BrandNewName

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/culture/2010/11/760690/professor-trouble-post-structuralist-star-judith-butler-headed-columb Just saw that Judith Butler is leaving Berkeley for Columbia. Kind of sucks, she was one of the biggest draws at Berkeley's Rhetoric department. I think this is actually enough for me to cancel my application there. I was already unhappy with the complexity of the UC application, plus residency requirements are a bane and funding seems an uncertain proposition...now this. Yup, think Berkeley is no more for me. Sad that I already sent the GRE report, but at least I'll save the application fee. Thoughts on Butler or the UC system in general?

Yes, they're very emphatic about it, aren't they? And I didn't catch that notation until after I had requested my scores (they were one of the programs I listed on test day). I tried to get ETS to cancel them, but they couldn't...I doubt it will impact me negatively, I sure hope it won't. I can hear them now: "Look at this, sent his subject test, clearly has zero capacity for comprehension."

Don't memorize 3500 words! That's crazy! I bought the Kaplan vocabulary flashcards (500 words) and memorized all of them (with the help of my partner who was also taking the exam). 500 is totally manageable if you have a few days to study and nearly every word that appeared on the exam was covered by the flashcards. I was pre-testing in the low 600s prior to using the cards and on exam day I ended up with a 710 after memorizing them. Here's the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1607140527/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=1890982024&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=07THKG744C6S3YBDJB2M

Of everyone I know who has taken the test in the past two years, I have yet to hear first-hand of anyone getting an unmarked section. Is there any chance they've changed their procedures and now always clearly label it?

I agree that it's probably harmless, but I've decided against listing my other schools. My main interest could really be explored in either the literary realm or the more interdisciplinary cultural studies realm, so I am applying to some programs that seem quite different, but work for me in different ways. Maybe this is only a concern with humanities' applications, but I am concerned that in seeing the list of (mostly top 20) programs I am applying to, some admissions committees may think that I haven't done my homework or am just trying for the best of the best across the board regardless of fit. It's not the case, but I think listing my other programs might give them that impression. I've also heard from some people that if you are a strong candidate and they see the other programs you've applied to, they might think, "Hey, this guy is definitely going to get into School A and School B...and he'll definitely go there before he'll go here," and then they offer a spot to someone who they feel certain will attend. There is, of course, no evidence to back that up, but it seems pluasible enough that I've decided not to list my other schools in my applications.

This thread from the chronicle offers some good advice as well to someone getting a degree in women's studies, but also interested in teaching in a history department. It might be applicable to your situation: http://chronicle.com/forums/index.php?topic=34235.0.

I started all of my applications a few weeks back and spent a weekend completing all parts and loading up all of the documents I had prepared. I was worried about waiting too long and then realizing that certain documents were too large or that there were special formatting requirements. This happened with a few programs where they request larger margins at the top of uploaded documents to allow your applicant info to be printed...that took some time because I had to reformat my CV. As it stands now, once I finalize my SoP and writing sample I can upload and submit. The other reason to do it is that some programs have extra opportunities for funding that I didn't find out about until I was going through the application. One school didn't say a word about a diversity scholarship on their department homepage, but in the application it's mentioned and you can upload a 500 word statement. Glad to know about that well in advance. Same is true for schools that might require narrative statements about language proficiency and/or a listing of relevant coursework, but fail to mention that explicitly on the website. Oh, one other thing I ran into, programs (many more than I thought) that want hard copies of transcripts. So, my vote is go through the applications now and get them as complete as you can so as to avoid any surprises. It's also a great way to spend a day if you've been feeling rather bruised and battered by the process...nothing like simple, achievable goals to boost your confidence in the midst of it all.

Wow! Congratulations on a fantastic score. For programs where it's an option (Penn, for example), I would definitely submit a score that is that high. There is no way it could hurt you in that situation. For other schools, when requesting the score reports, I would just have the subject text listed. It doesn't cost anything extra and if they don't want it, they don't have to use it. I know schools like Chicago say that they actively remove information about subject test scores if you submit them...but if it makes it through to the committees, I don't see how a 720 could do anything but make you look like an even better candidate.

