Venting Thread

[Yanaka]

16 minutes ago, steve3020 said:

Haha I said that mainly to be on @Yanaka's side in her ordeal, because people can have trouble with these things even when the university is trying their best. Don't take what I said too seriously. I have no pretence to representing the truth of all universities.

Thanks Steve! I'm used to French administration being a nightmare (you have to see it to believe it), so your comment was fine by me from a larger perspective--however, I don't know what happened here since this part of my school has always been quick and nice. The mail must've taken a longer time than I thought...

Edited February 28, 2017 by Yanaka

[chellyfish_]

Today's vent: why, oh why, are the majority of schools I applied to seemingly the last ones to notify people of admission or rejection?!! For five of themI haven't even seen a single result posted! The angst! 

[Zelda]

Not to stir the pot, but this is a venting thread. Am I right? I think everyone is a little on edge, but I'm sorry to hear things aren't going smoothly for you,@Yanaka! I hope they are able to work swiftly to get those issues resolved. I've seen both ends at work, and sometimes IT IS a total disregard of the student. Things happen!

 

 

Edited February 28, 2017 by Zelda

[Silabus]

Person posting about acceptance to Brandeis MA program. Good for them!

When are they getting to me about my PhD application? It's either this week or next week.

I am dying here. Meanwhile the schools that did accept me are sending me emails and breathing down my neck, it feels like. Here I am still holding out!

[KikiDelivery]

2 hours ago, biyutefulphlower said:

Shouting into the abyss a little - I'm trying not to freak out about hearing back from Oregon, but I'm doing a really, really bad job.  I keep checking the submission page (since we heard they've made their decisions) and my heart drops every time there's no update. Since I'm Wait-listed at Ohio, I'm trying not to spiral out of control, but man, it would be really nice to have an acceptance. Plus, my fiance' isn't really keen on moving to FL...if I get in there.  There's just so much out of my control right now ...

I've also been checking the Oregon page continuously. No one on GC has posted about Oregon, so there's some hope there

[anxiousphd]

The only places left for me that aren't rejections or implied rejections are UNC Chapel Hill and Duquesne. I am so dejected. Carolina is a long shot. I thought I was competitive, but after 10 rejections I doubt I'll even get into Duquesne. I know it isn't over until it's over, but to be completely shut out without even so much as a wait list would be really demoralizing.

Meanwhile, my non-academic life isn't so great right now either. 

[la_mod]

Well! I just found out that Toronto's MA results should be out soon. Feeling pretty bummed that I've been all but shut out of PhD programs this year.... 

It's also frustrating because I KNOW my application was pretty good; I came so close to Chicago and Columbia! That UCLA wait-list! I met with one of my mentors who told me that a few of her grad students got in places, and she thought I was a stronger candidate than all of them, but I look very young and very fresh, and that's to my detriment. It's both heartening and frustrating to hear that you *should* have gotten in. Ugh. Next year I guess. 

[anxiousphd]

15 hours ago, biyutefulphlower said:

@anxiousgrad - Yeah, not to repeat what you've already heard, but we can't give up hope yet. And regardless of what this application cycle holds, it doesn't define your worth or limit where this academic journey may take you in the long run. 

Out of upvotes, but I appreciate your kindness. Congrats on your waitlist, and I hope an acceptance comes through for you soon!

It's tough not to give up, and it's really tough not to contact Duquesne-- they gave no timeline and not enough stats are posted in the results for me to make an educated guess. It seems possible that non-GCers have been accepted and I just don't know about it. I'm glad someone else bit the bullet and contacted UNC, at least. I'm also waiting to hear back about whether or not I got a Teach for America interview, and the possibility that I won't even be accepted for my backup plan is killing me. I'll most likely know everything by March 10th, but it still seems ages away!

[brontebitch]

I have also been shut out of all PhD programs (waiting to hear from a few, but not expecting any very good news since it's so late in the season), and accepted to one MA. I am really conflicted. The MA is at Villanova - would I be crazy to turn it down if I receive funding? A part of me thinks that if I strengthened my GRE scores and polished my statements I would be able to get into a PhD program next year if I reapplied. I know I'm a good candidate, but I didn't have much time to dedicate to applications this cycle because I am in my last year of undergrad, so I know my applications could have been a lot better. My GRE scores were also really bad and I didn't have time to retake the test before apps were due. In hindsight, I should have taken the year off and applied when I had more time and a stronger application, but I couldn't resist trying this cycle. 

