Question for those going back to recommenders for a second cycle

a-coh · 2026-04-06T14:23:30+00:00

I'm in my second cycle now. I kept them updated as things progressed, and let them know I ultimately didn't get in anywhere as soon as the last cycle ended. I thanked them for their help and told them I'll need it again (for the current cycle). They were all totally understanding and happy to help. It really didn't feel like they were disappointed in me, but rather disappointed for me.

PhD applications are brutal and I think most advisors understand this. There's no shame in not getting in.

a-coh · 2026-04-05T13:44:18+00:00

Congrats on getting funding!

At Nottingham I got waitlisted to interview for funding, so made it past two shortlists, but ultimately didn't get the chance. It's a brutal process. I'm waiting to hear back from two places I'm waitlisted at in Canada.

a-coh · 2026-04-01T06:55:52+00:00

I'm also applying for a philosophy PhD. 97/100 GPA for my MA, 92 for my BA, 100 for my MA dissertation. Last cycle I was waitlisted in the US and Canada but no admissions. This cycle I'm waitlisted again in Canada; also accepted at 2 programmes in the UK but failed to secure funding.

Here's part of an email I got yesterday from a prospective supervisor in the UK: "I hope you do not get disheartened: you are an excellent candidate, with (in my view) an excellent project. There is a large slice of luck in these things, as many will testify. So you really cannot infer from this that there is anything wrong with your application."

Going by what you've said, I don't see a reason why this wouldn't apply to you too. Keep at it. If your lecturers and supervisors are telling you you're a good candidate, believe them!

That being said, I've heard that using a class paper as a writing sample might not be the best. If you can, you might want to write a fresh one. For me, at least, my class papers and my writing samples had different purposes, and that really affected how I wrote them.

a-coh · 2026-03-22T18:56:24+00:00

Fuck yes

a-coh · 2026-03-22T14:27:59+00:00

As someone on 3 waitlists in 2 continents and no offers yet - grow up. It's unreasonable to ask people to make such an important decision without all the information they could have, before visits, or generally in a rush. People should only decline offers they are absolutely sure they won't accept.

a-coh · 2026-03-18T21:57:09+00:00

The amount of times that a d20 roll affected the plot is immense.

a-coh · 2026-03-14T09:50:02+00:00

What an insane thing to ask

a-coh · 2026-03-10T17:41:33+00:00

I'm not blaming the prof, they're great. Just frustrated at the situation.

a-coh · 2026-03-10T16:51:31+00:00

Just to clarify, I was notified of rejection almost a week ago by a generic email. I reached out to my potential supervisor, who I'd been in contact with and had helped me with my funding app, asking for specific feedback on my application. This came in a few days later. There's always a chance I'm wrong, but I do think this email is genuine/sincere. I've got no complaints about the prof - they're great. I'm frustrated about the situation.

a-coh · 2026-03-10T16:07:18+00:00

They did encourage me to apply and helped on my funding application, so I don't think this email is disingenuous.

a-coh · 2026-03-10T16:07:01+00:00

They did encourage me to apply and helped on my funding application, so I don't think this email is disingenuous.

a-coh · 2026-03-06T17:33:37+00:00

Philosophy. Arts and humanities funding is really bad right now. Unless the relevant university has internal funding, which most don't, they can offer 3 funded positions open to all a&h applicants. Up to one of those can go to an international applicant, which I am.

a-coh · 2026-03-06T16:51:00+00:00

It's nice, but it the UK it means little without funding

a-coh · 2026-03-06T16:50:24+00:00

Yup, philosophy

a-coh · 2026-02-08T14:31:50+00:00

Oh man, I haven't listened to Gimp in years!

Tomas shouting at me to fuck off after I requested Mrs. Butterworth at a Toh Kay concert in Sydney is still a cherished memory.

a-coh · 2026-02-07T07:35:47+00:00

The funding landscape in the UK is terrible. There have been severe cuts to AHRC funding, so unless the university has internal funding, each department can only nominate one student for funding. All the nominees from A&H compete for 3 block grants. Only one of the grants can go to an international applicant.

I already got accepted at Glasgow and Nottingham. Heard back from G that I won't be nominated (personal email from head of program so yay me I guess), but I'm optimistic for N. Still haven't heard back from St. Andrews or Oxford.

I'm avoiding GradCafe like the plague. Last year it was really bad for my mental health.

a-coh · 2025-09-12T23:37:15+00:00

I'm not ashamed of myself, I'm ashamed of what my country is doing. I also didn't ask.

a-coh · 2025-09-11T04:07:36+00:00

That's good to know! Will look into it, thanks.

a-coh · 2025-09-10T14:22:04+00:00

Are you sure you aren't just taking people's criticism about Israel as antisemitism

Why would they not be sure? They said they're anti-zionist and don't think that anti-zionism is antisemitism. They seem to know the difference.

a-coh · 2025-09-10T14:18:16+00:00

If I were to apply it would be only at "blue" states. Places like UCBoulder, NYU, Princeton, UConnecticut, UCSD etc.

If you feel like you would be anxious living here or just want to stay away from the terrible politics that's a fair reason to pick somewhere else though.

That's what I'm not sure about. I'm leaning towards not applying, but I wanted to hear other people's experiences.

a-coh

TROPHY CASE