snyegurachka Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 Well, I suppose this is in the realm of "good news." While I didn't get accepted to UMD's Ph.D. program, I was offered acceptance to their M.A. program. So that's something, I suppose. It might be unfunded, or might be partially funded. The one reason why it's a true consideration for me is because it's fairly local -- my wife works in D.C., and we were going to be moving this year no matter what. Moving from the Virginia side of D.C. to the Maryland side is not a big deal, overall. Had it been an M.A. offer from any of my other programs, it would be small consolation...but this might actually be worth considering. If nothing else, I feel a little better about things overall. I was starting to fear that there was something profoundly undesirable about my applications in general...so to make the top 15% or so of applicants to UMD is at least partially relieving... (Oh, and there's also the intangible Proflorax factor!) Hmm... I would recommend considering it if things don't work out. I got an MA and switched programs after the first semester so that I could better prepare for a phd program and live near my partner. If you don't get in to any phd programs this year, your chances will improve significantly if you take the time to work on honing your interests and writing with supportive faculty without significantly uprooting your life. A lot of people in my program still work full time and take 2 classes per semester instead of 3. I got a half tuition scholarship at the first school I attended and have about 1/3 where I am now plus work study and loans and T.A./instructor positions (might not be available for MA students at a school with a PhD track) to cover expenses. I am also able to receive food stamps because I am a work study student. I am poor but am doing an okay job of not getting into the crazy debt that people talk about with unfunded MA programs. Even if I don't get in anywhere this time around, I feel confident that I have the tools and focus to do it if I apply again. It's a step along the way, not a detour. Dr. Old Bill 1
obrial42 Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 Well, I suppose this is in the realm of "good news." While I didn't get accepted to UMD's Ph.D. program, I was offered acceptance to their M.A. program. So that's something, I suppose. It might be unfunded, or might be partially funded. The one reason why it's a true consideration for me is because it's fairly local -- my wife works in D.C., and we were going to be moving this year no matter what. Moving from the Virginia side of D.C. to the Maryland side is not a big deal, overall. Congrats WT!
windrainfireandbooks Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 Congrats WT! This is definitely good and celebration-worthy news, especially if some funding comes with it! But, of course, you have MANY schools to hear from so there is still lots of hope for that PhD acceptance too. We have likely never met in person (though we are both from BC and I am also a Canucks fan), but I feel confident in saying you are awesome in so many ways - an awesome friend, an awesome scholar, and an awesome person! It's been great going through this journey with you on GradCafe.
Dr. Old Bill Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 Congrats WT! This is definitely good and celebration-worthy news, especially if some funding comes with it! But, of course, you have MANY schools to hear from so there is still lots of hope for that PhD acceptance too. We have likely never met in person (though we are both from BC and I am also a Canucks fan), but I feel confident in saying you are awesome in so many ways - an awesome friend, an awesome scholar, and an awesome person! It's been great going through this journey with you on GradCafe. Aww shucks! Thanks so much for this! I've probably had a rather glum "net presence" here over the past week or so, so I'm glad I haven't alienated everyone. Also...the Canucks play Boston tonight. Just throwing that out there. *casts a sidelong glance at In Hac Spe Vivo*
windrainfireandbooks Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 Also...the Canucks play Boston tonight. Just throwing that out there. OOOOH GOODNESS, I KNOW!!! I teach in the evenings so I won't be able to watch it live, but I have it set to record. Should be exciting!
InHacSpeVivo Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 Love the sidelong glace, WT... subtle Don't worry, the Boston feed will be up on Center Ice (provided it hasn't been comandeered by the NHL network). I have a very funny story about 2011 Cup series, but another time perhaps... Between Friday the 13th and Valentine's Day I've been expecting a big 48 hours. No news yet, but here's to hoping!
1Q84 Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 Between Friday the 13th and Valentine's Day I've been expecting a big 48 hours. No news yet, but here's to hoping! Eep. Last year was the Great Valentine's Day Massacre, was it not? Hoping we don't repeat history this time around.
InHacSpeVivo Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 (edited) Eep. Last year was the Great Valentine's Day Massacre, was it not? Hoping we don't repeat history this time around. Seriously. Though it was ages ago, one of my profs got her Chapel Hill acceptance Valentine's Day, so just keep that in mind. Milwaukee notified the second Saturday of the month last year. I know acceptances have already gone out to two of the five emphases, but I haven't heard anyone mention Plan H, which is what I applied to... so, my fingers are crossed (a friend from my cohort got into another emphasis a couple weeks ago, so that could be super cool). Edited February 13, 2015 by InHacSpeVivo
__________________________ Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 Oh jeez, congrats WT! Just saw that. It's an excellent school and probably a much needed and SOLID option to have under your belt as you wait for more responses. Probably means I'm definitely rejected from UMD but I'm happy with what I've got. :-)
Lycidas Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 Huge congrats WT! I still think there's a phd acceptance in your future, but this looks like a great option for you, and hopefully some funding comes through for you soon!
