Any Chapel Hill-ers?

[0000000000AAA]

For a top 20 school it doesn't get much love! Anyone else applying?

[bdon19]

Yep! Submitted my app last night. Of all the schools on my list, it was the farthest in terms of "fit," but I think I made it work...enough.

[Timshel]

I think it doesn't get "much love" because it's an incredibly small program. Like, handful of people, small.

[Phil Sparrow]

I think it doesn't get "much love" because it's an incredibly small program. Like, handful of people, small.

Not really... Some years ago when I was making the rounds at recruitment visits, at least, it was fairly midsize of the programs I was considering. Maybe they've cut their cohort size since then, but it still has twice the faculty of where I ended up (which is small for an R1 but not tiny either).

[Timshel]

I meant the amount of students, not the amount of faculty. They have recently changed to accept even less students because North Carolina does not allow tuition remission, so they have to offer more in TAships and Fellowships to cover the tuition costs, which has to come out of the amount of money they have to give to students.

[Rupert Pupkin]

Are you sure about that? Per their page: "During the 2010-2011 admissions season, the Department of English received 390 applications, and we accepted 18 students in English and Comparative Literature."

That seems to be in line with most other programs, maybe even a little more.

[Timshel]

Well, maybe last year it went back up, but I know a couple of people there who started about two years ago, and there were only like 4 who were accepted that year. Maybe it was longer ago than I remember.

[indalomena]

UNC = amazing! Which is why I'm so sad that I wrote an awful application Ran out of time, wrote a bad SOP... *sigh*

[0000000000AAA]

I did have a little trouble with my fit SOP as well--I think because a good percentage of the faculty (at least in my field) is a little on the older side. Did anyone else find this problem?

[Jane_Eyre]

So I realize this thread has been dead for over a month now, but I'm replying anyway. I'm reeeeaalllly ready to find out whether I got in or not, please. This whole waiting thing is absolute torture!

According to the results page on this site, applicants started hearing back in February last year, but some received acceptances in late January in previous years. Yes, I'm hoping for a return to earlier notifications.

Anyone have the inside scoop on when we might start getting notices this year?

[indalomena]

no inside scoop, but terrified about the idea of a January notification! I've been counting on having an emotionally stable January... AARGH

edit to add: now I notice that Northwestern started notifying in January last year. Let the emotional rollercoaster begin!

Edited January 16, 2012 by indalomena

[Jane_Eyre]

Oh, no! I didn't mean to add to your terror! Please return to emotional stability immediately. I just really want to know...good or bad...as soon as possible. I guess patience isn't my greatest virtue, huh. ;D

[indalomena]

Haha, no it's OK -- it's best to be prepared for the possibility of January notifications! And I suppose, UNC and Northwestern had quite early deadlines, so it's conceivable they started sifting through the apps before the winter break..

Good luck to you! I hope we get good news soon

[Jane_Eyre]

Thank you! Good luck to you, too!

[Mistral]

I think they notify fellowship nominees in late January and other admits a bit later... but I'm not 100% sure.

[Jane_Eyre]

Hmmmm, that makes good sense. Thanks.

[Timshel]

This isn't about Chapel Hill, but i know how you feel about finding things out in January. Emory starts contacting people for interviews that day after MLK Day, so I'll know VERY soon if I'm even a contender there. I know it's a long shot to begin with, but I'm surprised this anxiety is starting already since I just finished my last application last night.

[bdon19]

;k;lakjs;lkdjf;lkjaksjd;lkfjkajsl;kdjf I wasn't planning on hearing back from them so soon!!! I had made my predicted notification chart (which is hanging above me on my desk) based solely on last year. Ohhhhhhhh, my gosh. Now I have reason to freak out. Chapel Hill was one of the schools I thought I might have had a decent shot at. Now I'm a bundle of insecure nerves. Going to throw up now. Just kidding. Kind of.

[Phil Sparrow]

Carolina has historically trickled admits out over the course of January, February, and March. So it's definitely (at least based on past patterns) an ain't-over-til-the-fat-lady-sings-type program.

Courage, dear hearts! Stay frosty. And good luck!

[indalomena]

Courage, dear hearts!

[Starlajane]

I applied to the comp lit program; it seems that most programs begin notifying accepted applicants early, in January, sometimes February. So, if March rolls around and you haven't heard anything, then you can fairly assume that you will be receiving a generic rejection letter. However, the process does vary from year to year.

I applied and did not get into Northwestern last year: they started notifying accepted students very early in January; I (and others) were officially rejected in February and early March.

[hazelbite]

I was in the office today (I work at Chapel Hill, but didn't apply there) and saw a fat stack of 20 or so app-sized folders. I don't know whether or not they were the Chosen Few, but it definitely made my stomach turn!

[Jane_Eyre]

*faint*

[Starlajane]

*faint*

My thoughts exactly. Altough now that I know that they do not offer tuition remission, I am less devastated by the possibility of a rejection. I'm out-of-state, so I probably couldn't go even if I were accepted;.

[0000000000AAA]

Chapel Hill does indeed offer tuition remission!

From the Chapel Hill graduate FAQ:

We offer various funding opportunities for first-year doctoral students: merit fellowships from the Graduate School, departmental research assistantships, internships in our SITES lab for instructional technology, positions as graders, and (for those entering with prior college composition experience) teaching fellowships. In most cases, these funding packages offer a minimum of $14,700 per year as a living stipend and also include tuition remission and health insurance. After the first year in the program, all doctoral candidates are funded through teaching fellowships, which are renewable annually for at least five years, and in certain cases six years. Teaching fellowships also include tuition remission and health insurance.