Megeen Posted February 27, 2015 Posted February 27, 2015 On Monday I got an email from University of Maryland's very small Comp. Lit program, saying that I've emerged as one of their "most serious candidates," going on to say that "Before we make you an official offer" (which is what I'm holding on to at this point), they'd like to know if I'm still interested in their program and inviting me to ask questions. Initially I was really encouraged and excited and I still am because it's a great program and I'd love to go there but because I haven't heard anything since then, I'm now questioning if maybe they've merely narrowed down the pool and are trying to weed out people who've already accepted other offers. But then again, I've never heard about programs doing something like that or basing their decisions on such a request, granted being an international applicant my experience is fairly limited. Have you guys heard of or experienced anything similar?
Wonton Soup Posted February 27, 2015 Posted February 27, 2015 I have not myself experienced it, but I think I understand it. They are probably trying to avoid making offers to people who have an offer from another more preferred school or who will hold their program in the back pocket until April 15th. Maybe they got burned in previous years and some TA lines went empty or to just whoever they could find last minute. It is a little worrying, but my guess is if you respond enthusiastically they will make an offer to you.
Karoku_valentine Posted February 27, 2015 Posted February 27, 2015 On Monday I got an email from University of Maryland's very small Comp. Lit program, saying that I've emerged as one of their "most serious candidates," going on to say that "Before we make you an official offer" (which is what I'm holding on to at this point), they'd like to know if I'm still interested in their program and inviting me to ask questions. Initially I was really encouraged and excited and I still am because it's a great program and I'd love to go there but because I haven't heard anything since then, I'm now questioning if maybe they've merely narrowed down the pool and are trying to weed out people who've already accepted other offers. But then again, I've never heard about programs doing something like that or basing their decisions on such a request, granted being an international applicant my experience is fairly limited. Have you guys heard of or experienced anything similar? I recently experienced that situation with a university. The head of the department told me the same and asked me if I was interested in the school and if I had accepted another TA offer. I promptly replied and told them I was attending another school.
Dr. Old Bill Posted February 27, 2015 Posted February 27, 2015 (edited) I agree completely with Wonton Soup. I may be biased, since I will be attending UMD in the fall, but it sounds to me like they're essentially "bargaining in good faith." It sounds like they want you, but if you have other offers on the table, they'd like to know so that they can move down their list. I can't guarantee this at all, but like Wonton says, if you respond enthusiastically--and sincerely--I think an offer will be forthcoming. ETA: Another possibility might have to do with the fact that you're an international student. Deadlines etc. might be tighter than they would otherwise. Edited February 27, 2015 by Wyatt's Torch
Megeen Posted February 27, 2015 Author Posted February 27, 2015 Thanks guys, that's very encouraging! I wrote "I'm most definitely still interested" and something about being honored if I were accepted but the wait is unnerving because I'm so excited. Wait and see... I hope they don't make me wait the weekend. MidwesternAloha 1
Megeen Posted February 27, 2015 Author Posted February 27, 2015 YOU WERE RIGHT!!! ALL'S GOOD! Wyatt's Torch, I'll see you in Maryland next year, baring injury, mutilation or that the other program which I do not want as much as this one gives me a much better offer!!! I wish I drank to celebrate! Now all that's left is running circles around a tree in the streets and have people think I'm out of my mind. Thank you guys again for all the encouragement. It's really really helped me calm down before this... allplaideverything, lyonessrampant, Dr. Old Bill and 3 others 6
CarolineNC Posted February 27, 2015 Posted February 27, 2015 YOU WERE RIGHT!!! ALL'S GOOD! Wyatt's Torch, I'll see you in Maryland next year, baring injury, mutilation or that the other program which I do not want as much as this one gives me a much better offer!!! I wish I drank to celebrate! Now all that's left is running circles around a tree in the streets and have people think I'm out of my mind. Thank you guys again for all the encouragement. It's really really helped me calm down before this... YAY!!!!! Congrats!!!!!
