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SimoneSimon

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Everything posted by SimoneSimon

  1. Indeed, I believe you're right. I was probably being hyperbolic when I described my ideal environment as one in which I felt constantly outclassed! Clearly, no-one wants to be in this situation. I just meant that I like to learn from my colleagues. In fact, I'm more speaking of dedication. In the humanities, in any case, I've found that the majority of students aren't really terribly engaged with their studies. So often I hear PhD's saying that they go to school all day, so they don't want to talk about scholarly subjects during their spare time, or describing what I perceive as driven students as "competitive" or "phony." My attitudes may certainly change as I proceed through grad school, but my current opinion is that if books don't completely absorb you, graduate work isn't for you. It seems like a platitude, but I'm surprised again and again by the apathetic attitudes of grad students I meet. The alternative is often simply careerist grad students, which is just as bad. I realize my previous comments were inflammatory and foolishly expressed. I simply wanted to emphasize my apprehension. And I have certainly met many, many excellent students from "lesser" institutions, it's true. But they've all told me how frustrated they are with the intellectual environment available to them. What a strange paradox! Thanks for the reference to the study - I'm sure that the excitement will build as the start day approaches. rising_star: what are the worries? Similar to mine?
  2. Thanks to everyone for their responses! It's really, really relieving to hear from similar situations, and my family and friends are getting sick of listening to me agonize. I completely understand the "lesser name" embarrassment; my family had heard of some of the other places I got into, but hasn't heard of the one I chose (which isn't saying much, since they know nothing about academia, but it's annoying, in any effect). Nevertheless, Minnesotan, I think you're absolutely right. Once we're in the programs, also I suspect concern with the more substantive side of grad school - the part where we're doing work and actually thinking about our subjects of study - will push out this obsession with the more superficial elements. Nevertheless, I think the description of "high-octane intellectual experience" is a very apt one. It's exactly the galvanization that I'm looking for. Not to be self-satisfied (and, of course, I think everyone has found themselves in this situation at one point or another), but I certainly have never felt "at home" when I've felt that I was operating at another level than my classmates, or that my commitment was much greater than theirs. Situations like that are energy-sapping and frustrating. I very much prefer to be outperformed than to easily outperform. In terms of the tipping point: I always felt in my "gut" that the choice I made was the right one. Since in my rational deliberations two programs were completely deadlocked, when it came down to it, I went with this instinct. I told myself I would regret it much more if I went the other way. You know, the old, 'flip a coin and see how the outcome makes you feel' approach. So I went for it and committed on the 14th. However, my neurosis has completely taken over, and I don't know how I feel anymore. My 'gut' now tells me that the other place suited me better. Obviously not a great measure in my case.
  3. Hey everyone, Is anyone else feeling any regret about their choices following April 15? I deliberated for so long, and weighed my options so carefully, but I still can't stop second-guessing my decision. Ultimately, I went the "better fit over better reputation" route, but not by that much. I chose a top-15 school over an Ivy, just because it seemed to me that there were more people at the top-15 that fit my interests (huge names in my field). However, this went against the advice of almost all my professors, and all the arguments for going to a better-ranked or just better perceived school (no matter how vaguely) are driving me crazy! I'm quite ambitious, and I thrive off of being pushed by my fellow students, and I'm afraid that they won't be quite as good as I would have found elsewhere (it's an unfortunate truth that the best students choose to go to the best-ranked fit, no matter what). I'm the kind of person who prefers overzealous people in a classroom to apathetic ones. I'm also afraid that there will exist the dreaded "underdog" attitude among the professors - a sense that if their students really were the best, they would have gone elsewhere. I visited the school, and this didn't seem to be the case, but what can you tell from one weekend, really? Finally, I'm afraid I'll just regret the general sense that "important work is being done here" that you get with the very best schools. It can be quite inspiring. I'm more concerned about all of these things than I am about any career worries, since I know the school is still quite well ranked overall, and I don't think I'll be handicapped by going there. I suspect I would be regretting my decision no matter what it had been, and I know that your career is what you make of it. I know it's just neurosis and I just want to get over it and start to feel excited about starting in the Fall! It would be great to hear from anyone else who's facing this sort of thing...
  4. Thanks for the response. Northwestern does, indeed, still support a program with the other Chicago schools, and that it, certainly, an attraction. I am absolutely leaning toward Northwestern, but Johns Hopkins does seem to have an unusually great placement record for an interdisciplinary program.
  5. Ok, since there is a real dearth of rankings or otherwise useful published material on Comparative Literature programs, after consultation with absolutely everyone I know, I still can't decide between Northwestern's CLS or Johns Hopkins' Humanities Center. I must tell them today or tomorrow (obviously). I'm now resorting to asking the anonymous blogosphere. Anyone out there with an opinion or a link to a useful site? From what my profs have been saying, the JH name has a bit more cach
  6. graograman - Did you discover you were on the waitlist by sending them an e-mail, or did they inform you spontaneously?
  7. Ugh! You've heard??!! I haven't heard a peep (although, to be fair, there's a time difference between here and the states of 6 hours, and you just posted. Nevertheless, not hearing = dumped in the trashbin, I suspect.
  8. Hi! I posted this in the 'Ithaca' thread, as well, and the moderators might get upset about the doubling, but... I'm off visiting Cornell's Romance Studies dept. this weekend, and I'm seriously considering going there. I had a great experience living off-campus (but within walking distance) during my M.A. at Dartmouth, living in a largish apartment with 2 other grad students, and always heard that grad housing was depressing and isolating, especially if you're surrounded by people not even remotely in your field. I'd love to repeat the experience - just sending out feelers at this point, but does anyone else think they might like the idea? PS: I'm also engaged in "theory" and philosophy, and thus am really excited about Cornell!
  9. SimoneSimon

    Ithaca, NY

    Hi! I'm off visiting Cornell's Romance Studies dept. this weekend, and have largely made up my mind to go there. I had a great experience living off-campus (but within walking distance) during my M.A. at Dartmouth, living in a largish apartment with 2 other grad students, and always heard that grad housing was depressing and isolating, especially if you're surrounded by people not even remotely in your field. I'd love to repeat the experience - just sending out feelers at this point, but does anyone else think they might like the idea?
  10. Hi Graograman, I, too had this interview, with the same two people. I don't think it went too tremendously well. I was vague and not enthusiastic enough, I think. I also completely agree about the more complex theoretical questions being easier than the more straightforward ones. They give you more direction, I find. I certainly felt that Dr. Hamilton was more receptive to me than Dr. Basterra, but then I wondered if it was just their personalities (his being more emotive). Please keep me updated on any news you receive! Where else have you applied/been accepted?
  11. Hi Otherlevinas I have exactly the same problem. From your screen name, I'm assuming the language is French? I, too, am heavily committed to philosophy and theory, but I've really thrown myself into learning the language recently. Even so, I feel quite insecure (will I ever speak perfectly?!) I think the theory vs. anti-theory quality of a program really depends on the department. Did you apply to any Comparative Literature depts? I did, and have had a few acceptances, and part of me wants to accept these offers simply to take the pressure off the language issue, although I prefer the language dept I've been accepted by, in some cases. You seem to be going to lengths to avoid mentioning specifics, but I'm really curious about which depts you're talking about, especially if they're French! There's no shame in the challenges of second-language learning, I keep telling myself, but it's not really helping.
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