U of Chicago

[Boz]

First of all, congrats to those accepted! Second of all, if you have any information that you'd like to share with those of us still waiting, please do so!

[needingspring]

I'm a bit shy to the online forum world, but I didn't want this post to have zero replies, so I figured I'd give it a try. I'm still in the phase of double-checking the acceptance email to make sure that 1) yes, it still exists and 2) yes, it was indeed addressed to the right person. I'd say I'm an example of someone who wouldn't have gotten into a PhD program without working really hard in a master's program first--that made all the difference. Since there were only two posts (I think) on the result page, perhaps they are still in the process of contacting people? The prospective student day isn't until mid-March, so I wouldn't rule anything out until then. I wish all of you the best. I know that on the many days that I have been despairing about the insanity of this whole process, I have taken great comfort in the way the people on this site are continually supportive and generous with one another. It's pretty refreshing to see.

[Comfect]

I would agree with needingspring. I am staring at the computer hoping it's not some sort of prank. But since the visit is mid-March, from my experiences (and friend's experiences) last year with schools that means they certainly haven't notified everyone yet - otherwise the weekend would be sooner. Don't give up hope!

[Sibilance7]

Congrats to you both! I didn't apply to U Chicago, so I say that with the utmost sincerity

[Boz]

Thank you, needingspring and Comfect, for sharing! It was very considerate and highly appreciated. I'll try not to despair quite yet! And once again, a heartfelt congratulations to you both!

[wheel_of_fire]

For the people who were accepted, which subfields are you studying?

[lyonessrampant]

For those of you admitted to UC, did you get any info about how many applicants there were and how many offers were made? This is my dream school, and I'm pretty sure it isn't going to happen this year since I didn't hear from them yet. I'm thinking of making a go at it next year, so any information about what made your application desirable would help. Congrats on being accepted. I did my MA there and I loved it. I'm sure you'll have an amazing academic experience if you go there, but watch out for Hyde Park

[DEClarke85]

I haven't heard anything back. I saw people were getting responses and was afraid I had deleted mine. This was the response I got back (almost immediately):

The admissions process is still ongoing and official offers

have not yet been made by email or any other way, by the

English Department or the Division of the Humanities.

Decisions will be sent by mail in very early March.

Best,

Sarah Tuohey

Assistant Dean of Students, Admissions and Fellowships

Division of the Humanities

stuohey@uchicago.edu 773-702-8499

So.... I'm still waiting....

[Boz]

I assume by now that I've been rejected by UChicago, and I'm gradually coming to terms with the fact that I could face rejections from all of my other PhD programs. I cried. I moped. I ate lots of chocolate. But now, I'm starting to think of what I could do in the following year to make myself a better (re)applicant, including the possibility of an MA program. I've read a little bit about the UChicago MAPH, which sounds intriguing, but I'm waiting to see if they offer it to me. I have a friend who was rejected from the English PhD program last year but had the option of the MAPH, although she didn't choose to pursue it, and I'm hoping that I'll have this option as well.

Do you guys think that I should email someone at the UChicago English department and express my strong interest in the MAPH? I assume that they consider PhD rejects anyway, but I thought that it might be to my advantage to let them know that I would very seriously consider accepting the offer.

Thoughts, please?

[lyonessrampant]

Hi Boz,

I did the MA at UC and graduated last June. In some ways, it was the most rewarding academic experience of my life and in others, I sort of regret it. If you're going to do an MA, think about funding. They offer about 15 1/2 tuition waver scholarships and I got a grant for 10,000 from the Scherer Fourndation (I know a few other grants are available but based on need, minority status, and stuff like that). That said, tuition is still about 12,000 a quarter + fees and insurance and stuff. My friends who didn't get any tuition assistance borrowed around $35,000. I got 6 A's and 3 A-s for a GPA of 3.9. I thought for sure I'd get in to great Ph.D. programs this year based upon my MA at UC and what my profs told me. I applied to Princeton, UC, UMichigan AA, Northwestern, and UIllinois-Urbana. I know I didn't get into Northwestern and Princeton and it looks pretty much certain I didn't get into UMich or UC. The same year I got the MA offer I got a funded fellowship Ph.D. offer at Notre Dame. I turned that down for a number of reasons and went to UC. You'll bascially be told you can get anywhere after the MA. THat hasn't been my experience this year, and I got better grades and some acolades during the MA program that a lot of other people didn't. That said, I AM a much better scholar and writer because of the experience. I loved the UC environment and the library and the profs and part of the reason I'm so disenchanted right now is because I want to be back there so much. If UC is your goal, going to THEIR MA isn't the best way to get there. THey usually take no more than 2 MA students on as Ph.D. students (and this I understand is across the disciplines including philosophy etc with English). As you can see by the UC numbers thread I posted, they've drastially cut the English cohort and I haven't heard form any MA students in my year who got in. Maybe someone did and I just don't know (entirely possible) but I was told by three different English profs that I was one of the strongest MA students they'd had and that they'd work with me as Ph.D advisors. None of that, apparantly, matters. There are lots of qualified people out there, now more than ever, so while I think an MA can make you a stronger scholar, don't assume that it will automatically get you where you want to go. I don't regret doing my MA at UC, but I do feel that they were a little less than honest about your options with the degree. I'm going to apply again, and I feel confident I'll get in somewhere, based on nothing other than the Notre Dame offer I turned down, and I know I'll be a better Ph.D. student because of my UC MA. However, I'm also more in debt and I know of other MA programs that provide more funding or are 2 years and you can be a TA. Look into those options too. I wouldn't say don't go to MAPH. I really loved it, but realize that there are limits that you won't really be told about when you visit campus. If I had to do it again, I'd probably take the Notre Dame offer, but I'd regret not having the amazing year of experiences I had at UC. I'm medieval and Reniassance focused, a strength of UC, and the profs I got to work with are among the best in their fields. That isn't an experience that every MA program can replicate. Also, I found that access to graduate courses is pretty open to MA students. Spring quarter I took one of the highest level graduate seminars offered with other Ph.D. students. I worked hard and got an A, better than some Ph.D. students. You have to request permission to take that level seminars, but all of the profs I encountered didn't treat MA students like 2nd-class citizens. If you have any questions, let me know and I'll try to answer them.

