportunity for a dry run without it.  I wonder how many other programs are like that.

Out of all the programs to which I applied this cycle only Duke English allowed applicants to send it. In their webpage, they said it's optional this year but that, "if you think your scores would strengthen your application, then please feel free to send them." I didn't send mine anyway - my math score was a bit embarrassing -, and I found their policy this year incredibly unfair and ethically questionable. It would be much better if they either required the test of everyone this year or not at all. Encouraging certain people to send their scores whilst knowing others will be unable to due to covid, lockdowns, general disruption, puts the latter category at a disadvantage. 

[LtotheOG]

12 hours ago, kirbs005 said:

I'm not saying you would know, I'm just simply pointing out that not everyone uses this website and it would be unfair to jump to the conclusion that if no acceptances have been posted that a program didn't accept anyone. The only way to know is talking to DGS or waiting to see if they announce a class for the Fall. And as we've seen, things have rolled out very slowly compared to past years, and it's still kinda early.

And yes, the majority of people don't care but there was quite the uproar about UChicago English, especially once it was announced they were taking just Black Studies. It's the world of higher ed "press" and the internet who would hold them accountable. I'd also imagine, that they could get in legal trouble if pressed hard enough (and if someone sued for this, defrauding people out of money for grad applications, at a large institution, it would make headlines outside of higher ed)

I'd also imagine that applicants or hopefully students would hold them accountable. If I was a lit person re-applying next year I'd steer far away from Brandeis who dropped admissions at the last second. If they're willing to do that, I'm not willing to attend their program, just my two cents, not trying to pick an argument.

To repeat, that is how things look to me regardless of how they actually are. (My wager is, the latter is mostly indiscernible, anyway). 
I could be sounding a false alarm, but I am led on by such “real” factors as reduced cohort sizes and the opaqueness surrounding their (non-)declaration early on.

As I mentioned, acceptances may be a handful only (and therefore, not represented by the Results here), but to me it isn’t a stretch (/unreasonable/unfair) at all to speculate the absolute worst.

[winterbearr]

does anyone know what one should do when waitlisted (other than confirming that I'm still interested)? like is there any way to appeal to the department further?? any thoughts would be appreciated. desperate haha :') 

[Emailchecker]

1 hour ago, winterbearr said:

does anyone know what one should do when waitlisted (other than confirming that I'm still interested)? like is there any way to appeal to the department further?? any thoughts would be appreciated. desperate haha :') 

Also interested in answers for this! (Can I ask what are you waitlisted for?)

[LtotheOG]

Looks like formatting fucked me. This is what I was written to by a PoI:

While I cannot speak for the rest of the Admissions Committee, I can tell you that I thought your research project was strong.  However, the application itself did not appear to be well organized or written.  I'm not sure whether you had to convert your statement and your writing sample from one format to another, but it was very difficult to read.  I'm afraid that this issue prevented your application from making our shortlist, even though, again, I thought that your research project was quite interesting.

 

I'd advise that you spend some time carefully reviewing and revising your statement before applying again next year.

 

Thoughts, people?
Do you think the real reason is something else? Can formatting truly fuck you? Should I have been given another chance to patch things up? (I had changed file formats for submission, and that did leave undesirable effects).

[OpenBook]

Ah, that's rough @LtotheOG.  I've heard the "if your file won't open/it's difficult in any way, you're not getting in," but it's still disappointing to hear they didn't try at all.  Do you think it was an issue specific to an application, or did your formatting get screwy for all your apps?  Especially during these times, I would have thought they would be extra considerate.  I'd trust this person was being honest, and seems like a PoI you should try to work with in the future, if you have to reapply.

[silk]

3 hours ago, winterbearr said:

does anyone know what one should do when waitlisted (other than confirming that I'm still interested)? like is there any way to appeal to the department further?? any thoughts would be appreciated. desperate haha :') 

wait, you are supposed to tell them you are still interested when you are waitlisted? i didn't reply to the waitlist e-mail, should i? ?

[queenofcarrotflowers]

42 minutes ago, LtotheOG said:

Looks like formatting fucked me. This is what I was written to by a PoI:

While I cannot speak for the rest of the Admissions Committee, I can tell you that I thought your research project was strong.  However, the application itself did not appear to be well organized or written.  I'm not sure whether you had to convert your statement and your writing sample from one format to another, but it was very difficult to read.  I'm afraid that this issue prevented your application from making our shortlist, even though, again, I thought that your research project was quite interesting.

 

I'd advise that you spend some time carefully reviewing and revising your statement before applying again next year.

 

Thoughts, people?
Do you think the real reason is something else? Can formatting truly fuck you? Should I have been given another chance to patch things up? (I had changed file formats for submission, and that did leave undesirable effects).