What do you guys think? Should I take the MA and apply for PhD programs once I finish? I think I would be crazy to turn it down because I know it's very hard to get in anywhere, but I think if I tried again I might have better luck, and I would prefer to enter an MA/PhD program. This is premature because I haven't even received funding yet, but I am just curious what other people think. I have received mixed responses from my professors and advisors. 

[Dr. Old Bill]

12 minutes ago, natalielouise said:

 

What do you guys think? Should I take the MA and apply for PhD programs once I finish? I think I would be crazy to turn it down because I know it's very hard to get in anywhere, but I think if I tried again I might have better luck, and I would prefer to enter an MA/PhD program. This is premature because I haven't even received funding yet, but I am just curious what other people think. I have received mixed responses from my professors and advisors. 

4 minutes ago, eatthatbee said:

My gut, and this is what I did, is take the MA offer (if it's funded). You'll have time to work with some wonderful faculty, use their resources, and get paid to go to school. It also gives you time to shore up your test scores and materials. 

Likewise, it wouldn't hurt to show adcomms that you can succeed in a graduate environment at the MA level.

 

I 100% agree with @eatthatbee. Getting the M.A. will make you a better candidate, guaranteed. Getting some graduate experience under your belt will help you develop as a scholar, and will add demonstrable success in the pressure-cooker that is grad school to your application. There's really no situation I can think of in which a funded M.A. wouldn't be a boon if your long-term objective is to get a Ph.D. It certainly happens that applicants with B.A.s get into Ph.D. programs (we have plenty of proof of that here on GC), but it's also quite clear that there is a general preference among many, if not most programs to accept applicants with an M.A.

[brontebitch]

7 minutes ago, Wyatt's Terps said:

 

I 100% agree with @eatthatbee. Getting the M.A. will make you a better candidate, guaranteed. Getting some graduate experience under your belt will help you develop as a scholar, and will add demonstrable success in the pressure-cooker that is grad school to your application. There's really no situation I can think of in which a funded M.A. wouldn't be a boon if your long-term objective is to get a Ph.D. It certainly happens that applicants with B.A.s get into Ph.D. programs (we have plenty of proof of that here on GC), but it's also quite clear that there is a general preference among many, if not most programs to accept applicants with an M.A.

Yeah, I honestly feel silly for asking, but I had to know! I am also worried because I have heard from some people that Villanova has a relatively low placement rate for PhD programs, but I am not sure if that's true and I think it depends on on the individual applicant, as well. Thank you both for your answers!!! I will hopefully receive funding and enroll, so fingers crossed! 

One of the main reasons I asked is because one of my fav professors and letter writers told me not to take the MA and reapply to PhDs... I think he is a bit deluded because he thinks I am a great applicant but he had no problem getting into grad school (he went to Northwestern for his PhD) and maybe doesn't understand how truly difficult it has gotten, even for very good applicants. 

[Silabus]

12 minutes ago, natalielouise said:

One of the main reasons I asked is because one of my fav professors and letter writers told me not to take the MA and reapply to PhDs... I think he is a bit deluded because he thinks I am a great applicant but he had no problem getting into grad school (he went to Northwestern for his PhD) and maybe doesn't understand how truly difficult it has gotten, even for very good applicants. 

I gotta say, good on you for applying to PhD's out of your BA. I did NOT have that level of confidence. I only applied to MA programs. I got into all of them, but part of me will always be wondering now: What if?

Anyway, what everyone is saying is right. PhD programs these days seem to almost require an MA---so many folks applying have them. This means they have more experience in the classroom, they've been writing longer, some of them have teaching experience already, and they've already been in the grad school environment.

My advice, if Villanova offers funding, take it and go for it. If they don't offer funding...ehhhh...maybe it's a good idea to just bide your time for a year and really perfect all of your application materials? I hate to see people pay for their MA. But I know it's also hard to think about what the heck you're going to do for a year!

[brontebitch]

1 minute ago, Silabus said:

I gotta say, good on you for applying to PhD's out of your BA. I did NOT have that level of confidence. I only applied to MA programs. I got into all of them, but part of me will always be wondering now: What if?

Anyway, what everyone is saying is right. PhD programs these days seem to almost require an MA---so many folks applying have them. This means they have more experience in the classroom, they've been writing longer, some of them have teaching experience already, and they've already been in the grad school environment.