Final thought, I'd email the department and tell them you're interested in the MAPH option. Perhaps email one of the directors of MAPH and tell them you're interested too. Mark Miller and David Levin are the directors. If you want to go, I'd email and tell them. You might be considered more for funding if you show interest.

Best of luck!

[Boz]

lyonessrampant--

Wow, thanks so much for taking the time to offer all this great advice! If accepted to the program, I'll very carefully consider all the pros and cons before making a decision. I just emailed one of the directors, so hopefully I'm in the running, at least.

Thanks again!

[lyonessrampant]

No problem Good luck!

[orinincandenza]

I'm real confused right now. This is the message I get when I log into my application:

Feb 20 Update for Admissions 2009-2010

Please be aware that admission decisions will be sent by post beginning the first week of March. We will be unable to give out information about admission decisions via email or over the phone. If your mailing address is in the U.S. and you have not received a mailing from the Office of the Dean of Students in the Humanities by March 16, please let us know by emailing Sarah Tuohey, Assistant Dean of Students for Admissions, at stuohey@uchicago.edu. If your mailing address is international, please let us know if you have received nothing by March 23.

Haven't people already gotten in though, via calls from the DGS? It seems like they've just set up a message explaining that we won't get our rejection notices until March. Also, weren't people already denied via the website? I thought I read that at least one person logged in and had a Deny status, but maybe I'm confusing it with another school.

[lyonessrampant]

People hav indeed been contacted by email for admissions and at least some of the waitlist (probably all). I think this message, which I also see when I go to my app page, is an automated message telling people to stop calling/emailing and wait for official notice from the humanities division. The English department seems to have notified already and I think this message just means that the official rejections will be mailed out the first week of March. I also saw the thing about someone seeing it denied online and then getting a letter. Maybe that was for UIC? I don't know either way, but based on the contact I've had, I'd say we're just waiting for the official rejection unless you've been directly contacted by the department about admisison/waitlist. Just my thoughts though.

[orinincandenza]

Thanks, lyoness. I think that's what's going on too.

[DEClarke85]

Got my rejection by snail mail today. I knew it was coming though...

[zoberg]

Anyone who applied for comp lit?

Will the entire department of humanities have sent all acceptance letters via email, and should those who have not heard back yet expect rejection?

I don't know how closely tied the English and Comp Lit programs are. I assume only vaguely, but it's worth it to ask!

[orinincandenza]

Bahhh! I live in Chicago and haven't received my rejection yet! WTF?

That's all.

[lyonessrampant]

I swear Chicago has the WORST mail service in the country. One time, they lost an overnighted envelope! We NEVER got it. It also took way longer to get mail. Anyway, just wanted to commiserate on the sad state of Chicago mail.

[CDRight?]

This might not be new information to anyone on this thread, but here's how it works: if you applied to a PhD in humanities at UChicago and haven't heard anything yet, you've not been accepted to the Phd program to which you applied. (From what I can gather from friends in a few programs, this is the case, though don't quote me if a wait list thing ends up happening, or if, say, everyone accepted decides that winter in Chicago is the only thing worse than funding in the U of CA system.) The cohorts are all in single digits, 11 out of 700+ accepted to English, cohort of six anticipated, not sure how many accepted to comp lit, but a cohort of four anticipated (you don't even want to know how bad for some others). Small envelopes with tersely phrased letters went out last week for those whose applications weren't referred to the MA program. For those still waiting, there's a possibility you'll be receiving a large envelope from UChicago in which you will find an offer of admission to the MA in Humanities Program. The other possibility is that you won't be accepted to MAPH and you'll get the same small envelope/terse letter you'd have received this week if the MA program didn't take referrals from the PhD programs. I hope this is at least somewhat helpful, as I know I'm currently seeking any information as opposed to spending all of my analytic energy contemplating the effectiveness of the USPS. Among other questions on this forum that humanitarian inquiry should never require us to ask: if an envelope leaves Boston/Chicago/Seattle/Berkeley/Etc. on February 2?th via first-class mail..., etc., etc.

[zoberg]

Here's to hoping that they're not as stingy with MA applicants!

[ishicourt]

Has anyone who lives on the west coast (specifically california) received a rejection letter from chicago? i've been checking everyday, and i have yet to receive one. i'd love to be accepted into the MA program, but i'm definitely not banking on it yet. thanks!

[Bpr2106]

I just received my rejection notice today, and was not referred to the MA. I live on the east coast.

[lyonessrampant]

I applied in 2007 to UChicago's Ph.D. and was referred to MAPH. I got an email from one of the co-directors March 9 and the mail packet a few days later. I don't know if that approximate timeline will also be used this year, but I thought it might provide some insight into how long you may have to wait. Good luck! Also, if you have any MAPH-specific, questions, I'd be more than happy to try and answer them.

[orinincandenza]

Eek. So I could definitely still have a plain old rejection on the way, or I could be accepted to a program that I probably can't afford in a million years. It's too late for me to be on here, thinking about this. Will sleep on it, report back tomorrow.