0% Confidence of Acceptance

[crystalleem]

Boston University has now rejected me twice via email, and I've been assured I'll receive a rejection via postal mail as well. I never loved you anyway, BU.

Same for me...I think I got the point the first time BU!

[fredngeorge]

It seems like, every time I turn on the freaking radio, they're playing Kelly Clarkson's "What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger."

I, however, have been feeling like what doesn't kill you sometimes kills you anyway......

[ribeth]

I'm definitely feeling this thread today. I haven't heard a single thing...and Purdue and FSU have already started notifying...needless to say, I'm biting my nails over here.

I used to think I was smart. Hah! The admissions process definitely has a way of taking you down a notch...or two.

*goes to cry and eat more chocolate cake*

[Silent_G]

I'm feeling much more positive today, and as we all know that doesn't always last very long, so I guess I better enjoy it while I can. I only have one more PhD program left to hear from, and I'm assuming it will be yet another rejection, so I'm trying to view acceptance into an unfunded MA program as a good thing. Glass half full?

[antecedent]

I'm feeling much more positive today, and as we all know that doesn't always last very long, so I guess I better enjoy it while I can. I only have one more PhD program left to hear from, and I'm assuming it will be yet another rejection, so I'm trying to view acceptance into an unfunded MA program as a good thing. Glass half full?

I feel ya. Which MA did you get into?

[Silent_G]

I feel ya. Which MA did you get into?

Boston University. When I applied to their MA/PhD program, I didn't think it would be the best fit, but now that I've taken a closer look at their faculty profiles and course offerings, I feel kind of excited about it.

[antecedent]

Awesome! Yeah it's disappointing to get an MA when you were really hoping for a PhD admit, but I'm glad to hear it's a good fit! I'm in the unfunded MA boat too, and it sucks on the one hand, but on the other it's making me evaluate all the other aspects of the programs more realistically which is probably a good thing.

[Silent_G]

Awesome! Yeah it's disappointing to get an MA when you were really hoping for a PhD admit, but I'm glad to hear it's a good fit! I'm in the unfunded MA boat too, and it sucks on the one hand, but on the other it's making me evaluate all the other aspects of the programs more realistically which is probably a good thing.

Yes. I've found that as well. Have you decided between Edinburgh and Madison? That is, if Urbana and SFSU don't work out, which I hope they do for your sake! My cousin's husband is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Madison. I really liked the town when I visited them. It wasn't at all what I expected. But, living in Edinburgh would be pretty amazing. They have a castle!

[antecedent]

Yes. I've found that as well. Have you decided between Edinburgh and Madison? That is, if Urbana and SFSU don't work out, which I hope they do for your sake! My cousin's husband is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Madison. I really liked the town when I visited them. It wasn't at all what I expected. But, living in Edinburgh would be pretty amazing. They have a castle!

I'm leaning towards Edinburgh because it's a 12 month program (not two years) so I could squeak by without a loan. I've kind of written off UIUC, but SFSU would still present a valid option. I've made a chart with desirable and undesirable qualities for Edinburgh, Madison, and SFSU...hopefully it will help me clarify the decision, though I suspect there's no easy decision here.

They have a castle AND Arthur's Seat (or one of them, anyway) over looks the city.

[Datatape]

I got my first waitlist yesterday at Alabama (my very last pick), which unfortunately is the best news I've gotten so far - I've gotten three explicit rejections, including from my top pick at Chapel Hill. I know there's still three schools to hear from, but it's really hard to get three rejections right in a row and then the first bit of not-bad news be from a school that's not a great fit. I'm about to get my M.A., have a 3.85 graduate GPA, 660 Verbal GRE score, great letters of recommendation... I just don't know what else I could have done to get into these schools.

[rainy_day]

I just submitted an abstract for an MLA panel. The contact person for the panel is a POI from what was my first choice.

As they say: Whomp, Whomp.

[Fiona Thunderpaws]

I just don't know what else I could have done to get into these schools.

Monkeys playing dice games. I'm becoming more and more certain that's how they decide things. I practically cried with joy when I got my waitlist notification. I have NO CLUE why I was waitlisted at the school I was, and rejected by some of the others (while some of my rejections were pretty predictable). I've been rejected from 6 so far, and I'm too terrified to ask about my status at the last school I haven't heard from...

I have never wanted anything more than for this waitlist to turn into an acceptance!

Also, Rainy, I think fate is playing cruel, sadistic jokes on you.