My advice, if Villanova offers funding, take it and go for it. If they don't offer funding...ehhhh...maybe it's a good idea to just bide your time for a year and really perfect all of your application materials? I hate to see people pay for their MA. But I know it's also hard to think about what the heck you're going to do for a year!

Thank you!!! It was a little cocky, honestly, because I am definitely not a perfect applicant, but I knew that I wanted to do it and my professors thought I had a solid chance, so I did it! I definitely don't have any regrets - it was a learning experience for sure. I honestly wish I had applied to more MA programs, but Villanova was the only one (it was the only one accepting applicants with funding considerations by the time I realized I fucked up lol). If I don't get funding, I will probably reapply next fall and include more MA programs. 

Thank you, though, and I'm glad that there seems to be a consensus! You guys have really cleared my mind :~~~)

[unræd]

1 hour ago, Wyatt's Terps said:

It certainly happens that applicants with B.A.s get into Ph.D. programs (we have plenty of proof of that here on GC), but it's also quite clear that there is a general preference among many, if not most programs to accept applicants with an M.A.

 

48 minutes ago, Silabus said:

Anyway, what everyone is saying is right. PhD programs these days seem to almost require an MA---so many folks applying have them.

Not to beat a dead horse -- this discussion has been had here, many times -- but these two statements simply aren't true, and can't be generalized to the field as a whole. Of the (fair number of) programs whose incoming cohorts I'm familiar with, students with MAs are at most half the admitted PhD cohort, more commonly less. To say that "it certainly happens" that BA applicants get into PhD programs is strictly speaking true, but the weakest statement of the case and implies that that's not a (or even the most) common path -- and from what I know of the field, it's at least as common a path as entering a program with an MA.

But again, that's based on the particular programs I know the most about. Other people's experience will differ, which is exactly my point: MAs are certainly useful, but to generalize them (as opposed to the academic preparation they offer) as necessary or even preferable to applying with a BA is not, I think, really supportable as a blanket assertion.

[Avalanched]

Another grumble into the void-- no email from U of Toronto kicking me in the ovaries a bit this morning. I cracked and did the thing you don't do--emailed to ask about my status, part of my justification being that I live so dang far away that if I'm going to manage any visiting days, I'd need to know now, which is 100% true. But I fully expect them to respond with a rejection or radio silence. 

Sigh. I swear I'll be excited about having an acceptance and waitlist once my gut recovers from ~9 rejection punches and a 10th likely on the way. I know it's not personal, at least not entirely. I know this. But it still--feels bad! 

I just want all the rejections to come through so I can make a decision and start getting excited about what IS there instead of getting sucker punched by what ISNT. 

[Silabus]

2 hours ago, unræd said:

 

Not to beat a dead horse -- this discussion has been had here, many times -- but these two statements simply aren't true, and can't be generalized to the field as a whole. Of the (fair number of) programs whose incoming cohorts I'm familiar with, students with MAs are at most half the admitted PhD cohort, more commonly less. To say that "it certainly happens" that BA applicants get into PhD programs is strictly speaking true, but the weakest statement of the case and implies that that's not a (or even the most) common path -- and from what I know of the field, it's at least as common a path as entering a program with an MA.

But again, that's based on the particular programs I know the most about. Other people's experience will differ, which is exactly my point: MAs are certainly useful, but to generalize them (as opposed to the academic preparation they offer) as necessary or even preferable to applying with a BA is not, I think, really supportable as a blanket assertion.

I'm not sure what particular programs you're referring to. There are certainly a number of schools that don't require an MA for admission, however there are also a number of schools that do require an MA for admission. Most of the schools I applied to for my PhD required an MA, it says so on their admissions page. There's also some argument to be made about the Admissions Results Page and how it might not be a good gauge of what schools are looking for but if you do look at it, quite a few people who get accepted mention holding MAs.

So to say the statements "simply aren't true" is...well...simply not true.

I'd also like to point out that mine and @Wyatt's Terps were responding to @natalielouise who holds a BA, didn't make it into PhD programs, but did get into an MA program. We, and others, were telling her that it definitely doesn't hurt go get an MA---it can really help her chances in the future!

[Peppermint&Rooibos]

Is anyone else in the dark about their Iowa status? Saw that a couple of rejections and acceptances have been sent out, so just wondering if anyone has any inside scoop?

