Don't count your implicits before they've hatched.

[mityak]

My friend reminded me that at this time last year he was sitting on a mound of implicit rejections and a few official ones. One of those implicits turned out to be an acceptance. Right now he's at his top choice school. I don't mean to give anyone false hopes, maybe just to avoid false despair.

[a fragrant plant]

thanks, but i found it hard to stay optimistic.

[mityak]

I've found it hard to stay optimistic too, but I think it helps to remind yourself of why you're going through this process: because you love literature. Hopefully that will be some consolation for having spent at least $1000 on applications and paying that intellectually (and morally) bankrupt organization ETS $500 for GREs.

Edited February 19, 2010 by MityaK

[hamster]

My friend reminded me that at this time last year he was sitting on a mound of implicit rejections and a few official ones. One of those implicits turned out to be an acceptance. Right now he's at his top choice school. I don't mean to give anyone false hopes, maybe just to avoid false despair.

What subject area was this? thanks.

[Medievalmaniac]

I'm starting to think I just applied to the five schools that send their responses out VERY LAST of all American colleges and universities! lol There have only been a tiny handful so far from any of my schools, and two haven't sent anything to anyone at all. I live in hope!

It's harrowing, certainly, when so many responses are coming in...but then again, no response = no rejection (yet) - I'm hanging on to that for dear life right now.

[an_internet_person]

It's harrowing, certainly, when so many responses are coming in...but then again, no response = no rejection (yet) - I'm hanging on to that for dear life right now.

I feel you! No news is good news .

[bikefarm]

I'm starting to think I just applied to the five schools that send their responses out VERY LAST of all American colleges and universities! lol There have only been a tiny handful so far from any of my schools, and two haven't sent anything to anyone at all. I live in hope!

It's harrowing, certainly, when so many responses are coming in...but then again, no response = no rejection (yet) - I'm hanging on to that for dear life right now.

I'm still keeping hope and staying optimistic too! And if it doesn't work out, well, there's always next year!

[bikefarm]

I feel you! No news is good news .

Hey! I have my MPH (from UMich) so extra congrats on your acceptance.

[mityak]

What subject area was this? thanks.

English Lit

[glasses]

My friend reminded me that at this time last year he was sitting on a mound of implicit rejections and a few official ones. One of those implicits turned out to be an acceptance. Right now he's at his top choice school. I don't mean to give anyone false hopes, maybe just to avoid false despair.

Thank you. This is exactly what I needed to hear right now -- an anecdote that supports what I'm being told by all of my advisers and friends, which is that it ain't over till it's over. It's not that I don't respect the opinion of my advisers: I really do, and I trust them a whole lot. I know that they know what they're talking about. But it's hard . . . some people have gotten acceptances and rejections alike from places that I applied to, and I haven't heard a thing either way from anyone, so an anecdote like this really helps me out. (I'm a big believer in not counting my blessings before they've hatched, but I'm afraid I have quite the opposite perspective when it comes to negative things -- I count them before I even know they exist!) So again, thank you.

[Socrates]

great advice!

[Katia_chan]

I'm starting to think I just applied to the five schools that send their responses out VERY LAST of all American colleges and universities! lol There have only been a tiny handful so far from any of my schools, and two haven't sent anything to anyone at all. I live in hope!

I know the feeling! The occasional acceptance sneaks onto the results page, and I have a mini panic attack. Almost none of my schools have notified anyone, and no one's sent me a thing, rejection or otherwise.

One place has been notifying for a good solid week now, I know people who've gotten rejections and acceptances alike from there, and their silence is killing me.

[JennyFieldsOriginal]

i've had a good season so i can't complain, and the 2 rejections i've gotten have been TOTALLY understandable (really there were not a lot of people in the department with whom i'd be a good mentoring fit. so no bitterness.)

there's just the one implicit rejection that is going to sting if i don't prepare for it.

but this thread is nice. it's not so bad to dream a little.

to all those on waitlists (this might sound obnoxious but in no way do i mean it to be):

i have several schools i'm going to have to turn down, and i know that at least 2 of them have waitlists. i know there are probably a lot of people in my position as well and that = a lot of people who are going to be getting into the schools of their choice off the waitlist. i know it's horrible and painful to wait, but the waitlist is by no means bad news.

i'm really really crossing my fingers for everybody to get in where they want to go.

Edited February 20, 2010 by JennyFieldsOriginal

[melusine]

great advice! thanks. (+++1)

Edited February 20, 2010 by melusine

[readgreen]

Thank you so much! I SO needed to hear this right now! False hope or not, it is easing my pain for the moment.