w2010

I have officially made my decision! I am going to Indiana University for 19th-century transatlantic fiction. I will be declining offers from Wisconsin, Illinois-UC, U-Mass Amherst, and Ohio State. Good luck to everyone still waiting on decisions!

I somehow doubt that he would be teaching a comp course. Can you imagine how many freshmen girls would be killing each other to get into it? Second--I am almost positive that he does not have to pay. Fame also brings press, and I know (although a slightly different circumstance)the year after Prince William entered St. Andrew's their application numbers jumped like 300%. I am sure someone out there will want to go to Yale because he is going there. Whoever posted the fiction piece by him--thank you, that made my day. I am a little miffed that some of my friends already think getting an English PhD is a piece of cake. Now that they let Franco in, it just affirms their skewed belief. Oh James Franco, you are rendering my career choice ridiculous in the eyes of non-lit majors.

Hey Maria, I am finishing up my undergrad at Illinois. It is a great program, although I am not sure if the English Department is separate from comparative literature at the grad level. I would not worry too much about funding. Although we have had a few problems this year with the state giving the public institutions the tax money they usually get, Illinois is in much better condition than a lot of other state institutions right now. California and Wisconsin come to mind (the latter I checked out for grad school and their provost or chancellor remarked about some faculty having to take several unpaid furlough days within the semester). Illinois has amazing faculty, and although I do not know what period you are interested in, I know that we have remarkably strong professors in Modernism (especially Irish literature), theory, and early and nineteenth-century American literature. If you have been offered funding, I would say visit. Illinois has always been very generous with their packages once you are in. Most English majors have the option of a funded seventh year if they need one to finish their dissertation. I myself was guaranteed six years of funding (and the teaching load is about the same for any state institution--less than others I had been looking into when I applied). If you feel comfortable here, let the DGS know how serious you are. I'm sure they will be very lucky to have you

so excited to meet you guys also! I would have to say that my biggest concern is funding also. A bit hazy on that end.

I received an offer from Illinois for the MA/PHD program. I live in Champaign and am finishing my undergrad in English. That could explain my early response (and the fact that it only has to travel 4 blocks from the English Building to my mailbox).

Hey Enide-- I am pretty sure that there is one alternate in each area--I do want to visit, but I don't want to get my hopes up!

Thanks so much everyone!!!! I'm crossing my fingers for all of you!!! My status has not changed online. No idea what that means...

So sorry guys-- I've been working on my senior thesis and have been away from my computer, otherwise I would have commented earlier. I received a phone call last night from a professor on the Admissions committee. I was informed that I had been awarded a fellowship (so I think that may be why I was contacted early). No word on how many people they were admitting and such. I don't think that they have contacted the majority of the admitted students yet, so don't give up hope!

Whew! That was a tough one to figure out. And all for nothing. "No Decision."

Anyone want to claim the U of I acceptance? Is there any information about how many they are taking this season? I am just interested because I am finishing my undergrad there and the program is AMAZING! Almost every period has strong (and extremely nice) faculty.