MissHavishslam

That's awesome. I really liked the feeling of Reno when I was doing my research! I just told her to calm down!

It was nice of you to ask your S/O. I, legit, just made a list and said, "After so many applications, location is low on the totem pole." HA! Luckily, she is very supportive and said she will move with me anywhere. She is a creative writer which means 1. that she can work from anywhere and 2. we will be filthy rich. My favorite reaction of hers to my list though was "You want me to move to Reno? THERE'S NOTHING THERE!"

I think that's fine. I've presented condensed versions of a thesis before. The difficult part is shortening it because EVERYTHING is important! Just pick a chapter or section to submit! Good luck!

That's exactly how I feel. The last time I applied I had so much going on that I couldn't keep everything straight. I think that I am going to request only one class to teach next semester and take more hours at my retail job. That way my lesson plans and grading won't take up all of my spare time. I want to approach and dedicate my time to my applications this year like a full-time job.

Love GG! Have you seen this tumblr: http://oy-with-the-poodles-already.tumblr.com/ ? I was on it for HOURS! Ugh, the writing sample. I'm revamping a previous paper, but I feel like I am actually starting from scratch...I'm also considering applying to one or two library sciences programs. A lot of the work that I do is archival research so...maybe...a nice back up...?

It does directly relate to my interests (especially nature and race). I did include it in my MA applications and was accepted to three schools, so it couldn't hurt. I left it out during my first round of PhD apps and got nothing but an unfunded offer. I'll mull it over and talk with profs, just wanted to get a general opinion on it.

I know! I wish they weren't so vague! JUST TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT! Anywayz, as if it weren't hard enough to write one, now we may need two. This will be me over the next couple of months...

True. I just saw that Michigan requires both...geesh. I was already having trouble writing one. This changes my question then: If a school only requires a Statement of Purpose, would it be inappropriate to begin with one or two sentences of a personal experience?

I figured it was fine if it directly relates to what I want to do, so I think I'll stick with it. My rec writers have offered to help with drafts and such, so I'll see what they say as well. Like reluctantmidwesterner, I have heard many conflicting opinions on how much personal is appropriate for personal statements.

Haha. That's how I feel about algebra and geometry. Geometry is basically formulas with shapes, right? My mind automatically thinks that everything is drawn to scale, even when it says that it is not. My brain actively works to misunderstand math... On another note, a question for the group: how personal is too personal for the SOP? I want to dedicate my first two sentences to a very personal experience that directly relates to what I want to study. I literally only want to use it to start my statement and not spend paragraphs on a life experience. Is this okay? I've been given the "they don't care about you personally. They only care about your work" speech so many times, but this experience is why I want to do what I want to do and I can't seem to kick the urge to start with it.

Haha. That's how I feel. They can throw all the algebra at me they want but as soon as shapes, lines, and fractions come into the picture...who's screwed? This gal.

I totally understand the math perspective. I wasn't saying to blow it off, only that out of the application as a whole your math score is low on the totem pole. I think some basic review is necessary but is not something to stress about!

I did a lot better on the reading comp too! Something about the pick the "best" word (even though they could all work) to fill in the blank always throws me off. I have decent vocab as any of us do with an English degree but geesh, some of those words...

Honestly, the math section is something that I wouldn't even bother putting time into studying. I mean look over basic formulas you may have forgotten but most programs don't even look at the quantitative section scores and they freely admit it on their sites. All that has a (small) point are your verbal and analytic scores. Def don't even worry about the math--the committee knows it's not what we do.

That is a good plan of action! I also second your welcome to the party! Good Luck! In some respects, I agree with you. I do believe that when it comes to prepping for the GRE it all comes down to your test taking skills. I've known many people who did not study a bit and did great on the test; however, for some of us (like myself), who are horrible test takers (even worse with standardized tests) some preparation is in order. I did not study the first time I took it and received horrible verbal scores. While we shouldn't stress the test, we should know our own test taking/studying capabilities.