Edited February 29, 2012 by Fiona Thunderpaws

[anxious_aspirant]

I have never wanted anything more than for this waitlist to turn into an acceptance!

Same here. I mean, my sheer wishing/willpower will make this spot open up...right...? A lot of my inner monologue lately is getting really childish/tantrumy, "I want, I want!" and such, like I have some underlying belief that whining helps. (Not that I'm going to stop whining or anything, let's be serious).

[spasticlitotes]

Chin up, guys - it's not over until the fat lady sings (or your POI accidentally gets salt in their chance paper cut). I was actually talking to a professor of mine, and he mentioned (and he's a blunt guy, not malicious at all, just very open) that most people who got into schools are probably likely to get into multiple schools, SO, when they turn down their offers, schools will do a second and possibly third round of acceptances. SO. Pour yourself another glass, fix yourself a sandwich or defrost some pizza, and recharge your laptops. We're going on round 2.

[Fiona Thunderpaws]

Chin up, guys - it's not over until the fat lady sings (or your POI accidentally gets salt in their chance paper cut). I was actually talking to a professor of mine, and he mentioned (and he's a blunt guy, not malicious at all, just very open) that most people who got into schools are probably likely to get into multiple schools, SO, when they turn down their offers, schools will do a second and possibly third round of acceptances. SO. Pour yourself another glass, fix yourself a sandwich or defrost some pizza, and recharge your laptops. We're going on round 2.

Yeah, you're right Spasticlitotes! We have GOT THIS.

[wintergirl]

Still pulling for people posting in this thread. As one of the 0-iest of the 0-fers, I know that IT SUCKS. I was stunned when I actually received an acceptance yesterday and am now fervently hoping that you all get (at least) one too.

So hang in there, peeps. It ain't over yet!!

[lyonessrampant]

Still pulling for people posting in this thread. As one of the 0-iest of the 0-fers, I know that IT SUCKS. I was stunned when I actually received an acceptance yesterday and am now fervently hoping that you all get (at least) one too.

So hang in there, peeps. It ain't over yet!!

Still pulling for people posting in this thread. As one of the 0-iest of the 0-fers, I know that IT SUCKS. I was stunned when I actually received an acceptance yesterday and am now fervently hoping that you all get (at least) one too.

So hang in there, peeps. It ain't over yet!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

[Fiona Thunderpaws]

Still pulling for people posting in this thread. As one of the 0-iest of the 0-fers, I know that IT SUCKS. I was stunned when I actually received an acceptance yesterday and am now fervently hoping that you all get (at least) one too.

So hang in there, peeps. It ain't over yet!!

Thanks, Bespeckled! I'm glad to hear things worked out for you this season! I would be delighted with one acceptance, plus it would spare me the agony of choosing,

[Silent_G]

Sorry to be a downer and bring this thread back when it seems that many of you are no longer in it (and congrats on your many acceptances!), but I am going absolutely nuts waiting to hear back from my last chance. I know it's going to be a rejection, but I still need that official confirmation so I can start planning the next year of my life. And I'm actually okay with the fact that I didn't get accepted into any PhD programs this year, because I was fortunate enough to be invited into an MA program--not THAT fortunate, as it's unfunded--so I at least have something productive to do that will hopefully help me enhance my application for PhD programs next season.

But then there's a host of other worries that open up, such as whether I should even bother applying again next season or if it would be better to wait until I finish the one-year MA program and actually have something valuable to add to my application. If I do wait, though, then I need to find some form of employment after finishing the MA, preferably something that will also strengthen my application. As you can see, I'm a huge worry wart that thinks through every possible outcome, and so I just wish I would have the one possible outcome of my last PhD program settled already. Don't get me wrong--if by some miracle I'm accepted I will be overjoyed. I'm a planner, though, and I can't plan effectively while I'm still waiting to hear what my options are. This whole process is just so unnerving.

[TripWillis]

Sorry to be a downer and bring this thread back when it seems that many of you are no longer in it (and congrats on your many acceptances!), but I am going absolutely nuts waiting to hear back from my last chance. I know it's going to be a rejection, but I still need that official confirmation so I can start planning the next year of my life. And I'm actually okay with the fact that I didn't get accepted into any PhD programs this year, because I was fortunate enough to be invited into an MA program--not THAT fortunate, as it's unfunded--so I at least have something productive to do that will hopefully help me enhance my application for PhD programs next season.