There is, of course, the argument to be made that not everyone is you nor does everyone possess your skill set. Leaving that to the side... Most of the anxiety is not inordinate. While I agree that adcoms aren't likely composed of monsters, you're missing the reality of application levels in the past few years. As much as every person on an adcom might know that not everyone tests well, when there is a stack of 600 applications and you need to get it down to a reasonable number without reading every page in front of you, GRE scores offer an objective marker from which to begin eliminating candidates. Fair or not, it's not unreasonable to think that certain programs, whether they have a cut-off point or not, will turn to these scores to at least weed out some part of the applicant pool. With applications running at around $100 a piece, it's worrisome to think that your writing sample and SoP may not be seen at all because of a standardized test score. For this reason alone, I think it might be worth working onesself into a tizzy over the exam, especially if that pressure pushes you to get a higher score and (hopefully) make it to a round of application review where your true skills can be evaluated.

I know that anecdotal/subjective experience is usually what I base all of my conclusions on.

Hi guys, I thought I'd introduce myself as well. I'm applying to 12 programs this round. Most of my schools are centered in the Northeast and I am only aiming for Top 20 programs. Not because I'm cocky, just because getting in to grad school in the States will enough a huge move for me that involved leaving behind my partner (and possibly even my dog for a few months). Also, I have to think about program reputation not only in America, but abroad. On the whole, the process is going all right. I did the GREs in August 2009 and was happy with my performance overall. Just got back my Lit GRE scores today and while they weren't amazing (610), I was thrilled. My areas of specialization are: literary theory, cultural studies, and material culture. As for SoPs, I have one written so far and from that I will be crafting the other 11. There won't be much variation in each version, just subtle changes depending on whether the emphasis of the program in more literary versus more interdisciplinary in nature. Writing sample is not something I am thrilled to be using, but it seems to be the best suited to what these programs are looking for. So, at the moment I am revising like a madman and trying to find a few extra goodies to throw into the paper to make it a bit more dynamic. I'll post my schools in my signature if you are interested, I guess it's better that way so I can remove them at a later time. It's a pleasure meeting all of you -- if anyone wants to do feedback on samples or SoP evaluations, I'm game...I really dig the friendly vibe of these boards and appreciate everyone's help.

I agree with Medievalmaniac. If a citation comes naturally within the flow, I think that's when you should use it. I personally include two citations in my SoP. Here were the instances when I used them -In my third paragraph I discuss my interest in a particular theoretical approach and, then, say that it was a breakthrough moment when I realized "theory X has blah potential when used as 'citation'". It's a brief three-word statement, but it's central to my overall approach and connected to a groundbreaking article in my field. Footnote 1. -In the paragraph where I go into detail about my proposed research, I say that I want to work in particular field A which often deals with...let's say horses. So, I want to turn to horses in my research, but particularly "'contemplative' horses", where contemplative is a new descriptor coined by an influential article in that field. I almost left this footnote out because I figured, by now if someone is working in the field they've heard talk of this particular way of describing horses. But, I decided not to risk it...Footnote 2. And I put them in 8 font and am not counting them in my overall word count. In short, don't force it if you don't need it.

I'm having the exact same reservations. I'd be willing to jump into sharing the first three or four pages as well. Send me a PM if either of you (or anyone else for that matter) is interested.

Scores for the October test date are available by phone now! I was dreading this call, wondering if I would have to call off some of my applications...and what I was worried about it doing to the little self-confidence that I have left after this application process. But, what do you know, I got a 610 (73%). Not great, but I am THRILLED! My primary fields are literary theory, cultural studies, and American literature/culture...I was honestly prepared to for something in the 400 range. So, whew! Best of luck to everyone!

