dr. t Posted February 1, 2015 Author Posted February 1, 2015 I have successfully distracted myself with some red wine and a new sous-vide machine. Highly recommended. Aubstopper, ashiepoo72, Heimat Historian and 1 other 4
kateosee Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 To be fair, as someone born and raised in the midwest- it can be a shock for warm weather folks to come up here. It's not just the cold. It's the lack of sun, not being able to really go outside, and living somewhere where it literally HURTS to go outside for several months out of the year. I knew quite a few people who transferred out of my undergrad college because they couldn't deal with the winter. It made them depressed as their bodies weren't used to that level of sun deprivation. Last year was especially bad for all of us. My university shut down for the first time in decades and I knew people who literally couldn't go outside because of the negative 30 windchill due to asthma and other health conditions that are normally controllable. Then there are people like me whose car literally froze to the ground so I couldn't go to school for a few days (obviously not a problem if you're not a commuter but still).  While I am totally, 100% for going wherever you're supported and you have the best research fit, it is important to remember that you will be living in this place for at least 5 long years. It is an important to thing to weigh in my opinion.  I am not trying to dissuade anyone- I'm just trying to prepare people. The majority of my family lives in southern California now and it's always a shock when their California born and raised spouses/kids come up here for their first visit. No matter how much they think they can handle the cold- it always gets to them. Â
ashiepoo72 Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 One of my rec writers did his PhD at Madison. My other rec writers went to the East Coast where the weather is also pretty awful compared to CA. I also have extended family there. I know it's going to be a huge shock moving from sunny CA to somewhere with inclement weather, but I made a conscious decision to apply to the best programs for my research interests regardless of region and weather. I went in with eyes wide open. Some people will find that weather and location matter to them and should form their list of schools keeping that in mind, but those things didn't even factor into my list. I'm more than willing to be miserably cold for half a decade or more because my main criteria for schools was strong scholars in my field, strong support for my research and whether the area is kid-friendly. Everyone needs to make their own personal list of criteria, so mine obviously won't suit all of you. I'm also someone who's willing to make extreme moves around the country--maybe even abroad--to land an academic position. I imagine that this will involve moving to places I wouldn't dream of going to on vacation haha Anyway, this is all stuff I've talked about with my family many, MANY times, so that's why it's so irritating that they keep bringing it up. Heimat Historian 1
kateosee Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 And that's totally fine- I'm glad it was something you considered. I think too many people do not (for better or worse).  I totally understand annoying families. Mine mean well but I'm already freaking out enough without hearing "Oh, don't worry! You'll get in!" (and they start making plans about what type of place I should get there) when I only applied to one school and I know the realistic odds. I've even lied and told them that I likely won't hear until March so that they're not asking every day (like they wouldn't know within 30 seconds of me getting an admission, but I digress ) ashiepoo72 1
rmw Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 Hi everyone!  I'm new to the boards, but have been stalking since this past fall. I'm so happy seeing people post about their acceptances! But it also makes me anxious/excited!  I'm only applying for my masters, but the wait is unbearable! Has anyone here also applied to North Carolina State University, University of South Carolina, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, George Washington University, or Royal Holloway? Or at least heard any rumblings?  I hope everyone has a good weekend I applied to UMass for masters and haven't heard anything yet!
ashiepoo72 Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 kateosee -- I think I took too much time considering every little detail of this process haha you should see my spreadsheet(s)! Families can be annoying, but they mean well. Who doesn't want their own personal cheer squad, especially when applying to grad school is so disheartening and stressful at times? It's nice when others have faith in you Heimat Historian 1
herstorian728 Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 New to the posting - but read through most of this thread (took awhile!) but I am glad to see I am not suffering alone in the wait process! Congrats to all those who have been admitted already! all great schools! finishing my last semester in my Master's program - working on my thesis and last class...so hard to concentrate without knowing any idea of where I might be in the fall! Â good luck everyone
IvanBezdomnii Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 It had been a frustrating process. Haven't heard back from a single school yet, perhaps in part because I only applied to schools (with one exception) with a 12/15 deadline or later due to working on my thesis at the same time. It seems like last week was a big week for hearing back last year, but as someone pointed out it's different every year.  Good luck to everyone. I hope we all get some good news as soon as possible.
ashiepoo72 Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 Welcome herstorian! What's your field and which schools are you waiting to hear from? Ivan -- I bet next week is going to have a flash flood of notifications!
