thatjewishgirl

LOL. I like how you completely dismissed my suggestions about English programs I have degrees from.

you might look into Oklahoma State Univ. and University of Oklahoma for Native American lit.

I have to say, Louisiana people are NICE. (coming from the oh-so-cosmopolitan Oklahoma) I called a few realtors and in almost no time hit upon a man who owns an entire block of houses within walking distance to LSU. He told me he had a property coming up that would be perfect for us (a couple with dogs) and he was willing to rent it to me. He said his houses go quickly because they're so close to campus, but he held it for me, sent me a lease, and we sent it out to him right away to secure the house for the end of July. He only rents to grad students and young professionals, so the neighboorhood is relatively quiet. I unfortunately had to rent it without seeing it, but he did send me copious pictures of the inside and outside. It's an older, 1940s house and the kitchen is being completely redone before we move in. it has a fenced in backyard for the dogs and the rent couldn't be better. He decided not to charge me a pet deposit because I'm a girl - "A girl needs her dogs when her husband isn't home." Gosh darn it, I love the south. Maybe his statement is questionable, but whatever, I have three dogs.

you know, I would love to feel more valued! Even a little! Apparently I'm only valued at $600/credit hour, 2 credit hours for a 3 credits of work. I hate that they did thi to me my last semester, now I'm dreading starting the semester tomorrow.

This is why I keep coming back to grad cafe. Datatape is always prepared with comforting words and a situationally appropriate gif!

Good news: in the last month, I found out I'm getting my second peer-reviewed article published. Bad news: I just found out that the school I adjunct for is docking my pay from 3 credit hours to 2 credit hours because my summer class only has 8 students enrolled in it and they want 9. It's still a 3 credit hour course and I'm still doing the same amount of work, but for less money. I know post-phd job opportunities are slim... But wow. I love teaching and I've remained relatively positive about being an adjunct for the past two years, but feeling exploited with absolutely no recourse makes me really glad I'm starting my doctorate in the fall.

I feel like they won't care. People have done that to me before, and I was annoyed for a few seconds, then found someone else to cover the spot.

Is there not a composition contact? A director of composition? That's who I would contact because, in my experience, that's who does the hiring.

I'm choosing Hebrew.

literary_tourist, you should definitely include LSU! The faculty I spoke with seemed really supportive of my interests, and they said they try to accommodate a wide variety of interests. Where are you living? I understand about the anxiety - this was my first PhD app cycle, too. I'm so happy to have hit what I see as a homerun my first time (LSU may not be the highest ranked school, but they have a great stipend and I get to attend with my spouse, so I'm happy.)

They truly are. But I was always stuck with the 4 year olds. I don't even like kids.

I worked at a Jewish day camp every summer during my MA and loathed every excruciating minute.

Oh, that is sad - I've also had to back out at the last minute somewhere once before. They had notified us of acceptance so late that plane ticket prices had become unreasonably expensive. so what panel were you supposed to chair? If I was you, I'd still try to publish. I know it seems impossible, but you can start with something lesser known or something really subject specific, and see what you get out of it. My articles have been rejected, but they've also been accepted, too. You never know until you try! My focus is Anglo-Jewish literature, Victorian Judaism, animal studies, gothic novels/sensation novels/detective novels/penny bloods (threw those all together). To be honest, my husband picked LSU. We made a list of 9 programs to apply to, and LSU was one of his contributions. It was the last application I sent in, and they couldn't ever find my BA transcript, so I thought I had no chance and had written it off until my husband and I were both accepted on the same night. Needless to say, that's where we're going! I feel like I know nothing about the application process. They just said they were intrigued by my interests.

Oh, how wonderful! If the presentation you are thinking of was on women and the Talmud and was at 8am Saturday morning, then yes, that was me. Thank you for your gracious comments about my presentation. Speaking in front of a large crowd that included people I had cited in my MA thesis was really unnerving. So if you aren't a Victorianist, how did you find yourself at MVSA? Where are you going in the fall?

Wonderful! I hope we meet someday. Re: conferences, I was *very* lucky in that my little Oklahoma school shelled out literally thousands of dollars for each graduate student to attend conferences annually. I was told basically when I got off the boat that conferences are very important, so I committed to attending one or more yearly. Also, I'll admit I'm really nervous that I won't be prepared, so I've tried everything I can think of to communicate that I'm prepared to take on PhD level work. What about yourself? What about your interests, etc? (Or any other Victorianists, for that matter?)