responses for film studies phd applications

[KTan]

are there any film studies phd applicants who have received a decision from any of the universities?

[MrBrooklyn]

Responses? I haven't even finished applying.

[KTan]

i still have a UK application pending, but i was wondering about places like NYU and USC whose deadline was on the first of December.

[nyfilmfest]

NYU tends to send out decisions late in the process. It's what I experienced when I applied for the MA program, and what people in the PhD program had happen. Expect to hear from them in March.

USC will probably be announcing a first wave sometime in February, judging strictly based upon past performance, as documented on this site's results section.

Good luck!

[Swagato]

I noticed that there were 1-2 posts in the Results section about USC-Cinematic Arts sending out interview notices/invites perhaps a day or two ago.

Edited January 19, 2012 by Swagato

[KTan]

oh god this is excruciating. another person has heard from USC it seems. i'm freaking out big time.

[nyfilmfest]

I posted positive USC news this morning. The Critical Studies adcom met yesterday to determine PhD offers. I had previous contact with a POI, so he e-mailed me directly with news on my acceptance. I'm not sure how they're letting the rest of the applicants know their fates nor what the waitlist details might be, but I know that they were aiming for 6-8 admits.

Good luck!

[KTan]

hey, many congratulations and thanks for letting me know the details.

i'm wondering now if i made a mistake not writing directly to anyone in the department.

my hopes are dwindling.

[nix]

hey, many congratulations and thanks for letting me know the details.

i'm wondering now if i made a mistake not writing directly to anyone in the department.

my hopes are dwindling.

I had no previous contact with anyone in the department until last week and was admitted. It is far, far too early to give up hope. The adcom slugfest/negotiation has only just begun.

[Swagato]

Previous contact is honestly not going to be the reason for someone's non-admission. Does it help if you have a fairly substantial relationship with a faculty member/s from well before admissions? Possibly. More than likely, your proposed research angle is NOT unique. That's where such a previous contact may at least cause one of the adcom members to go, "Hey, I've been talking to that fellow."

By and large, I honestly think what really counts is putting yourself across as a compelling candidate by virtue of research proposal, documentation of research ability, and of course the evaluations of your professors. Buttress that with excellent numbers, and you have every reason to be seriously considered. And of course, the biggest factor of all will be fit--between yourself and the department/faculty/culture of the place you've applied to.

nix: Are you currently attending, or will you be? Do you mind saying where you received the admission offer from?

[KTan]

is there any point now in writing to profs in universities other than USC, basically those that had later deadlines?

[nyfilmfest]

Just to clarify, I had not initiated contact with any Professor at USC before being admitted either. I simply received a request to do a phone interview last week from one of the Professors of Interest noted in my statement of purpose. Contacting Professors in advance is by no means required (or even encouraged!) in our field. The appropriate time to do this, if you intended to, would be before applications were due (so you could check if they planned to take on additional students the following year, make sure that you'd be a good fit with the program, etc.). Once your application is in, I imagine that you'd probably just be seen as a nuisance.

Of course everyone takes a different approach to these things, so how you conduct yourself is up to you, but they already have all the information that they need to make a decision. If they need to know more, they will let you know.

[KTan]

ya i guess you are right, this is definitely not the right time to approach anyone. well, nothing to do but cross our fingers.

[nix]

nix: Are you currently attending, or will you be? Do you mind saying where you received the admission offer from?

Sorry - my message was totally vague. Finishing an MA this spring, starting a PhD in the fall. Thus far, USC CS is my only official acceptance.

[KTan]

Sorry - my message was totally vague. Finishing an MA this spring, starting a PhD in the fall. Thus far, USC CS is my only official acceptance.

Did you hear from a POI as well or have you got an official email?

[nix]

@KTan

Both? Unofficial early last week, confirmed at the start of this week via POI and admin.

I'd echo advice elsewhere and say play it cool with professor contact at this point. I've talked to a few profs in my department about it and their advice on contact in general was ... all over the place. But all felt that after apps are in, it's time to let go.

I contacted no one in advance. My dept and some of my letter writers are well known in the programs I applied to so I'm relying on that and the "strength" of my jibber jabber to do the work, for better or for worse.

[Swagato]

Well, the UC's have definitely been moving one by one--I noticed results from UCSB, and now Irvine. I imagine UCLA/Berkeley can't be far behind.

What are your proposed research interests, nix?

[maxfischer]

@nix and @nyfilmfest - I also received some great news from USC recently... I guess they are moving faster than anyone else. Still waiting to hear from all other places.

[nyfilmfest]

Congrats to both of you...

If either of you have any questions, feel free to send me a private message on here. I'd be interested in knowing research interests, POIs, rationale behind picking USC, other schools you've applied at, where you're coming from, and so on...

[Swagato]

Someone appears to have just posted an interview offer from Northwestern's Screen Cultures program. If the poster would provide more details...

Wondering about this one since the interview date is cited as March 1-4. Do places really respond this far in advance? In any case, more details are welcome.

[nyfilmfest]

I posted about the Northwestern interview. I don't have more details, really, and haven't had any faculty contact yet.

[KTan]

I am so confused that my application status remains unchanged online for USC. If they have made their decisions, why isn't it reflecting online or why have we not heard from them, even if it is a rejection. I guess what i am wondering is if there is any point still keeping hopes up about USC or should I consider it a goner?

[bizzyphd]

Good luck to everyone! I applied two cycles ago and remember how nervewracking it was. Obviously each application season is different but when I applied I was accepted into UCSB, UCLA, UT-Austin, Northwestern, Brown, and NYU...waitlisted at USC...and rejected at UC-Berkeley and U Chicago. If anyone has any questions during this time, let me know!