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ICanHazPhdPreez?

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    2014 Fall

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  1. The flight to LA from NYC is the same length as a flight to London from NYC. Just saying. It's the same country, but it's still a big move. And an expensive one at that. Although I'm actually kind of excited to start over someplace new! I'm in my mid twenties, and it's time to do something just for me and my career. It's quite possibly the bravest thing I've ever done (which says a lot about how minimal my capacity for bravery is...) For me, the waiting is the hard part. I'm starting to make plans, but it's not time to act on them yet. Course options for the Fall aren't up. And I know this is the time to rest and relax before 5-8 years of insanity, but resting and relaxing aren't my strong suits. Hence the choice to get a PhD in the first place.
  2. Serious question: what would they do with that info other than keep it for their records?
  3. Slightly off topic but still in the vein of second-guessing myself: I officially accepted an offer and declined another, since it's April 15th and that shit had to be done. But I am FREAKING OUT about the fact that at the school I'll be attending, although I have everything official and signed from the department, the graduate school hasn't updated my status to "accepted." I'm going to have dangerously high blood pressure until that's all sorted out.
  4. Just turned down UCSB (I'm an early modernist). It was really hard to do - I LOVED the department. If any waitlisters want to chat about the program, feel free to message me!
  5. I get the numbers and death rates and all that, but I lived in New Haven for years and really truly love it. I felt way safer there than in Hartford, actually. Anyway, if anybody is interested in New Haven and wants advice on which neighborhoods are cheap and safe, feel free to PM me! Shortstack - that's awesome, West Hartford is supah swanky! They have all the good grocery stores.
  6. Having lived in Connecticut and taught in various CT public schools, I would actually say that Bridgeport is significantly worse than New Haven. If you're in New Haven, anywhere downtown and anywhere near Wooster Square or East Rock will be great - lots of good food, and reasonably affordable for a grad student. I don't know as much about Wallingford or Meriden. I taught a workshop at a school near Meriden, and although the kids were well-behaved, there was zero diversity. If diversity is important to you, a city is your best bet. BUT - Don't live in Hartford. Ever. It's the worst. Coffee shops close on the weekends - that is NOT compatible with grad school life. Plus it's expensive and not that safe.
  7. Have you tried contacting departments you applied to and asking how to improve your application in the future?
  8. Is anybody else deciding between English and Comp Lit? My sense from the schools I'm considering is that I'll be able to do interdisciplinary, comparative work in either program. My fear is the job market. I've been told totally opposite things by professors about whether Comp Lit helps or hurts in terms of getting hired. I'd love to hear from anyone else who is struggling with this, as I'm totally lost and have only a week to figure this out!
  9. I can't speak to the teaching issue, but in terms of time frame, I've spoken to a few professors who recommend applying while ABD just to get your feet wet and get the hang of the process. You are likely to be on the job market for a few years either way, so it makes sense to maximize the number of years you'll be applying while having a support network from the university and guaranteed funding.
  10. I'm also a fan of the homemade route. I love to bake, and the more cookies and pies that end up with LOR writers and the less that stay in my kitchen, the better for all parties involved. Although fair warning, any food gifts require awareness of allergies or health concerns.
  11. I totally get where you're coming from. I feel guilty about making programs wait while I make a decision. I feel guilty about everyone on waitlists at the schools I'm deciding between. I feel guilty for being so paralyzed by indecision that I'm not even excited (seriously, shouldn't I be more excited and less ... tired?!). I can only imagine how bad I'll feel declining. That said, I know it's all irrational. They're not offended, because these people have been through the exact same process and they understand that we have to make the decision that's right for us, in the timeframe that's right for us. Sometimes I tell myself "don't worry, they'll forget you by this time next year." But then I ask myself what's worse - running into an almost-POI at a conference and having him/her be like "I'm so sad to not be working with you!" or have him/her say "Um, I'm sorry, you're...who?" Sigh. But hey - how lucky are we to get to make these kinds of decisions and have these "problems"?
  12. In defense of decisions based on relationships with potential advisors: while getting my Master's, I worked as a research assistant and had an AWFUL experience. I want to ensure that going forward, I will be at a school that fosters supportive, respectful, professional relationships. I don't want an advisor to care about me personally, but I do need an advisor to care about my professional future. And yes, I want to be comfortable with that person - not in a warm and fuzzy way, but in an "I can sit in your office and make small talk without wanting to disappear into a hole in the floor" way. You can tell a lot by meeting with a professor and by listening to how current students speak about him or her as an advisor. Who woos you the hardest? Not that relevant. But which school has professors you click with and can see yourself working with for five to seven years? Definitely important.
  13. I totally share the "what if they change their minds?" paranoia. It's hard to balance the desire to be considerate of wait-listers with the desire to have everything signed, sealed, delivered before turning down other offers. Personally, I don't think there's anything wrong with waiting until you've gotten the official offer from graduate admissions. This process is stressful and scary, and we have every right to take our time with it. Yes, fears of "jk we don't want you" are unrealistic. But that doesn't change the feeling. So why do something you know will stress you out when you don't have to?
  14. I've heard that at some comp lit programs, teaching isn't guaranteed. So you're up against English PhD students and national lit PhD students for TA positions. Anybody have insights into whether or not that's true? (I'm deciding between Comp Lit and English, and would love some guidance!)
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