Pamphilia

That's awful!

Hang out with your cohort, go out with them if they go out. But a good way to avoid coming off as a jerk is to avoid suggesting expensive activities. For example, don't suggest you all go out to a classy/trendy expensive bar or restaurant; they will either go and resent you because they are spending more than they can afford, or not go and resent the fact that they can't go. And don't treat them like they're lame or complain that they "never listen to [your] ideas" because they can't afford to take you up on your suggestions. There are cheap fun activities that even those who have saved admirably can enjoy! Suggest and go with those. (...if it sounds as if I am bitter because I am drawing on personal experience here, I will deny deny deny.)

So, how did it go?

FYI, English PhD programs have among the lowest acceptance rates of doctoral programs in the humanities. I don't mean to sound like a jerk (and hope I don't), but give that some thought before you use English as a back-up. If you are looking for a PhD in English, you'd really need to tell us a lot more about your interests and academic foci before anyone could give you advice on programs. What, precisely, would be your goals for graduate school (aside from wanting to found a boarding school)? What would be your research focus? If you are interested in education as an academic field, you may not want to look to English PhDs, which are very focused on literature itself as a research discipline in a way that might not lend itself well to education administration. I don't really know much, if anything, about Rhetoric, but maybe that would be a better discipline for you than English? I honestly have no idea what to tell you about grad school re: your long-term goals, and know very little about education grad programs (though I'm also under the impression that Ed PhDs tend to be geared toward senior teachers rather than ones with little to no teaching experience). BUT, if you could tell us more about your interests in English (what periods interest you, methodologies, specific research questions, etc.), we might be able to throw some program suggestions your way.

It sounds as if you have a lot of thinking and work to do just to figure out the basics of your application strategy. Given that it is already October, I would encourage you to wait until next year to apply in order to give yourself adequate time to prepare a solid application. If you're trying to do it all now (when most other applicants probably began at least two months ago) AND you're still in school...well, yikes. I would advise you to sit the GRE this year if you're up for it, because you're still in school/test mode so it may be productive for you. But instead of actually applying this round, I'd encourage you to do some serious research on the field and the application process.

Short answer because I'm pressed for time: Yes!

I hear you. It is awful, and I'm barely managing myself. That said, one of the older grad students in my program gave me a piece of advice that seems helpful (we shall see in the long run): if you have, say, three or more classes in quarter/semester, you have to allow yourself a "blow-off class," emotionally speaking. That doesn't necessarily mean a class that you neglect or feel free to do poorly in, but one from which you allow yourself to detach emotionally; that is, one so that you won't feel tremendous guilt, sadness, anger, or frustration if you don't perform to your fullest potential. She said that doing this will allow you to open yourself to the classes you really do care about, the ones that are really important to your own work. Take one class in which you do your best, but leave it at that. You can't try to be perfect at everything (after a lifetime of aspiring to--though of course not actually achieving!--a level of perfection, it's very difficult for me not only to let go of that goal, but to realize that I simply cannot do it; this is really hard and there are some things that are just beyond my skill set right now, and I a very measly fish in a terrifyingly vast and impressive pond). It's impossible on an emotional level to throw yourself fully into three or more classes at a time. Well, actually, I'm sure there are some people who can accomplish that, but they are probably cyborgs quietly positioning themselves among us to prepare for the inevitable robot coup.

Oy vey. Is this a serious question?

Re: languages. If you are a literary scholar, the ability to read in other languages is critical. As much as it might seem like it now, the requirements aren't just some meaningless hoop that "prestigious" programs will make you jump through for the hell of it. Even if you work *exclusively* in Anglophone literatures (which is rarer than you'd think---you're frequently going to be researching writers who at least reacted in some capacity to writers in other languages) you will almost certainly at some point need to be able to read what a scholar writing in another language said about your primary texts. Take your language acquisition seriously, because it's important! That said, the actual emphasis placed on proficiency exams will depend on the program, as will the emphasis placed on multiple-language proficiency at the time of application. Some programs (I think, for example, like Stanford---someone correct me if I'm wrong) will be much more likely to toss your app if you are seriously lacking in languages. Some are cool with you making it up later on. Some programs' language exams are super easy and a semester's worth of a language will get you a pass. Some are really damn hard. If this is a sticking point for you, ask around the departments that interest you about emphasis placed on language proficiency at the time of application and the exam(s). But if I were you (actually, I was you last year) I'd show my commitment and do myself a favor by studying up on a language this year, before even you've applied or been accepted. It might comfort the department, and again, it will be very helpful and important for your own research. As far as programs with one or two proficiency exams, I would ask around in the department before making a judgment call. It seemed to me when I was applying that most programs require two languages for the PhD, but not all of those with two have really stringent requirements. My program, meanwhile, only requires one, but it's supposed to be rather difficult, with a high-ish failure rate (though there aren't significant consequences if you fail even a couple times, so long as you pass by the appointed time). Just ask around the places you're interested! They can give you a much better sense of department expectations before and after admission. Re: MFA to PhD, I agree with Alette.

