Fall 2014 applicants??

[Graditude]

ASU: would anyone who received word from Arizona State be willing to share a bit more info? Are they working their way through the no-list first, then the yes-list? Is it completely random? 

[Katia_chan]

To quote the wise Abed... I think I may have done some damage here.

 

I didn't mean to introduce a tizzy about re-asking for letter recs.  To clarify, it was the part *I* most hated about reapplying, but every single person I asked was incredibly wonderful about it.  They didn't say boo to the fact that I had to do it 3 times, and they were encouraging and helpful every single time.  I couldn't have done it without them.  I got encouragement, and even suggestions for schools I had never considered before, one of which is my only current acceptance.

 

And I know it's becoming my mantra, and I'm the repetitive crazy lady in the corner, but there is NO harm in reapplying.  These days, less common is the one who gets into something their first round.  There are just so many of us, and so many spots.  And we all converge on the top 20 like frantic nerdy sharks, and a bunch are bound to go hungry.  So you swim and circle for a year, take the time to become more awesome, and you do it again. And maybe there's a cooler shark, and you have to try again, and maybe again. But eventually you eat.

/Shark metaphor.

 

...and reapplying is a drug.  Every year I wondered if I had the gumption to go through it again.  And then October came around, and there I was, gathering materials and being all optimistic and annoying.  If it's what you wanna do, you just...have to keep doing it.  Either that or I have an obsessive disorder and should seek help soon.  But I can go both ways.

[Kamisha]

ASU: would anyone who received word from Arizona State be willing to share a bit more info? Are they working their way through the no-list first, then the yes-list? Is it completely random? 

 

I called the department about a week ago and from what I understand, they were doing rolling admits. So they admitted and rejected a few people a couple of weeks ago (first-round offers), and then they are doing it again right now (second-round offers). I’m not sure if they are doing a third round after this. I hope that helps.

Edited February 25, 2014 by Kamisha

[Kamisha]

And we all converge on the top 20 like frantic nerdy sharks, and a bunch are bound to go hungry.  

 

Hahaha! Frantic nerdy sharks. I love it. If we had a GradCafe mascot...

[Graditude]

I called the department about a week ago and from what I understand, they were doing rolling admits. So they admitted and rejected a few people a couple of weeks ago (first-round offers), and then they are doing it again right now (second-round offers). I’m not sure if they are doing a third round after this. I hope that helps.

Thanks. Can I ask whether they emailed you, or did you have to keep logging into your My ASU acct to find out?

[Kamisha]

Thanks. Can I ask whether they emailed you, or did you have to keep logging into your My ASU acct to find out?

 

The graduate school emailed me and then my online account was updated. 

[elizabethevrhrt]

I too am starting to lose hope. I’ve only heard back from two schools, but they have been rejections, and then I also have a few implied rejections from schools I just haven’t heard from but sent out acceptances and waitlist notifications. The worst part is, as you mentioned, definitely telling undergraduate professors/recommenders.

I need to meet with one professor to get some paperwork signed and I am absolutely DREADING it! He's been my academic advisor since I was a freshman and we're incredibly close - he's the first person to suggest I am capable of "going all the way" and getting a PhD. I also have a meeting today with the head of my College's McNair program, and she's definitely going to ask about applications; I am so stressed out to tell her that I've gotten two rejections and no acceptances! She will probably reassure me, but I'm still worried and stressed about it.

 

 

 

Edit - Grammar, it no love me no more.

 

Good luck meeting with them today... hopefully they forget to ask!

 

This whole process is so discouraging. I hope that we both get some good news this week!

[Kamisha]

Does anyone else find it odd that CU-Boulder is only taking four admits this year? Last year there were 6 acceptances for the PhD program on GradCafe and the year before that there were 9. 

 

Is this downward trend going to continue next year? Oy vey.

[Graditude]

ill

The graduate school emailed me and then my online account was updated. 

Aha, then I will leave the My ASU acct alone. I'm worried they'll end up sending me a bill for wear and tear

[elizabethevrhrt]

To quote the wise Abed... I think I may have done some damage here.

 

I didn't mean to introduce a tizzy about re-asking for letter recs.  To clarify, it was the part *I* most hated about reapplying, but every single person I asked was incredibly wonderful about it.  They didn't say boo to the fact that I had to do it 3 times, and they were encouraging and helpful every single time.  I couldn't have done it without them.  I got encouragement, and even suggestions for schools I had never considered before, one of which is my only current acceptance.

