ishmael

Lame. Who does that?!

What's the deal with the lone waitlist at South Carolina? I haven't heard anything... and my application status is still pending. : /

Thanks, dazedandbemused. It's so absolutely refreshing to hear (or read... haha) actual informed words of encouragement, beyond the standard "You'll get in! You're awesome!" bs. My two closest friends are also applying to grad programs in Communication and Advertising, and they're basically delusional--they think we're all getting in to the same schools, and really are more concerned with moving (far) away from home, moving up in prestige, having something to lord over their peers (we're applying to grad school ,we're better than you, etc) and (supposedly) being able to make vast amounts of money rather than applying because they want to enrich their lives and deeply devote themselves to study. I'm not in it for the (minuscule amount) of money, the title, or the prestige-- I'm applying because I crave knowledge and because I love English literature, not to mention the fact that critical analysis is one of the few things that doesn't make me feel like my soul is being destroyed (a bit much? I'm dramatic). Wow. This is starting to sound like a bad SOP. Haha. In short, thank you for your kind words.

You said it. We're all in need of support... especially those of us with no acceptances! But then again, as Virginia Woolf said, "Nothing thicker than a knife's blade separates happiness from melancholy." Take it as you will.

Ah yes. Slightly grim. Haha. In other news, GradCafe only ups my anxiety. The more I read here, the more I feel unworthy of acceptance... I'M NEVER GETTING IN ANYWHERE. I SUCK AT LIFE, AND WILL BE A BUM. The lack of massacre to-day makes the thought of rejection tomorrow ten times worse. Blah. So... enough of my anxious rambling. Back to Hobbit analysis. Why do I continue to procrastinateeeeee.

Also, bfat, I LOVE YOUR AVATAR PICTURE. It's just so good.

The Bob? Who is... The Bob? Haha. And, of course, what does he say about Fridays?

Well, congrats on the MA! I'm hoping I'm not an outright rejection... :/

Looks like Colorado is sending out rejections... who could've guessed?!

I hope we haven't spoken too soon... haha. Fingers crossed!!!

So far I've not been purged... Keeping my fingers crossed. Maybe we'll get some acceptances tonight? AAAH

My drug of choice will be seven pages on Identity in the Hobbit. Woot.

Wanna take bets on which schools will notify to-morrow? I have a feeling Maryland might be one of them. Last year, they began notifying on Valentine's. Eek.

Oh jeez. I'm only waitlisted here... but this sounds rough. Please do elaborate.

GOOD LUCK! Maybe, if the stars align, we'll both make it and be friends! Haha.

Hey, sign my name at the bottom of this as well. Maryland has love to spare... right? RIGHT?!

So... anyway... looks like there's been no word from UNC Chapel Hill tonight... disappointing.

Um, YES. I wonder if we really will hear tonight... Do programs often notify in the evening?

I've still heard nothing. And... it's way lame. Especially since there've been a few Texas A&M acceptances and a waitlist. :/ And, of course, a few Virginia acceptances, but I never really expected to even make the waitlist there. BUT STILL. It'd be nice to hear ANYTHING.

Gah! Silence is killing me!

This.

My epiphany came in two parts. Mrs. Dalloway ... "For there she was." And confirmed with Moby-Dick. Hence... "Call me Ishmael."

Ah, I think you're right. But still. Anxiety. Haha.

Well. I've always been a huge reader. And I fought my love for literature for years... began undergrad as a theatre major. Finally, after becoming an English minor and with more than a little influence from more than one English prof, I gave in to my true love for lit and criticism. It's really been one of those situations where I denied what I was good at and what I really loved--I think people sometimes run away from their passion, for whatever reason... But two years ago I gave in and double majored... With every lit class I take, I fall deeper in love with lit, criticism, and scholarly writing. I even fought my urge to apply to grad schools until late this summer. I had a prof tell me that, "If anyone should go to grad school, it's you. And even if you just do an MA, you could do worse with two years of your life." I just love gleaning meaning from texts. I love scholarly discussion. You could say that I'm in love with the romance of the English Scholar... totally cliche, I know. But I feel truly alive when I delve into the meaning of a text. Plus, I don't think I could devote my life to some corporate job that I don't really believe in. Many people live life as though they have time... I recognize that there isn't time to wait around to find happiness. So, I came to the realization that I really do want to be a scholar of literature, at whatever cost. Meh, rereading this, I'm horribly cliche. But whatever. Maybe it's the beer talking... haha.

Agh. There are a few UVa phone calls listed... hoping and praying they make a few more calls to-morrow or Monday... Starting to freak. Texas A&M waitlist has been posted as well, but listed as snail mail. My mailing address is listed as my parents' house (my uni address has been in flux... long story... so all my apps have my parents' address in case I ended up moving...) but they're in NOLA until at least Wednesday. And a few South Carolina acceptances have been listed. I've got nothing but silence on my end. Well, in lieu of responses, I have a pitcher of beer. SIGH. PS... Congrats to all that have heard back! I hope I'll join the club next week.