2017 Acceptances

[anxiousphd]

49 minutes ago, ChloeCriss said:

I thought I was emotionally ready to wait until February to freak out about application results, but seeing all of your responses has me checking my email and Grad Cafe once an hour. I have to keep reminding myself it's only January. My apartment lease ends July 1st, and every application I sent out is in a different state. Longest. Wait time. Ever. 

HOW IS IT ONLY JANUARY? All I can do is worry about how the nation is crumbling and how I want to hear back from my programs.

[Lovegood]

Got rejected from UW-Madison literature study this morning (Beijing time), heart broken.

Over 200  applicants this year, less than 14% of the literature study applicants are receiving admission offers.

Let's say 20 admission offers? HUGE numbers considering only in one area group. 

 

Edited January 26, 2017 by Lovegood

[Lovegood]

6 hours ago, crugs said:

Anyone have thoughts on what it means for some to hear acceptances and some waitlists early on? (Re: UMN)...Does it go by research focus? I know we don't really know what goes on in their heads, but to me it reads: if you have not heard it's a no. 

I think @eadwacer and @Chburdick gave you answers already. To make you feel any better, my status hasn't change into final review yet. 

Edited January 26, 2017 by Lovegood

[imogenshakes]

19 minutes ago, Lovegood said:

Got rejected from UW-Madison literature study this morning (Beijing time), heart broken.

Over 200  applicants this year, less than 14% of the literature study applicants are receiving admission offers.

Let's say 20 admission offers? HUGE numbers considering only in one area group. 

 

Aw man, that sucks. I'm sorry, @Lovegood!

I did wonder about that big number though. They didn't give me the "over 200 applicants" thing, but did mention the less than 14% bit. Seems like a LOT of students, but then again, they also seem to have a LOT of graduate students in general. Maybe a bunch of them are graduating? Or it's possible I know very little about how these programs work (actually, it's likely, haha). Who knows?

Fingers crossed you'll get some good news soon!

54 minutes ago, anxiousgrad said:

HOW IS IT ONLY JANUARY? All I can do is worry about how the nation is crumbling and how I want to hear back from my programs.

Ugh, I know. I hate when everything is just TOTALLY up in the air and abstract, and bad news is everywhere we turn on top of that. Though the terrible political news does remind me regularly of why I want to do this in the first place. 

I just really want everyone to hear from programs. I'm so excited to see where we all end up! 

[Warelin]

8 minutes ago, imogenshakes said:

Aw man, that sucks. I'm sorry, @Lovegood!

I did wonder about that big number though. They didn't give me the "over 200 applicants" thing, but did mention the less than 14% bit. Seems like a LOT of students, but then again, they also seem to have a LOT of graduate students in general. Maybe a bunch of them are graduating? Or it's possible I know very little about how these programs work (actually, it's likely, haha). Who knows?

Fingers crossed you'll get some good news soon!

Ugh, I know. I hate when everything is just TOTALLY up in the air and abstract, and bad news is everywhere we turn on top of that. Though the terrible political news does remind me regularly of why I want to do this in the first place. 

I just really want everyone to hear from programs. I'm so excited to see where we all end up! 

 

30 minutes ago, Lovegood said:

Got rejected from UW-Madison literature study this morning (Beijing time), heart broken.

Over 200  applicants this year, less than 14% of the literature study applicants are receiving admission offers.

Let's say 20 admission offers? HUGE numbers considering only in one area group. 

 

Sidenote here: In previous years, Madison and Seattle while ranked highly do not guarantee funding to all their applicants. Madison used to guarantee a full 5 years of funding if you were funded but last year, someone only received a 3 year funding package from them (Due to Scott Walker?) . It's unclear how many people received similiar funding offers from them. From my understanding, the literary studies department is the biggest department in English. The Grad School has linguistics listed as a "minor" so it's also possible that the number includes them.

Last year, they admitted 37 out of 213 applicants; 20 accepted their offers.  It isn't unusual for a program to accept twice as many people as they have room for because programs expect top applicants to have multiple offers.

[Lovegood]

2 minutes ago, imogenshakes said:

they also seem to have a LOT of graduate students in general. Maybe a bunch of them are graduating

Thanks for your comfort, imogenshakes. Today is Chinese New Year's Eve, I think it is better to forget about the rejection, instead, keep optimistic and carry on.