 

And I know it's becoming my mantra, and I'm the repetitive crazy lady in the corner, but there is NO harm in reapplying.  These days, less common is the one who gets into something their first round.  There are just so many of us, and so many spots.  And we all converge on the top 20 like frantic nerdy sharks, and a bunch are bound to go hungry.  So you swim and circle for a year, take the time to become more awesome, and you do it again. And maybe there's a cooler shark, and you have to try again, and maybe again. But eventually you eat.

/Shark metaphor.

 

...and reapplying is a drug.  Every year I wondered if I had the gumption to go through it again.  And then October came around, and there I was, gathering materials and being all optimistic and annoying.  If it's what you wanna do, you just...have to keep doing it.  Either that or I have an obsessive disorder and should seek help soon.  But I can go both ways.

 

I am so glad to hear you say that. I'm seriously thinking about reapplying.

 

I'm starting to seriously regret my thought process at the beginning of the application process. I told myself that if I didn't get into the programs I applied to (allegedly all "top tier") then I wasn't going to be someone that could be competitive in the job market or in academia. I am kicking myself. I wish I had applied to some "middle tier" programs and some MAs. The app fees would have sucked but I probably wouldn't be so stressed right now if I had!

Edited February 25, 2014 by elizabethevrhrt

[mikers86]

Does anyone else find it odd that CU-Boulder is only taking four admits this year? Last year there were 6 acceptances for the PhD program on GradCafe and the year before that there were 9. 

 

Is this downward trend going to continue next year? Oy vey.

 

It's a general trend across the board. Most of it is top-down decisions, cutting program funding, resulting in fewer admits.

[Strong Flat White]

To quote the wise Abed... I think I may have done some damage here.

 

I didn't mean to introduce a tizzy about re-asking for letter recs.  To clarify, it was the part *I* most hated about reapplying, but every single person I asked was incredibly wonderful about it.  They didn't say boo to the fact that I had to do it 3 times, and they were encouraging and helpful every single time.  I couldn't have done it without them.  I got encouragement, and even suggestions for schools I had never considered before, one of which is my only current acceptance.

 

And I know it's becoming my mantra, and I'm the repetitive crazy lady in the corner, but there is NO harm in reapplying.  These days, less common is the one who gets into something their first round.  There are just so many of us, and so many spots.  And we all converge on the top 20 like frantic nerdy sharks, and a bunch are bound to go hungry.  So you swim and circle for a year, take the time to become more awesome, and you do it again. And maybe there's a cooler shark, and you have to try again, and maybe again. But eventually you eat.

/Shark metaphor.

 

...and reapplying is a drug.  Every year I wondered if I had the gumption to go through it again.  And then October came around, and there I was, gathering materials and being all optimistic and annoying.  If it's what you wanna do, you just...have to keep doing it.  Either that or I have an obsessive disorder and should seek help soon.  But I can go both ways.

 

Only b/c I've seen it surfacing w/ some frequency, I thought I'd enter this re-asking-for-letters discussion. I had a professor tell me to start an Interfolio account so that the letter could be stored and distributed to schools/departments at my convenience without me having to go back to him for another request. So then I asked my other two recommenders what they thought about this, and they were on board and said that it made sense and they liked it, but I was still worried that this approach would require a generic, one-size-fits-all kind of letter to be sent to a range of schools (and as I've stated here previously, I plan to cast a super wide net), so I asked specifically about that and everybody said no problem, that's how they typically write their letters anyway and they'd still give me solid recs...

 

...I actually began writing this as a suggestion, but as I write it out, questions arise. Can this approach work in this hyper-competitive landscape - is it even possible? If not, are my recommenders behind the times, or are they less than supportive of me?  If so, why isn't everyone doing this?

 

Of course, even if it's a perfect plan, it's less than perfect in that it costs money to maintain an Interfolio account. I realize that by itself would deter a lot of you from using it. 

 

So, my recommenders know my strengths and interests...I would assume that any letter would have to speak to these things regardless of which program it was going to = rationale for this approach could work. Plus, if recommenders are continually asked to submit letters to a wide array of schools for multiple students, then they're probably already using some form of efficient recycling = more rationale that this could work. On the other hand...it's all about custom-tailored fit. A "generic" application hardly seems like it would cut it = rationale that I will be screwed in my application cycle(s). But a LoR is one component of a much larger application; perhaps I can articulate "fit" in my statements of purpose = maybe it can work after all. 

