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iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns

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  1. Upvote
    iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns got a reaction from slightlymoreanonymous in Which program to choose?! An appeal for your insight:)   
    It sounds like you could be happy and successful in each program - I don't think there is a "wrong" answer here.
    What's the old adage, "flip a coin because in that moment you'll know which one you want"? 
  2. Upvote
    iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns reacted to Scarlet A+ in Purdue Vs. University of Alabama   
    I visited Alabama, and I thought to myself, I could really see myself making this work. The conference budget is huge, the gender and sexuality classes are interesting (if still in their early stages), and I have at least one big name, Trudier Harris, to make my mentor/recommendation letter, even though she studies something different (African American lit and southern lit). Best of all, my girlfriend got in. 
    Then I got into Purdue. In the last two years all of their MA students got into top 20 PhD programs, there are 15+ well known faculty that teach my interests, and they have wonderful resources that help with publication. 
    On paper, the choice seems obvious. I'd be happy with my girlfriend at UA, and they have the resources to help me make something of myself, if I'm hard-working and self-driven. But Purdue increases my odds in a very tangible, real way, of succeeding in a terrible job market. 
    Can I afford to take the risk? And am I a horrible person for being angry that UA is perfect for my girlfriend's interests (southern studies), when it's so risky for mine? She doesn't even want to be a professor!! 
    I felt so sure about UA, but Purdue seems so perfect, so tailor-made for me in ways I didn't anticipate. 
    Can I really get into a great PhD program from UA? I hate myself for entertaining the possibility of risking my future career for a relationship. 
    I need impossible guarantees. Fuck, I need for this to be over. Maybe this belonged on the vent page. I'll probably regret writing this, but I don't really have anyone to talk to, and I really need input. 
    Tell me I'm an idiot for considering turning down Purdue. Or tell me UA has a good record or placing students in top PhD programs, outside of the south. Tell me something. 
  3. Upvote
    iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns reacted to Dr. Old Bill in Soliciting Advice on my Decision   
    Not to cherry-pick from your post, but I just thought I'd answer this one item with a resounding NO! It's not a bad thing at all! I'm actually rather annoyed at your mentors on your behalf. You can't underestimate the value of a support system, and making a decision that is even partially based on personal factors is perfectly valid. In this case, you've got two amazing programs vying for your attendance, so there's really no reason why the personal elements shouldn't be a crucial factor for you.

    I also second what everyone else has said, though @Warelin in particular is wise to point out that your interests can (and likely will) change a bit. So while it's important to go to a program for the people, just bear in mind that you also want to attend a program that will allow you some flexibility.

     
  4. Upvote
    iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns reacted to methodinmadness in Fall 2017 Applicants   
    Longtime lurker, first time posting...
    Accepted to University of Louisville (English--Rhetoric and Composition)! I was absolutely not expecting to hear from them so early, so the email took me completely by surprise.  I'm very pleased though!  Now back to being on pins and needles until OSU starts sending offers...
  5. Upvote
    iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns reacted to echo449 in Where to begin?   
    Okay, I do not want to be a killjoy here, but have you considered other Master's programs? The Columbia program only offers, at best, a scholarship for tuition. Are you able to pay out of pocket for this degree, or will you be taking out loans for it? If you have a bunch of money saved, or can live with family while attending the program, that would make a difference. BUT! If you do not, then you should think about applying to funded Masters programs (e.g., Villanova or Maryland), or even PhD programs.
    Just to address some other random things in your post: Your extra-curricular publishing will look nice, but it's not going to be super helpful overall--academic publishing is much more important for our field than those places, though I do think they will make you a more interesting candidate, all things being equal. Most writing samples are 20-30 pages long. Your GPA matters a lot less than you think for the Columbia masters program...in large part because it is unfunded, and so is less competitive. Also, plenty of people get into top schools with GPAs that are imperfect; you have to remember that the quality of your scholarly writing and letters of rec can make up a lot of ground.