[chellyfish_]

8 minutes ago, Peppermint&Rooibos said:

Is anyone else in the dark about their Iowa status? Saw that a couple of rejections and acceptances have been sent out, so just wondering if anyone has any inside scoop?

Mostly in the dark   I hear through the grapevine that not having heard yet is good news, but there were so few rejections that I can't imagine everyone who hasn't heard yet is accepted or waitlisted.  So...good news with a grain of salt?

[Peppermint&Rooibos]

3 minutes ago, eliza_winter said:

Mostly in the dark   I hear through the grapevine that not having heard yet is good news, but there were so few rejections that I can't imagine everyone who hasn't heard yet is accepted or waitlisted.  So...good news with a grain of salt?

I will go with "good news with a grain of salt"  Here's to hoping we both hear something soon

[unræd]

38 minutes ago, Silabus said:

I'd also like to point out that mine and @Wyatt's Terps were responding to @natalielouise who holds a BA, didn't make it into PhD programs, but did get into an MA program. We, and others, were telling her that it definitely doesn't hurt go get an MA---it can really help her chances in the future!

Indeed, and I didn't mean to imply that MAs aren't good/useful -- of course they are, and I'm sorry if my initial post implied otherwise!

But even putting aside the fact that many of those schools (at least in the US; this is different in Canada and the UK) that say they require an MA prior to PhD study have either joint MA/PhD programs (like OSU) or (relatively) likely admission to the PhD for their MA holders (like UIUC), a statement that "PhD programs these days seem to almost require an MA" is demonstrably false. To take just one example from many, in my PhD cohort less than a quarter of the students had MAs, and the more recent cohorts at my institution have been equally BA-heavy.

And it's worth being clear about that for other people who might be reading the fora wondering whether they need to get an MA before applying for a PhD. Getting an MA first is very much the right thing sometimes, and can usually only be a good thing (assuming it's funded) that will necessarily improve a PhD application. But to say that it's in any way a requirement for PhD study rather than potentially desirable preparation does a disservice to potential applicants.

[Yanaka]

Hey now all of that's just making me even sadder that I didn't get in anywhere!!!  

[Abyss21]

9 hours ago, Avalanched said:

Another grumble into the void-- no email from U of Toronto kicking me in the ovaries a bit this morning. I cracked and did the thing you don't do--emailed to ask about my status, part of my justification being that I live so dang far away that if I'm going to manage any visiting days, I'd need to know now, which is 100% true. But I fully expect them to respond with a rejection or radio silence. 

Sigh. I swear I'll be excited about having an acceptance and waitlist once my gut recovers from ~9 rejection punches and a 10th likely on the way. I know it's not personal, at least not entirely. I know this. But it still--feels bad! 

I just want all the rejections to come through so I can make a decision and start getting excited about what IS there instead of getting sucker punched by what ISNT. 

Don't worry! I'm sure they'll get back to you with the answer soon, and who knows - it could be a waitlist or even an acceptance that just comes a day later. Even if it isn't, you've been accepted to OSU and waitlisted at Colorado, which are both fantastic schools! Rejection definitely sucks (trust me, with 7 rejections I understand the feels), but you'll feel so relieved once the rest of the places get back to you and you finally make a decision. Good luck! 

[Silabus]

6 hours ago, Yanaka said:

Hey now all of that's just making me even sadder that I didn't get in anywhere!!!  

You've heard from all of them?! Oh no! It'll be okay!

[Dr. Old Bill]

This is a very petty vent, and not one intended to offend anyone here, but I'm always a little flummoxed when I see people on the results board express resentment or disappointment at a form rejection letter! I'm sure we'd all love to have deeply personalized, highly analytical accounts of the moment-by-moment transit of our application materials, but that's just not tenable when some of these programs are dealing with nearly 600 applications. I've personally been quite impressed by the wording of all of my form rejections so far -- they seem to acknowledge that rejection is not a reflection on the applicant so much as it is a necessary byproduct of a difficult process.

While rejection is always tough to take, I can't help but think it's more prudent to (if I may channel Ice-T) hate the game, not the player.

[Yanaka]

Had a little cry on my mommy's shoulder and she helped me talk through plan B, she really wants me to follow through with school and said it's okay to take out a loan (but in France rather than in the US) if necessary and if smart to do, that it's all going to be okay. That's after she said that even if our prof. friend thinks the economy is scary, well what am I going to do? Ain't gonna give up on what I want to do because of that. I love my mama. *8 years old again*