That is a good amount! I was told that 8-12 programs is good for English! I think I'm gonna shoot for 12 maybe more just because I want to be extra extra safe--if that is a thing

Of course! I see it as less pessimism and more realistic. Everyone needs to go in with the mind set that throughout this whole process you will more than likely get more rejections than acceptances. But in the end the payoff is worth the emotional distress. Fishbucket--yes! I think professors are a great barometer. They wouldn't be pushing you to reapply if they thought it was hopeless.I felt the same way when I got my slew of rejections. I was embarrassed to tell them but they were very supportive, told me I have a great project in mind, and set up a meeting to plan strategy for next year. All in all, I hope they wouldn't be pushing us for no reason. At least, I've seen profs turn down people for recs when they didn't find their work strong enough yet.

Also, another thing to realize is that depending on the year you apply, it's really a crapshoot. English departments have an ebb and flow cycle to them. If the previous year, they accepted a large group of students with a British focus, then chances are that they are going to be more likely to accept students with an American focus the next year. It is so that they keep students that have multiple focuses in their department at all times. This doesn't go for all programs but it definitely does in the programs where they accept only 3-5 students a year. It might be optimistic but I feel like if you know that this is what you want to do then you are going to be willing to do everything in your power to get there--no matter the cost. Of course, my mind may change if I strike out again this year...so we will see... And if it helps at all, the only people who I know that were accepted to a PhD program on their first try were people that were in MA programs that pushed their terminal MAs through to the PhD. I'm sure there are plenty of exceptions but I have yet to meet one personally.

Totally agree. I spent at least $900 when I first applied and that was when taking the GRE only cost $60 and now it's $175?! Plus the $25 to send it to each school? I think I actually spent more money sending documents than I did paying the application fees.

Hm...I think that I just found the personal hook for my SoP.

I agree with NowMoreSerious. I understand your reasoning but you really won't be able to gauge where you stand in the application process with only two schools (top schools at that). Also, another piece of advice that I always tell people is to go for your MA first. Not that it is a bad thing if you don't but it will allow you to explore what you want to do in grad school more as well as give you a better feel for a program (and the stresses of grad school itself) without a 6-7 year commitment. For example, one of my friends is going to a top school for her field but absolutely hates it. She's only in a MA program but she's already considered dropping out. Not only is her advisor unavailable, but she isn't a part of a supportive program and their course offerings are all religious based (not what the website stated). Just my two cents. I LOVE UCLA. They have a great eco department that focuses on race and postcolonial lit. I would chew off my own arm to get accepted (and I wish I were kidding).

Originally, I was in the same boat as both of you. I was avoiding schools that required it (because I did so poorly) and was not even going to retake the general test because I did "okay." However, after talking to people on here and really really thinking about it, I've decided to retake both. I figure that I DO NOT want to be doing this application again, so I need to have the best application that I can. I know I can do much better on both tests if I actually take the time to study and just calm the hell down. Plus, UCLA and UC Davis are top choices of mine and they both require it.

After six years, I am getting a little tried of the dreary snow then 60 degrees then snow cycle of Pittsburgh. I just submitted a paper to the PAMLA conference in San Diego for November, so I'll be super excited if I get to escape for sun!

Hahahaha. As much as I love the snow, I must say that I do miss being able to wear flip flops 350 days out of the year. This is why I am actually pulling for California to work out for me! I know that when I find the right program I will love it--no matter where it is. I'm not letting it stop me from applying!

Oh! I did not realize that. My bad. It definitely makes more sense. In regards to the writing sample, it should reflect your interests (at least that's what my profs told me). If your statement says that you interested in contemporary fiction, your writing sample probably shouldn't be your Shakespeare paper. It's not only showcasing your writing but also proving that you can do what you say you want to do. I'm adapting a grad paper. I didn't really like at first but as others have said I gutted and it has turned into something completely different!