Received an email from the grad director who did my initial interview and seems to want to work with me directly. Funding includes tuition and assistantship stipend for 5 years.

email from DGS asking to schedule skype interview with faculty in my field

Very surprised at the quick decision, submitted application on 1/9/18. I thought the decision could go either way. Happy about my first acceptance!

Have any more PhD applicants heard back?

Will be receiving an official offer via phone next week. They apparently received a record number of applications this year. I have a number of publications (first-authored, sole-authored, and co-authored) under review and in print, as well as numerous conference presentations, teaching experiences, fellowships and grants. My research also aligns well with faculty interests. Good luck to everyone!

Graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in Astrophysics and 1 year of research. I have excellent general GRE scores, and an average PGRE score. I'm aware of 1 person from Berkeley who was waitlisted at Penn State.

I accidentally flipped the GRE scores for my Penn State post below about an interview. Verbal is 167.

DGS emailed me to schedule a Skype interview next week. Said they "were impressed by your application and the alignment of our faculty strengths with your research interests. It is with pleasure that I write to let you know that you are among a small number of applicants that we are still considering for admission to Penn State's Department of History graduate program."

Emailed graduate director, said all interview invites have been sent out

A really nice and detailed offer of admission. Full funding for six years.