sr0304

totally delayed response and i don't think that it really matters for applicants this year, but for the record, i took out a small loan to apply to several schools. simply because, after punching in some numbers, this would be my last attempt. i would not have been able to apply a second time the following year. long story short, i'm glad i made the investment. i already have choices. so, i wouldn't say taking out a small loan is a bad idea--just find a fixed rate and pay it off asap!

i would wait a couple more weeks. about mid february. if no word at the point, shoot an email that explains your top choices, and that you've received other competitive offers and are planning your campus visits. as you are planning visits, you are hoping for as much information as possible. etc etc good luck!

i had an interview about six days ago that I thought went awful. yesterday, i was admitted. i had an interview over a week ago, wherein I was told i was at the top of the stack of applicants, and haven't heard back. additionally, in regards to the interview over a week ago, i saw someone else was admitted to the program via grad cafe a few days ago. "top of the stack" my foot. but maybe i speak too soon--who knows what delays decisions. they could be interviewing for new hires, running a school-wide conference, arguing for more funding, nominating for fellowships. there are a number of factors that can contribute to a delay

wow, yes, thanks! a good idea to look at how the *department* is a good fit rather than just one professor. and a good idea to avoid boasted job positions that are not tenure-track!

A question on method: While i'm still waiting to hear from most other programs I've applied to, I've been accepted to a some programs as of now. This is a gift, to be sure, and I don't mean to complain--but what specific factors should I consider? Is an elaborate chart on the horizon? Or will this be a Magic 8 Ball thing? I would love to visit these programs, but I don't have the money and work won't let me take off so many days.... thanks!

I would, in all candor, be completely surprised if professors had the time or the concern to navigate through all this information for the sake of a mere possibility that someone has quoted their email. I doubt they care. That being said, unless it's a form email, I don't understand why someone would copy and paste an email conversation. However, the chances of a professor having the time to sift through the constantly updated material is highly unlikely. So I would say no worries.

It happens more often that those who apply for a PhD program are invited to join their MA program. Which I think is programs just trying to rake in more money (unless they still offer you funding). This happening? er....does it? How bizarre...

I am a bit calmer after reading these responses (thanks chaps!). but it may be worth mentioning that the question was put in the context of my application in particular. I roughly quote the interviewer: "So, if someone on our admissions committee thought it was an issue that maybe you loved the classroom too much, like you would never leave." If the question was asked in a context that was broad and more generalized, I would understand. My confusion comes from the question seemingly being directed to my application--perhaps because I have two MAs? I dunno...it didn't sound like "professional student" wasn't a good thing to them. I did add that if the question was directed to my love for learning things about my field, I am guilty as charged. I then further added that i would want to work with professors who never ceased being a "student" because once a professional stops seeking to learn, it is the beginning of the end. Perhaps i was being tested. Okay. I can flow with that. I will say, though, that there are more suave ways of testing. Why not ask, "What do you see yourself specifically doing in the field within the next six-to-ten years?" and see if I have an answer. This whole "What if we thought you were a professional student" thing is still off-putting. either way, i appreciate the more objective POVs ya'll have.

a good question. i have thus far posted all of my admits/interviews immediately. if i get a rejection (which is more than likely) then I plan to wait until there's a string of rejections... y'know...misery loves company and all.

I had an odd interview today with a top ranked program. The first part of the interview was spent addressing a question that completely befuddled me: what would you say to someone who thought you were a professional student? why was I befuddled? i finished my first and second masters in a timely manner, have a publication, have served on committees...if I am a "professional student" then I am working too hard at it. One might say i am working as if i expect to get a job or something. I have, in fact, heard rather the opposite: that I spend too much time on professionalization and that I am "rushing" into the market, which is also a strange claim, but at least one that can be evidenced. The interviewer said I gave a great answer. Then, the final twenty minutes was spent talking about why the program is great and supportive. But all I could think about was--who came up with that lame and--I'll say it--hurtful question? If they were at all considering inviting me into the program, you would think they would be a bit more tactful. Anyways--has anyone else been through an interview wherein they changed their minds about the school they thought was great? Because I was scratching my head for hours thinking, "What was that?" Or am I being too sensitive...

that's the problem with diversity statements...they are this really awkward form of disclosure. i, too, am white and middle class (American) and didn't want to give some story about how it's tough being a girl (it is but...i'm bored with that story). the only thing i could think of was PTSD, which was a really (reaaaaallly) awkward thing to make into a statement. But hey...they started it. Go big or go home. Bam.

it's the American dream? essentially, it's a way for schools to avoid affirmative action. They can say, "Look! Everyone's diverse!"

i don't know if it matters or not...maybe? i was told that for the humanities, it matters more...which makes sense. either way, i was annoyed. i mean, yay diversity, but still.

