UNC Chapel Hill '16

[CarolineNC]

Anyone on the boards been admitted to UNC Chapel Hill? It's a great place to be! 

If anyone has any questions, feel free to PM me. 

 

[Carolinahopeful]

I am currently on the wait list. I have emailed the graduate coordinator with some updates to my CV (graduated GPA, article accepted for publication, etc.), and she said that there was no need to update the CV and that the committee was already impressed with my application. I'm not totally sure if it was BS or not, but just sitting around and waiting to hear back is miserable. I have received offers from NCSU (English) and Alabama (American Studies). I am currently living in Chapel Hill working as an Assistant Academic Counselor for the university, and UNC is my top choice!

[CarolineNC]

I was on the waitlist last year, as were I'd say most of the people who ended up here in my cohort. I'd recommend emailing them every time you get an acceptance just to let them know you're competitive. 

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!! 

[Carolinahopeful]

CarolineNC thanks! I just emailed Dr. Dore with my updates. 

[TomJones678]

I'm on the wait list too--I suppose I should let Dr. Dore know that I have two other acceptances as well? Good luck, Carolinahopeful! I suppose we're competing, but I wish you all the luck in the world. UNC is my number one choice as well! What's your area of concentration, if you don't mind my asking? 

[Carolinahopeful]

TomJones678 best of luck to you as well! I am looking to concentrate my studies in hip-hop and African-American literature. I am interested in looking at how rap functions as literature through the oral tradition in African-American lit. What's yours?

[TomJones678]

That sounds awesome! I'm actually looking broadly at 18th and 19th century Brit lit, but with a focus on Romanticism. So it looks like we're not really competing after all, heh.

Question--when you say you received an offer from NCSU for English, is that a Ph.D. in English? Or are you referring to their CRDM program? 

[Carolinahopeful]

TomJones678 MA for both NCSU and Alabama. I am applying directly from undergrad so I tried to cast my net widely.

[Carolinahopeful]

I was accepted tonight! I am so happy! I can't wait to meet you all in April.

[CarolineNC]

Fantastic!!! I bet your are on top of the world! Congratulations!! 

[christakins]

Welcome, Carolinahopeful (though in a way you are already here)! Hope to meet you all in April. Feel free to PM with any questions--I'm a grad student in the Eng dept.

[aGiRlCalLeDApPlE]

I have a question that is not related to grad admission at all, so forgive me for that; has anyone ever tried booking airline tickets or hotels using the "Name Your Price" tool? It's a little risky since they don't allow you to choose flight and arrivals exact times, but the prices they offer are really great. I'm looking for cheap tickets to Boston and would really appreciate any tips that could save money. Thanks in advance

[christakins]

7 minutes ago, ypink said:

Congrats!! I was also admitted; it's a great program and I am beyond thrilled! My only concern is the relatively lower stipend compared to other programs to which I have been admitted (otherwise my decision would be much simpler!).. I am unfamiliar with the cost of living in the area.. any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

Congrats, ypink!

IMO Chapel Hill/Carrboro is pretty expensive. Not NYC expensive but in terms of rentals a house will run you $1200+ and most apartments are in the $900+ range. You can find cheaper stuff but you have to look a bit harder. Having a partner and/or housemate will help offset cost. Durham is a bit cheaper but then you have a commute. That said, I find the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area pretty charming.

[CarolineNC]

 (Hiya christakins )

Uh, so yeah, Chapel hill/Carrboro is expensive. I live in a one bedroom and I pay almost $1000 a month, which is killing me. I have been looking hard for next year. Thus far my best option is a tiny little cottage the size of a garden shed with no kitchen (but a hot plate, dorm fridge, and microwave!) for $550/month. That said, things can be MUCH cheaper with a roommate. I need to cave and get a roommate. If you have a roommate you can find some really awesome houses in wooded areas that seem almost like you're living in the mountains. 

I also had better paying options, but it came down to rank for me. I narrowed it down to two schools that were similarly ranked. The other school offered me a good bit more money (including summer money) and a fellowship year for dissertation writing but I had to pick UNC CH because of how awesome our placement rates are. People who graduate from here usually do very well. 

[TomJones678]

6 hours ago, Carolinahopeful said:

I was accepted tonight! I am so happy! I can't wait to meet you all in April.

Congrats, Carolinahopeful!

[Carolinahopeful]

12 hours ago, ypink said:

Congrats!! I was also admitted; it's a great program and I am beyond thrilled! My only concern is the relatively lower stipend compared to other programs to which I have been admitted (otherwise my decision would be much simpler!).. I am unfamiliar with the cost of living in the area.. any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

Ypink my current apartment is a two bedroom with all hardwood floors for only $728 a month. It's a ten minute walk from Hillsborough and a 20 minute walk from Greenlaw. If you search around, you can find some decent apartments for cheap, but you just may have to forgo amenities and all-inclusive packages with rent. I found mine at http://www.chapelhillrentals.org/.

[acciodoctorate]

Has anyone else still not heard from UNC either way?  I emailed the department and never heard back.  I know acceptances, waitlists, and some rejections went out weeks ago and decision day for the programs I'm admitted to is Friday.  I'm assuming it's a rejection, but it would be nice to know for sure.

[Ramus]

On 4/14/2016 at 0:57 AM, underwater said:

Has anyone else still not heard from UNC either way?  I emailed the department and never heard back.  I know acceptances, waitlists, and some rejections went out weeks ago and decision day for the programs I'm admitted to is Friday.  I'm assuming it's a rejection, but it would be nice to know for sure.

I got this same treatment from UNC last cycle. I finally got through by contacting Florence Dore (fdore@unc.edu) directly, so you might try her if you haven't done so already. 

[Dr. Old Bill]

3 hours ago, Ramus said:

I got this same treatment from UNC last cycle. I finally got through by contacting Florence Dore (fdore@unc.edu) directly, so you might try her if you haven't done so already. 

This is good to know, since I'll probably be applying to Chapel Hill in the next cycle...

[Ramus]

2 hours ago, underwater said:

Unfortunately, she's who I contacted!  I was in the same position with Penn State.  They're putting me in the position where I have to accept one of the offers I already have, even though I'm not certain yet.

Yeah, I think what they're doing is already making more of the norm for departments. From their perspective, it makes the most sense not to reject you outright until they've filled all their spots. They don't want to be in the spot of not having their early modern spot filled (they need TAs, after all), but they also don't want to be in the spot of overextending themselves, with too many TA-lines to pay out. There's little downside for them in taking the approach, but meanwhile it does leave you in the lurch.