herstorian728 Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 Welcome herstorian! What's your field and which schools are you waiting to hear from? Ivan -- I bet next week is going to have a flash flood of notifications! Thanks Ashiepoo! your posts are so positive and welcoming!  American history- mostly 20th century, though I dabble in 19th century . my interests are in cultural/social history . more specific areas - immigration, labor , urban / suburban history (metropolis spaces), material culture and memory studies.. I take a bit of cultural studies classes at my school and museum studies but my current research revolves around material culture in the suburbs  I don't have the "credentials" to really apply to the top top schools (history wasn't my undergrad, poly sci at UC Irvine was - so I am nervous it will be held against me in the app process, especially top schools )  But I applied to : Brown (knowing I just donated my app fee to them, but I had to at least try because of a POI in suburban field), UT Austin, U Virginia, Rutgers - I realize most are probably out of reach but doesn't hurt to try!! UC Riverside, UNLV, University of Oregon, Purdue, Brandeis, and Carnegie Mellon  oh and my school I'm currently at : Claremont Graduate University
ashiepoo72 Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 Aww thanks! We have such a great group on gradcafe this year, it's really a pleasure being a part of it. Everyone is so welcoming and supportive.  Don't count yourself out! I didn't think I had the academic pedigree to get in anywhere. When I was accepted at MSU, I called my aunt and couldn't stop alternating between hysterical laughter and frantic sobbing--seriously, I was that shocked. I have far from a perfect undergrad record, and I even got a *gasp* flat B in my grad program. I am now more convinced than ever that if your GPA and GRE scores are decent, the writing sample and SOP will make or break the application.  Obviously, it can be a crapshoot. Some people don't get in because of department politics and whatnot. Sometimes it has nothing to do with your abilities. But you have a real shot, just as much as the rest of us! Besides, poli sci is like a sister discipline in many ways. I LOVE using works by political scientists in my research Josh J. 1
herstorian728 Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 Thanks! that makes me feel a LOT better! That's the way I look at Poly Sci too (although I have a few historian friends who disagree!) gosh I got a B+ last spring in my MA program I seriously freaked out for days lol (but was on my way to Bath, UK for a joint class and quickly got over it until time came to turn in my apps lol) Â I know there are politics and my advisor even warned me to "not take rejection personally". I think you are write about the SOP and writing sample. I am really banking on it! a lot of people have been telling me my research is really unique and not really done so I am hoping that stands above everything else! Josh J. 1
ashiepoo72 Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 (edited) Yes I am! Check your PM in a bit  EDIT: HUGE congrats HistoryMystery!!! Edited February 1, 2015 by ashiepoo72 HistoryMystery 1
KBHistorian Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 I applied to UMass for masters and haven't heard anything yet! Well we can definitely commiserate together while we wait! I think we'll be finding out soon with how early the deadline was. Where else did you apply?
rmw Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 Well we can definitely commiserate together while we wait! I think we'll be finding out soon with how early the deadline was. Where else did you apply? Â most of the schools I applied to were PhD. UMass was one of the only masters. I applied to Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, Yale, Univ Maryland-College Park, Univ Virginia, NYU, UConn, Boston College, and Northwestern.
KBHistorian Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 most of the schools I applied to were PhD. UMass was one of the only masters. I applied to Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, Yale, Univ Maryland-College Park, Univ Virginia, NYU, UConn, Boston College, and Northwestern. I wish you the best of luck!! I know you're more likely to get funding for a PhD.
rmw Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 I wish you the best of luck!! I know you're more likely to get funding for a PhD. Â thanks same to you!! KBHistorian 1
ashiepoo72 Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 Happy February, y'all! Here's to a month full of acceptances at amazing programs! Magellan1521 and Ritwik 2
kblooms Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 Happy February, y'all! Here's to a month full of acceptances at amazing programs! Agreed, it's gonna really kick into overdrive starting Monday/Tuesday  Princeton and Brown could report this coming week, and if not then definitely the next. And we had word that Indiana would report this week as well.
ashiepoo72 Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 I wouldn't be surprised if Northwestern and Minnesota report early this week, and if history serves, UCSB will be sending out official notifications. Madison may throw some out there as well, though I think those will come the following week.
Heimat Historian Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 I'd be just fine with Minnesota sending stuff this week. Congrats on all the acceptances so far.
Magellan1521 Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 Based on last year, we could hear from Northwestern as early as tomorrow. rmw 1
ashiepoo72 Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 What's everyone doing to pass the time? Somehow I've written four precis but feel like I've accomplished nothing today.
nerdguy Posted February 2, 2015 Posted February 2, 2015 Good luck to everyone over the next two weeks. I'm wicked on edge myself. HistoryMystery and SunshineLolipops 2
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