But then there's a host of other worries that open up, such as whether I should even bother applying again next season or if it would be better to wait until I finish the one-year MA program and actually have something valuable to add to my application. If I do wait, though, then I need to find some form of employment after finishing the MA, preferably something that will also strengthen my application. As you can see, I'm a huge worry wart that thinks through every possible outcome, and so I just wish I would have the one possible outcome of my last PhD program settled already. Don't get me wrong--if by some miracle I'm accepted I will be overjoyed. I'm a planner, though, and I can't plan effectively while I'm still waiting to hear what my options are. This whole process is just so unnerving.

I understand exactly what you're going through. My limbo period between graduating from my B.A. and getting into an M.A. was just like this. I waited tables, got rejected from MFAs, and felt like my life was being rapidly flushed down the toilet with no purpose. Fortunately, I got accepted to an unfunded M.A. and went. But the uncertainty is just CRAZY.

My suggestion is that you find employment while in your one-year M.A. that is very very closely related to your field or beneficial in some way to you. You may need some funding to make it through, but if you can do any of the following:

-Tutor

-TA

-Assistant Admin in Dept.

-Teach

-Intern

-Work as page/archival assistant in library

-Work in scholarship/fellowship writing office

You will have one thing others applying do NOT have. In the following year, you might have to scrub floors, but you never know; maybe any of the above could become something semi-stable until you make it into a PhD. That's at least how it's worked out for me. Not necessarily sure if it's fair to go by my experience.

Good luck! What M.A. is it?

Edited March 10, 2012 by TripWillis

[Silent_G]

I understand exactly what you're going through. My limbo period between graduating from my B.A. and getting into an M.A. was just like this. I waited tables, got rejected from MFAs, and felt like my life was being rapidly flushed down the toilet with no purpose. Fortunately, I got accepted to an unfunded M.A. and went. But the uncertainty is just CRAZY.

My suggestion is that you find employment while in your one-year M.A. that is very very closely related to your field or beneficial in some way to you. You may need some funding to make it through, but if you can do any of the following:

-Tutor

-TA

-Assistant Admin in Dept.

-Teach

-Intern

-Work as page/archival assistant in library

-Work in scholarship/fellowship writing office

You will have one thing others applying do NOT have. In the following year, you might have to scrub floors, but you never know; maybe any of the above could become something semi-stable until you make it into a PhD. That's at least how it's worked out for me. Not necessarily sure if it's fair to go by my experience.

Good luck! What M.A. is it?

Thanks, Trip! This is actually very helpful and encouraging advice. I was invited to join the terminal MA program at BU, which, after reading about StatelyPlump's visit there, I'm getting very excited about. It's an intensive program with four classes a semester, so I think that will be great for me. I was planning to look for work as a tutor, but all of your suggestions are great too, and some of them I hadn't even considered.

I'm still waiting on word from Northeastern, but an acceptance went up last week, and historically they've sent out rejections about a week after the acceptances. I'm kind of torn, because as much as I want to be in a PhD program, I reeeaaallly want to be in Tufts' PhD program, and part of me actually wants the rejection from Northeastern so that the decision is made for me. But, of course, I'd rather join a funded PhD program now than an unfunded MA program. I hate that so much of this is out of our hands.

[TripWillis]

Thanks, Trip! This is actually very helpful and encouraging advice. I was invited to join the terminal MA program at BU, which, after reading about StatelyPlump's visit there, I'm getting very excited about. It's an intensive program with four classes a semester, so I think that will be great for me. I was planning to look for work as a tutor, but all of your suggestions are great too, and some of them I hadn't even considered.

I'm still waiting on word from Northeastern, but an acceptance went up last week, and historically they've sent out rejections about a week after the acceptances. I'm kind of torn, because as much as I want to be in a PhD program, I reeeaaallly want to be in Tufts' PhD program, and part of me actually wants the rejection from Northeastern so that the decision is made for me. But, of course, I'd rather join a funded PhD program now than an unfunded MA program. I hate that so much of this is out of our hands.

I understand just what you mean. I think you should go for it with BU -- that sounds like an incredibly supportive and interesting program and it sounds like they are pretty choosy about who they offer the spots too. There has to be SOME kind of support you can find -- general scholarship applications, grants, work study, etc. I would schedule an appointment with a scholarship counselor as soon as possible. That really helped me.

