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Hello fellow Grad Cafers, As you can see from my signature (and as I've mentioned on here probably a lot), I'm currently on the waiting list for Michigan's English PhD program, and have been since February 3. I know that the visiting program for admitted students was last week, so I was wondering if anyone around here went to that. If so, I would love to hear impressions of the school, program, faculty, students, place, - anything, really. Michigan is really my top choice at this point, and seems like a wonderful program in so many ways. I would love to hear about others' impressions, and of course where admitted students are in their decisions, leaning towards accepting or declining - or, like me, paralyzed until they hear from one of a zillion programs where they are on a waitlist! Any information or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I'd be glad to talk through PM if anyone is more comfortable doing that. Thanks!

I sent you a PM about your main question. To answer your first question about the job market - it is indeed bad. Really bad in the humanities, and I think just slightly better in the social sciences (though I'm not sure about that). There's a lot of fear-mongering about going to PhD programs in disciplines like ours with no totally obvious application outside of academia, but here's how I think of it and how I've heard people that really seem to have it together say they think of it: my work is inherently valuable to me, and though of course I'm doing this because I want to be a scholar and TT prof more than anything, it's not all about the endgame. Grad school will likely be close to seven years of my life, and if what I'm doing there stops being intrinsically valuable to me, I'll just quit. I currently teach high school English at a truly, truly wonderful private school. I love my job in a lot of ways. A lot of my fellow faculty have PhDs, which are coveted by the school. So no, if anything, having a PhD will qualify you more for some jobs, and teaching high school, particularly at elite high schools, is one. I think it's good, for both practicality and sanity's sake, to have a backup plan or two while still devotedly pursuing the TT path. That means being conscious of trying to build not just skills for academia while in school, but also teaching experience, or things like government jobs or publishing - those things are there, and it's good to take the opportunities. Again, I'm going to keep my eyes on the prize, but dream jobs are so scarce these days that you've got to be honest with yourself and make sure you don't have a TT-or-die attitude, because even at Ivies that's no guarantee. Ending up at a wonderful school like the one I teach at now does not sound like the end of the world to me, if not ideal. And hey, I'd have a PhD, which would raise my earning potential there, plus 6+ years of exploring my meaningful-to-me research questions under my belt (with fond memories of living in poverty). And I'd still have a shot at that dream professorship. Sounds good to me. I think it's important to hang on to that perspective. Good luck!

Generally, it's the university graduate schools, not the individual programs, that use GRE scores to determine scholarships and funding (obviously there are exceptions, but I'm pretty sure this is generally the case). And in that case, it's not going to be the subject score they look at, but the general test scores. Since they are using that as a standard to determine funding across disciplines - from biochemistry to comparative literature - they won't look at subject scores, as not all students have those and at any rate don't have the same ones. Basically, it seems to me that as a general rule, departments, knowing what actually matters in producing successful scholars, will look at the more nuanced and intangible standards of comparison - writing sample, SoP, and LoRs, in other words. And voila! Admissions itself is based mostly on that. Not that the objective stuff doesn't matter at all to them, but it's the grad school that will force them to standardize things by using numbers. But when you go beyond the department's admissions decisions into something university-wide like graduate school fellowships and funding, what will matter will be the most standardized standard possible, which is the General GRE (flawed as that is!). Of course, a lot of individual departments get to fund at their discretion, and will then go again to the more substantive intangibles to determine funding.

Good lord, I hope this is true. It seems, though, that I only have as good of a chance of getting off a waitlist as I do at any of the three individual programs. Statisticians?

I know it's tempting to feel like this, but I've been told repeatedly that a waitlist doesn't mean they want you less, but that they want you but just didn't have the space for you. If they didn't want you, they would have just rejected you - with the volume of applications programs get, they are looking for reasons to reject and would happily do so if they found anything less than very desirable. Also, I've heard that the particulars of the admissions process totally disappear once you get to campus, so I wouldn't worry about any hierarchy. It's a fresh start in the fall. That said, being on waitlists (especially multiple waitlists, and especially from your favorite programs) sucks. I"m on two plus one first-year funding waitlist, all at my top 3 choices. Thank the lord I am accepted at my fourth choice (I applied to 12 programs) or I'd go batsh*t crazy from waiting. The problem with waitlists is that you feel like you don't really have the right to weigh pros and cons of programs, because you haven't been accepted yet and it might just be a waste of time! It's this awful state of paralysis. And all this buildup could just end in rejections - not with a bang, but a whimper. I just hope people start making decisions soon. I do sympathize with wavering, as I do that as well, and they have every right to do so. But it would be crappy to have to make a decision in a day or so, like April 14. Though that would be better than not getting to make a decision at all!

