ndk Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 (edited) Yeah, my letter was the same. I'm glad to know that UPenn believes that I, [applicant], have what it takes to succeed at [university of applicant's choice]. Edited February 21, 2011 by ndk
historyhopeful Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 Sorry to all on the UPenn rejections. Wondering, however, what this means for those invited to Friday's visiting day- acceptances and waitlist? Or will there be another round of rejections next week? It is my top choice now that Columbia is out of the picture, and I am totally unsure of how to interpret my place right now.
TaraDanielle Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 YES! Mine too! A little presumptuous, UPenn... Mine said that as well. Lovely, with my two rejections and no acceptances. Thanks for that...
TMP Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 I'm pretty sure that's why I never applied to Penn again.
barricades Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 So, I followed through on the message and talked with someone from NYU, who congratulated me on being admitted! (S)He said that I should be getting an email soon with all the details, hopefully by the end of the week, but not to panic if it doesn't arrive by Friday because things are clogged up at the graduate admissions side. Oh, and I wasn't invited to the prospective student weekend, so apparently that has nothing to do with your chances. But, then again, maybe it's because I applied for the Dual PhD in History and French Studies. Who knows?
TransnationalHistory Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 (edited) Got an acceptance letter from the DGS from Vanderbilt tonight. Based on the letter, I get the impression all their decisions have been made. No specifics on funding. Edited February 22, 2011 by TransnationalHistory
North Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 Has anyone heard anything from Washington or Boston College?
Leahlearns Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 Has anyone heard anything from Washington or Boston College? I haven't posted since I was applying to master's programs. I'm now applying to doctorate programs. I was accepted at U of Washington last week. I received a call from the director of graduate studies.
Kelkel Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 Just got a rejection from Georgetown's MAGIC program in the mail. I'm sad, but not really. D.C. would have been a far trek for me anyways. I'm hoping for two more decisions this week though. Maybe one will come with good news (and money plz?).
meo03 Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 well, got my vandy rejection. Oh well, on to the next one!
TMP Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 *fingers drumming on desk* Waaaaai-ting. Waaaa-ting. qbtacoma 1
Mertonian Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 Harvard rejection, ah well. Choice has been made for me, and probably for the best too!
Liminalist Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 Did everyone else's UPenn rejection say "I trust that you have been, or will soon be, admitted elsewhere to a university of your choice?" That seems like not the smartest thing to say in a form letter (in my case I do have one but still...) Sounds similar to Stanford's condescending rejection email. They wrote, "I sincerely hope that you secure admission to another program and that you will find a way to continue your interest in history." [sarcasm] Yes Stanford, I will somehow try to move on. [/sarcasm] Bukharan and simone von c 2
VanSleWel Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 I just received Vanderbilt's rejection email, short, sweet, and oh so painful. I knew it was only a matter of time before a rejection made its way to me, but this one hurts; Vanderbilt would have been a good fit. Oh well.......
Bactrian Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 Just got a rejection from Georgetown's MAGIC program in the mail. I'm sad, but not really. D.C. would have been a far trek for me anyways. Does anyone know the reputation of the MAGIC program, especially with regard to how it is perceived by admission committees? If I'm rejected from all the MA/PhD programs I've applied to (which seems more and more likely) this is where I'll likely end up as I was accepted last week. I've done this whole process with little guidance as I've been in the work force for several years, thus I have don't have much insight into the scuttlebutt on various programs. I applied because it fits with what I want to do and I thought it prudent to apply for some MA-only programs but I'd like to know more than what is on the website.
qbtacoma Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 What is with these letter rejection writers? It isn't like it is hard to refrain from being jerks about it. "I hope you find someone else who wants you," is something (mean) you say to the person you just broke up with - and it isn't terribly wrong, because there actually are lots of people to date out there. "I hope you are accepted to a different history program that wants you" is just stupid.
sankd Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 I have a job interview lined up. Plan C is in motion. In regards to form letters, how would you write one without sounding cold, condescending, and distant? Maybe a [gendered] maternal 'I couldn't afford to nuture your dreams' [/gendered] instead?
ndk Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 I have a job interview lined up. Plan C is in motion. In regards to form letters, how would you write one without sounding cold, condescending, and distant? Maybe a [gendered] maternal 'I couldn't afford to nuture your dreams' [/gendered] instead? Form letters shouldn't contain apologies/words of consolation because the reader will never perceive those as being sincere. A simple "best wishes in all your endeavors" would suffice instead of "hopefully another program accepts you [because we sure didn't want to]."
nervousnelly Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 Have to agree. How hard would it be to draft a more appropriate letter? "We wish you well in your future endeavors" would be less condescending than "We are sure someone else will take you," when, clearly, they are saying this to everyone who applied and got rejected.
sankd Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 Form letters shouldn't contain apologies/words of consolation because the reader will never perceive those as being sincere. A simple "best wishes in all your endeavors" would suffice instead of "hopefully another program accepts you [because we sure didn't want to]." I totally agree, but then what else would you write in the letter? Component 1: We are rejecting you. Component 2: Vague form excuse (money, competition, you are not that great, etc.) Component 3: Best wishes in all your endeavors. The only thing is, the more neurotic of us would construe the last component as condescending, even if less so than Penn's 'Someone will love you, I am sure'
Kelkel Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 Congrats on the two UT acceptances today. Does anyone want to claim them? I'm really nervous now since more than one decision is out.
North Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 Congrats on the two UT acceptances today. Does anyone want to claim them? I'm really nervous now since more than one decision is out. I'm curious about UT Austin as well. Anyone know what's going on there?
LEJ1758 Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 Congrats to the UT European acceptances! That was one of my top choices, and I haven't heard from them. I hope this doesn't mean what I think it does...
qbtacoma Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 I totally agree, but then what else would you write in the letter? Component 1: We are rejecting you. Component 2: Vague form excuse (money, competition, you are not that great, etc.) Component 3: Best wishes in all your endeavors. The only thing is, the more neurotic of us would construe the last component as condescending, even if less so than Penn's 'Someone will love you, I am sure' That's about right. Leaving off component 3 would be best, even. "We regret to inform you...many qualified candidates...best, Grad Program." I would not be offended that they didn't wish me luck, and that seems to be where they get tripped up.
sankd Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 (edited) Congrats to the UT European acceptances! That was one of my top choices, and I haven't heard from them. I hope this doesn't mean what I think it does... I've been assuming it does. Curious to hear more about Texas, since I think they actually had money too. Edited February 22, 2011 by sankd
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