Fall 2025 Applicants

[doingmybest123]

1 hour ago, MatildaMedievalist said:

So here's the thing--and the answer is dissatisfying--it really is going to depend. You can't say one school always does this or that because it varies from year to year. 

Scheduling interviews is hard, so depending on the structure of the interview (ie if someone like a DGS is on them all) they might stagger the invites just so they can give candidates a narrower range of times to pick from and not have too many people trying to schedule the same time. This is the case for Princeton, I know, for the one who was asking about them in particular. 

Furthermore, the reason schools don't reject until after they've accepted is because they want to keep their options open. Say they're interviewing 10 people for 5 spots, but they get halfway through those interviews and the first 5 people have all had red flags. Then, they'll go back and send a few more interview requests, to give themselves options. 

Schools (like Brown Classics) that do interviews in-person are less likely to send out a second round of interviews. HOWEVER, Brown Classics has had major recruitment issues the last several years, so they very well might decide to do more interviews if, by the time their in-person interviews come around, their top choices already have offers from other places (as it has happened the last several years). 

So all-and-all, the only real advice I can give is this- don't let anything you see on here lead you to despair, because it doesn't guarantee anything, but yes, if it's been more than a week since others got interview requests and you haven't, the odds its coming are low, though not zero.

Sincerely, 

A first-year-PhD who doesn't know why she's back on this site and anxious considering she's in a program and not applying. 

Thanks for this answer!!! 

[Dontjumponthesword]

7 hours ago, Silsmh said:

I hope so too!! I just keep sending good vibes to this whole forum. You may have mentioned it already, but are you applying to languages, archeology, ancient history? And thank you so much! The interview with Michigan was my first ever PhD interview and I don't think I have been more nervous in my life. Now I am just waiting while it feels like my entire life hangs in the balance ha ha. 

Haha, that’s too funny! Hoping it went well though! Also, I’m looking to study ancient history. How about you? 

[clodiametelli]

For interviews, what kinds of questions are you asking the interviewing committee? 

Hope we are all hanging in there ok! 

[voxanonyma]

4 hours ago, clodiametelli said:

For interviews, what kinds of questions are you asking the interviewing committee? 

Hope we are all hanging in there ok! 

I've mainly stuck to asking questions like what is their philosophy on / process for mentorship and student development, what options are there for secondary fields, modern language study, etc., how do I access specific material resources at their institution, etc. Those seem to be good. I think whatever provides an opportunity for them to tell you about their program (and consider how they would support you) helps.

I personally really hope to hear from Michigan this week. I'd like to know definitively I have a place somewhere, even as I should be feeling optimistic. I guess I just am reserved because I don't want my hopes dashed.

[doingmybest123]

Hi everyone! Do people generally recommend submitting fall grades? Or can we assume at this point that they have already looked through applications? 

 

[voxanonyma]

36 minutes ago, doingmybest123 said:

Hi everyone! Do people generally recommend submitting fall grades? Or can we assume at this point that they have already looked through applications? 

 

I did submit mine to any that had an upload option and e-mailed the DGS or graduate coordinator in all other instances. I don't personally think it has that much effect, but it can't hurt so long as the grades are good, and if the courses are at an advanced level for the languages or your subfield. But I doubt it's a fully necessary component of admission.

[Silsmh]

13 hours ago, Dontjumponthesword said:

Haha, that’s too funny! Hoping it went well though! Also, I’m looking to study ancient history. How about you? 

I think it did?? It was my first one so I don't have anything to compare it to, but I managed to keep it to 20 mins answering questions leaving 10 mins for follow-ups. I also did a mock interview beforehand and highly suggest if you have people in your life (professors or even friends) you can practice on  And I applied to Classical philology, languages and literature programs. 

[Silsmh]

10 hours ago, clodiametelli said:

For interviews, what kinds of questions are you asking the interviewing committee? 

Hope we are all hanging in there ok! 

Hi!! I specifically asked the department more details about how the multidisciplinary approaches/opportunities work in their program specifically (what are all of the departments one could work with outside of ancient philosophy, for instance, or how are/have current/past students approached interdisciplinary work and projects and what kind of support (just because I would love to grow in this). I asked about public-facing scholarship, because that is an interest of mine that I would like to pursue, and I also asked how the department supports student professional development aside from certificate training (publications, conferences, career development), and also where some of their students are currently. In my Michigan interview it was so nice to also have a graduate student there--incredibly kind person and provided great information that gave the program a fuller picture than the website ever could. I kind of approached it as, "what are other questions I am left with about the program where information is not already available to me."

[voxanonyma]

Do we know of any programs that definitively admit without interviews or campus visits of some kind? I had started this whole process thinking that some did do so, but now it seems most of them do have something of the like, and the more I think about it the less really that it makes sense for such a thing to happen given the long-term commitment (for both parties).

[Dontjumponthesword]

9 hours ago, voxanonyma said:

Do we know of any programs that definitively admit without interviews or campus visits of some kind? I had started this whole process thinking that some did do so, but now it seems most of them do have something of the like, and the more I think about it the less really that it makes sense for such a thing to happen given the long-term commitment (for both parties).

I also want to know this!

[Imphoteppie]

Hey! To the person that posted CUNY interview invite. Did you receive any news yet? Did they tell you when you might hear back with decision?

[MatildaMedievalist]

13 hours ago, voxanonyma said:

Do we know of any programs that definitively admit without interviews or campus visits of some kind? I had started this whole process thinking that some did do so, but now it seems most of them do have something of the like, and the more I think about it the less really that it makes sense for such a thing to happen given the long-term commitment (for both parties).

Can confirm last year I got into UCLA ancient history through history with no interview, but those who applied through Classics had an interview. 

