bluemojav Posted January 22 Posted January 22 Hello! This section of gradcafe always seems so quiet, but I thought it might be worthwhile to send a post into the void and see if anyone else is applying for library science programs! I split my applications between these and a few doctoral programs for English, and while there was a forum for those I saw there wasn’t one here. I only applied to four, and have heard back from UNC-Chapel Hill and SUNY Albany (both acceptances!) and am waiting to hear back from UCLA and ECU. I’d love to go to UNC, of course, but that would definitely be dependent on possible funding. Otherwise, I’d probably have to pick based on cost (which sucks, because it’s definitely my top pick out of the masters programs I applied to otherwise). Anyone else dealing with similar things? How is everybody doing? I hope the cycle is going well for everyone!
bubbleandsqueak Posted January 23 Posted January 23 Hi! I applied to 7 programs, which is definitely too many, but I'm just an anxious person and need all my options laid out in front of me...(especially when it comes to funding, lol). I've heard back from UNC-Chapel Hill and the University of Washington, both acceptances. I'm waiting on UIUC, UW-Madison, UMD, Pratt, & Simmons. I'm really interested in academic libraries, so UNC would be a great choice for me as well, but it will also probably come down to cost/funding for me. Their CALA program seems like a dream but I looked at the profile of the people who received it the past few years and I don't think I'm qualified enough so I'm trying not to get my hopes up. I feel confident that I'm a competitive applicant academically but this is a bit of a career change for me so I don't have much library experience, though my job now is in research so not entirely unrelated. Hoping to get as much experience as possible while in school to make up for that! Hopefully more people join this thread! I've been trolling the relevant reddit pages but they aren't as good of a platform for stuff like this. bluemojav 1
bluemojav Posted January 23 Author Posted January 23 (edited) 4 hours ago, bubbleandsqueak said: Hi! I applied to 7 programs, which is definitely too many, but I'm just an anxious person and need all my options laid out in front of me...(especially when it comes to funding, lol). I've heard back from UNC-Chapel Hill and the University of Washington, both acceptances. I'm waiting on UIUC, UW-Madison, UMD, Pratt, & Simmons. I'm really interested in academic libraries, so UNC would be a great choice for me as well, but it will also probably come down to cost/funding for me. Their CALA program seems like a dream but I looked at the profile of the people who received it the past few years and I don't think I'm qualified enough so I'm trying not to get my hopes up. I feel confident that I'm a competitive applicant academically but this is a bit of a career change for me so I don't have much library experience, though my job now is in research so not entirely unrelated. Hoping to get as much experience as possible while in school to make up for that! Hopefully more people join this thread! I've been trolling the relevant reddit pages but they aren't as good of a platform for stuff like this. Happy to see someone else here— I’m also geared towards the academic librarian track! I applied to 16 altogether, including MLS and doctoral programs, so that’s far from overboard in my book, lol. I think UNC-CH is the only overlap we have. It’s also relatively close to me (the closest school I applied to besides my undergrad institution), so it would really be ideal in all aspects if it wasn’t for the cost… I felt similarly about my chances for the CALA program— I have a bunch of research experience, but my only job experience in a library was in a writing center. Their website says announcements come out in February and mid-March, but the application deadline isn’t until March 15th, so it’s hard to gauge when we’d know for sure if they are considering us for it. Wishing you luck!! Edited January 23 by bluemojav
badbull727 Posted February 1 Posted February 1 (edited) Hi, everybody! I feel like there's so little information out there from people applying to MLIS programs compared to other types of programs, so it's nice to find others. I applied to UIUC, Indiana, Maryland, and Simmons. I want to do a joint MLIS/History MA program so those seemed like the best options. Maryland is probably my first choice because I'm already in the area. Haven't heard back from anyone yet. I'm also interested in academic libraries or in some type of public history/museums work. Good luck to everyone and wishing you lots of acceptances and abundant funding! Edited February 1 by badbull727 bluemojav 1
badbull727 Posted February 2 Posted February 2 18 hours ago, badbull727 said: Hi, everybody! I feel like there's so little information out there from people applying to MLIS programs compared to other types of programs, so it's nice to find others. I applied to UIUC, Indiana, Maryland, and Simmons. I want to do a joint MLIS/History MA program so those seemed like the best options. Maryland is probably my first choice because I'm already in the area. Haven't heard back from anyone yet. I'm also interested in academic libraries or in some type of public history/museums work. Good luck to everyone and wishing you lots of acceptances and abundant funding! Honestly, I wasn't expecting to hear anything back yet for a few weeks, but I got accepted to the UIUC MLIS program yesterday. No word on the other half of the dual degree program--because UIUC doesn't offer a terminal History MA outside of the dual program, I wouldn't be surprised if they wait on acceptance from LIS before they even offer the candidate to the history department. Still, though, it takes a real weight off my mind to know I got in somewhere! bluemojav 1
bluemojav Posted February 2 Author Posted February 2 1 hour ago, badbull727 said: Honestly, I wasn't expecting to hear anything back yet for a few weeks, but I got accepted to the UIUC MLIS program yesterday. No word on the other half of the dual degree program--because UIUC doesn't offer a terminal History MA outside of the dual program, I wouldn't be surprised if they wait on acceptance from LIS before they even offer the candidate to the history department. Still, though, it takes a real weight off my mind to know I got in somewhere! Congrats!! Happy to hear some good news badbull727 1
bluemojav Posted February 2 Author Posted February 2 Found out I applied after the merit financial aid deadline for UNC on accident :,). Really pulling for my doctoral programs now bc I’m scared of debt.
