So I wrote to the graduate school about my PhD application, and the verdict is...

[Writer]

Almost. No, really, I'm not joking. Almost! I just received word that my application has been in limbo in the second-tier pile, while the school awaited word as to whether all five of the first-tier candidates accepted their positions (these are all fully-funded positions with stipends.)

If (miraculously) one of these candidates reneges on his or her agreement to go, there is still a chance I will be there in the fall. But it looks like that is unlikely at the moment.

So it looks like I will remain Writer. I took a gamble and applied only to one program, and that gamble almost paid-off.

For those of you who find this thread somehow solipsistic and underwhelming, let me at least entertain you with this picture of my torso from several months ago. :P

[JVS]

1. Sorry to hear that.

Maybe you'll get lucky and someone will suffer an accident ;-)

[Writer]

2. LOL

:evilgrin:

[Maddy McCall]

3. Don't give up yet!

There will be people who will accept elsewhere--most people apply to more than one grad program.

In our program, there are always first-choice students who are offered slots, but who reply with a "Thank you for your consideration, but..." letter.

Don't give up yet. Give it another month before you give up.

[Writer]

9. Thank you, but apparently all five truly have accepted.

Apparently it's quite rare, but I heard from the God of the Grad. Dept. Himself. :)

[Redstone]

4. No solipsism that I can see here. And may I say that I liked the pictures you posted (the ones

you later agonized over) even more than I like this one, and I am quite impressed with this one.

And yes, I owe you an editorial opinion on that second story you sent me. I think it's a good one, and has real potential. Will send more details later; things have been prety hectic around here.

Good luck to you. Have you thought about hiring a goombah to "suggest" that one of the other candidates drop out of the process?

Redstone

[Writer]

10. Hrmmm... I do have a few tenured friends at the school...

A few beers... maybe a mountain hike... :evilgrin:

(Thanks for looking at that short for me. :))

[Critters2]

5. It is a lovely torso. And I wish you well on the PhD! nt

[Writer]

11. Thank you, and thank you.

:hi:

[wildhorses]

6. positive vibes are headed to that stack

don't give up :hug:

[Writer]

12. Thanks :)

[Orangepeel]

7. my fingers are crossed for you. it could still work out.

It is possible (and not unlikely) that one or more of the first tier candidates are first tier candidates at other schools, too. They might not all choose the want you want.

[Writer]

13. Yes. I should have emphasized, though, that all five of the first-tiers said yes.

But one never knows... in the meantime I'm writing fiction.

[Orangepeel]

16. ump. well, darn.

but still don't give up your dream. If it doesn't work out this year, you might have a better shot next year because applying again will show your determination to go to that school. I think it would be a good idea to ask the doctoral coordinator (or whoever your contact is) what you could do in the next year to improve your chances.

Good luck with that and the fiction!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. My dear Writer!

Nice torso, sweetie!

And as others have already said, hang in there, and don't give up just yet...

Someone may yet drop out.......

Your day will come!

:hug:

[Writer]

14. Thank you.

And I hope so.

:hug:

[mentalsolstice]

15. Harper Lee?

If you get into the Ph.D. program, that is wonderful, you'll have some income while you do what you truly love to do. However, if you don't get the response you're hoping for, just go on and write anyway! You never know what's around the corner, waiting for you!

Well, yeah, you're not the only skinny one out here...and skinny doesn't necessarily equal attractive! Just saying...

[Writer]

17. I am determined to write...

not only the non-fiction project that has been floating about since last year, but also to write a couple of more shorts then a novel. I now will have the time to do it before the fall of 2008. Hooray!

Skinny? Bah. I'm aiming for healthy. I'm starting again on my weights tomorrow.