Because Classics as a field is less varied, faculty tend to work as a committee in admissions, instead of giving power to subfields. Thus, interviews are more common in Classics than most departments where faculty feel they can only evaluate for their own subfield. So, if you apply to a history or art history department, there may not be an interview, but straight Classics programs nearly always have them. 

 

[clodiametelli]

19 hours ago, Silsmh said:

Hi!! I specifically asked the department more details about how the multidisciplinary approaches/opportunities work in their program specifically (what are all of the departments one could work with outside of ancient philosophy, for instance, or how are/have current/past students approached interdisciplinary work and projects and what kind of support (just because I would love to grow in this). I asked about public-facing scholarship, because that is an interest of mine that I would like to pursue, and I also asked how the department supports student professional development aside from certificate training (publications, conferences, career development), and also where some of their students are currently. In my Michigan interview it was so nice to also have a graduate student there--incredibly kind person and provided great information that gave the program a fuller picture than the website ever could. I kind of approached it as, "what are other questions I am left with about the program where information is not already available to me."

Thank you for this! I’m hoping my upcoming interview includes a grad student, but I haven’t gotten too many details. I know scheduling these takes time and effort, but I do think they could be less mysterious!

[Dontjumponthesword]

Has anyone heard from any other schools? I heard from another school on my list about an interview, but I heard about some people in my department already got acceptances. 

[Silsmh]

On 1/24/2025 at 3:35 PM, clodiametelli said:

Thank you for this! I’m hoping my upcoming interview includes a grad student, but I haven’t gotten too many details. I know scheduling these takes time and effort, but I do think they could be less mysterious!

Wishing everything about this process was less mysterious! I hope your interview prepping is going well

[Silsmh]

4 hours ago, Dontjumponthesword said:

Has anyone heard from any other schools? I heard from another school on my list about an interview, but I heard about some people in my department already got acceptances. 

Hi! I am still waiting to hear from four more schools after hearing about interviews from two a while back. 

[clodiametelli]

15 hours ago, Dontjumponthesword said:

Has anyone heard from any other schools? I heard from another school on my list about an interview, but I heard about some people in my department already got acceptances. 

I've heard back from two for interviews, and I know that Harvard and Yale have reached out to their top choices (I didn't hear from them, so I am assuming I'm not in the running). I'm not sure about where Columbia is at in their process. I haven't received any acceptances or formal rejections yet. 

[alexandradelaurentiis]

I don't know where Columbia is at in their process this year, but I know that last year they reached out to people on the 16th January inviting them for interviews. Obviously schedules may change from year to year, especially as Columbia had quite a late deadline this time compared to others, but just thought I'd share this info 

[clodiametelli]

58 minutes ago, alexandradelaurentiis said:

I don't know where Columbia is at in their process this year, but I know that last year they reached out to people on the 16th January inviting them for interviews. Obviously schedules may change from year to year, especially as Columbia had quite a late deadline this time compared to others, but just thought I'd share this info 

Good to know, thank you! I appreciate all the information everyone has been sharing!

[MatildaMedievalist]

@the Michigan IPAH waitlist and everyone as results come in--

Waitlists stink, because you have to continue to wait. But know to be proud of them. You weren't the top choice, but that's not because there is anything wrong with your application. They'd love to have you. They simply think someone else fits better with what they need this year, based on who is going on leave, or what current students are researching etc.

Also, while some waitlists are a courtesy (mostly Ivys who could afford to  accidently overenroll) the majority move a lot. Michigan, especially IPAH, moves a lot. Last year they made offers to at least 3 waitlisted students. It stinks to wait but you have a very good shot still. So be proud and know plenty of people now in programs, including myself, started off with a waitlist!

[voxanonyma]

2 hours ago, MatildaMedievalist said:

@the Michigan IPAH waitlist and everyone as results come in--

Waitlists stink, because you have to continue to wait. But know to be proud of them. You weren't the top choice, but that's not because there is anything wrong with your application. They'd love to have you. They simply think someone else fits better with what they need this year, based on who is going on leave, or what current students are researching etc.

Also, while some waitlists are a courtesy (mostly Ivys who could afford to  accidently overenroll) the majority move a lot. Michigan, especially IPAH, moves a lot. Last year they made offers to at least 3 waitlisted students. It stinks to wait but you have a very good shot still. So be proud and know plenty of people now in programs, including myself, started off with a waitlist!

Thanks so much for this, it makes me feel a lot better at an awful time. I am indeed waitlisted at IPAH, so it helps a lot. And I'm waiting very nervously on Harvard, because while I feel I did well in the interviews, I also felt somewhat the same after speaking with Michigan. I just want to know! And while they said in the first interview they won't decide until mid-February, in the second another faculty member said they'd be back in touch 'very soon', which I suppose is mid-February? But I just don't know! The wait is excruciating.

[Sisinnes]

5 hours ago, alexandradelaurentiis said:

I don't know where Columbia is at in their process this year, but I know that last year they reached out to people on the 16th January inviting them for interviews. Obviously schedules may change from year to year, especially as Columbia had quite a late deadline this time compared to others, but just thought I'd share this info 

Update on Columbia: I got contacted about the interview today

[Unmoved Orpheus]

1 hour ago, Sisinnes said:

Update on Columbia: I got contacted about the interview today

Congrats! May I ask when is your Columbia interview? 

[Sisinnes]

24 minutes ago, Unmoved Orpheus said:

Congrats! May I ask when is your Columbia interview? 

Thanks! It's scheduled for next Monday, February 3rd.

[voxanonyma]

Congratulations @Sisinnes! I was also invited to interview with them next week! I was surprised as I would have thought they'd send out the requests along with the ones for Classics. Very happy, and I hope you do great!

On another note, has anyone heard anything at all from Stanford or Chicago?