applying from the land of oz

[ozmusicbird]

Well, I have been visiting this site for a while and decided it was time to join up and take part in the group angsting. I am an Australian grad with a double bachelor's degree (both in the humanities) and first class honours in my field. I have applied to a mixture of schools (public, private, ivy...) and went over to America to interview at 6 of them. I am now sitting at home, waiting out the long summer holidays (well, the remainder of my annual leave) wondering "what now"? April is a long time away and I have no idea - is there anything more I can do at this point? I don't expect to hear anything until late February or March, and other than my parents and best friend (and obviously, some academics at my undergrad institution) no one knows I have applied. I am terrified of not getting in to any of the 12 schools to which I have applied. So, how is everyone else out there coping?

[Minnesotan]

I try to alternate between feeding my anxiety about the admissions committees, my imposter syndrome (I'm already in grad school), and my inner perfectionist who *just knows* something got messed up in my statements of purpose. That way, I always have a fresh neurosis to wake up to every morning.

Life is dull when you only make yourself sick worrying about one thing at a time.

[ozmusicbird]

Excuse my ignorance - what are you studying? If you are already in a graduate program what is making you apply elsewhere? Or is this one of those horror situations I have heard about from friends in North America where you have to leave after masters and pursue the Phd bit at a different institution?

Anyway, good luck. Glad I am not the only neurotic out there!

[rising_star]

Not a horror story really. I'm currently in a MA program and applying to PhD programs. I'm reapplying to the school where I'm getting my MA but also applying to other schools.

[Minnesotan]

Yeah. I'm in the same situation as Britt. At North American schools, it is no longer frowned upon to earn one's MA and PhD at different institutions. In fact, it seems like about 1/3 of the people I'm studying with are doing an MA here, then moving on to another uni.

I guess I'm using my MA as a stepping stone to bigger and better things. I applied to do my PhD here, as well, but there are some other schools I would prefer. Besides, I think I would fit better at some institutions where my dissertation topic is more closely aligned to my potential advisor's current interests.