Megeen Posted February 27, 2015 Author Posted February 27, 2015 YAY!!!!! Congrats!!!!! Thank you! And you too. Looks like you have your work cut out for you choosing a program from that truely impressive list or as we say in German, die Qual der Wahl
Katla Posted February 28, 2015 Posted February 28, 2015 YOU WERE RIGHT!!! ALL'S GOOD! Wyatt's Torch, I'll see you in Maryland next year, baring injury, mutilation or that the other program which I do not want as much as this one gives me a much better offer!!! I wish I drank to celebrate! Now all that's left is running circles around a tree in the streets and have people think I'm out of my mind. Thank you guys again for all the encouragement. It's really really helped me calm down before this... Wow, that's super exciting!!! Huge congratulations! Hugging trees is a fantastic way to celebrate (and who cares if the neighbours think you're mad, you'll be in Maryland in a few months )
Megeen Posted February 28, 2015 Author Posted February 28, 2015 (edited) Wow, that's super exciting!!! Huge congratulations! Hugging trees is a fantastic way to celebrate (and who cares if the neighbours think you're mad, you'll be in Maryland in a few months ) Thank you! My thought precisely! Well, I wasn't really thinking, more like shaking, but YES! Also, I've taken the next hurdle in this whole process. It's morning here and the email's still there. It wasn't a hallucination... Edited February 28, 2015 by Megeen
Dr. Old Bill Posted February 28, 2015 Posted February 28, 2015 YOU WERE RIGHT!!! ALL'S GOOD! Wyatt's Torch, I'll see you in Maryland next year, baring injury, mutilation or that the other program which I do not want as much as this one gives me a much better offer!!! I wish I drank to celebrate! Now all that's left is running circles around a tree in the streets and have people think I'm out of my mind. Thank you guys again for all the encouragement. It's really really helped me calm down before this... Aaaah! Wonderful news, Megeen! Glad it all worked out! Feel free to PM me if you have questions about the D.C. area or just want to say "hallo"!
Megeen Posted February 28, 2015 Author Posted February 28, 2015 Aaaah! Wonderful news, Megeen! Glad it all worked out! Feel free to PM me if you have questions about the D.C. area or just want to say "hallo"! Aww, thank you so much! I'll definitely take you up on that offer at some point. At the moment I still desperately need to sort out my thoughts so I don't randomly break out in cheers anymore ;D
ProfLorax Posted February 28, 2015 Posted February 28, 2015 Congrats, Megeen! Like Wyatt's Torch, I'm also happy to answer questions about living near UMD. I think finding a place to live is one of the bigger challenges. The cheapest places are pretty far from DC and from a metro station, but people who live that far out (especially without a car) tend to feel isolated. However, if you know where to look, you can find some good deals in closer neighborhoods, like Takoma Park (my favorite!) and downtown Hyattsville. There's a UMD shuttle that goes to many of the neighboring cities (Silver Spring, Hyattsville, Takoma Park). Also, many of us (me included) live in DC proper and either drive or metro to campus. So many options! Dr. Old Bill 1
Dr. Old Bill Posted February 28, 2015 Posted February 28, 2015 Yes, my wife and I have already started putting our feelers out about good areas in the vicinity of UMD. We want to live on the Maryland side for obvious reasons, but depending on your funding situation, living in Northern Virginia or D.C. proper is an option as well (though as ProfLorax mentions, it would be isolating). We're eying Upper Marlboro, Greenbelt, and Hyattsville at the moment, though we won't have to start seriously looking for a few months yet. Rent in the D.C. area fluctuates wildly, so it's possible to find a good price on a good place in a good location, just as it's possible to find a bad price on a bad place in a bad location. UMD has a particularly excellent Off-Campus Housing Finder that is highly sortable etc., though since the D.C. metro area is quite large, you can find other sources that may fit your needs depending on whether you drive, metro, bus, bike etc. You'll probably want to avoid Anacostia and Oxon Hill (no offense to anyone who might be living there, of course). A lot of other areas on the northeast side of D.C. are very much YMMV. (I always hear great things about Takoma Park though!)
Megeen Posted March 3, 2015 Author Posted March 3, 2015 Thanks, guys! That's very helpful and I'll definitely get back to you sometime later in the year if I have questions which I certainly will. At the moment I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row
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