I contact 2 Ph.D students before, using the info. on the English Department website. One told me she quit 2 years ago. One told me she graduated last year. So, seems UWM doesn't update their current students' info.

One of the reason I think UWM is a great program is that professors and students there are very nice to reply my e-mails. Congratulate to you again!

[Lovegood]

32 minutes ago, Warelin said:

Last year, they admitted 37 out of 213 applicants

1 out of 5, still, compared to other programs who claim they only have several places, highly possible to get in.  I just don't know how things gonna happen to other programs.  Seems I lost my best chance. 

[tvethiopia]

14 hours ago, ChloeCriss said:

My apartment lease ends July 1st, and every application I sent out is in a different state. Longest. Wait time. Ever. 

THIS. while waiting to see which programs i get into--if i get into any at all--is stressful enough itself, the fact that i may have to plan a move without knowing where just escalates it 1000000%. while my apartment is month-to-month, my current job is a contract position and my contract is up june 30th, soooo.... come on schools. help a girl out.

[eadwacer]

21 minutes ago, tvethiopia said:

THIS. while waiting to see which programs i get into--if i get into any at all--is stressful enough itself, the fact that i may have to plan a move without knowing where just escalates it 1000000%. while my apartment is month-to-month, my current job is a contract position and my contract is up june 30th, soooo.... come on schools. help a girl out.

Feel y'all on that. My lease is yearly and it's up on April 30th. I may just... move multiple states away to put my stuff in storage and live in my mom's basement until I know where I'm actually going. Grad school purgatory is the worst.

[crugs]

19 minutes ago, biyutefulphlower said:

It's too bad we don't have a definitive date like 'match day' like med-students, haha.

 

 

I feel this too--I have a few friends who went through the match process and as stressful as that day was, it was amazing that everyone heard at the same time and there was no real 'waiting' involved--of course they had to wait until the day, but it wasn't a trickling effect of some people hearing from some schools then other departments waiting longer, or all the schools you happened to apply to are those with later acceptance dates, etc. 

Also match day parties are a solid thing you can plan for and look forward to. 

[lyonessrampant]

Congrats to UMinnesota admits/waitlists. I'm an advanced doctoral candidate here and would happily answer questions if you have them. Best wishes to all waiting!

[Yanaka]

Personally, I'm moving out of my apartment end of May and will spend the summer with my mom until I leave. Since I'm in France right now and will be moving anyway, whatever the outcome of this app season, and since I'll just be done with my BA, it's a little easier for me. I'll probably leave in July, so I can stay with my dad a little while and get my driver's license in Florida. And help with the transition before I leave to wherever!

Edited January 26, 2017 by Yanaka

[Scarlet A+]

3 hours ago, tvethiopia said:

THIS. while waiting to see which programs i get into--if i get into any at all--is stressful enough itself, the fact that i may have to plan a move without knowing where just escalates it 1000000%. while my apartment is month-to-month, my current job is a contract position and my contract is up june 30th, soooo.... come on schools. help a girl out.

I just feel my life will be 100% better when ONE SCHOOL accepts me (I know that sounds presumptuous, but we all handle the stress differently). I can finally have purpose again - looking up the school more, apartments in the area, finding potential roommates, budgeting potential stipends/living rate struggles, contacting people accepted/already going there, etc. And if I end up getting accepted later on to another school and have to repeat the process, even better. So much research to do and actions to take, in blinding contrast to this terribly uncomfortable period of knowing nothing and twiddling my thumbs. 

Edited January 26, 2017 by ChloeCriss

[Warelin]

On 1/26/2017 at 11:09 AM, ChloeCriss said:

I just feel my life will be 100% better when ONE SCHOOL accepts me (I know that sounds presumptuous, but we all handle the stress differently). I can finally have purpose again - looking up the school more, apartments in the area, finding potential roommates, budgeting potential stipends/living rate struggles, contacting people accepted/already going there, etc. And if I end of getting accepted later on to another school and have to repeat the process, even better. So much research to do and actions to take, in blinding contrast to this terribly uncomfortable period of knowing nothing and twiddling my thumbs. 

I just want to say that you do have purpose even if schools say no. You are much more than your test scores or your admission results.

[Scarlet A+]

If you don't mind my asking, what did your applications look like? GRE scores, GPA, WS/SoP emphasis, etc.? What do you think set you apart? When did you hear back from the schools?

