Genghis Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Anyone apply to Northwestern? Looking at the old results on gradcafe, the only admitted student was notified in late January (and invited to the new students' weekend occurring "a few weeks later"), and the 3 rejected ones in late February. I'm guessing I'm not in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onledevient Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I have it on very good authority that as of late January, they were having their first meeting to review apps. I'm not expecting to hear anything until maybe late Feb, early Mar. Don't worry...yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genghis Posted February 4, 2009 Author Share Posted February 4, 2009 Thanks. According to one guy they fly students out for an admit weekend. Highly doubt they would pay for my ticket from Bangkok though! Who do you want to work with? I'm all about George Bond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onledevient Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I'm a fan of Richard Kieckhefer's. That would be amazing if they flew you from Bangkok. I'm impressed with how many applications you managed to complete. Kudos. I'm only applying to 5 places, and even that seemed a large chore when trying to finish a thesis and finals. Best of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genghis Posted February 4, 2009 Author Share Posted February 4, 2009 Yeah, I kind of circumvented that problem by blowing off my thesis for 3 months. Now I'm sort of screwed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general_jr Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 I heard from a student there that they had already made their decisions. I assume they'll let you know soon. I applied to the history department and spoke with Kieckhefer on Friday, but he was mum regarding admissions... We'll see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genghis Posted February 10, 2009 Author Share Posted February 10, 2009 I heard from a student there that they had already made their decisions. I assume they'll let you know soon. I applied to the history department and spoke with Kieckhefer on Friday, but he was mum regarding admissions... We'll see. Thanks for the info! Now I'm getting nervous. As to the statement that they'll probably let me know soon, I don't know if that's the case. A lost of programs sit on their decisions forever. UVa's decision (about me at least) is already in but I won't get official notification until March, I'm guessing. See the excellent rant deamondeac made on this topic in the 2009 decisions thread (p 7) Edit: the student you spoke to was referring to history or religion decisions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general_jr Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Genghis, the student is in the Religion department and was referring to their admissions. Kieckhefer gave no hint as to how the history department was coming along. I'm hoping they'll let me know soon. I would think that they would release the decisions pretty much right away, but that said, there are so many applicants, I don't know what's going on anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genghis Posted February 10, 2009 Author Share Posted February 10, 2009 I would think that they would release the decisions pretty much right away, but that said, there are so many applicants, I don't know what's going on anymore. That's what I thought too. The fact remains that, at least in my field, a lot of schools sit on the notifications for quite a while. I don't know why. There is no reason i can imagine that UVa wouldn't just tell me I have been rejected in March-- it's already decided. Nonetheless, that's what they do. I could understand if they don't tell a few people, who are on the brink of admission/rejection, just to see if tons of admitted students decline. But my case was cut-and-dried (only potential advisor retiring)-- I don't know why they wouldn't just tell me. The poster I mentioned above has his own theory: "I chickened-out at Emory and emailed the graduate secretary to see if there was any kind of waitlist, since I wasn't invited to the "cool kids" weekend 8) . No response, as expected, but it brings up a really valid question. What is the big deal with all the secrecy and wielding of information power. Let me climb up on my soapbox... So why is it that programs routinely incorporate deception into the whole process? It seems quite normal that large groups of folks have been de facto rejected, but the program doesn't send them official notice on the off chance (probably like .5%) that the few waitlisted folks also decline offers. Why don't they disclose when they're going to be deciding, and when official offers had been made? Do they really think that absence makes our hearts grow fonder, rather than just rationalize away about how we didn't like the program anyway (even if they do admit us)? It seems like we're all adults here, and the only thing that makes us less-than-adultlike is the ridiculous information power these programs are hoarding while we try to figure out the next step of our lives. In your case Genghis, they had already made a decision, but apparently weren't going to let you know until the "official" letters are sent out in April 2027. That's ridiculous and unfair to you. It's like middle school all over again..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studyordie Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 My guess is that they have a few times of mass emails/letters when its time for acceptances, rejections, etc. ... and the rest of the time they are just not going to bother mailing or emailing something out, unless they want you and they need you to do something, like send in a missing score or transcript. I think they see our fees as paying for their consideration, not their personal attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genghis Posted February 10, 2009 Author Share Posted February 10, 2009 The info given graciously by general_jr is driving me nuts. I've called the department like 5 times but nobody will pick up I'm gonna keep calling til I reach somebody, and then I'll let you other guys know the result. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general_jr Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Sorry, Genghis. If it makes you feel better, I'm dying to know about the history department's decision. This year, I'm pretty sure it's the only chance I have at a PhD program... Sigh... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general_jr Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 By the way, what Chicago programs did you apply to, Genghis? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psychomachia Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Sorry, Genghis. If it makes you feel better, I'm dying to know about the history department's decision. This year, I'm pretty sure it's the only chance I have at a PhD program... Sigh... I'm dying to know as well. I also applied to the History department and have been anxiously watching results from other history departments, but none from Northwestern. I wonder if it's worth it for myself to call or email -- I was in touch with Kieckhefer last year with regards to my application, but haven't really spoken with him since. Either way, best of luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genghis Posted February 10, 2009 Author Share Posted February 10, 2009 By the way, what Chicago programs did you apply to, Genghis? AM Divinity and PhD South Asian Languages and Civilizations (both departments lay claim to Steven Collins, the homeboy I wanna work with). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genghis Posted February 10, 2009 Author Share Posted February 10, 2009 Ok I have the skinny. Just talked to the guy at the religion department (after 15+ tries on the phone, long distance from Bangkok). He told me that decisions will be posted on the website in... wait for it... APRIL! I then asked him if he could tell me my decision now, and he said "If I knew, I couldn't tell you." So I guess I should just chill for now. I suspect he said April just to ensure I wouldn't call again-- perhaps they will be posted before then, and that's just the official party line. I'm guessing we'll find out before then. I'm glad I didn't tell him my name, cuz he sounded kind of pissed. He sounded like an asshole, to tell you the truth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general_jr Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Wow. I would be shocked if they notified you later than March 15. I guess we'll see, though. Soooo tempted to e-mail Kieckhefer, but I think I'll restrain myself. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onledevient Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Genghis! I can't believe they told you April! That is so frustrating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general_jr Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Northwestern notified their decisions in History today, and it looks like Philosophy as well. Any news on Religion? Best of luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyler1 Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 Northwestern notified their decisions in History today, and it looks like Philosophy as well. Any news on Religion? Best of luck! Nothing yet- just checked the website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystic rose Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 Northwestern's religion department already made its first decisions. The prospective students weekend just happened (Feb 20-21st). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyler1 Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 Northwestern's religion department already made its first decisions. The prospective students weekend just happened (Feb 20-21st). Wow. Guess I didn't get in then. At least I know I'm not on the top of their list . If I get an admission now it'll obviously be because somebody declined their offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philmajor Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 To those of you waiting to hear from Chicago Divinity - last year they begain to notify applicants on March 13 and ending around March 15. They also had a wait list last year which, from what I've been told, was unusual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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