 

Sorry that this is so all over the place. I thought I had a potential answer (or at least input) to an ongoing discussion and sort of freaked myself out by trying to write it out. Now I wonder: what do you guys think of the Interfolio approach? The thing that sucks for me is that I don't feel like I have a choice - my pro-Interfolio professor told me to do it this way, he didn't ask. Thoughts?

Edited February 25, 2014 by Strong Flat White

[metalinveins]

Hi All. Thought I'd post this here too (I posted it in the Purdue thread because of, well, its from Purdue). It might help with understanding what exactly goes on in every single department during admittance season:

I'm afraid I don't have good news.  The admissions committee completed its initial reviews of applications last week, and they did not recommend that you be included in the pool of offers we sent out this past Friday.   The comments on your file were positive, but American lit is our most competitive area right now, and the number of applicants who want to study in that field far exceeds the number of students our faculty can accommodate.  

<paragraph edited out for privacy>

To be more specific, we received just over 200 applications to the Literature and Theory and Cultural Studies programs this year, but we'll be able to admit only 12 people--and only 2 or 3 of those will be working in American.  I know that's cold comfort, but it's the best explanation I can provide for why we weren't able to make you an offer.  

If additional funded spots become available, there is a small chance we could make a few more offers, but I have no way of predicting whether or when that could happen (or whether your file would be included in those discussions). Very often such decisions depend on the number of current and prospective students we have in a particular area, and, again, American lit is both competitive and overloaded.

 

 

Edit: I forgot to mention, this is from their DGS.

Edited March 4, 2014 by fuzzylogician
edited for privacy at poster's request. --fuzzy

[andrewcycs]

Rejected from Rochester PhD but invited to apply to MA. . . Does anyone know if that's because they kind of like you, or they simply tell that to everyone??

[Kamisha]

Rejected from Rochester PhD but invited to apply to MA. . . Does anyone know if that's because they kind of like you, or they simply tell that to everyone??

 

I’m sorry But that’s great news that they invited you to apply to the MA! I doubt they would have unless they felt like you were a strong applicant. 

[Kamisha]

Only b/c I've seen it surfacing w/ some frequency, I thought I'd enter this re-asking-for-letters discussion. I had a professor tell me to start an Interfolio account so that the letter could be stored and distributed to schools/departments at my convenience without me having to go back to him for another request. So then I asked my other two recommenders what they thought about this, and they were on board and said that it made sense and they liked it, but I was still worried that this approach would require a generic, one-size-fits-all kind of letter to be sent to a range of schools (and as I've stated here previously, I plan to cast a super wide net), so I asked specifically about that and everybody said no problem, that's how they typically write their letters anyway and they'd still give me solid recs...

 

...I actually began writing this as a suggestion, but as I write it out, questions arise. Can this approach work in this hyper-competitive landscape - is it even possible? If not, are my recommenders behind the times, or are they less than supportive of me?  If so, why isn't everyone doing this?

 

Of course, even if it's a perfect plan, it's less than perfect in that it costs money to maintain an Interfolio account. I realize that by itself would deter a lot of you from using it. 

 

So, my recommenders know my strengths and interests...I would assume that any letter would have to speak to these things regardless of which program it was going to = rationale for this approach could work. Plus, if recommenders are continually asked to submit letters to a wide array of schools for multiple students, then they're probably already using some form of efficient recycling = more rationale that this could work. On the other hand...it's all about custom-tailored fit. A "generic" application hardly seems like it would cut it = rationale that I will be screwed in my application cycle(s). But a LoR is one component of a much larger application; perhaps I can articulate "fit" in my statements of purpose = maybe it can work after all. 

 

Sorry that this is so all over the place. I thought I had a potential answer (or at least input) to an ongoing discussion and sort of freaked myself out by trying to write it out. Now I wonder: what do you guys think of the Interfolio approach? The thing that sucks for me is that I don't feel like I have a choice - my pro-Interfolio professor told me to do it this way, he didn't ask. Thoughts?

 

Could you still “Waive Your Rights” to view the letter? A lot of schools still consider that big deal. If the letter comes from interfolio, will universities know that you’ve been able to see it? Moreover, do all universities accept Interfolio letters? It seems like a few of mine this season specifically said that they won’t accept inter folio letters. 

 

It honestly seems like a great option if grad schools are behind it. 