Hi all, I know this has been addressed many times on the boards, but I keep getting conflicting advice, so I'd like to spell out the specifics and get some feedback on what to submit as a writing sample. Basically, I've heard from a few professors at my UG institution that I should just submit something that shows how well I can write, rather than trying to be sure that the sample matches with what I am planning to do next. The reasoning I've heard is that the adcomms are looking for people who they will "train" once enrolled and that they want to see if you have the tools in your toolbox to ensure that such a training process will be a success. So, here's the deal. I am applying to 12 programs -- mostly English and American Studies-esque programs. The project I've proposed cultural studies in nature and draws on issues of class and material culture. I also hint, because of a strong background in gender and sexuality studies, that I am most interested in seeing what insights queer theory might offer to an understanding of the interplay between material culture and those living in destitution. I've written a few articles and encyclopedia entries, but none of them really fit the bill as a writing sample (too much close-reading, inadequate length, random side interest, etc.). The strongest piece of writing I have is a paper written in a literary theory course discussing binary deconstruction and the hybridization of narrative genres on the example in a postcolonial, feminist short story. Since my applications will indicate my area of concentration as literary theory/criticism and cultural studies, do you think it would be acceptable to send this paper, which touches on theory, even though it is very much in a different vein than my interests in queer theory? Would it help to offer a note explaining at the start of the paper that the intention of submitting it is to convey my ability to work with theory, but also to display the breadth of my knowledge and willingness to approach a broad range of texts and cultural practices? I am pulling my hair out over this. The other option is to try and finish one of two articles I have in the works at the moment. Both would thematically match my interests much better, but I worry that anything I try to throw together in the next three weeks will not be nearly as cohesive or convincing as the other paper I have. Apologies in advance for how long-winded/OCD this post is, I am just so torn as to what to do.

That makes sense, but I guess I've noticed that many professors shorten the bibliographic information. You get enough so that you can find it (i.e. title, publication, year) and still save space. I guess I'm just wondering if putting a three-line citation similar to what one would find at the end of a research paper is overkill and looks like I'm just trying to fill space. I mean do they really need to see my name again at the beginning of the citation? Or the publishing house and city? Well, it looks like I should opt for better safe than sorry. If nothing else at least they'll see that I'm a stickler for proper citations. And if you have that, why even worry about the writing sample... I'm tempted to remove it as well, but there are a few courses whose names get chopped and the courses from my semester abroad...it's like they didn't even try to convey what was actually happening. The proper title of one course I took when translated into English would be "Modernity and the Course of the World." It was a theoretical class held in German and on my transcript it's listed as "Europe and World, 1945-2000." On top of that, it's my lowest grade (thank you oral and written examinations in German after having studied the language for about a year). So there the clarification is nice as it will (hopefully) make clear that my lowest grade is not some entry-level history survey. Also, during my research year I audited a boatload of courses in addition to my research and it would be nice if those were at least mentioned somewhere since no transcript was issued for my time in residency at the university. If anyone has first-hand experience in either situation, I'd love to hear more opinions. I'm a bit OCD about formatting if you can't tell...

Can I ask a few questions about my CV? I have it broken down into the following categories in this order: Professional Experience Education Honors and Awards Conferences Courses Designed and Taught Additional Work Experience Relevant Course Work. Opinions on putting the professional experience first? I did it because I finished my MA last year and have held a 'professorship' in a European university for the past 1.5 years. As it is my most recent activity and, I hope, looks impressive, I decided to begin with Professional Experience. Thoughts? Also, a few other random questions: - Do you explain all your awards? (i.e. The Dorothy D. Dummy Award - Awarded to one senior in recognition of being totally senseless as decided by a faculty committee.) - Opinions on formatting publications? MLA format? Or more informal (Title. Publication, Year.)? - And what about publications that you are currently working on that may not be published for another year? (I'm co-editing a volume with a few other professors and am worried about putting it on my CV because we have not yet finalized the title or the date for publication. Would a simple 'in progress' in parentheses be acceptable?) - Lastly, what is everyone's opinion on the list of relevant coursework being included on the CV? Applying to English PhDs with a queer theory/cultural studies emphasis, should I be generous in what I define as relevant? Core philosophy or sociology requirements as an undergraduate? Audited courses while a visiting researcher with a post-undergraduate fellowship? Courses that indicate knowledge of a foreign language?

