MissHavishslam

It wasn't really a decision about public vs private for me. I actually just looked at ASLE's list of good ecocritical grad programs and narrowed it down as well as taking advice from the fine people on this site!

Here is my tentative/pretty sure this may be final list of programs that I will probably be applying to: Indiana University University of Notre Dame Johns Hopkins University Washington University in St. Louis University of Victoria University of Toronto Bath Spa University University of Colorado University of Minnesota University of Nebraska University of Vermont University of Nebraska--Lincoln Purdue University University of Kansas University of Missouri Duquesne University

You would register as an "independent scholar." I'm not quite sure about how you would go about it since the conference isn't until you have started your program...that might be something to ask the DGS at your school or maybe your future advisor.

I second the scheduling advice. I would also say to become good friends with your cohort. They make a great support system and if you hang out and study together it doesn't seem all that daunting, but that was just my experience.

I think Swagato covered the funding portion of it perfectly. When it comes to the competitive nature of admission at state schools--it really just depends on the program. Take a look at the graduate school website because they will usually have the statistics of how many people apply vs how many people accepted. I know I'm usually an advocate against taking rankings into account when it comes to choosing a school but they can tell you a lot when you are looking for the competitive part of the process. As the top schools will probably be more competitive than the lower ranked ones--despite public or private. All in all to get the best sense of the school you need to look at programs independently from one another.

Also, some of my friends are working on their PhD and they said that having teaching experience made their first year less stressful. They did not have to worry about teaching jitters and PhD stress, which they said really helped--at least emotionally. Regardless, I found this good paper grading technique...http://www.concurringopinions.com/archives/2006/12/a_guide_to_grad.html

Also...there is this to occupy your time: http://wheninacademia.tumblr.com/

Preach.

Also, when we are feeling down,

I think keeping optimistic is the key to avoiding the mood swings. I actually have pictures of the campus and list of reasons to why I want to go to what school on my at all times. I know that might sound a little cheesy, but when I open my laptop and I see a picture of the pretty pretty campus I can't help but feel motivated! That is good to know! I just googled myself and all that came up was conference presentations and student orgs--my facebook is under lock and key.

It is not just you. I feel this way all the time. I felt this when I applied last time, too. One minute it's "holy crap! I'm going to get into EVERY SCHOOL I applied to" and the next, "Omg, I suck." Unfortunately, this feeling does not go away until you hear back from schools...

I have gotten the same conflicting opinions. I did not get to teach during my MA, but I wanted to adjunct (which I am currently doing) during my year or two off. My teachers told me what a lot of people have been saying on here--it doesn't matter because they will retrain you anyway. However, I have a friend who was a TA during her MA and she did not have to take the teaching pedagogy class when she started her PhD work. I don't think that either way will hurt you. Maybe look at the programs you are planning on applying to for PhD (if you know already) and see if they are more teaching focused or research focused in their program. More than likely they will be both, but I have seen programs that stress the importance of teaching in their department and some schools that don't. Mind you--like others have said--teaching will not weigh more than SOP and WS in the application process.

I am planning to start a chart soon! I like to fill them out early just to get a good picture of what I am tackling. I do, however, wait until Sept or Oct to fill out the deadline portions. I figure that most schools don't change requirements (SoP and WS restrictions) too often but that deadlines aren't set in stone until the application season is open.

Totally agreed! I have found myself searching a website for 15 minutes just to find the application deadline...I would assume it would be on the same page as the admissions info but nope--let's just stick it on a chart and hide in a dark hole in the graduate school website...

With the (SUPER) competitive nature of PhD programs, I say take ANY opportunity that comes your way. The more experience that you have the stronger your applications will be, especially research like that. Definitley do it!

You should probs check out this thread if you haven't already.

I completely understand. I was just using those two as examples of good programs that may be seen as non-reputable because of their ranking. It's just hard for me to recommend specific schools when I'm not familiar with schools that specialize in your field.

There's also this.

Hm. It's hard for me to suggest schools since I am not familiar with the programs that would be a good fit with your interests. Right off the top of my head, I know that West Virginia University, while ranked in the 100s, has a placement rate of 75% and the national average for placement is 20%. Same with UN-Reno, they are ranked similarly but have a placement rate around 80%. Of course, these two options might not be a good fit--which would deter an admission offer. Fit and placement records, in my opinion, are two of the most important factor. I think that national rankings can sometimes cloud our judgement of "good" programs.

I'm not too familiar with your area of interest, so I don't know how valuable my advice will be. I know we have all debated about ranks of schools and what not, but I do know that applying is a numbers game. While your tentative list includes awesome programs, I can't help but think that maybe you should think about some schools that aren't in the top 30. I'm not saying you shouldn't apply to the schools on this list, but maybe throw a couple of schools into the mix that get less than 400 applications a year. All of the top programs have an acceptance rate of 4% (roughly 400 applications and 10 acceptances). There are, however, some reputable programs with 200 applications and 10-15 available spots. There are some fabulous programs in the lower than 50 rankings that have great placement records (which is what counts in the end). There is no such thing as a "safety school" in this process, but it couldn't hurt to cast your net as wide as you possibly can.

I never will!! I've already stocked up on liquor (and gifs)!

I was gone for one day and three pages of posts!!!

Haha. I second Datatape! Both great programs. I have a friend in the CMU Rhetoric PhD program and he loves it. Good luck!

Dear lord...I will never get my applications done...

I want more votes.