Pamphilia

Man, DC and Beiruit, both awesome cities. A lucky dilemma for you! Well done. For this issue, I think it REALLY depends on what program you're doing and, more importantly, what you intend to do with your degree.

It does suck, and I truly sympathize with anyone who is still waiting. It's just crappy. I also tooootally understand the desire (and the real need, in some cases) to make a swift decision. However, I think a lot of programs are holding off letting some people know because they're waiting to see how many spots they have after their initial admits respond (I know UVa is doing this, for example--hence their "unofficial" wait list that one only hears about if she asks). I agree that it is totally uncool if programs are letting applicants hang in limbo if they, ultimately, only intend to deny those people. However, I also can understand why they might keep some people waiting if they intend to accept those people in the event that they have the spots. I've no idea what Penn State is up to, only that they've made all of their initial admits. It doesn't mean they're done yet, though. Keep the faith!

I would suspect that you're on an unofficial wait list and that's why it's taking so long for your decision. The recruitment visit was last weekend, so hopefully admits will begin to make decisions soon and things can get moving for those of you still waiting. Fingers crossed and positive vibes your way!!

I love Boston--it's a great town. Then again, I've only ever visited. My sibling is living there now and severely dislikes it, I think mostly due to the weather (which can be quite bad) but also because the public transportation is--according to my sib--sort of a pain in the ass. S/he also doesn't have a car and regrets it because things like supermarkets are very difficult to get to without one. I don't know. Personally I've always liked Boston, but I've never lived there. My sib tends to be a pessimist sometimes, but I figured I'd pass his/her opinion along. Side note: it would probably make a significant difference where in Boston you'd be. Personally, I'd pick Durham. Boston's great, but I really dig the Durham/Chapel Hill area. It's simply beautiful, and there's a lot to do and many cool, funky, quirky bars/cafes/restaurants/galleries. It's artsy and there is a wonderful local music scene. There is actually a pretty good bus system, as well. The main drawback of the bus system is that it doesn't run very late and the weekends can be a pain. If you're into big city life, Boston might be a better bet. However, with Chapel Hill and Raleigh very close, Durham's not nearly as small town-ish as many people think it is. The triangle makes for a nice little city. And the weather can't be beat! Four seasons but a mild winter. I wouldn't worry too much about crime in either area. I mean, keep your wits about you and be smart (as you ought to anywhere). But I've never found either place to be very threatening, especially in the student areas.

Er...que? Sheesh, let UNC Greensboro have their own thread! Verily, checkmate!

Do you mean the MA-to-PhD track, or is there a specifically terminal MA at Penn State? I was accepted to the MA (I applied directly to the MA and was accepted with the intention and expectation that I would continue on to the PhD, and therefore with funding to cover the years of the PhD) and I know that most people being accepted are in the same boat; they're taking very few direct-to-PhD students. I'm not sure if you're talking about this program or a terminal MA (in which case I've no idea), but I know that Penn State tends to draw their admits out for quite a while, so more acceptances are very possible. I'll be visiting this weekend, so I'll try to keep my ears open for more info.

Right on, sounds like you're all set! As such, this response might be a little late, but I thought it might be relevant to someone else considering U of C's MAPH. So, I know that the program is a Masters in the Humanities, not in English or in Literature. You concentrate where you want, I'm sure--but how much access do you have really to the English department (in terms of faculty, resources, etc.)? This sort of echoes what Strokeofmidnight was saying about getting attention from faculty, but it seems even dicier in this case because an MAPH student has even another degree of separation from the English department (or Comp Lit, or whatever). Disclaimer: My suspicions here might be completely unfounded. For all I know, as an MAPH student you might be welcomed into your chosen department with open arms. Most of my knowledge of this program is limited to the hearsay I've read on these boards.

Ah, so, if you're looking for a "great certainty of a payoff," graduate school as such is probably not for you, unless it is a professionally-oriented masters (about which I know nothing). It sounds more like you'd be interested in professional schools (law, business, etc.)--though as many can attest, the guaranteed payoff from even these programs nowadays seems to be something of a myth. Anyway, despite the common misconception that it is a useless degree, you really can do a lot with an English major. You'd have some difficulty getting into the sciences (for one example, medicine) and would have to do a post-bac or something unless you're hiding a secret pre-med background. But, I know MANY English majors who have thrived in law school as well as business school. I'll warn you that most people on these fora are oriented toward graduate rather than professional school (though I realize this might sound confusing given that all post-tertiary education often gets dumped under the banner of "grad" school in the common parlance). There are a few around here, I know, who have dabbled in professional schools before heading back to academics. Maybe they can come out to direct you to more helpful people than I.

