2017 Applications Thread

[The Shade King]

@phdthoughts Sorry to hear of your situation. How many programs did you apply to? Did you happen to contact anyone before hand? If so maybe you can ask them something. In a past cycle, I had one program not reject me until after April 15 and I later learned it was in fighting between faculty about my application so that caused the late notice.

[The Shade King]

17 minutes ago, heyDW said:

This entire admissions season seems a bit behind past years. I wonder why that is? My admit from UMN, for example, while early was still two weeks after what is consistent with them. U of Iowa and BGSU American studies tend to announce by now... I'm trying to hold onto the idea that no news is good news, but when you see other folks getting movement it really is frustrating and kinda miserable ? Time crawls

 

How many more programs do you and your partner have to hear from? Compared to past cycles long ago when I did it for the MA I didn't got the most of my news until Feb and March,  so this has been kind of early for me but I guess with this new system of interviews it has to be. 

[phdthoughts]

@heyDW and @DBear so glad I have the great people on this board to commiserate with. Unless you are going through this process yourself it's hard for others around you to truly understand. In my situation I keep telling myself I'm really fortunate - if I get accepted, great, if I don't - it's really okay. I've got a good job, money, etc. and I'll try again next year. But it is interesting how much of yourself gets wrapped up in this process.

@The Shade King thanks! I've only applied to 4 schools but contacted a PIO from every one. And, had a great conversation/exchange with two schools about research, fit etc., and they seemed very interested.

This whole process has really hit home how many variables are involved with getting into a program. And, my research topic is actually kind of emerging, not particularly traditional which I imagine might possibly be throwing ad comms off a bit. Your story about the infighting between faculty and the late admission date gives me a little hope - that maybe there are other things going on on the back end that I'm not aware of.

My (wonderful, patient) partner keeps telling me it's out of my hands at the moment. Which is of course very true but at the same time - does not lessen the anxiety of the season.

Edited February 12, 2017 by phdthoughts

[DBear]

21 minutes ago, heyDW said:

This entire admissions season seems a bit behind past years.

I feel like this too, and I've seen people speculating about why this is so in other parts of TGC. So it's not just Comm. One theory was that with the uncertainty in the economy/politics, more people would be considering grad school so there maybe was an influx of applications. Someone also said maybe all the professors were busy out protesting. I mean, who knows. But definitely does seem like most of the schools I've applied to are behind schedule. 

[DBear]

4 minutes ago, phdthoughts said:

@heyDW and @DBear glad I have this board to commiserate with. Unless you are going through this process yourself it's hard for others around you to truly understand. In my situation I keep telling myself I'm really fortunate - if I get accepted, great, if I don't - it's really okay. I've got a good job, money, etc. and I'll try again next year. But it is interesting how much of yourself gets wrapped up in this process.

I totally agree, this forum has been a godsend, especially because I don't know anyone in Comm. I know a lot of people who didn't get in their first cycle and then had a lot to choose from their second cycle - We still don't know if that's going to happen with you - but regardless, we're hear to help each other through this!!

[heyDW]

My MA acceptance didn't come til very late March. I'm basing my expectations off history in the admission results-- most schools we applied to (he applied to 5, I applied to 4) have a history of responding in early Feb but we haven't heard much beyond UMN and Iowa waitlist.

[heyDW]

57 minutes ago, DBear said:

I feel like this too, and I've seen people speculating about why this is so in other parts of TGC. So it's not just Comm. One theory was that with the uncertainty in the economy/politics, more people would be considering grad school so there maybe was an influx of applications. Someone also said maybe all the professors were busy out protesting. I mean, who knows. But definitely does seem like most of the schools I've applied to are behind schedule. 

I am gonna run with the protest idea. Love it.

[phdthoughts]

Interesting that it's not just Comm that's experiencing an irregular app cycle. Another week brings fresh possibility. Hang in there fellow gradcafers  

[DBear]

2 hours ago, phdthoughts said:

My (wonderful, patient) partner keeps telling me it's out of my hands at the moment. Which is of course very true but at the same time - does not lessen the anxiety of the season

I'm usually good at just shutting out worries about stuff that's left my hands - but for some reason I couldn't do that with this process. Probably because I didn't know when there would be an answer + the fact that I had no idea what I'd need to fix should it not go well. So for this, the very fact that it is out of my hands and there's nothing left to do just really got me.. ICK. I mean, if this was a job search, for example - one could easily apply for a job and then follow-up with some networking or perhaps look for other jobs to apply to should this one not work out.. but this just feels so different... 

But yeah, I think it's too soon to give up, especially since things seem to be slow going in academia this year! 

