Applied to PhD, accepted to MA

[tiarabun]

I got an email from Brown this morning. When I read the first line, I was already mentally preparing myself for a dead sentence because I knew Brown was a really long shot for me. It turns out they rejected my PhD application (citing intense competition) but they were able to take me into their MA program. 

 

The happiness did not dawn on me until 10 seconds later. I know I probably won't go because I already have a MA in Communication, though not American Studies, and the fellowship is tiny (no tuition fellowship for MA). I just cried out of joy because at least I was good enough for an Ivy. I'm not completely worthless and undesirable as a scholar! I guess my first rejection was too much of a blow to my confidence!

 

I will email them back and ask for more funding detail, but I'm not too positive.

[ZacharyObama]

Hey Congrats! It's somethin!

[dunkeaters]

Congrats! I went through the exact same emotions when I got my Col-Boulder letter back. They had already given out all their phD acceptances, so I was fully expecting rejection when I read the decision letter. Even though the funding for masters students in phD programs is terrible, it does give that validation and, at the very least, an opportunity. Glad to see others having the same positive outlook

[daydreamer254]

That's an unexpected surprise isn't it? Congrats!!

[tiarabun]

Thanks! It's very bittersweet for me indeed. After experiencing so many rejections over the past few months, it is so awesome to know that one of the best schools in the world thinks a person who comes from nothing (with bad GRE scores) can still be good enough for them, at least good enough for their MA.

It's also very sad that they probably can't fund me. It has been three days and the school has yet to send me any extra funding information. Also, I read somewhere that schools tend to use unfunded MA programs as cash cows to increase their revenue. If I fund myself, it means I'm also funding the phd students who they want more. It also doesn't guarantee an acceptance or priority over other applicants in the next PhD application season.

It's hard to pinpoint how I feel right now.