To be very fair, grad students at Davis seem as well protected as they can be from the financial shitstorm happening in the UC system right now. As I understand it Davis is working very, very hard to shore up its grad programs, and is even expanding in some cases. Current students, correct me if I'm wrong, of course--but as it's been explained to me by a few people, the financial situation for Davis grad students seems about as positive as it could be for you all at the moment.

I'll be honest, I turned down Davis largely because of money. It is also an ideal program for me (I'm in early modern/gender fun as well). However, I've been offered better funding and more desirable teaching loads at other programs that are equally excellent fits for me. If circumstances were different, I can't say that I would definitely go to Davis (it would be a very, very difficult decision between Davis and my other options) but I certainly would not have declined so quickly. I love Davis's program, and the faculty (especially in my--our--area) is *outstanding*. Plus everyone there just seems super nice and easy to work with! But alas, money talks.

I received my first acceptance on a Sunday (via email). It happens!

To add to what the previous posters have said, try opening a savings account and credit card with a credit union, if you can. I've found that they generally take care of their own more than Bank of America-type empires do.

I don't know, lifealive. Many, many "top tier" programs still instill good pedagogical training. Some do not, as I have discovered for myself. But to assume that all or most Ivies or peers-to-the-Ivies neglect to train their grad students adequately in pedagogy is problematic. Also, I'm currently taking language classes at a "third tier regional state university" and almost ALL of the English profs have degrees from Hopkins, Penn, Stanford, and the like. I think you do make some very valid points that we don't often recognize or consider, but in many ways I think your assumptions may be as problematic as those suggesting one is doomed unless she makes it into Harvard.

Sometimes you can get this information on the program websites, though not always, and the information isn't always that useful or even on the up-and-up (programs will give placement numbers that include not only tenure-track but any academic job, i.e., one-year post-docs, community college adjuncts, and high/prep school gigs.; they will include in their numbers not only people who find placements quickly but also those who only manage to find jobs years after graduation; and so forth). I personally found out this info from the fancy pants program during a visit, when I asked pointed questions and was finally given a straight answer after something of a runaround. I have decided to make a point of asking "In the last three years, what has been your tenure-track placement record for doctorates in their first year out of the program? How about two years out of the program? Can you name the schools where recent grads have secured appointments during the last three years?" It's important, as I understand it, to ask about recent years' placement rates, as well as to ask where the grads are going. I don't know of any specific databases where you could find this information; the only ones that I can think of have extremely out-dated and useless statistics. Again, you may be able to get this information on a department website, but it might not always be very straightforward. The best thing to do, I think, would be to email either the DGS or the grad coordinator/secretary and ask (phrase it very specifically so they can't give you any kind of runaround or skewed statistics). Oh, and I forgot to add that you should ask how students place within your specific area of interest in addition to general placement numbers.

Thanks. I was really agonizing over the phrasing. What I meant to say is that a person shouldn't shoot for the very bottom just to nab an acceptance, because the degree won't help much one s/he comes out the other side. Of course a body doesn't have to go to, say, Harvard just to find a job. I know that the "higher-ranked" schools don't always have better job placement; I just nixed a very desirable "top ten" school in part because its placement rate was much lower than the rates of my other options. However, schools with more established reputations do often have an easier time placing their grads. I just mean to say that person shouldn't just try to apply with the object of getting in, but that s/he should consider what happens after acceptance, as well. Oh dear. I think I'm just putting my foot deeper in it. Sorry!

