igetstuffdunn
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Posts posted by igetstuffdunn
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Oh, man. Everyone in here needs to calm down! Let's get back to books not to read.....Okay, I'll start. On the Road. There, I've said it. I've read it at LEAST four times and I just don't get the allure.
Now, your turn!
I KNEW someone would mention Kerouac on this as well. He always elicits either love or hate in my experience. I'm on the love side of things on this one. I'd spend spend my whole literary career studying the Beats if I could.
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One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Luckily, I was reading this for fun so I had the option to put it down halfway through and sell it off on Amazon.
Oh my GOD this. I came on this thread to list this one. Just...just an awful experience.
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Thankfully I'll be plenty busy between now and Fall! I don't graduate until August, so it'll be straight from graduation to moving across the country. I am beyond stoked and just so grateful something has finally worked out in its entirety. Such a huge relief. Thank you, sincerely, for your support! It makes my heart happy
That is the coolest thing I have heard in a long time. I imagine converting movies to 3D is stressful, but awesome nonetheless. I took a marketing class last semester as part of my business minor, and kind of loved it. I definitely would've gone that route if this one wasn't emblazoned in my bloodstreams at birth. Ah, well. Sounds like you have a pretty kickass job, and like you are one super badass half of a power couple
Wait until I tell my girlfriend the internet thinks we're a "power couple". That's just the best compliment I think I've ever gotten. Thanks for boosting my ego
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Thisthisthisthis! Best of luck!!!
I have reached my "quota of positive votes for the day" but consider yourself upvoted all the same.
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I'm in love with everything you just said. Especially that last line.. It's all gold.
What is your job, just out of curiosity? I have always been fascinated with graphic design, but I'm horribly ungifted in the creative arts department.
I'm the VP of Marketing at a small green energy financing company (random I know). Basically I'm doing tons of web design, brochures, etc. It isn't the most thrilling job in the world, but I figure if you have to work for a finance company, at least this one is helping to better the world a little. Funny enough I never had any graphic design training, it is just something I fell into doing when I started working at a PR firm in San Francisco after undergrad. My girlfriend went to art school for Animation and works for a company converting movies to 3D for theaters (she worked on Thor 2 and Star Trek and stuff) so she is a better illustrator than I am and super helpful whenever I get stuck on a project.
I'm always interested in seeing what people do with their undergraduate degrees as well, since life takes us all in strange directions sometimes. A MILLION congrats on your Nova acceptance btw. So so excited for you
how are you going to fill your time between now and the Fall without dying of excitement? -
Yes, your version sounds much more inclusive. I like it better.
Who here does graphic design? I think we have a job for you.
Absolutely willing to offer my talents here. My job is 90% graphic design and I can't think of two GCers more deserving of a sweet academic superhero comic. Fighting for truth, justice and amazing writing samples.
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I hesitated to respond but I know that crappy feeling and I just in general have a difficult time keeping my mouth shut, so here goes!
From my stats this season I have no reason to complain, 3 accepts/2 waitlists and from great schools. However, when I got my Stanford rejection I was incredibly disheartened. It wasn't about wanting one more acceptance, it was about my dream school. I'm really lucky to have the options I do but it has been a long time coming. In high school I worked my butt off b/c I desperately wanted to attend college on the east coast. My over protective parents put an end to that idea and instead I worked my way through a no-name state school. During my last two years of undergrad I went through a hell of a lot of emotional/family crap leading to depression and almost getting kicked out of school for failing grades. I also met my ex-husband (which was its own kind of disaster). That turned into almost 10 years of putting my dreams on the back burner for someone who had no direction (and as it turns out, no morals). Once I saw that there was no saving us I went back to school to get my credential so I would have a means of supporting myself. By this point I had almost completely given up on my dreams of a PhD. I thought no way could I be out of school for so long, with such a lackluster undergrad record and still get into a graduate program. Who would want me? What could I possibly have to offer?
I took some time to just review where I was and what I wanted, what I absolutely had to have. Then I came up with a plan to get there. I knew that I couldn't walk straight into a PhD program, my only chance was to get an MA first and to somehow effing rock it. This would be challenging b/c based on my past academic record, the only place I might get into was another no-name state school. I was so embarrassed, I was supposed to be this great brain and here I was 30, trying to finally do what I should have been doing in my 20s. After meeting with the grad advisor (who was not very optimistic) and figuring out a way that I could be admitted despite my low undergrad gpa I applied and got in. Here I am, three years later having met the cohort of my dreams (they really are like family) and some amazing professors who have my best interests at heart.
The point of all of this is to tell you that a setback is just that. It's a temporary pause. YOU decide how to respond. What do you want? What can you absolutely not live without? Look at how many times I messed up and got in my own damn way! The things that held me back weren't even outside things, they were my own stupid decisions. That Stanford rejection felt like death when I got it but after taking a step back I can see my way again. This is all my long-winded way of saying don't give up. Rejections are the freaking worst, let yourself feel that and don't feel guilty about it. Just know that 1. obstacles can turn into blessings, 2. if you want something you can make it happen. I believe in you.