I met with two professors who work in the MTL program this past summer and they were exceedingly helpful in offering suggestions for my application and quelling some of my fears about the process. On the whole though, I've decided against email contact with all but a few professors at certain schools (and always only if I have an "in" through another professor, colleague, or mutual acquaintance). That being said, I have had contact with the two aforementioned professors in the past few months for other reasons not related to my PhD application, but they've expressed a willingness to talk with me about research interests and questions/concerns whenever. In short, I agree with your evaluation, the MTL professors seem especially engaged with and excited by students who are applying. In other news: let me know where else you're applying, I am nearly done with my SoP and would like to find other applicants to start a back-and-forth critique with if, of course, that's something you'd be interested in. PM me. And either way, best of luck.

amy villarejo's "film studies: the basics" is wonderful.

That test was insane. Aside from the awful commute I had to undertake to make it to Zurich by 8:30 in the morning (thank you Deutsche Bahn!), I was tempted to throw in the towel halfway through the test. I even stopped and went to the bathroom at about the 1:50 mark to throw some water on my face and try to regroup. My first sweep garnished me maybe 60 to 70 points. And some of those I was even struggling with. I posted some comments in another thread here, but here are my (somewhat angry) thoughts: -a majority of the American questions seemed to the easy questions...most of the in-depth comprehension and identification questions were heavily concentrated in 17th and 18th century British poetry/essays. -there were a lot of Middle English questions (I think I counted 13+)...many of which were translation/grammar based...and I was shocked, I had been hadnling them very well in my practice runs, but they stumped me during the exam. -there were whole identification sections (on essayists) that I left blank, just no clue. at all. -where was Shakespeare aside from three or four questions on a sonnet and a reference to AMND in one question...I don't recall any (also no Marlowe from what I can remember) -and screw New Criticism...the theory questions are the one part of the test where those of us not trained in old school British literature can really pick up some points, and what do the testmakers do? Throw us five questions on New Criticism, most of which referred back to metaphysical poetry. Ugh. I handled what I knew well, but there was quite a bit that I could not identify. I'm sure I'll get some heated responses -- not that anyone is in love with this exam -- but the one I took on Saturday had what I perceived to be a troubling bias (in comparison to the practice tests I took, at least). Oh well, it was/is frustrating, but I don't think it will be the make or break factor in my applications, at least I hope not. If anything, it would have just been nice to have left the testing with a sense of accomplishment that could push me through these final phases. Leider nicht...

I got the James Brown test as well and I found it incredibly difficult. Out of the four practice tests I had taken prior, my actual test struck me as much more difficult...and I don't think it was the testing situation (which was, on the whole, exceedingly relaxed...I took the test in Zurich with four other students in the room, none of whom were doing the Lit in English exam). There seemed to be an extraodinary number of questions dealing with Middle English (13 in total, I think...including a number of "translation" and "grammar-esque questions). Also, most of the American literature questions seemed to be the giveaways...Moby Dick (Who is the narrator?) and the opening lines of Absalom, Absalom. All in the all, the comprehension questions seemed overwhelmingly focused on British poetry. That whole identification section that was opening paragraphs to various essays, shoot me. And, what was up with the theory? A few random easy points to pick up and then a whole bit on New Criticism. Are you kidding me? it's just another opportunity for the testmakers to ask even more questions about metaphysical poetry. Not feeling so great about what my scores are going to look like...

I don't know how it is with the programs you're considering, but in my experience, deadlines and decisions happen much later in Europe (at least in Germany). Often times this "apply to all the programs you like and see what happens" method doesn't work because of varying deadlines. As an American who's lived in Germany for the past 4-5 years and earned his MA here, here's my two cents: after blowing so much money on an undergraduate degree, I couldn't bear the thought of going further into debt in the name of getting an advanced degree. So, Germany it was. Four semesters cost me a total of 420 EUR. I saved a ton of money, got a degree from a respected German university, and even ended up getting hired in the department. I understand the fear that programs won't be known beyond Europe (that is, in fact, why I am now applying to PhD programs in the States), but I think you're better off saving your money. If at a later point in time you want to change career paths, you'll in all likelihood have a job record that speaks for itself or you could choose to pursue funded doctoral work somewhere in the States. In short, my motto remains: don't blow your money on an MA in the States when you can get the qualification for next to nothing at most European universities. Best of luck!

