Just submitted 2/2 applications, why do I already feel anxious?

[BreathingSister]

I just submitted electronic applications and sent off supplemental materials to the two schools I am applying to. Will be able to check status of application in 4-5 business days. I AM ALREADY NERVOUS.

Nerves stemming from two things: the fact that 2/3 letter writers haven't responded to my emails all break and that the decision to apply to these two programs was entirely last minute.

I applied to UC Irvine/UC San Diego's Joint Doctoral program in Drama & Theatre and University of Western Ontario's MA in Theory & Criticism. I applied to the first at the request of a professor I have been working with for the last year. His interests are perfectly aligned with mine, but my GRE, GPA (3.32, website says 3.5 is required without a masters- but prof says gpa/gre is supplemental info at best?) and general background in Theatre & Drama is pretty bad. I took the new gre which resulted in extra low scores.

I feel good about the way that I spun my personal history statement (for fellowships/personal background) and how I framed by statement of purpose, but it feels contrived. I don't know if anyone else feels like this.

If ANYONE has interests in/info about these programs, or in a similar situation I would like to commiserate!

Good luck everyone.

[OnceAndFutureGrad]

Good luck with the waiting game. Hold fast now, don't dwell. I know it's a huge thing that will affect what country you will live in this fall, but the less you can keep it from mentally eating you the better you'll be prepared to get the news, whatever that is. Don't let this waiting period rob you of the genuine emotions you'll feel when you get your results.

[Ameonna]

You feel anxious because it's totally normal to feel that way! Seems to be happening to everybody here.

It's like getting married, only you don't know if your beloved will actually be waiting for you at the altar once you arrive there, and you happen to have four or seven or ten or thirteen beloveds, all of whom you've tried to convince are worth waiting for you at the church... All that matters, though, is that you look wonderful and get cake!

Yeah, I'm not the best at metaphors...

[isobel_a]

Applying to grad schools is the most stressful thing I've ever done in my life, and I've been in extremely high pressure situations.

Marriage is an apt metaphor, I think: we're making decisions now that are going to affect the next 5 years or so, not to mention our entire career and the rest of our lives. And so much of the process is completely out of our control. It's expensive, it's time-consuming, and we're expected to do it all on top of our regularly scheduled school and work duties.

It's encouraging to see that everyone's in the same boat. If you're feeling super-discouraged, look at some of the old threads where people were SURE they'd never be accepted anywhere, and got into all kinds of incredible programs.

[emmm]

Applying is very stressful, but it can also be a time to remember past achievements and really think about what you want to do in the future. When it looked as though I wouldn't get in anywhere, I still did not regret applying. Had I not gotten an offer, I would have been in a much better position the following year, in part because of all the work I did during the application process and in part because of the contacts I made when people found out that I was applying. So, try to focus on the positives and trust that things will work out.

[Raiyan]

Sometimes it's good to get this out of your mind and be busy with something for the time being. How about taking some time off to sort out things in your mind, make a life plan or just go somewhere and travel for a while.