I know that some of the subject tests are scored out of numbers more or less than 800. The lit test, meanwhile, is out of 800.

You may want to reassess this assumption.

Pamphilia English Enthusiast/Badass MC

I'm really surprised that no one has brought this point up yet, because I hear it ALL the time: one should not try to get published just for the sake of being published. It won't do all that much for your application, and it can come back to bite you in the ass later on in your career. Publications stick around with you forever. The wisdom that I have always heard is that you should not publish until you can publish well. I'll admit that I know nothing about this group or press. Who knows? Maybe they are well-respected in your subfield, or are on their way to being well-respected--and in that case, this advice might not apply. But it's important to keep in mind that you shouldn't pursue any publishing opportunity you come across just because it's there. It can really screw you over later on, and it won't necessarily do much good for you even now.

Right on! Go forth and kick ass.

Just to reiterate what others are saying here-- Many people have come out and shown how having lowerish scores hasn't precluded them from getting into tip top programs, and I can tell you first hand that stellar scores won't get you in, either. I had decent success with this round of applications and got into some very respectable programs, but even with scores on both the Lit and General tests that were (if I do say so myself) pretty badass,* I was rejected from programs like Stanford, Michigan, UCLA, Duke, etc. I can't tell you the extent to which my scores really made a difference in my applications except in one case where I was told that my Verbal/Math combined score helped me win a Grad School-wide fellowship (as far as I know those scores didn't play much into the fact of my actual admission or my department-wide fellowship award for this particular program). The point is that low scores won't keep you out and high scores won't get you in. As such, the subject score doesn't count for much and doesn't indicate anything specific about your ability to do grad-level work OR your chances for admission. That said, Branwen, I toooootally sympathize with your desire to make every aspect of your application as strong as possible. But your score is very respectable! I think it's enough to put you in range even for the tippy top programs to which you're applying, as long as your writing sample and SOP are competitive. As others have said and as I know you are already aware, the writing sample and SOP deserve and require more of your attention than anything else. I'd recommend that instead of worrying about your subject score, you put it out of your mind for now and work on your Latin and other languages,** your grad seminar, and the more important parts of your application. The way I see it, the subject test should NOT require six months of studying; it requires about a month of intensive cramming, given that it tests "cocktail party" knowledge more than in-depth understanding. So, if you really want to re-take it, go for the November test and don't worry about if for now. But again, your score is perfectly respectable and the other aspects of your app demand far more attention and time. * PM me if you'd like specifics; I'd prefer not to discuss my exact scores here. ** I think applicants--particularly early modern/medieval applicants, and including myself--often underestimate the important of language training! As I understand it, this played a biiig factor in my applications, in both good and bad ways. Some programs told me directly that they were very happy with the fact that I was beginning to pursue my third relevant language and that it helped with my admission, while others suggested that my lack of relevant languages (I used to be very proficient in a second language but haven't studied if for years, and I only have two semesters of my third) was a real detriment.

Yes.

Spanish can be actually be extremely helpful, depending on what your focus in RN is. I'd really recommend looking into Latin classes elsewhere if your program doesn't offer any (Italian and French would also be great). I'm in RN as well and was told by more than one DGS that the fact that I was already working on Latin was very positive for my applications. Re: reading articles. When you're doing any kind of scholarly reading or research, take note of the scholars you find appealing, engaging, provoking, and so forth, and look up where they teach. I ended up applying to most of the programs I did because they are home to scholars whose work I admired as an undergrad.

If it's a really big deal for you for the whole family to share the same surname, your husband could either take your last name or you could create a new last name for both of you to take. I'm surprised that no one's suggested either one of these already. Will your husband be an academic? If not, it might be easier, professionally, for him to change his name since he won't be publishing.

Well, you do have a couple of well-ranked and hyper-competitive programs on your list already, like Duke and UNC-CH, not to mention WUSTL and Vandy. There's nothing wrong with sticking with a certain region for your own reasons, and you've got a decent mix of "rankings" in there. I'd just caution you against applying to programs ONLY because they're in a particular region. Do be careful about where you're applying; make sure the programs are good for you and you'd be good for them (in terms of faculty, research interest, among other things). Fit is really key for admission, I'm realizing more and more. Make sure you do your research on your programs thoroughly, whether or not you need to stick in one region. Edited to clarify: what I mean to say is that it's fine to take location into account, but don't apply to University X just because it is in a certain area. Apply to it because it's in a certain area AND because it's a good fit for you. Oh, and re: number of applications. If you can afford the money and time, apply as widely as you want. I applied to 12. This horrifies some people, but it was a good number for me, I think, though any more than that would have been unmanageable and probably would have diminished the quality of all my apps. I think 10-12 is a decent number if you have the means. Still, remember that no one here knows you well enough to be able to tell you what's a good number for you, and be wary of those who try. You need to figure out yourself what you can manage.