Quite honestly, I don't know much about the Irish Studies program at BC. I took one course with James Smith during my time at BC and found him to be a pretty average professor. He also served as my academic advisor for three years and he was nice enough. I'm glad to hear that you weren't just basing your opinion on what one professor said. I gues my response was elicited because I was taken by what teachers and family members had said to me about BC and, as such, pretty much convinced myself that it was where I belonged for my undergraduate years before ever having visited. Then, only too late, I discovered how wrong I was. I thought that information regarding your field was probably spotty and I just wanted to play devil's advocate in case you were someone who hadn't really done their homework on the school. From what you say though, you have and the program seems to be strong; it makes sense because of the heavy Irish Catholic influence at BC. So, my rant wasn't so much meant to belittle the Irish Studies program at BC as it was to highlight the overall feel of BC's campus and, because of its isolation, the inability I felt as a student there to get away from it. I assumed going in that I was so close to Boston that I would always be in the city and campus would just be where I went to class and slept, unfortunately, the city feels really far away and I ended up spending almost all of my time on campus in the BC bubble. In short, I guess what I could have said much more precisely, is that you should really visit the campus, spend a night if you can even, and get a sense of what it feels like to be there everyday.

Isn't there any other program that's also well-ranked that you could see yourself at? I guess I just want to encourage you to not base your decision on an undergraduate professor telling you that it's the best program. Is there such a ranking of Irish Studies programs out there? Have you checked with other people in the field to verify that? And is that as essential as you think? I mean, I know fit isn't as important when doing an MA (vs. a PhD), but what is the difference between #1 and #5? And what's happening with your application in Ireland? Graduate level experience in a foreign environment, especially if that environment is your actual field of study, would be seen as a positive expansion of your worldview and insight into the field by any PhD adcom, IMO. I know I don't know you, so this is completely unsolicited advice, take it for what you will, but you couldn't pay me enough to ever agree to be a student at Boston College again. A doctoral candidate, maybe, because you are there in a different capacity (luckily my aversion to academic incest negates such a possibility even being brought under consideration). But, as an MA student, I can't imagine there will be much separation between you and the undergraduate population. Possibly in coursework, but BC is a bubble that is hard to escape. And as someone who just finished their MA, I found location and overall feel of my university quite important. I spent four years at BC, had some really great professors and some really terrible ones. I also made some great friends who I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. But aside from about a dozen people who make that place redeemable in my eyes, I found it to be filled primarily with vapid, trust fund babies--they call it J Crew U for a reason--and governed by an absent and anti-intellectual administration. Fun fact: BC has the highest percentage of students in the US who pay full tuition, up front, without requiring any financial aid or loans...I can't find the exact statistic right now, but it's some where in the 60 to 70 percent range, I will keep looking. The point being, I think that that sort of wealth and entitlement among the undergraduate community, not to mention the sway it holds over the administration, make BC a place where I would not want to do graduate level work, regardless of how well it's ranked. Stepping of my soapbox, handing you a grain of salt.

just wanted to share my excitement at seeing that (1) someone got a DAAD to go to berlin -- that's where i studied abroad, did my DAAD year, and lived for quite a while -- and that (2) someone got a DAAD to freiburg -- i did my master's here and currently work at the university. welcome to germany! if i can offer any tips on either of the cities let me know. i know freiburg pretty well although i spend most of my time at my desk... it's a beautiful town, great weather, and a pretty good place to do research/study. and, as for berlin, i like to fancy myself an expert on anything and everything regarding the city. it's hands down the best place in the world.