PhD English - 2026 Application Cycle

[ottessamoshfegh]

21 minutes ago, environhum said:

Congrats!!! Did they call/was it today?

Yes! Call from the grad director today, who was also in my interview. Official letter to follow soon via email. I wasn't told what size the incoming cohort would be or any application stats, but they are working on the same April 15 deadline as everyone else. 

[environhum]

2 minutes ago, ottessamoshfegh said:

Yes! Call from the grad director today, who was also in my interview. Official letter to follow soon via email. I wasn't told what size the incoming cohort would be or any application stats, but they are working on the same April 15 deadline as everyone else. 

Thank you!! I interviewed so hoping I have a call coming too 🥲 congrats again!

[ottessamoshfegh]

6 minutes ago, environhum said:

Thank you!! I interviewed so hoping I have a call coming too 🥲 congrats again!

Thank you, and good luck! 

[Esther Lee]

Wishing to congratulate all those who have just been accepted by UVA and ask if anyone knows all acceptances have already been sent out in one batch? T T

[HarperN]

Just been waitlisted by UVA T T

[polt29]

Anyone claiming the UCLA acceptance?

[ottessamoshfegh]

Has anyone heard from Boston College? I interviewed last week and was told I'd hear back early this week. 

[Mystic_Sunshine]

I'm curious about schools that don't send out all the rejections at the same time. Does anyone else have schools where rejections have been sent out but you haven't heard anything?

[HarperN]

9 hours ago, Mystic_Sunshine said:

I'm curious about schools that don't send out all the rejections at the same time. Does anyone else have schools where rejections have been sent out but you haven't heard anything?

Same, I haven't heard anything from UPenn even though rejections have already appeared on Gradcafe. I think they might be sending rejections by sub-fields

[polt29]

On 2/6/2026 at 12:01 PM, Mystic_Sunshine said:

I'm curious about schools that don't send out all the rejections at the same time. Does anyone else have schools where rejections have been sent out but you haven't heard anything?

When this happened to me, I ended up getting waitlisted at Brown… potentially a good sign?

[Mystic_Sunshine]

1 hour ago, polt29 said:

When this happened to me, I ended up getting waitlisted at Brown… potentially a good sign?

I hope maybe so! Otherwise it is not looking good for me lol and congrats on the brown waitlist

[polt29]

Don't give up, all you need is 1!

7 hours ago, Mystic_Sunshine said:

I hope maybe so! Otherwise it is not looking good for me lol and congrats on the brown waitlist

 

[hm25]

Just saw the Davis posts and gutted if that's it... that'll pretty much be my season as it's the one I was counting on the most. All others were too far from my niche needs. Trying to stay hopeful still since it's been mostly silence for me

[ottessamoshfegh]

Rejected from Boston College after interviewing in the final round and oof that was a painful one. Ended up taking a 48 hour ban from email/reddit/gradcafe over the weekend and honestly I think it was incredibly necessary. At this point I think I've been soft rejected everywhere except three schools. This process SUCKS. 

[HarperN]

On 2/6/2026 at 7:08 PM, HarperN said:

Same, I haven't heard anything from UPenn even though rejections have already appeared on Gradcafe. I think they might be sending rejections by sub-fields

I'm just been accepted by Penn's M.A. program but I didn't even apply for it. Seems that they have moved some PhD applicants to the M.A. pool. I don't understand at all but anyway it's somehow good news

[Mystic_Sunshine]

On 2/7/2026 at 11:00 PM, polt29 said:

Don't give up, all you need is 1!

 

Thank you! I have one acceptance but it's in a less than ideal location and out of all the schools I applied to and would be the most difficult transition. 

[SocialKonstruct]

Anyone here a specialist who focuses on post 1970's American or British contemporary or post-colonialist literature? Looking especially for a person who knows Zadie Smith works in and out.

[lucychurchamiably]

Has anyone had experiences with waitlists? I'm wondering what the proper protocol is for being put on a waitlist? Do I ask about the length and my rank? Do I send a letter or some sort of email expressing continued interest? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[Mystic_Sunshine]

1 hour ago, lucychurchamiably said:

Has anyone had experiences with waitlists? I'm wondering what the proper protocol is for being put on a waitlist? Do I ask about the length and my rank? Do I send a letter or some sort of email expressing continued interest? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

I'm only operating under what I've done and what others have said. 

1. When you get it, express your interest and say something nice. You can ask about the size of the waitlist. When I did, I was not given an answer though. So, prep for that. 

2. You can follow back up but I'd probably wait until march. Most people are accepting/declining spots yet if they are still waiting to hear back. 

[MiChanders]

Anyone hearing back from MA in UVA?

[Mystic_Sunshine]

Going crazy because I've still not gotten any news.

[HarperN]

I don't have any schools pending now. Desperately hoping I could get into my waitlist schools.....

[ottessamoshfegh]

Also on two waitlists, wondering what the chances of actually getting in are.

[Mystic_Sunshine]

6 hours ago, HarperN said:

I don't have any schools pending now. Desperately hoping I could get into my waitlist schools.....

Where are you waitlisted? Best of luck

[Mystic_Sunshine]

1 hour ago, ottessamoshfegh said:

Also on two waitlists, wondering what the chances of actually getting in are.

For me, one waitlist I know I won't make it off of. I'm not very high up on it. For the other, I was told that I'm higher up and they often make offers to those on the waitlist.