Are you looking for a Renaissance Studies PhD or an English PhD with a focus in Ren drama? Some English programs that have some badass faculty in Renaissance and generally strong programs: Rutgers UNC-Chapel Hill WUSTL Northwestern Penn State UVA Connecticut Notre Dame There are others, too. This is just off the top of my head! Enjoy!

Just to weigh in on the UNC MA issue--at the visiting weekend, about half of the prospective English students I met had MAs in hand. Of those with graduate degrees in hand, there were quite a few with MFAs, but far more with English MAs (of those I met). I didn't meet a single Comp Lit prospective without an MA in hand (in English or another language or Comp Lit itself). I talked to the Director of Grad Studies and they are changing the structure of the English program next year. I didn't hear how it would affect admissions for current MA-holders, BUT they will definitely start accepting fewer credits from previous MA coursework. While English and Comp Lit are housed in the same department, they currently accept very few credits from external MA coursework for Comp Lit students, but accept an *astounding* number of credits from previous MA coursework for English doctoral candidates. They're going to be chopping the number of transfer credits they accept from English students significantly in the coming year(s). Does this make sense? OP, personally I'd take the PhD and run and pass on the MA program, funded or not, for the following reasons: 1) Neither UNC nor UC Davis is anything to sneeze at. Clearly you're aiming very, very high, which is cool. Still, I'm not sure how much better off you'd be with a terminal MA from Darthmouth rather than from one of the other programs. Try not to be distracted by the Ivy thing. It won't mean much in this case. I'm not sure that Dartmouth's MA program would look any more impressive than an MA from UNC or UC Davis, which brings me to my next point... 2) If you go to UNC or UCD, you'll already be in a PhD program. That means you can stay if you want, but you will also have the option to transfer to another program after a year or after you receive your MA. Unlike the terminal MA, which leaves you with only one option. 3) A terminal MA may mean many more years in school. As I noted before, pretty much all of the incoming Comp Lit PhD students at UNC will have MAs in hand, but they will receive almost NO credit for their previous coursework. As far as these things go, they're starting over from scratch. So I'm not sure why you'd want to take on a terminal MA if your goal is to head into a PhD program anyway. You'll have more options if you go for UNC or UC Davis here--to finish a PhD in a timely manner or transfer and start over elsewhere (or hit the jackpot and get your new program to take your credits, which might be possible!).

"One thing: Can we quantify what is meant by 'too good to admit' based on GPA/GRE or prestige of undergrad institution" In English at least, no.

In terms of boosting matriculation rates, I think you're correct that it's pretty much an undergrad thing (I always heard it was "WashU Syndrome," haha). But I think some programs do probably reject (or recruit less aggressively) students they believe will probably go elsewhere because 1) they may have only X funded spots, and if one gets turned down they don't get it back (this has apparently been a real problem this year in particular); and 2) they might not want to waitlist Applicant A, who they really like, just to offer a place to superstar Applicant B--who will almost surely go elsewhere--because Applicant A will be less likely to accept the offer (because it comes late in the season, or comes with a smaller fellowship, or appears to signal less enthusiasm for the applicant, or what have you). If this kind of selection does occur, I think has more to do with a program making sure they get the cohorts they want rather than boosting yield rates.

I certainly agree with those who have advised the OP to be cautious about sending these emails. Here are some general guidelines that I used (and some that I learned too late!): 1. Do not go fishing for an ally or to try to seduce a faculty member into loving you. Email to find out more about the program and if you should apply. If these inquiries result in you finding an ally who will push for you in the adcomm (as I was fortunate to find at a couple of programs), that's great. But no one, profs included, wants to be used for his/her position or contacts. 2. To continue with the first point, email early enough that it is clear you are deciding whether to apply. If you email on Dec. 31 after you've already turned in your application, it will seem as if you are just emailing to try and network, which can really turn people off. That said, I still wouldn't contact profs THIS early (as in, April)--it's very difficult to keep a dialogue going for almost a year, and though you should only email to learn more about the program and the scholarship going on there, it's also nice to be memorable (in a positive way, of course). I think it'd be very easy to forget someone who emailed now. I would say perhaps email in August/September/October, once you've whittled down your list of programs to a manageable number and are making final decisions on where to apply (that is, if you're anything like me and started with a list of 50+ schools, shaved it down to about 20 "semi-finalists" by August, and decided for sure on my final cut in September after emailing). 3. Ask really specific questions, and ones that cannot be answered with general research or by looking at the department website. 4. Look up the work of ANYONE you contact, even if that person is not in your field and you are only contacting her because she's the DGS or something. Always arm yourself with at least some knowledge about the work of people you contact, no matter what. 5. As has been pointed out, ask your mentors if you can drop their names. Then, do it gracefully. 6. Try to keep things succinct. It can be a HUGE challenge, I know, but do your best to keep it short, sweet, and relevant. 7. Know that no matter what, you'll probably still piss a few people off. Some people just get annoyed. Be aware of this going in, and weigh very carefully whether you really want to risk it. Edited for typos and to clarify some points.

Yes to all of this!