    Anyways, just to reiterate: please, please be aware of the financial costs involved in an unfunded degree. 
  6. Upvote
    iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns reacted to Dr. Old Bill in Fall 2017 Applicants   
    It's hard to believe it's that time already, but I'm guessing I'm not alone in planning for the 2017 application cycle this fall.
    Barring any unforeseen bumps in the road, I'll be finishing my M.A. at UMD next spring, meaning I will only be applying to Ph.D. programs. I'm hoping the M.A. will give me a better outcome than last time (even though I will always contend that this M.A. path has helped FAR more than hindered).
    I'm an early modernist, and plan to apply to about a dozen programs. UMD will be one. Johns Hopkins will probably be another. George Washington will be a third. Princeton and Yale are almost certainties for me too. I'm dithering on whether I want to keep a relatively tight geographic tether on where I apply (within eight hours of where I currently live, for instance). I'll figure that out over the summer.
    Anyhow, good luck to those of you applying for fall 2017 -- especially those of you who will be taking another kick at the can!
  7. Upvote
    iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns reacted to CrashJupiter in 2016 Acceptance Thread   
    I'm a mostly lurker, especially this season, but I am excited to say I accepted an offer at Louisville. 
    Not sure if any of you remember, but in the 2014/15 season, I went 0 for 8, so Ibe spent the last year out of academia. This season, I did the silly, risky thing of applying to only one school, both because I fell in love with the program (bad idea!) and was still a bit burnt out and let down by last year. 
    Just in case any of you are in the "I didn't get in anywhere" boat: it's not the end of the world. It's not the end of your academic career. It's almost definitely not a judgement on you. You've got around 8 months to really investigate programs, really figure out "fit," and polish up the things you wrote most recently, which are likely to be the best you've written so far.
  8. Upvote
    iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns got a reaction from profhopes in Fully Funded Masters in Rhetoric and Composition   
    In no particular order

    Miami of Ohio
    University of Louisille
    Eastern Michigan University
    Ohio University
    Michigan State University

    And more

    but also The Master's Degree Consortium is a good place to check: http://www.mdcwss.com/directory/
  9. Upvote
    iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns reacted to bhr in 2016 Acceptance Thread   
    Well, it's done. I've turned down my other offers and accepted a PhD slot at my MA school. Time to celebrate with beer
  10. Upvote
    iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns got a reaction from sarah9 in Fully Funded Masters in Rhetoric and Composition   
    In no particular order

    Miami of Ohio
    University of Louisille
    Eastern Michigan University
    Ohio University
    Michigan State University

    And more

    but also The Master's Degree Consortium is a good place to check: http://www.mdcwss.com/directory/
  11. Upvote
    iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns got a reaction from mk-8 in which major has the smartest students?   
    I don't see the purpose behind having this sort of conversation with this particular medium of communication.

    Nevertheless. I'm going to measure smarts by perceived happiness - because being happy is awesome. If you're a smart person you'll figure out a way to be happy.

    So to hell with vocab, maths, etc.

    Now this is only anecdotal: the happiest guy I ever met was a high school drop out. He worked various odd jobs - coffee shop, customer service, construction, and more. 
     
    because the question forces the answer to be a type of major and not advice such as, "Drop-out and don't go to college"  I have to search for the major that puts you in a similar position as this guy.

    Hmmm.


    No marketable skills.
    No job security.

    AHA!

    I have concluded. The happiest major is a humanties PhD... probably within some sort of Rhetoric sub-field.


    Lucky me!
  12. Upvote
    iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns reacted to Dr. Old Bill in 2016 Acceptance Thread   
    Between applications from @hello_kitty and @'Cat'erburyTales, I wonder if the university will be changing its name to PURRdue.
    Get it? Purr? Kitty? Cat?
    No?
     
    *crickets*
     
    I'll see myself out.
  13. Upvote
    iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns reacted to ProfLorax in University of Maryland, College Park   
    It was so nice to meet you all! Hope you enjoyed my out-of-breath tour. Let me know if you have any lingering questions! 
  14. Upvote
    iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns reacted to klader in Waitlist Movements   
    I decided to be brave today and ask the DGS of U. New Mexico where I am on the waitlist for funding. She told me that I'm #1 on the list and that they'll probably know if they can offer me funding in the next few weeks!
    Sometimes being brave is a good thing.
  15. Upvote
    iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns got a reaction from Dr. Old Bill in University of Maryland, College Park   
    I think I'll be there!
    I'd really like to see:
    The writing center + other various writing spaces
    The graduate student lounge (the official space + any sort of unofficial "we always seem to end up here" spaces)
    The graduate teaching people offices
    Some of the MITH stuff (and perhaps places where MITH stuff happens)
    and whatever sort of access grad-students and undergrads have to technology resources.
     