Yes, thank you for your wonderful post, Hinesaj, and to Intextrovert. I think it's really important that one apply to places where one could be happy and do good work, not just where one might get a foot in the door. I realize this is an oversimplification of many situations, and that when many people refer to "safeties" they ARE talking about places they could be happy, just not so-called "top" schools. But still, I think in the fever of application anxiety it can be easy to forget that there is more to grad school beyond getting in. Another point that I haven't seen mentioned here (and I hope doesn't piss anyone off) is the issue of the career post-grad school. I think applicants ought to keep job placement rates in mind when deciding where to apply. I mean, if you're applying anywhere that will take you, what is the point if the program can't help you get a job afterward to continue you academic scholarship? I'm not trying to suggest that "lower-ranked" programs are worthless--not by any means--but this unfortunately is a really important point to keep in mind. How do the so-called "safeties" (whatever that means to each of you) rack up in terms of tenure-track job placement? (FYI: I say this to refer specifically to people who DO desire and intend to pursue a career in academia; I realize that there may be a few who just want to experience going to grad school and are cool with finding an unrelated job afterward.) I know this might be a touchy subject and I really hope that no one thinks I am being snobby or elitist here. I personally don't believe in such a thing as "safeties" in this situation and therefore I'm not referring to any specific programs or "tier" of programs. But this is something to bear in mind.

Unfortunately, there seems to be no such thing as a "safety" school in grad school, especially for lit. Ultimately, your SOP and writing sample and FIT will get you in. Get in touch with faculty members to find out about what they're working on; websites can only give you so much information and are often outdated. Find the places that best fit you. Those will be the most practical and cost-effective applications.

To me, applying to grad school right out of college is like marrying your high school sweetheart. We all know people who have made it work, and it is so lovely when they do! If a couple can successfully marry straight out of teenagedom and continue to make it work in the years to come, more power to them, I suppose. Same goes for straight-to-grad undergrads. But I think most of us, even the ones who are in great relationships, can at some point benefit by gaining a little perspective on the other fish in the sea or what have you. A main issue to consider when applying straight from undergrad is the influence your mentors and advisors have on you. I think it's a difficult thing to gauge until you have some intellectual distance from them. I know that for me, while my UG mentors were (are) brilliant and wonderful, they did inevitably color my interests because--let's face it--they were pretty powerful figures to my undergrad self. Now that I have a couple of years out of their orbit, they are still significant influences on my work but I'm less an aspiring copy of them and more my own kind of scholar. Also note here: if you take time off, keep in touch with your mentors and the professors with whom you really connected. I will echo Strokeofmidnight--while a lot of folks will suggest that you take time off just to boost your academic profile, I feel that actual time off from academics can be as or even more helpful than undergoing a year or two of hardcore academic work outside of school. I know personally that after three years of work and experience almost completely unrelated to academia, I am a much better writer and scholar. The advantages of perspective are significant.

Ain't it the truth?

Thank you, Melusine. This is an interesting and largely thoughtful thread, but if the issue is that folks feel others are generalizing about us aspiring literary academics, I think we ought not generalize about others. Sharing one's specific experience is very helpful, but assuming that experience is universal (or regionally universal) is less so. But to answer the original post: indeed. I am lucky to have the full though often clueless support of my immediate family, but so many others just don't get it. It can be terribly frustrating. I truly admire those of you who pursue your academic goals with so many obstacles (and obstinate people) trying to jump in your way.

I just visited Princeton and was told pretty much by everyone, faculty and students alike, that the majority of grad students (especially those finished with coursework) live in NYC or Brooklyn (some in Philly). I don't think they require grad students to live on campus for the first year or two anymore, but it sounds like most do simply because they're new to the area. The commute sounds very doable. I don't know if I would like it personally, but they all seemed fine with it. I'd double check on the rule about living in Princeton at first, but as I said I think it's just common practice now but no longer an actual rule. Check with current students in the program. They'd be able to give you the best answers.

What my mentors told me: make it clear that this is your top choice and explain why to sound credible. If they ask you, tell them about your admits. For the record, I was just admitted off a waiting list. As I learn more, I suspect that my situation was very unusual and wouldn't apply to most waitlisters, but I believe that the above is probably still solid advice.

I lived in Rogers Park and agree with everything in this post. It makes me sad that RoPo gets such a bad rap--I love the neighborhood.

Ah! You come from Aotearoa? Sweet as.

I was on two wait lists and visited both. I knew they were long shots, but I didn't want to have to make a last-minute decision without having visited. And hey, I got into one of them!