I understand what you're saying, but I think this sort of misses the point. Of course your accomplishments matter - but not for the reasons you seem to imply. They matter inasmuch as they attest to what sort of scholar you are, what sort of writing you are capable of producing and what sort of ideas for projects you are capable of conceiving. But it's the writing itself that matters - if your writing "consistently won awards," shouldn't it be able to speak for itself? First and foremost, your writing sample and SoP have to impress them, independent of knowing anything else about you. Then, they can look at your C.V. and say, "oh, okay, this awesome piece of writing was not a fluke - she consistently produces this level of work." The awards and pubs are ornamentation, "icing," as lily calls it, perhaps derived from something substantial (the quality of the work itself) - but without concrete evidence of that substance, it seems pretty hollow. Icing without cake (blech)! And it's not about false humility. Presumably, you didn't spend time away from your kids' band concerts and games because you wanted to get an award, but because you were deeply invested in your work, the substance. The awards or the fact that you got it published are offshoots of that, but even without the decoration, the substance of the work would be the same. So that's what your SoP should mostly be talking about. But they do have your C.V., so it's not like it's totally absent from your application! It's thinking that it should carry more weight than that that seems problematic. Being too invested in what you got as a result of the work is perhaps what comes off as "arrogant" because it indicates that you think what matters is the icing, rather than the cake (to stretch the metaphor). Frankly, when I've gotten awards, I've been like, "Oh! Cool!" but what I really cared about was the piece I had produced, and what I said, the process I had gone through, and what I had gained as a scholar. That's the part that matters, and I suppose that is inherently more humble, but not falsely so - it's just less about the competition that you beat out and more about the inherent value of what you did. I mean, there is a good reason that people dislike arrogance: it indicates a focus on the wrong things. This is actually one aspect of the admissions process I like - the part where they look to the substance itself, the product, rather than things that could be evidence of substance (grades, scores, awards, etc.). With publications, I can see how it's slightly different in some cases, because it speaks to some sort of professionalization. If it's important to your narrative, I think it would be fine to discuss what you learned from preparing an article for publication and it wouldn't necessarily look arrogant. But it just can't be all about the end game. Jae B's suggestions are good because they re-focus it back to the substance and content itself, not the ornamentation.

I'm in the same situation at U Wisconsin-Madison, accepted but on a waitlist for first-year funding (everyone is fully funded through teaching assistantships after that). I was told that there are "only a few people ahead of" me in line for that funding, but there are just no guarantees and it totally depends on the decisions of others. So I am left to ponder the malleable definition of "a few" and hope that "a few" people who got funded offers soon accept offers at Harvardstanfordyale!

Just in the C.V. I mean, the way I see it, that's cool that other people thought you were awesome and gave you awards, but that doesn't really matter. What matters is that the adcomm judges you as awesome now, independent of that - as a general rule, they're not going to weigh other people's opinions too heavily (except for your LoRs, which will tell them about aspects of you that they can't ascertain or judge from just reading your writing). This is especially true for English, where they have your writing sample in front of them. They are capable of judging it and you, and constantly reinforcing awards or even publications, unless it's necessary to mention for the story you're telling, could come off as insecure, I think. So no, I didn't say "in my award-winning thesis..." because that's unnecessary since it's in my C.V., and they have that "award-winning" writing to judge for themselves. It also changes the tone, and by the mere shift in focus could suggest that you see the work as valuable because it got you an award, or that you're more invested in what it got you or where it ended up than the work itself - you see what I'm saying? The SoP should be much more earnest in tone, not really focused on telling how decorated you are but on demonstrating in an observable way how much direction, drive, creativity, etc. you have, as well as how deeply invested you are in your work. And again, focused on the future instead of the past. The bottom line is that they aren't going to care much about awards - none of that is going to get you in. Just the raw writing itself! Also, where are you getting that your approach was deemed "arrogance"? Did an adcomm tell you that?!