[Warelin]

On 1/26/2017 at 11:30 AM, ChloeCriss said:

If you don't mind my asking, what did your applications look like? GRE scores, GPA, WS/SoP emphasis, etc.? What do you think set you apart? When did you hear back from the schools? 

I'm not convinced GRE scores make a big difference in the grand scheme of things. I think the Writing Sample, your fit within a program, and your SOP make a major difference. I ended up doing a lot of tailoring to ensure that the program understood why I was interested in them specifically.

[Scarlet A+]

Are there sites where people who go to those schools can chat and search for roommates? 

On 1/26/2017 at 11:52 AM, Warelin said:

I'm not convinced GRE scores make a big difference in the grand scheme of things. I think the Writing Sample, your fit within a program, and your SOP make a major difference. I ended up doing a lot of tailoring to ensure that the program understood why I was interested in them specifically.

Are there sites for those schools where students chat and find roommates? 

[Warelin]

On 1/26/2017 at 12:25 PM, ChloeCriss said:

Are there sites where people who go to those schools can chat and search for roommates? 

Are there sites for those schools where students chat and find roommates? 

I think most colleges have campus listings of people who are looking for roommates. Craigslist is also a popular roommate service. Oftentimes, people use more than one listing service to find potential roommates. The less restrictions you have, the easier it will be for you to find a suitable apartment.

[Srutartha]

On 1/23/2017 at 7:06 PM, anxiousgrad said:

Yes, I also applied for the PhD and I'm still "pending." I think we'll probably hear something by Wednesday! 

Good luck, I hope we both get in! 

I applied for my Masters! Good luck to you too!

[Caien]

Guys, I've just been accepted to BC

I'm completely in shock, I knew they only accept  like 4-5 people so I applied assuming I'd be considered for the MA!

Email said I'm accepted to the PhD in English 'with a concentration in Irish studies', which I didn't know existed at the PhD level, but after looking at their website it looks likes its more to do with the fellowship than the program.

[Dr. Old Bill]

4 minutes ago, Caien said:

Guys, I've just been accepted to BC

I'm completely in shock, I knew they only accept  like 4-5 people so I applied assuming I'd be considered for the MA!

Email said I'm accepted to the PhD in English 'with a concentration in Irish studies', which I didn't know existed at the PhD level, but after looking at their website it looks likes its more to do with the fellowship than the program.

What fantastic news, @Caien! Major congratulations! And as cliche as it sounds, Boston might just be the perfect city for you given your nationality and the scope of your studies...and Boston College is such a fantastic program -- I'm truly thrilled for you!!

 

[engphiledu]

12 minutes ago, Caien said:

Guys, I've just been accepted to BC

I'm completely in shock, I knew they only accept  like 4-5 people so I applied assuming I'd be considered for the MA!

Email said I'm accepted to the PhD in English 'with a concentration in Irish studies', which I didn't know existed at the PhD level, but after looking at their website it looks likes its more to do with the fellowship than the program.

Many congrats!!!

[crugs]

14 minutes ago, Caien said:

Guys, I've just been accepted to BC

I'm completely in shock, I knew they only accept  like 4-5 people so I applied assuming I'd be considered for the MA!

Email said I'm accepted to the PhD in English 'with a concentration in Irish studies', which I didn't know existed at the PhD level, but after looking at their website it looks likes its more to do with the fellowship than the program.

yayayay!!! Congrats!!!!

If you need any Boston advice or info let me know!!

[Warelin]

26 minutes ago, Caien said:

Guys, I've just been accepted to BC

I'm completely in shock, I knew they only accept  like 4-5 people so I applied assuming I'd be considered for the MA!

Email said I'm accepted to the PhD in English 'with a concentration in Irish studies', which I didn't know existed at the PhD level, but after looking at their website it looks likes its more to do with the fellowship than the program.

Congrats! Boston College is a great school for irish lit.

[Caien]

Thanks everyone! And cliche or no @Wyatt's Terps, a big reason I wanted to apply to Boston programs was that my uncle and his family live there (as it happens, my little cousin is attending BC High on an academic scholarship!), and as you say, the city in general has good resources in Irish studies and they have the Boston consortium.

Argh, still in shock. The email said to get in touch with questions and I'm like SO MANY QUESTIONS BRAIN CANNOT COMPUTE.