acebookdragon Posted February 11 Posted February 11 Spilling some tea here: UIUC's iSchool is a lovely community. Hard to get an assistantship to get a tuition waiver without a lot of prior library experience (definitely apply broadly to other departments/offices on campus there to increase your chances). Youth services track is A++. I haven't been around in a hot second, but as recently as 2020, the archives concentration basically did not exist despite it being advertised and getting ranked #1. The vibe is very inclusive, queer AF (to the point where it was a little surprising if you met someone who wasn't some flavor of the rainbow), very progressive. Definitely still super white, though. Also, your tuition waiver counts as taxable income. Despite that, I still miss UIUC with every fiber of my being. (Also, hit up Portillo's, Jane Addams Book Shop, Curtis Orchards, and Golden Harbor if you're in the area) UMD's iSchool is... a school. That exists. I can't speak specifically to the MLIS program, but the iSchool's vibe as a whole is weird. They're really pushing the more data sciences/tech-y side of things, and it's rare to hear anything about anything library-related. The faculty is full of drama that makes you feel like you're back in middle school. There are some genuinely lovely people at UMD's iSchool, but the culture is very clique-y. UMD also has the largest grad student stipend-to-cost of living deficit of all the Big 10 schools, so unless you've got some great savings, a partner/family to support you, work a well-paying job on the side, or are willing to take on loans, it's rough. HR and payroll are nightmares to deal with, which makes all of that even worse. Their reputation is so bad that students from other schools on campus know about it. All of that being said, I know people who really enjoyed their time at UMD in the MLIS program, but I definitely know more people who are annoyed or frustrated or angry with UMD's iSchool than who are really happy with it. bluemojav 1
acebookdragon Posted February 11 Posted February 11 On 1/23/2024 at 11:08 AM, bubbleandsqueak said: Hi! I applied to 7 programs, which is definitely too many, but I'm just an anxious person and need all my options laid out in front of me...(especially when it comes to funding, lol). I've heard back from UNC-Chapel Hill and the University of Washington, both acceptances. I'm waiting on UIUC, UW-Madison, UMD, Pratt, & Simmons. I'm really interested in academic libraries, so UNC would be a great choice for me as well, but it will also probably come down to cost/funding for me. Their CALA program seems like a dream but I looked at the profile of the people who received it the past few years and I don't think I'm qualified enough so I'm trying not to get my hopes up. I feel confident that I'm a competitive applicant academically but this is a bit of a career change for me so I don't have much library experience, though my job now is in research so not entirely unrelated. Hoping to get as much experience as possible while in school to make up for that! Hopefully more people join this thread! I've been trolling the relevant reddit pages but they aren't as good of a platform for stuff like this. NGL, within the actual iSchool/library science community, Washington has an incredible reputation. It's also one of the hardest programs to get into, so congrats on that! UNC's got a good vibe as well, and all the faculty I know there are lovely. bluemojav 1
mlis858 Posted February 14 Posted February 14 Hello! I only applied to UCLA so far and hope to hear back by the end of March. If I don't get admitted, I'll apply for SJSU. I live in LA and am not planning to relocate, so the in-person program really appeals to me. I'm in my late 30s and am pursuing a career change. Good luck to everyone!
fullconversations Posted February 17 Posted February 17 Hello! I only applied to UMD and am currently applying to Simmons and Catholic. Does anyone know when we're supposed to hear back from Maryland?
badbull727 Posted February 19 Posted February 19 @fullconversations From previous years' results on this website, it looks like it's generally in the last week of February or the first week of March.
bluemojav Posted March 4 Author Posted March 4 Got that email from UCLA about delays :,) Nice to hear something from them at all, though
clane22 Posted March 11 Posted March 11 Glad to see other folks were looking for this info too! I recently got my acceptance from UNC’s SILS, but has anyone heard back yet about funding?
212be Posted May 1 Posted May 1 Hello I’ve received admission to McGill MISt, Fall 2024. Any info/comments welcome! Maybe it is just me, but I have not been able to find much first-hand info about the program online.
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