Congrats! Good to hear that there's movement happening over there! And yes, to those who did hear that they are high up on the list, I think it's sincere - my waitlist email included no such suggestion, talking in terms of "possibility" instead of probability. So they're not telling everyone that. Rumor has it that UVa tightly controls their matriculation rate and generally goes fairly deep into the waitlist. I'm hoping that holds true this year, and that it's deep enough to get to me - I'm still clinging to that "possibility"!

I would say that yes, you should tell him about the solid offer you have. And there's nothing wrong with using it as leverage! People do it all the time, and it works. I mean, do it graciously and tactfully, but definitely tell him about the other offer. Tell him that, were you to receive an offer from his program, you would take it - that's the golden sentence, and if you can say it honestly, do! Then tell him that you do have another offer on the table, and need to let them know pretty soon. That way he knows that he has to compete for you and that it is time-sensitive, but that you're there if they want you - which is exactly the case.

I, too, caved, and was notified that I've been placed on the waitlist. I get the feeling that it might be a long one, so I'm afraid to be optimistic. But I would LOVE to go to UVa - such a great program and lovely place. Anyone have any info on the waitlist? Or want to commiserate with me in Limbo? I'm waitlisted at 2 programs and for first-year funding at the third.

It's called Impostor Syndrome, and it's very, very common amongst us soon-to-be grads. At a recent admitted students visit, a current grad student on a student panel even addressed it, saying, "at some point, someone in a seminar will say something that is just completely intimidating, because it's brilliant and you don't know what theory s/he is familiar with and talking about. But you're here for a reason, and everyone was once in your shoes, and you will get there and be the intimidating one yourself." That was comforting.

Medievalmaniac, I really don't think that the SoP is the right place to explain your coursework, unless it has direct relevance to the narrative you're writing about your development. I just attached a sheet with all my applications called "Undergraduate Coursework in Literature" or "Relevant Coursework," and then divide it up into "English" and "French." Under each category, I had the course number, the actual full title, the prof, and my grade in it. That way they can cross-reference with my transcript if they want, but they have the important info that they'll really be mining my transcript for isolated for them already. And I didn't have to take up precious space in my SoP explaining them. As for what I did in my SoP that I think worked, I have some perspective on that, having been roundly rejected two years ago and pretty decent success this round (though UVa and U Washington, what is UP?! Still waiting on them). I really think the difference between my two SoPs is the big thing that made the difference, as my numbers and other qualifications (and even most of my writing sample, though I edited it) are the same. So here's what I think made the difference, in three alliterative categories: 1. Focus. Like it or not, they want to be able to categorize you. You can have secondary interests, but they have to be clearly secondary and bear some relation to your main focus. Last time I tried to tell too many stories of my development, and there were too many directions I could go in. This was partially a reflection of where I was at the time, and honestly I think they were right to reject me straight out of undergrad - I needed some time to reflect, to think about what I actually wanted to do in the field. Now that I have, my SoP reflects that clearer sense of direction and purpose. 2. Fit. Everyone tells you this, but it's true. I spent a lot more time really researching profs on the websites, then looking up and scanning through a few key articles, and skimming through the courses they taught. It really gives you a better idea of whether their interests and methodologies ACTUALLY fit yours, or whether it just looks like that on paper. I then tailored my fit paragraph to show how multiple faculty members could support my research interests (this may be English-specific, as in other non-humanitites disciplines you are applying to work with one advisor). Also, if the department has a pet methodology, it's helpful to know that - they'll look for students who fit that bill. Interdisciplinary programs that faculty are involved in and subfield/methodologically-specific colloquia, etc. are also things to look for. 3. Future. This could vary, depending on how much of an academic past you have, but for me what helped was focusing discussing even my past towards showing how it formed a trajectory for the future. I've said in other places around here that the best advice I got for my SoP was that you should think about demonstrating that you are capable of conceiving of a larger project; whether or not you end up doing that project is irrelevant, as you probably won't and the adcomm is well aware of that - the point is that you are CAPABLE of conceiving of a future direction for yourself. I focused on telling a story (i.e. "I'm interested in the relationship to place in Modernist literature") and cutting all details of my past that didn't mesh with that. So by the end I was able to say look! What I discussed doing in paragraphs x (gloss of relevant coursework/advisors, focus), y (challenges and triumphs of writing my thesis and learning theory), and z (teaching, living different places) all feed into the project I'm proposing in this last paragraph (though the project was sufficiently broad so as not to pigeonhole me). I said that I wanted to go in certain different directions, but it was clear that it would be a continuation of my development, not starting anew. They want to see that you are capable of functioning independently as an academic (should be demonstrated by your past and by the fact that you can independently come up with good future directions), but that they have something to offer in terms of guiding you. Hope that helps!

