w2010

Haha--I did also!

To the IU admit-- Did they mention how many they are taking this year? I really liked their program in 19th century.

divinemg-- I am very excited to meet everyone also! We seem to have similar interests. I am nineteenth-century (B & A) and am interested in history of science, medicine, and law. Meet you soon (and hopefully we can get the pesky "funding" questions out of the way!)

Hey U-W acceptances, Have you guys received the very large yet still extremely vague packet about funding, visiting, etc. I was very confused and wondered if any one else was also. It seems like they were just talking about their standard funding package, but I don't know. Also, I was on their chancellor's website, and it seems that faculty/staff/etc. have had to take 9 furlough days this past academic year. That is not a good sign (I think), but I wanted to hear some other opinions. Also, does anyone have an idea about how big the class size is supposed to be? Also, are you going to attend the visiting weekend? Sorry this is such a long post, but I am really excited to visit and I want to prepare before visiting (have all the right questions, etc.)

Venetia, I think I will join you in your optimism.

I think that is horrible. I felt really bad talking to some of the people at the different programs because they sounded so harried. This time of the year I am sure must consistently rank as their least favorite. I know I couldn't do this every year (even if I was on the other end of the process).

So...to lighten the mood: I had called last Friday to check on the status of some of my apps. Overall, a pretty disappointing venture. I was really surprised that the majority of the faculty or staff I talked to sounded frightened to talk to me. These are my theories: 1. The English Departments at various schools are holding their admissions committees hostage. My inquiries were blown off because those in the department were in the midst of tender negotiations over securing food and/or water and bathroom breaks. They have not been allowed to see their families since the last week in January. 2. Everyone I talk to is frightened to tell any inquiring applicant that they are rejected--this is because someone either threatened over the phone to consume a gallon of ice cream in retaliation OR they somehow fear that one of us is extremely talented at casting voodoo curses. Needless to say, neither is true and we are calling just so we can go to sleep at night reassuring ourselves that no relationship will ever be as abusively cruel as that between us and English grad school applications. 3. Because our parents' generation has told us all our lives that we were truly special and "everyone is a winner," the admissions committees fear that breaking the collective bubble of our youthful naiveté will result in a galactic catastrophe the likes of which has never been seen. Either of two will happen: 1. the universe will collapse and life as we know it will end OR 2. we will all be markedly jaded and each one of us will be the mean parent at pee wee football that insists winning IS everything (resulting in future NBC specials about our generation's unhealthy expectations for our children to be everything that we weren't...including succeeding in things we never even wanted to be good at in the first place--international Boogle champion anyone?). Thought everyone could use a little upper. Please add your theories because I do admit that mine may not collectively explain everything about the application process...

Count Fosco... Love your user name. My cat is named "Wilkie Collins" because my boyfriend put his foot down on Count Fosco (he said it sounded like Bosco sticks...engineers, huh?)

I noticed there is a UVA acceptance posted. Is this the only one so far? Does anyone know if UVA is significantly cutting their class size (like every other school, it seems)?

That is terrifying! But thank you for the heads up!!!!

Hey apcoach, It seems that you and I are going to be stalking each other through acceptances. I also just got an acceptance from Wisconsin also. I'll see if I can pm you with my e-mail and maybe we can talk.

strokeofmidnight, what part of goth lit interests you?

My interests really lie in gothic lit, but not just the usual "Dracula" and "Frankenstein". I am interested in transatlantic crime and detective fiction and its roots in print culture and the penny dreadfuls. I am also interested in the pseudo-sciences of the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, especially in regards to debates about criminal responsibility. Virtual cupcakes?

Kam, ditto to the "submitted" status.

Kam-- Thanks for the heads up and CONGRATS!

Siblance, Did you do your undergrad or some grad work at OSU. I just got accepted and I was wondering when we would receive the full financial aid info (and I didn't want to call because I am sure they are swamped). Interested in you input. Thanks for the comment, it was very helpful!

Apcoach-- I am late 18th and 19th century fiction. I also got accepted to OSU. What are you specifically interested in (authors, works, etc.) Hope to talk to you some more!

I was wondering the same thing. Congrats to whoever got the phone call!

Hi everyone, I posted one of the OSU acceptances. I wouldn't worry about not having heard yet. This is the first program I have heard anything from. I also applied to Michigan and Northwestern (both of which have sent out acceptances, rejections, and waitlist notifications). I haven't received any of the 3 from those schools, and I wonder if it is because I am somewhere "in the middle" of the pack (not first-round pick and also not right below those applicants who are close enough to be waitlisted). I think as people start to make their decisions they will start hearing from schools as spots open up. The idea that I got from reading other posts was that the programs are trying to be conservative this year and not offer the top 17 candidates if they have 12 spots...someone had posted something about one program last year getting almost all acceptances and then not having enough funded spots.

Agreed Pamphilia. I thought Northwestern phone interviewed. Congrats on the good news (whoever posted the acceptances).

I am an undergrad at U of I and the English Department is amazing. Anyone who gets accepted should be very proud (and excited). Congrats to whoever just got notified of their acceptance!

Whoever posted the U of Illinois acceptance, what concentration/subfield are you planning on studying? What profs do you think you want to work with?