Edited February 25, 2014 by Kamisha

[mikers86]

Only b/c I've seen it surfacing w/ some frequency, I thought I'd enter this re-asking-for-letters discussion. I had a professor tell me to start an Interfolio account so that the letter could be stored and distributed to schools/departments at my convenience without me having to go back to him for another request. So then I asked my other two recommenders what they thought about this, and they were on board and said that it made sense and they liked it, but I was still worried that this approach would require a generic, one-size-fits-all kind of letter to be sent to a range of schools (and as I've stated here previously, I plan to cast a super wide net), so I asked specifically about that and everybody said no problem, that's how they typically write their letters anyway and they'd still give me solid recs...

 

...I actually began writing this as a suggestion, but as I write it out, questions arise. Can this approach work in this hyper-competitive landscape - is it even possible? If not, are my recommenders behind the times, or are they less than supportive of me?  If so, why isn't everyone doing this?

 

Of course, even if it's a perfect plan, it's less than perfect in that it costs money to maintain an Interfolio account. I realize that by itself would deter a lot of you from using it. 

 

So, my recommenders know my strengths and interests...I would assume that any letter would have to speak to these things regardless of which program it was going to = rationale for this approach could work. Plus, if recommenders are continually asked to submit letters to a wide array of schools for multiple students, then they're probably already using some form of efficient recycling = more rationale that this could work. On the other hand...it's all about custom-tailored fit. A "generic" application hardly seems like it would cut it = rationale that I will be screwed in my application cycle(s). But a LoR is one component of a much larger application; perhaps I can articulate "fit" in my statements of purpose = maybe it can work after all. 

 

Sorry that this is so all over the place. I thought I had a potential answer (or at least input) to an ongoing discussion and sort of freaked myself out by trying to write it out. Now I wonder: what do you guys think of the Interfolio approach? The thing that sucks for me is that I don't feel like I have a choice - my pro-Interfolio professor told me to do it this way, he didn't ask. Thoughts?

 

If I recall correctly, not every program accepts LoR from Interfolio, so that's one potential drawback. I'd like to think that if one of your writers had a stronger connection to a specific program on your list they'd write a more tailored letter in that instance in lieu of the Interfolio one. It's not an absurdly expensive service, (I think a year is $19.99, but I may be mistaken), so it's likely a viable option. But again, I remember looking at different institutions and reading they don't accept from Interfolio, so make sure you contact programs and ask about their policy.

[Strong Flat White]

Could you still “Waive Your Rights” to view the letter? A lot of schools still consider that big deal. If the letter comes from interfolio, will universities know that you’ve been able to see it? Moreover, do all universities accept Interfolio letters? It seems like a few of mine this season specifically said that they won’t accept inter folio letters. 

 

It honestly seems like a great option if grad schools are behind it. 

 

No- Interfolio has a mechanism whereby you waive your rights just like any normal applicant. I've never seen what they've written about me. And yeah, most will either take Interfolio or else you can work it out so that Interfolio's delivery goes to an administrative assistant who can then upload things.

 

Logistically, I'm not worried.  I'm worried about the fact that people seem to be expressing the willingness of their recommenders to redraft multiple versions of letters suitable to the departments being applied to, whereas I seem not to have allowed myself that opportunity...unless I go back to them to reopen the discussion. Or, is generic a bad thing in a LoR?

[andrewcycs]

Thanks Kamisha for the sympathies. At this point the rejections are not really phasing me. Lol. I mean sure, I would still die to get in!

So you don't think it's a formality?? That they actually invited based on my application? I'm hoping that's the case.

[Strong Flat White]

If I recall correctly, not every program accepts LoR from Interfolio, so that's one potential drawback. I'd like to think that if one of your writers had a stronger connection to a specific program on your list they'd write a more tailored letter in that instance in lieu of the Interfolio one. It's not an absurdly expensive service, (I think a year is $19.99, but I may be mistaken), so it's likely a viable option. But again, I remember looking at different institutions and reading they don't accept from Interfolio, so make sure you contact programs and ask about their policy.

 

I've never come across a department that says they won't take Interfolio. No doubt they're out there - I'm not doubting you. I'm just saying, I've spent a goodly amount of time on departmental websites and I have never seen this.

[Kamisha]

No- Interfolio has a mechanism whereby you waive your rights just like any normal applicant. I've never seen what they've written about me. And yeah, most will either take Interfolio or else you can work it out so that Interfolio's delivery goes to an administrative assistant who can then upload things.