Poor Brit-Brit! Personally, I still love her. Anyway, I really agree with neuroJ's response. Literature has a lot to say about the "why," and as others have pointed out, reading literature tells us a lot about who we are, both as individuals and as societies, why we think the way we do, and why living matters. That storytelling and language in general is one of our most basic instincts is meaningful. It's the way we understand ourselves. I think that a life spent with an eye towards the purpose of understanding is well worth it. And no, the practical applications aren't immediately obvious, but they are there, and I think they are powerful.

Just got my rejection tonight. Not disappointed. When I applied (3.5 months ago!) I thought it was a good fit as there were two profs' work that I had admired, but came to realize that the program's structure and general tilt is just way too quirky/radical/nontraditional for what I want to do. I'm sure they picked up on that!

Funny you ask, because I just got an email from Colin Milburn about this, and maybe you did as well? It said it does not appear that "we" were successful in the campus-wide fellowship competition, amd that those fellowships generally go to science students. He had told me that was usually the case last month when I asked more about it, so that's not a surprise. But to compensate, the department is offering a supplementary fellowship for the first year, which increases the stipend by about a quarter. I assume they'll do that for all the fellowship nominees that don't win the university-wide competition. So that's nice, even if it's just for the first year! I'm definitely doing more research, but I've heard that the $16,300 is enough to live on pretty comfortably there. Does anyone know if it increases in later years, or is it a set rate?

It does - thank you! Oh man, though, I'm still terrified to email, but maybe I should just to know one way or the other. I just hope they figure it out and let us know soon!

Does anyone else think it's strange how, according to the results page, no less than two people have emailed the department to ask about the decision timeline and have gotten rejections in return? As another poster on the page noted, that must mean they have a bunch of rejections they are just sitting on, right? I'm tempted to email them as well, but I find the concept of soliciting my own rejection a bit repellent. And plus, I have a paranoid fear that they are just sending out rejections to anyone who inquires. They're the last school I am waiting to hear from aside from the program where I'm on a waitlist that I really, really care about, and I guess I kind of want to hold out hope of at least a waitlist as long as possible. But I do wish they would notify if they know. The fact that they haven't sent out rejections must mean there are some decisions still pending, right? What do y'all think? I guess I'm just looking for speculation and theories on what the method behind this madness is.

Yes - this is the thing to really keep in mind: the only reason "rank" matters is for job placement. These programs are ranked purely based on surveys filled out by people in the field - the same people that do the hiring. It would be crazy, for example, to take an offer from a school ranked in the top 15 or so over one in the top 30 if the one in the top 30 has better placement rates. Treating the rankings list like it is precise and indicative of something other than a randomly-selected group of academics' nebulous concept of prestige doesn't make sense - what matters (aside from, obviously, the while-you're-there factors) is whether it will get you where you want to go. After my first unsuccessful round and subsequently deciding to widen my net a bit, I spent a long time thinking about what I would do if I was accepted at only a school with not-so-hot job placement. I decided this was not really what I wanted, but that if I went through round #2 will all rejections from top programs, I still wanted to pursue a Ph.D. somewhere, as long as it was a good fit for me. I'd continue to aim for the tenure track dream, but keep in mind that I might not end reaching it. I had alternative options in mind (Plan Bs) that I could live with where a Ph.D. in English wouldn't have been a waste of time (though I do think it has intrinsic worth as well). That's not to say that it's impossible to get a great academic position coming from a less prestigious program. It is possible, and I would have worked hard to achieve that. But if you're being realistic, it's a lot less likely, and it's only wise to consider the idea that you might be signing up for a different type of future if you accept a position at a program whose TT placement rate is 20% versus one whose rate is 65%. If you can live with that, great, and forget about the people who say non-top-tier humanities Ph.D.s aren't worth it. It becomes more tied to your specific situation and expectations/goals the lower-ranked (meaning lower placement rates) you go. Now, luckily it didn't happen for me, and I don't think I yet have to face the question of Plan Bs (though man, I really need to carefully research placement rates at the schools where I'm accepted!). But who knows, with the job market the way it is, I think it's always good to be aware of other paths, even when you are determined - as I certainly am - to get an eventual academic dream job. But always know what you're getting into.