[phdthoughts]

@DBear right? It does feel "different" as you said. When job hunting, sure you have those dream spots...but you usually can just go on and keep applying to others and if it doesn't work out, sure it stings but there's always others, or there will be. With this process it's apply. Full stop. And wait. At least we are all in this together! Virtually at least.  

[The Shade King]

Yep Monday things always start things off. They love those emails at the end of the day that you have to respond back to asap lol. I am ducking this Thursday by taking off because last Thursday was a dang mess for me.

[DBear]

It's weird but I feel like nothing ever happens at the beginning of the week. Anytime I've heard anything other than a request for an interview, it was on a Thurs or Fri. Even with interview requests that came earlier in the week, the actual interview just happened to fall on Thurs or Fri. Dunno, maybe it's just me. So I feel like the only days of the week that matter anymore are Thurs and Fri, which makes for a really long Sat, Sun, Mon, Tues.. Weds...

[ejpril88]

4 hours ago, DBear said:

I totally agree, this forum has been a godsend, especially because I don't know anyone in Comm. I know a lot of people who didn't get in their first cycle and then had a lot to choose from their second cycle - We still don't know if that's going to happen with you - but regardless, we're hear to help each other through this!!

I've bookmarked this forum long time ago, when I first started studying for TOEFL and GRE. My plan was to read other people's posts and maybe ask a question or two, but I ended up visiting GradCafe 4-5 times a day I hope we will stay in touch after this (not so fun) ride is over!

[DBear]

I noticed that NYU MCC is doing interviews now-ish. If I recall correctly, their deadline was early Dec. And they're just now doing interviews.

[chichilai]

11 hours ago, DBear said:

I noticed that NYU MCC is doing interviews now-ish. If I recall correctly, their deadline was early Dec. And they're just now doing interviews.

Painfully waiting for NYU MCC interview request....if I still haven't received this, probably have no chance to get in I suppose....  

[DBear]

 

9 minutes ago, chichilai said:

Painfully waiting for NYU MCC interview request....if I still haven't received this, probably have no chance to get in I suppose....  

When I emailed a POI there, she said they're taking less than 9 people or something like that ... Don't lose hope though. In some cases, interview requests are really spread out. I saw someone get an interview request for U Wisconsin Madison on Jan 5th-ish, then again on Jan 15th-ish.. so when Jan 20th rolled around, I was pretty sure I hadn't gotten an interview and was really sad as that was my favorite program. I ended up getting an interview request Jan 25th-ish.

[chichilai]

2 hours ago, DBear said:

 

When I emailed a POI there, she said they're taking less than 9 people or something like that ... Don't lose hope though. In some cases, interview requests are really spread out. I saw someone get an interview request for U Wisconsin Madison on Jan 5th-ish, then again on Jan 15th-ish.. so when Jan 20th rolled around, I was pretty sure I hadn't gotten an interview and was really sad as that was my favorite program. I ended up getting an interview request Jan 25th-ish.

 

Yeah, hopefully... it says on the admission page for MCC: "Admission to the PhD Program in Media, Culture, and Communication (MCCD) is very competitive. By mid-February, the top candidates will be contacted for a video interview. Following the interviews, six applicants are admitted and begin the program the following September. "  

[ejpril88]

Finally some news from UMN Mass Communication! I was tired of checking the website several times a day. It's a rejection but at least I know. Only one more to go

[heyDW]

Sorry to hear that @ejpril88, but I know it's a relief to be nearing the end of the waiting game. I'm excited to hear how your visit to Purdue goes!

[ejpril88]

@heyDW that's ok, I would narrow my choices to Purdue and UC Davis anyway. Less than two weeks until the visit to Purdue How are you two holding up?

[heyDW]

Good! Husband is going to the open house at Iowa and I'm hoping that'll magically bump him up to admitted since he's so charming ? Will you get to visit Davis?

[DBear]

@heyDW ooh!! was he invited to the open house? That's great! No one said anything to me about that!

@ejpril88 seems to be getting replies faster than anyone - only one left!! The biggest decision remains, but you're almost done! Congratulations!!!

[phdthoughts]

Finally some news! Waitlist for Purdue. At least not a rejection.Yay! Glass half full...

[DBear]

OMG OMG OMG!!!!! @phdthoughts THANK GOD - I've been holding my breath this entire time for you. Now, I'm gonna go get some celebratory wine for you and do a happy dance - I think wait list definitely is a good sign! and you can finally change that "nothing yet" figure in your signature!!! I'm sure you've been itching to do that!! 

[phdthoughts]

Thanks @DBear! I feel like we are all eachother's cheerleaders here - it's great.