Great advice above. If I may add, if you don't get in this year (and you don't know yet!), when you apply next year, follow this formula: apply to 1-2 Dream Schools apply to 2-3 Schools You May or May-Not Get In (basically, you're a good fit and you have a decent chance) apply to 2 Schools You Feel Are Shoe-Ins. Given your list of schools, if i were you, i would humble my agenda next year. The programs you applied to are all stellar. Not saying you don't deserve to apply, but you should throw in some smaller-name programs to boot.

UCSD required two diversity statements, which was annoying

if the website encourages contact, go for it--now is fine. regarding the other schools--whatever. some profsesors hate to be contacted during decision-making time because it feels so contrived. your application, cv, statement, and letters of rec should be able to speak for themselves without you sending an email

i've applied to 10 programs and I've heard back from 1 (UNC--Communication Studies) super early--less than 2 weeks after applying. I think typically those in the humanities hear around late jan/early february. one of my top choices, however, doesn't notify you until March. The torture! Of course, if it takes 4 months to make decisions, I can't for the life of me figure out why deadlines are so early. it's like we're being tested.

ohhh this cluster! i wrote a cluster statement for critical theory, proposing that i have seen theory as a service and explaining how i continue that service in my research. i made it compatible with my diversity statement, though i didn't mention my diversity statement. i found a connection though with horkheimer's work on pain.

so, i've gotten my MA in rhet/comp as well as an MA that was more communication-centered. and i spent my undergrad in the english department. i've been to oodles of conferences (NCA, RSA, CCCs, ISHR) given your interests, I would say you most definitely should explore the communication side of things. in composition programs, you will find yourself almost always--lets go ahead and say always--writing about pedagogy, teaching freshman comp, writing in the classroom, writing across the curriculum. rhetorical theory is typically considered in the context of teaching writing. questions about politics are typically grounded in the context of politics in the university or the politics concerning different writing voices. if you do not want to deal with this pedagogical imperative, go communication. if you are very much invested in teaching, writing centers, and literacy, then go for composition-focused programs.

don't lose faith in the applications still under review. if you don't get in, i would think that retaking the GRE would boost your credentials.

i hear that some professors resent being contacted while they make application decisions and it actually hurts their impression of you. truthfully, i wouldn't want to hear from any applicant out of the stack of 190 forms at this time. i would think, "Why now? Why not back in September before they applied to work with me? Clearly, he/she just wants me to remember his/her name." It's difficult to pull off a contact at this time and make it work in your benefit and i don't think it's worth the risk of a bad reception.

amen to that scambra! i have many friends who are blindly optimistic ("why are you stressing?of course you'll get in everywhere") when they really don't understand the process, the degree of commitment, the level of stress. most of my buds (and i love em!) equate grad school with undergrad, downplaying the fact that grad applications are far more competitive and spots in programs are few. sigh. i must admit i feel a kinship with my fellow "crazies." we're really not crazy...just...passionate. haha

i feel like i'm in good company : )

god the vainity in some people makes me wanna gag

this may be an awkward time and place to bring this up, but is this website even healthy? i am not an obsessive, anxious person, and here I am, clicking refresh, fantasizing about getting into my dream schools, looking into acceptances and rejections from programs I don't know anything about, comparing GRE scores to see where I stand... what is happening to me? because if i'm the only one, i need to check myself. and if i'm not the only one, it would be nice to hear from you and be assured that we all take the same dose of crazy pills during this process. i mean, in all candor, part of me wants to post this in the forums to find out how well or poorly everyone else is doing. so shameful.