If you ever want to vent off-thread, feel free to PM me. Also, if there's anything that I can do to help you if you decide to apply next year, let me know. I feel like I got some incredibly good advice from the professors in my department and it's worked out well for me. Another classmate who has applied this round also got into several great schools, I'd be happy to share the advice we were given.
So glad you didn't keep your mouth shut! You're truly amazing, thank you. It sounds like you've put it all on the line to achieve your dream, and your story really is so inspiring. It gives me so much hope for the future. I can't say how thankful I am for all the kind words from everyone. I'm counting my blessings to have all of you to encourage me, a wonderful significant other and some good programs at which to work my butt off and try again after a kicking ass at an MA. It means so much to come here and have everyone be so positive. It is great when family and friends are supportive, but unless they've gone through the process they don't really quite understand. All of you do, and that makes a world of difference.
I've hit my own rough spots (4 undergraduate universities in 4 years, illness, financial hardship) but I know that I'm lucky to be where I am and that if I do work hard, anything is possible in the future. Thank you so so much for the shoulder to cry on. I'm more inspired than ever to put my head down, get to work and really visualize what I want and how to get there. I know I'm good enough, I just have to do a better job of showing schools that. If I'm completely honest, I know I need to hone my skills a little and an MA program (even if I have to take on a little debt) is probably the best place to do that.
I won't give up. I promise. I have a note I wrote my father when I was 7 that told him I wanted to be a professor just like him (he teaches at UCSD) and I refuse to let 7-year old me down. Thank you for helping me refocus - I'm going to take this rejection as a reason to work even harder. Time to prove them all wrong.
A little retail therapy at lunch didn't hurt either.
<3 you all, truly. Don't know what I'd do without the awesome people here.- Nyctophile and jaymarais
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When I first applied to MFA programs, I didn't get into anything. The next year I did the dance again, got into one, and it was at the bottom of my list: I ended up loving it, and then I applied-received an MA, taught a few years at the university & community college level, and loved that, too. Put together a small list of schools/POIs that I wanted to continue my research at/with, spent a year prepping (still tanked the GREs), and so far have been accepted to one, and wait-listed at another (waiting to hear from 2 more).
Untraditional route to a PhD, but it was mine and I owned it, and couldn't be happier. Seems like very few people have a plan for grad school that works out as planned.
Allow yourself to be bummed for a day or two, and then make a new plan and go for it. It'll hurt for a bit, but then new and more doors will open for you, if you work at it. You won't be the first person to have a crappy application season, and you definitely won't be the first to bounce back afterward.
Yeah, this is my second application season, I know that life goes on but it's really encouraging to hear your story. I really appreciate the kind words. I know it isn't the only school that I'd be happy at, and I'm fortunate to have gotten into a few decent semi-funded MA programs. I need to focus on doing well at one of those instead of wallowing in misery. That campus just really really felt like home but I got a little fixated on the school.
I've always been a little untraditional. I guess there's nothing wrong with enjoying the ride and putting in the extra time, but I really needed to have that reminder. Congratulations on your acceptance. It sounds incredibly well-deserved. I'm sure that having to work that much harder to continue on has made you a stronger an applicant and more confident in your goals. Hopefully I'll be there someday too.
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Honestly have kept a stiff upper lip about the 8 rejections before this one, but nothing hurts more than the UW one. That is my dream school and Seattle is my dream town. I felt robbed when I had to leave their undergraduate program to move back to CA and I've been desperately trying to get back ever since.
Ugh, just totally hate this feeling. Don't know how to cope at this point. Any suggestions?
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I've got the same question, so anyone that has any advice would be welcome.
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I've actually lost a ton of weight during the application process. I find that being meticulous and a little anal about my nutrient and calorie counts helps distract me from the stress of applications (especially during the waiting process). The gym is a really great place to work off some stress, just get into the cardio and space out with some music. Plus the endorphins make it a little easier to feel positive. While I was working on applications the gym was the only break I let myself take, so it started feeling like a reward rather than a pain. Always better when there's something good on the gym TV too.
That being said, I've only changed my eating and working out habits for the last few months, and I'm sort of a big girl, so the weight really WANTS to come off me right now. Every time I think about ice cream it just reminds me of the 2 hours I'd have to spend at the gym for it. Not worth it. But being sore and exhausted also means I'm not worrying about UW or Iowa too much. I also love trying to get out of the gym and going hiking with my dogs. No reception in the wilderness means no checking email on my phone, spending more time with the girlfriend and when we get back even the dogs are tired. Then again I'm lucking I'm in San Diego, CA so the weather permits hiking and trips to dog beach.
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The debt questions are mine as well. What do you ultimately wish to do as a career?
My end goal is to get a PhD and teach at a university (like most people on this forum) but I went to 3 undergraduate universities because I had to transfer to be closer to home for financial reasons, so my undergraduate career isn't as strong as other PhD applicants. I'm taking the MA as a chance to show I can be a great grad student and to learn more about my field (post-1945 American).
I'm lucky that transferring and working means I dont have any undergraduate debt though my partner went to art school and she does. So I'm going to try not to stress about money until I hear from all the schools but I'm all about avoiding debt if I can.