Part of the nice thing about work study jobs/tutoring/teaching is that the jobs are designed with the student employee's best interests in mind. If there were ever an academic event, professionalizing thing, etc. I needed to take care of, getting work off was no problem. At my job, I regularly have nothing to do and sit and study most of the time. When someone does come in for tutoring help, it's also pretty invigorating. I love working on papers with people. It's exciting to see them make progress and be able to recognize their own writing issues independent of my criticism. Having a campus position also puts you in a wider networking situation. You will meet more people and gain more knowledge.

Teaching is a little more work intensive (says the person who can't seem to grade a 3 page essay in fewer than 20 minutes)

[ribeth]

I've only received one acceptance so far, and it's to a program that will (most likely) be unfunded. Very slowly, I'm trying to acclimate myself to the idea that I may not be going to grad school in the fall.

WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH MY LIFE.

=(

[JayJay329]

Sorry to be a downer and bring this thread back when it seems that many of you are no longer in it (and congrats on your many acceptances!), but I am going absolutely nuts waiting to hear back from my last chance. I know it's going to be a rejection, but I still need that official confirmation so I can start planning the next year of my life. And I'm actually okay with the fact that I didn't get accepted into any PhD programs this year, because I was fortunate enough to be invited into an MA program--not THAT fortunate, as it's unfunded--so I at least have something productive to do that will hopefully help me enhance my application for PhD programs next season.

But then there's a host of other worries that open up, such as whether I should even bother applying again next season or if it would be better to wait until I finish the one-year MA program and actually have something valuable to add to my application. If I do wait, though, then I need to find some form of employment after finishing the MA, preferably something that will also strengthen my application. As you can see, I'm a huge worry wart that thinks through every possible outcome, and so I just wish I would have the one possible outcome of my last PhD program settled already. Don't get me wrong--if by some miracle I'm accepted I will be overjoyed. I'm a planner, though, and I can't plan effectively while I'm still waiting to hear what my options are. This whole process is just so unnerving.

I am so glad that someone else is posting about this topic and actually considering go through with the unfunded MA. I have been obsessively looking at posts about unfunded MAs, as I have one unfunded offer and one offer with pending funding (which is even more upsetting, b/c the DGS emailed me to go apply for a scholarship in case I don't get funding, which I don't qualify for thanks to my crap GPA). So now I am in depressing limbo debating on whether it is worth it to go in between $30,000 - $50,000 in debt for an unfunded MA at a state school ranked somewhere at 100 by the oh so lovely US College News foundation. From everything I have read, most people recommend against it highly; although, I really really just want to go to grad school. I am afraid if I don't go this year I won't have the balls to apply again next year. Yet, I am concerned that if I do attend, I will be looked down upon when it comes time to do PhD apps and have no teaching experience to brag of, not to mention ending up with almost $100K of debt by the time I finish and potentially have no future job prospects - hence being stuck in a nightmare of embarrassingly having failed at this intellectual dream crap. Sorry if this sounds dramatic. So those of you grappling over the same decision, what are your thoughts? Also, any unfunded MA success stories are wonderful [thank you TripWillis]

[Two Espressos]

So now I am in depressing limbo debating on whether it is worth it to go in between $30,000 - $50,000 in debt for an unfunded MA at a state school ranked somewhere at 100 by the oh so lovely US College News foundation.

Don't do it. It might be tempting at this point, but going into debt for an MA in English is suicidal.

A far better option would be working for a year--teaching abroad, tutoring, or any random job you can find, really--and doing reading, research, writing, etc. on your own. Then apply next year for funded MA/PhD programs.

While the US News and World Report rankings aren't completely indicative of quality, then do reflect--at least in a general sense--perception of quality by outside forces. Numbers do matter (especially to administrators), so while sweating over the minutiae of the rankings is foolish, ignoring them altogether is even more foolish.

When analyzing graduate school prospects in the humanities, always follow the money. If you don't have funding, don't go.

Think about it: let's say that you take up the unfunded MA offer, going, say, ~$30,000 into debt in the process. Let's also say that you apply to PhD programs later on and get accepted to one or several programs. Once again, let's say that you complete the program successfully and now are approaching the job market.

The sad reality is that most of us PhD-hopefuls (I'm one of them) will end up as adjuncts. I'm okay with that very real possibility; I love English enough to embrace such a fate. And while being paid less than $20,000 a year is terrible, to put it mildly, being paid $20,000 while trying to pay back $30,000 in loans is even worse.

I hope you heed my advice.

Edited March 11, 2012 by Two Espressos