Dr. Old Bill Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 (edited) Thanks again, folks. This process gets to everyone, of course, but I think you know just how dejected I was getting over the lack of responses. As the day has progressed, I've grown more and more pleased and relieved with this offer. It's definitely a viable option, and it wouldn't have been had it come from any of the other schools I applied to. ETA: Incidentally, UMD was the first application I completed...on August 15th. The reason I mention this is that it was probably the "roughest" of my SOPs. I don't mean it was rough, but that over the course of a few months, I polished it a bit more for every application. So it's particularly interesting to me to see that I got accepted with my "earliest final version" SOP, and have been rejected with a bunch of the "later final versions." I'm not reading anything into that, but it is a bit curious. Edited February 13, 2015 by Wyatt's Torch jean-luc-gohard, obrial42, Katla and 3 others 6
Hannalore Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 Joining the happy chorus of congratulations for WT! Let's hope there will be even more good news coming soon, for you and for all of us.
HesseBunuel90 Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 (edited) WT: That is interesting. I too polished my SOP a bit after I applied to UMD, yet similarly the program so far has been the only bit of good news (even if "just" a MA). Edited February 13, 2015 by HesseBunuel90
Childermass Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 (edited) Well, I suppose this is in the realm of "good news." While I didn't get accepted to UMD's Ph.D. program, I was offered acceptance to their M.A. program. So that's something, I suppose. It might be unfunded, or might be partially funded. The one reason why it's a true consideration for me is because it's fairly local -- my wife works in D.C., and we were going to be moving this year no matter what. Moving from the Virginia side of D.C. to the Maryland side is not a big deal, overall. Had it been an M.A. offer from any of my other programs, it would be small consolation...but this might actually be worth considering. If nothing else, I feel a little better about things overall. I was starting to fear that there was something profoundly undesirable about my applications in general...so to make the top 15% or so of applicants to UMD is at least partially relieving... (Oh, and there's also the intangible Proflorax factor!) Hmm... Congrats!!! I was hoping you'd get something, even better that it's at College Park, and not too far away. If it helps, I feel that doing a partially funded MA definitely increased my potential for PhD work. Though to be sure, I've got debt that needs paying off now because of it – so I understand why it's not preferable. Edited February 13, 2015 by Childermass
jhefflol Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 Well, I suppose this is in the realm of "good news." While I didn't get accepted to UMD's Ph.D. program, I was offered acceptance to their M.A. program. So that's something, I suppose. It might be unfunded, or might be partially funded. The one reason why it's a true consideration for me is because it's fairly local -- my wife works in D.C., and we were going to be moving this year no matter what. Moving from the Virginia side of D.C. to the Maryland side is not a big deal, overall. Had it been an M.A. offer from any of my other programs, it would be small consolation...but this might actually be worth considering. If nothing else, I feel a little better about things overall. I was starting to fear that there was something profoundly undesirable about my applications in general...so to make the top 15% or so of applicants to UMD is at least partially relieving... (Oh, and there's also the intangible Proflorax factor!) Hmm... Congrats! I think that's something to definitely be excited about!
InHacSpeVivo Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 WT: That is interesting. I too polished my SOP a bit after I applied to UMD, yet similarly the program so far has been the only bit of good news (even if "just" a MA). This has been the source of so much anxiety! I found a typo after submitting my first seven apps (including Maryland) and, of course, revised for the later apps. Honestly, the only SOP I feel really good about is the last one I submitted, UF. It will be interesting to see how this plays out; though so far, it seems to be going well at least for some of us! And, hey, MAs are great (says the girl with two)... Also, just got word on funding from Georgia State. They offered funding, which means even if I get 12 more rejections I will be going to a PhD program this fall! ProfLorax, Katla, bgt28 and 3 others 6
kurayamino Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 Also, just got word on funding from Georgia State. They offered funding, which means even if I get 12 more rejections I will be going to a PhD program this fall! Hooray for funding!!
Hannalore Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 Also, just got word on funding from Georgia State. They offered funding, which means even if I get 12 more rejections I will be going to a PhD program this fall! Congrats, In Hac! That's excellent news, and I'm sure quite a load off your mind! May I ask how they notified you about the funding?
InHacSpeVivo Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 Hanna: I e-mailed the director to inquire, so it was a response to that.
obrial42 Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 This has been the source of so much anxiety! I found a typo after submitting my first seven apps (including Maryland) and, of course, revised for the later apps. Honestly, the only SOP I feel really good about is the last one I submitted, UF. It will be interesting to see how this plays out; though so far, it seems to be going well at least for some of us! And, hey, MAs are great (says the girl with two)... Also, just got word on funding from Georgia State. They offered funding, which means even if I get 12 more rejections I will be going to a PhD program this fall! Wow! Jealous. I haven't heard from GSU about funding, and I emailed yesterday! Oh, well!
hypervodka Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 (edited) Hanna: I e-mailed the director to inquire, so it was a response to that. Congratulations~! I don't know if you've ever been to Atlanta, but GSU will put you in a fantastic area--cheap housing, cool and crazy music scene, delicious food, public transport that actually gets you places.There are so many college kids up in Midtown (which is like 7 minutes away from GSU, 15 by MARTA) because of Georgia Tech that you'd be able to find a great, cheap apartment with a bunch free amenities (to appeal to the Tech demographic) like free Wi-Fi and free laundry. Edited February 13, 2015 by hypervodka
thepriorwalter Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 OMG CONGRATULATIONS ON GEORGIA STATE, IN HAC!!!!!
obrial42 Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 Oops, I forgot to add -- congrats, In Hac! Funding is a GOOD thing.
Dr. Old Bill Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 Also, just got word on funding from Georgia State. They offered funding, which means even if I get 12 more rejections I will be going to a PhD program this fall! Woo hoo!!! Awesome news!!
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