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Yo. I'm an MA applicant too. Just heard good news from UVA today. Applied to some funded and some unfunded programs. Just trying to decide how much (if any!) debt is worth it. We shall see when the rest of the schools get back to me.
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So those who are still waiting on a word from Boston College: I emailed the DGS and was told that I haven't heard back because I was rejected from the PhD program but being considered for the MA. I will not be taking the MA offer as I've already received a couple of acceptances/waitlist offers at programs higher on my list, but I thought I should post this just in case others are sitting on their hands waiting to here from BC.
Thanks for the news! Definitely waiting on pins and needles to hear about their MA program... in the meantime I leave it to House of Cards to distract me from all the emails, calls and letters that I'm not getting.
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Ugh stressed to the max over UW. I was there for a year in undergrad before circumstances forced me to transfer closer to home in CA. Desperate to go back. If they keep me hoping until too far into March they may be the death of me.
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I emailed Davis for my rejection and got a really nice personal response, but haven’t received the “official” rejection notice either.
Part of me knows it is going to be a rejection and that it's just a matter of time, but I still don't want to give up hope I guess (as sad as that is). If I email them and find out then it's over. Better to just not...hear...anything...? Ugh. I still have a lot of schools to hear from, I'm just hoping I don't get a ton of rejections all at the same time. Better to space out the pain.
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Accepted at U Oregon! Woo!
Congratulations!
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Odd to not have heard from UC Davis. Anyone else in this boat and bracing for a rejection?
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Eff. You heard back from CM already? Their app deadline was just 2 weeks ago for Rhetoric AND Cultural Studies. (I applied for their MA Rhetoric.) Aw shit. Here go the stress and tears.
I was astounded they were as quick as they were...I assumed when I saw the email they were missing some materials or something. Good luck though, I've only seen one other acceptance on the board and it was for lit culture studies too. Maybe rhetoric is later?
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Weeeee first acceptance (I thought it would never come!!!). Carnegie Mellon's MA in Literary and Cultural Studies. I've been sort of in love with the idea of this program, but if anyone has any specific info/advice about it, I'd love to hear from you.
- toasterazzi and andromache
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Congrats to the person who made it into UMass' MA program. I'm dying to hear from them. Let us know if they gave you any anxiety-relieving info for the rest of us.
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Hmm I never received an email like that... Wonder what's up with that.
And I'm sure you'll have your choice of other schools! You were definitely smart to apply to so many.
Hopefully that means someone will be calling you to tell you that you're in instead!
I believe in you! -
Envious that you still have 17 schools left. I initially applied to 14 and am assuming rejection on 7 thus far.
Also, the dog in your profile picture is stinking adorable. I want.
Haha thanks! She's a little monster but she makes up for it by being cute. Corgis are fun dogs but she runs this house. Even bullies the hell out of our huge German Shepherd.
Having 17 left is nice yeah, but it definitely means my letter writers wouldn't be excited about doing this again next year....
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So sorry tsaying to check thatar that! Sending positive vibes your way!
Where did you see your status had changed? I logged into the site, and mine still just says "submitted," but their website confuses me a bit, so I wanted to make sure I'm checking in the correct place.
They sent me an email with a new password and user name a couple of days ago saying that's where the decision would be when it was finalized. There's a section there that says "your decision will be here when available" or something and today mine had a link that said "click here to view your decision"
On the plus side workout endorphins mean I'm going to move on with my life. After all I still have 17 schools I haven't heard from...
UVA MA Program
in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
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Hey there I'm currently finishing up my MA at UVa (just that thesis to finish) so I thought I'd chime in here. Almost everyone in my cohort has taken out substantial loans (unless their parents are helping out) but similarly most of us have positions with the university either as RAs or at the Writing Center. The cost of living in Charlottesville is totally doable, especially with roommates, and as I'm from southern California the rent seems astronomically cheap. I know people who have used the loans just for tuition and made it work just working but I've used some loans for cost of living too.
As for the program, the MA students are totally integrated in with the PhDs doing their coursework to the point that most professors don't even know who is in which program. The faculty have been great, super supportive of research ideas, really generous with their time and recommendations, always willing to give advice to help get you into a PhD. I personally know people from my MA cohort who have gotten into Ivy PhD schools this application round and in all likelyhood I'm heading back to a great school on the west coast for my own PhD. I 100% credit my success this round on the academic focus that I've gotten at UVA and the way the program pushes you to get involved in conferences and publication opportunities. The other grad students are generally pretty welcoming and wonderful too. I've loved most of my seminars. It also helps we have a library system with amazing special collections and librarians who are willing to purchase all kinds of materials for you.
Having said that, Charlottesville itself is not my favorite place in the world. I'm from a very liberal area and moving here has been an eye-opener. It's a small town and while there's some decent food there isn't really much to do. It's also a place where you'll run into people you know everywhere, whether you want to or not. Don't believe anyone that tells you it isn't the South, it absolutely is and that shows in the undergraduate population as well. But hey, for the two years of amazing academic progress I've gotten, I would say it's been worth it.