 

Logistically, I'm not worried.  I'm worried about the fact that people seem to be expressing the willingness of their recommenders to redraft multiple versions of letters suitable to the departments being applied to, whereas I seem not to have allowed myself that opportunity...unless I go back to them to reopen the discussion. Or, is generic a bad thing in a LoR?

 

I don’t know that a generic LoR is technically a bad thing, but I think the preference is personalized. I know my LoR writers requested specific information about each school so they could tweak their recommendation for each school. One of them compared it to tweaking the SoP: if it’s generic, the schools understands you, your history, and your interests. What they are missing is why that school is for you.

[Kamisha]

Thanks Kamisha for the sympathies. At this point the rejections are not really phasing me. Lol. I mean sure, I would still die to get in!

So you don't think it's a formality?? That they actually invited based on my application? I'm hoping that's the case.

 

I doubt that it’s a formality Have a little confidence!

[elizabethevrhrt]

Only b/c I've seen it surfacing w/ some frequency, I thought I'd enter this re-asking-for-letters discussion. I had a professor tell me to start an Interfolio account so that the letter could be stored and distributed to schools/departments at my convenience without me having to go back to him for another request. So then I asked my other two recommenders what they thought about this, and they were on board and said that it made sense and they liked it, but I was still worried that this approach would require a generic, one-size-fits-all kind of letter to be sent to a range of schools (and as I've stated here previously, I plan to cast a super wide net), so I asked specifically about that and everybody said no problem, that's how they typically write their letters anyway and they'd still give me solid recs...

 

...I actually began writing this as a suggestion, but as I write it out, questions arise. Can this approach work in this hyper-competitive landscape - is it even possible? If not, are my recommenders behind the times, or are they less than supportive of me?  If so, why isn't everyone doing this?

 

Of course, even if it's a perfect plan, it's less than perfect in that it costs money to maintain an Interfolio account. I realize that by itself would deter a lot of you from using it. 

 

So, my recommenders know my strengths and interests...I would assume that any letter would have to speak to these things regardless of which program it was going to = rationale for this approach could work. Plus, if recommenders are continually asked to submit letters to a wide array of schools for multiple students, then they're probably already using some form of efficient recycling = more rationale that this could work. On the other hand...it's all about custom-tailored fit. A "generic" application hardly seems like it would cut it = rationale that I will be screwed in my application cycle(s). But a LoR is one component of a much larger application; perhaps I can articulate "fit" in my statements of purpose = maybe it can work after all. 

 

Sorry that this is so all over the place. I thought I had a potential answer (or at least input) to an ongoing discussion and sort of freaked myself out by trying to write it out. Now I wonder: what do you guys think of the Interfolio approach? The thing that sucks for me is that I don't feel like I have a choice - my pro-Interfolio professor told me to do it this way, he didn't ask. Thoughts?

 

I had a professor ask me (well, I should say "strongly suggest" not ask. he definitely didn't ask) to start an Interfolio account as well and the financial aspect alone kept me from doing it. After paying a ridiculous amount of money in fees, I just didn't have any space left in my credit card for another charge. I had also heard that some schools wouldn't accept those letters... I was really leery of the whole process. I didn't want to place my application in the hands of some third party app.

 

When I talked to that professor about it, I was honest with him. I said that I couldn't afford the extra expense and that, while I'm sure it works perfectly well, I'm a bit OCD and couldn't handle the extra stress of having to worry about whether or not Interfolio worked. He was fine with it and (obviously) still wrote my letters.

[Kamisha]

If I recall correctly, not every program accepts LoR from Interfolio, so that's one potential drawback. I'd like to think that if one of your writers had a stronger connection to a specific program on your list they'd write a more tailored letter in that instance in lieu of the Interfolio one. It's not an absurdly expensive service, (I think a year is $19.99, but I may be mistaken), so it's likely a viable option. But again, I remember looking at different institutions and reading they don't accept from Interfolio, so make sure you contact programs and ask about their policy.

 

I had this same experience. A few of my schools were pretty clear on the “No Interfolio” thing. I wonder why some universities like it and others don’t? 

[Strong Flat White]

I don’t know that a generic LoR is technically a bad thing, but I think the preference is personalized. I know my LoR writers requested specific information about each school so they could tweak their recommendation for each school. One of them compared it to tweaking the SoP: if it’s generic, the schools understands you, your history, and your interests. What they are missing is why that school is for you.

 

Right...so what would you do? Reopen the discussion? Do you think fit could be adequately expressed via other parts of the application, or do you think the LoRs are pretty central to that whole thing?