Improbable and Surprising Acceptances

[rock34]

Has anyone been accepted into a doctoral program in Religious Studies and been utterly surprised by it? Most that I hear about the admissions process is how competitive it is, and how unlikely one is to be admitted. Of course this is true, but I thought it'd be worthwhile to hear stories of some of you who have been accepted even though you felt like your situation was particularly improbable. 

 

Also, why did you think that your situation was particularly improbable--what aspects of your application process were most troubling to you? And in hindsight, what aspects of your application do you think were most appealing?

[jujubea]

I PM'ed you my detailed story regarding acceptance w/ probable funding to UCSB's program. It's their combined MA/PhD program, by the way.

 

I guess it's so subjective though. Perhaps I underestimated myself as a candidate and perceived myself to be an unlikely acceptance.... Or perhaps it really was unlikely, but I did the right mix of things and had the right mix of experience to sway them.

[merivo]

@jujubea, can you PM me also? i'd be very grateful!!!