  16. Upvote
    iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns got a reaction from empress-marmot in MA Program Rankings   
    Uh, count me as the "pumping the brakes a bit on the money guy".
    Obviously it's important and for what it's worth, I'm sure when we say "money" or "funding" we mean: the means to live/survive with minimum struggle in that specific location. 
    23k in LA isn't necessarily better than 17k in Small-town, USA. 
    money is great - but unless you're able to do something useful with the extra cash (pay off loans, save for a house, conference travel) anything beyond living expenses is sorta a "push" for me. 
    But - getting a fellowship and the extra money probably makes you feel like an up-and-coming academic rockstar - and that's totally significant and totally worth something (to me, anyways). 
  17. Upvote
    iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns reacted to ProfLorax in MA Program Rankings   
    I agree, BowTies, and I think there are other considerations as well (faculty, preparation for PhD program, courses offered). I guess I'm assuming that the OP has done cost of living type calculations in relation to funding. 
    But in the question over if ranking should trump funding? Funding (in relation to cost of living) should win out any day with MA programs. Basically, I am just trying to emphasize over and over: ranking should not be a consideration when choosing an MA program.
  18. Upvote
    iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns got a reaction from EmmaJava in MA Program Rankings   
    Uh, count me as the "pumping the brakes a bit on the money guy".
    Obviously it's important and for what it's worth, I'm sure when we say "money" or "funding" we mean: the means to live/survive with minimum struggle in that specific location. 
    23k in LA isn't necessarily better than 17k in Small-town, USA. 
    money is great - but unless you're able to do something useful with the extra cash (pay off loans, save for a house, conference travel) anything beyond living expenses is sorta a "push" for me. 
    But - getting a fellowship and the extra money probably makes you feel like an up-and-coming academic rockstar - and that's totally significant and totally worth something (to me, anyways). 
  19. Upvote
    iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns got a reaction from ProfLorax in MA Program Rankings   
    Uh, count me as the "pumping the brakes a bit on the money guy".
    Obviously it's important and for what it's worth, I'm sure when we say "money" or "funding" we mean: the means to live/survive with minimum struggle in that specific location. 
    23k in LA isn't necessarily better than 17k in Small-town, USA. 
    money is great - but unless you're able to do something useful with the extra cash (pay off loans, save for a house, conference travel) anything beyond living expenses is sorta a "push" for me. 
    But - getting a fellowship and the extra money probably makes you feel like an up-and-coming academic rockstar - and that's totally significant and totally worth something (to me, anyways). 
  20. Upvote
    iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns got a reaction from CuddlyWingman in which major has the smartest students?   
    I don't see the purpose behind having this sort of conversation with this particular medium of communication.

    Nevertheless. I'm going to measure smarts by perceived happiness - because being happy is awesome. If you're a smart person you'll figure out a way to be happy.

    So to hell with vocab, maths, etc.

    Now this is only anecdotal: the happiest guy I ever met was a high school drop out. He worked various odd jobs - coffee shop, customer service, construction, and more. 
     
    because the question forces the answer to be a type of major and not advice such as, "Drop-out and don't go to college"  I have to search for the major that puts you in a similar position as this guy.

    Hmmm.


    No marketable skills.
    No job security.

    AHA!

    I have concluded. The happiest major is a humanties PhD... probably within some sort of Rhetoric sub-field.


    Lucky me!
  21. Upvote
    iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns reacted to klader in 2016 Acceptance Thread   
    I already got accepted, but I received another congratulatory email this weekend from a professor in the one school's department whose work I read and who I really admire, so I started mildly fan-girling because he told me that I was welcome to call or email him to ask any questions and that he hoped to see me in his seminar in the fall. I just felt so honored and so giddy!
    I'm still waiting on other schools, but these people make me wanna accept right away!!
  22. Upvote
    iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns reacted to WendyWonderland in 2016 Acceptance Thread   
    Congrats on everyone being accepted! I am currently having a huge headache from over-drinking at the Super Bowl party. I feel that the best thing to do is to sleep now. It has been a very quiet weekend. Getting ready for the mid February storm. I think it's time for all the UCs to send me rejections. Brace myself! Hope more ppl post in this thread tomorrow. 
  23. Upvote
    iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns reacted to ProfLorax in University of Maryland, College Park   
    I know Ralph is busy matching admits and waitlisters with students and faculty, but in case you felt more comfortable asking questions here, please go ahead! I'm a third year PhD student in the program. I am on the rhet/comp track but am an English student, so I can answer most questions about the department and program in general. Also, I can try to answer questions about where the heck to live, probably the most common question current students get. 
  24. Upvote
    iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns got a reaction from Dr. Old Bill in 2016 Acceptance Thread   
    Hiya!
    Congrats to all you
    Composition and Rhetoric and Languaging and Writing kinda person here.

    I've been quiet lately. But I've got a few acceptances now.

    I can claim:
    a Louisville acceptance / a Nebraska acceptance / a Madison waitlist / a UMD waitlist.
     
  25. Upvote
    iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns got a reaction from ProfLorax in Visit Weekends for Waitlisters   
    But you're not an unworthy runner-up.

    You're totally worthy (whatever that means) and this much is reflected in the invitation. If you go there or if you go somewhere else, you're all in the same wheelhouse doing similar work. So yeah, take that opportunity to get to know them and let them get to know you.
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