lolotte

Hi vvvooommm, I'm also (not so) patiently waiting for comp lit news. I only applied to a few top progarms. Most days I feel that I don't have a chance, but then every so often I think, "Well, maybe...?" Who knows!

Just feeling the need to reach out to you comp lit people. Has anyone heard anything? I know it's still early.

I don’t feel very confident about my writing sample. None of my past seminar papers really reflect my interests, so I decided to write something new. But as deadlines approached and it wasn’t coming together, I chose to use a presentation paper as my sample. Unfortunately, it wasn’t long enough, so I had to tack on parts of another paper, then write a new introduction and edit away to make it seem cohesive. The two papers were actually relevant to one another, and I had received positive feedback on both, but I’m not sure if the Franken-paper result of their synthesis is brilliance or madness (probably the latter).

When I applied to English Ph.D. programs four years ago, I had similar questions and concerns regarding the SOP. However, I was fortunate enough to have as an example the SOP of a very successful previous applicant (at least four offers of admission to top-ten programs). I didn’t actually know this person (we had mutual friends at our undergraduate institution), and I can’t share the SOP – but here are a few of its general characteristics: Opening: a brief quote from a novel, followed by a paragraph that describes the applicant’s enthusiasm for learning and desire to pursue a career in academia (vs. any other occupation) An overview of the applicant’s undergraduate achievements (fellowships, conferences), including a rather detailed description of the honors thesis – it’s evident that the applicant is highly invested in the topic and would like to engage with it further, in greater depth (but it’s not pitched as *the dissertation topic*) An overview of the applicant’s research interests, with mention of specific authors/books that are in some way representative of literary questions/problems that are important to the applicant The overview of research interests, I think, is particularly compelling: it really demonstrates the applicant’s impressive understanding of his field/period, including cultural phenomena. While the applicant does not discuss contemporary literary theory/criticism, he does mention a few intellectual figures of his period whose writings (on science, religion, etc.) are relevant to his interests. The overview reads *almost* like a proposal – but the applicant also expresses an openness to possibilities, a desire to grow as a scholar, etc. The “fit” paragraph mentions three professors (including names of their books/publications that have inspired the applicant and align with is own research interests), university libraries, museums, and other resources. Only briefly toward the end does the applicant discuss his interest in teaching. TNR 12-point font, but he adjusted the margins I hope this may be useful to some of you. Please don’t be anxious if your SOP takes a different tack – as many have already emphasized, there’s no formula for the perfect SOP. But obviously this applicant was doing something right.

Thanks for your feedback, maracujaschorle! I'm relieved you don't think my former graduate experience would necessarily be problematic. Also thank you for letting me know that my language background would be okay. Finally, so glad I can write about Anna K! While I've written on texts in translation before, these have been mostly theory/criticism...after years of focusing on English, I feel kind of strange about the idea of working closely on a literary text without being able to directly talk about its linguistic aspects (which is important in theory/criticism, too, obviously). But I guess I should get used to it, since this is part of the Comp Lit business until languages can be mastered. Best of luck to you, too

Hi all, Four years ago I applied to a number of top Ph.D. programs in English. I was accepted to one of them and have spent the past three years in this program. Unfortunately, I was very unhappy there: due to a variety of significant factors, both academic and personal, it was just a rough time for me and I finally made the decision to leave. Yes, I know -- if I was so unhappy, why did it take me three years to make this decision? My answer comes down mostly to a tragically stubborn "I'm no quitter" attitude and fear of failure. And so my first piece of advice is: please, don't make this mistake. Even if you're accepted to only one program, however prestigious and highly ranked, don't waste time there if you feel it's a poor fit. In my particular situation, my decision to leave involved the realization that I was not only at the wrong school, but also in the wrong field. I majored in English as an undergraduate, but I also had a minor in French and studied German. My passion at the time was 19th-century British literature, and so I became absolutely determined to pursue a Ph.D. in English. What I understand now is that I should have taken a step back and considered my strong interest in foreign languages. I really wish I had, because it probably would have led me to think seriously about a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature. My second piece of advice: be very careful in selecting your field, especially if you have various other "secondary" concentrations as an undergraduate. Getting a Ph.D. entails specializing, so think hard before you do. Now I would appreciate your advice (and hopefully support). I want to apply this year to Ph.D. programs in Comparative Literature with an emphasis on the 19th-century European novel. Despite my negative first experience in graduate school, I know I want a career in academia. I'm a scholar; I can't imagine doing anything else. My concern is that the programs I apply to will wonder about my three misspent years. Especially since I didn't even get an M.A. (long story...please don't ask). I have a strong background in languages: during my time as a graduate student at [nightmare school] I passed my Ph.D. language requirement exam in French at the level of "Fluency" and also took a graduate seminar in French, for which I received an A. I have a few semesters of undergraduate German under my belt, although it's a bit rusty. Finally, I love Russian literature, but I've only really read it in translation. I plan to take a course or two at some point this year. Does this language background make me competitive? Do you have any suggestions for how to explain my academic background in a personal statement? Also, I have a question with regard to my writing sample: using some material from a 25-page paper (from my graduate-level French seminar) on Madame Bovary, I want to incorporate Anna Karenina. Would that be okay, given that I can only discuss it in translation? Thank you in advance.