Yikes that's rough, really sorry about this. I think it might not entirely have been formatting from the way this was worded (see bold). Also, may I ask what kind of file conversion you did? (since I'm pretty sure I uploaded my statements straight from word rather than converting to pdf :s)

[winterbearr]

1 hour ago, Emailchecker said:

Also interested in answers for this! (Can I ask what are you waitlisted for?)

johns hopkins, what about you? 

 

5 minutes ago, silk said:

wait, you are supposed to tell them you are still interested when you are waitlisted? i didn't reply to the waitlist e-mail, should i? ?

I don't think it's a mandatory thing at all, just something I chose to do. unless they directly asked you if you're still interested in which case you should respond! 

[Emailchecker]

14 minutes ago, winterbearr said:

johns hopkins, what about you? 

 

My program is such a dream for me that I am even relectant to name it here, just out of fear of jinxing it. It's a terrible position to be in, because you feel entirely powerless and up to not your hands....Ooof

Edited February 18, 2021 by Emailchecker

[kirbs005]

28 minutes ago, silk said:

wait, you are supposed to tell them you are still interested when you are waitlisted? i didn't reply to the waitlist e-mail, should i? ?

I don't think it's a requirement either, they assume you're still interested since you applied and are on the waitlist. I just replied saying "thanks" and that I'd contact them with any questions. I'd re-read the email you got and then decide.

[LtotheOG]

51 minutes ago, 1 Pint of Ricotta said:

Ah, that's rough @LtotheOG.  I've heard the "if your file won't open/it's difficult in any way, you're not getting in," but it's still disappointing to hear they didn't try at all.  Do you think it was an issue specific to an application, or did your formatting get screwy for all your apps?  Especially during these times, I would have thought they would be extra considerate.  I'd trust this person was being honest, and seems like a PoI you should try to work with in the future, if you have to reapply.

Thanks for this!

At this point, I have no idea what filetype I sent over to each place but I do know that the .doc and .pdf files with the same content (WS) look very different. I think this application contained the pdf version which looks very fucked; .doc is perfectly formatted.

I am not sure I can afford to apply again, though. This time around was already in many ways, very difficult.

Edited February 18, 2021 by LtotheOG

[LtotheOG]

50 minutes ago, queenofcarrotflowers said:

Yikes that's rough, really sorry about this. I think it might not entirely have been formatting from the way this was worded (see bold). Also, may I ask what kind of file conversion you did? (since I'm pretty sure I uploaded my statements straight from word rather than converting to pdf :s)

Thank you! I think it suits me better to know it wasn’t only the formatting. I also think for this application, it was .pages to .pdf

Edited February 18, 2021 by LtotheOG

[missmarianne]

1 hour ago, LtotheOG said:

Looks like formatting fucked me. This is what I was written to by a PoI:

While I cannot speak for the rest of the Admissions Committee, I can tell you that I thought your research project was strong.  However, the application itself did not appear to be well organized or written.  I'm not sure whether you had to convert your statement and your writing sample from one format to another, but it was very difficult to read.  I'm afraid that this issue prevented your application from making our shortlist, even though, again, I thought that your research project was quite interesting.

 

I'd advise that you spend some time carefully reviewing and revising your statement before applying again next year.

 

Thoughts, people?
Do you think the real reason is something else? Can formatting truly fuck you? Should I have been given another chance to patch things up? (I had changed file formats for submission, and that did leave undesirable effects).

I'm hoping with everything in me that they meant something like, "your paragraphs were disorganized" which I could understand, but formatting? Seriously? Are you applying for a copy editing job?

[LtotheOG]

3 minutes ago, missmarianne said:

I'm hoping with everything in me that they meant something like, "your paragraphs were disorganized" which I could understand, but formatting? Seriously? Are you applying for a copy editing job?

Sorry I’ve run out of showing approval today, I fully intend to. 

[missmarianne]

3 minutes ago, LtotheOG said:

Sorry I’ve run out of showing approval today, I fully intend to. 

Haha, no problem! Major grain of salt, because literally everyone has rejected me, but the presses I've published with have already had their own format and font (and copy editors, obviously!). So far no one has just uploaded a PDF or word doc I've sent them for publication! ?

[Magic Lantern]

3 hours ago, Emailchecker said:

Also interested in answers for this! (Can I ask what are you waitlisted for?)

I just want to say that I love your username! 

[LtotheOG]

2 minutes ago, missmarianne said:

Haha, no problem! Major grain of salt, because literally everyone has rejected me, but the presses I've published with have already had their own format and font (and copy editors, obviously!). So far no one has just uploaded a PDF or word doc I've sent them for publication! 

Tbh, I do not think formatting is unimportant, especially when overwhelmed committees are basically looking to eliminate applications. My only disappointment probably stems from the fact that I sent the same filetypes to my PoI who I wish had forewarned me — although of course, I do not hold it against him.