- Joined
- Jul 8, 2015
- Messages
- 81
- Reaction score
- 27
Hello All,
Just a brief overview: I was a second-time applicant to around 14 PhD programs throughout the country, and interviewed at six. I had great feedback from every single school, but was ultimately rejected or waitlisted with slim hope of acceptance at each one. It was all about fit, which I suppose post-interview is to be expected, but somehow hearing the same thing six times over makes me feel like I've been politely declined for other unknown reasons.
My research interests stayed the same between my SOP and my interviews--this is one reason why I feel so darn confused about how my "fit" was suddenly so wrong despite those same interests premising my invitations.
I am so disenchanted...NONE of the schools mentioned anything deficient in my applications, which in some ways makes me fearful to apply again. Is the onus now on me to somehow morph my research interests into something more "marketable?" Has anyone been in this position with similar feedback, and if so, how did you surmount this obstacle?
Additionally, I'm going to be moving this summer back to my hometown--I'm separating from the military, and my husband and I want to be closer to family. I feel incredibly selfish applying to programs for a third time, as this will inevitably disrupt my spouse's career again. I don't know how to navigate this in a way that fosters both of our success. Our hometown is near San Diego, and while it is a small hub of schooling opportunities, I'm also cognizant of how competitive the region is too.
Any insight is appreciated.
Just a brief overview: I was a second-time applicant to around 14 PhD programs throughout the country, and interviewed at six. I had great feedback from every single school, but was ultimately rejected or waitlisted with slim hope of acceptance at each one. It was all about fit, which I suppose post-interview is to be expected, but somehow hearing the same thing six times over makes me feel like I've been politely declined for other unknown reasons.
My research interests stayed the same between my SOP and my interviews--this is one reason why I feel so darn confused about how my "fit" was suddenly so wrong despite those same interests premising my invitations.
I am so disenchanted...NONE of the schools mentioned anything deficient in my applications, which in some ways makes me fearful to apply again. Is the onus now on me to somehow morph my research interests into something more "marketable?" Has anyone been in this position with similar feedback, and if so, how did you surmount this obstacle?
Additionally, I'm going to be moving this summer back to my hometown--I'm separating from the military, and my husband and I want to be closer to family. I feel incredibly selfish applying to programs for a third time, as this will inevitably disrupt my spouse's career again. I don't know how to navigate this in a way that fosters both of our success. Our hometown is near San Diego, and while it is a small hub of schooling opportunities, I'm also cognizant of how competitive the region is too.
Any insight is appreciated.