I'm going to GASP, and also very excited! Are you all staying the whole time? The only way I could swing it was to get there Sunday afternoon, and fly out of Madison on Tuesday afternoon - it seems like the major events are Sunday and Monday anyway. I have been impressed with how organized they are as well, setting us up with hosts that match our interests and sending us a list of students with similar interests - that was nice! Have any of you contacted anyone on that list to ask questions? What else have you done to get ready? I feel like I should read more faculty work. It's my first visit and I'm definitely a bit nervous. Anybody have thoughts on funding/the financial situation? That remains my major concern with the program, because everything else looks fantastic. They did tell me they believe everyone will be funded this year, though, when all is said and done - but that's still up in the air. First year PAship funding for me is still pending. I'm trying to figure out what to pack, but coming from Louisiana is seriously skewing my idea of what appropriate cold weather clothes are like. I'm psyched to see Madison, though. As far as identifying each other...well, I'll make it simple. PM me and I'll tell you my name!

Me too. And yes speedracer, it is the "Sent to Department" part that changes to "Graduate School Final Review" and then "Decision Made." One that happens a link appears underneath that clicks through to a rejection letter. I'm sure they are just going through in rounds. I'm just glad to know! One less to wait on - three to go.

Mine also says "Graduate School Final Review." I'm thinking that's not a good sign...but who knows.

I think the thing to think about is that you don't want to leave your application season with any regrets. No one is saying you should spend hundreds of dollars on top-20 applications. But if you've identified Cornell and Michigan as great fits, why not just go for those two? The rest of your applications can be at those programs you consider more "realistic," but if you at least toss your hat in the ring, you won't have to think, "What if...?" I, personally, regret not applying to Harvard this year. Obviously, the chance that I would have gotten in is miniscule, but it's a good fit for my interests and I just got caught in that, "It's HARVARD - what's the point?" thinking. But that just doesn't apply in this crazy process. I applied to only top-20 programs in my first round two years ago, and was feeling chastised after universal rejections. I've gotten into programs I was rejected from last time this round. However, though I got into one program I considered pretty "safe," I'm pretty sure I'm rejected from another that is ranked about the same as it. I'm in at one top-20 and waitlisted at another. You just can't rely on US News like that. My acceptances and rejections don't seem to have a huge amount of correlation with those rankings - though they do with my own "fit" ranking! And it's not true that all top-20 programs are good fits for everybody (or even most people). There are only a few that really have people I could work with and whose general approach fits my own. So if you find one that's a good fit, go for it!

I also received an offer from Oregon. Today, I declined it. I would have loved to make it to the visiting weekend (not least of all because I've always wanted to visit the Pacific Northwest!), but I'm in a wedding this weekend followed by another visit, and became increasingly sure I wouldn't be accepting it over the other offers I have in hand, especially without visiting. I told myself I was going to wait until I had heard from all my schools, but as many programs seem to be notifying rather late this year and I'm still waiting on four, I figured I should do my part to put any hopeful Oregon waitlisters out of their misery (I'm on one myself), so I hope my declining results in an acceptance for someone else out there deserving! Oregon seems like a lovely program. Good luck!

No news here either. It is pretty crazy that it's March 7 and there hasn't been a peep from them on the results board. Of course that's the case for three of my schools. It's tough not knowing at this point - we've gotta make plans!