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gk210

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    Dear 2015 Applicants, Here is What the 2014ers Learned This Year That Might Help You

    in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition

    Posted · Edited by gk210

    My only pieces of advice I can give for undergrad students who are looking to applying to grad school (all from my personal experience for this application cycle)-

    • Start kissing ass. NOW. If you haven't already, which you should've been doing a long time ago. Whatever you do, just keep hovering over professor's offices during their appointment hours. Go in even just to talk about something you discussed during lecture earlier that day. Maintain relationships. I cannot stress this enough. Go before submitting papers, after submitting papers, whatever. Some may say this comes off as annoying but it actually worked SO much in my favor, I can't even begin to describe to you. I was literally one of those kids who damn near lived at a teacher's office hours before a midterm, after a midterm, before a final, and after a final. I did whatever I could to get whatever extra help I needed, and to let teachers know what a great job they're doing and the positive effect they have on me. I have absolutely no regrets maintaining great relationships with professors. They are literally there to help you, that's part of their job. Some may be too busy but most not too much, at least they'll be there to help you with grad school questions. And furthermore, it's a great way for you to stand out in all the upper div courses they're teaching. I imagine it's hard to keep track of a lecture hall bustling with students, and it's up to you to decide how you want to stand out. You want a LOR writer who's going to showcase your performance the best way they know YOU. My past professors who were also my LOR writers for this season's applications were all too happy to help me out, to talk to me, to go over my SOP's, writing samples, the works, in addition to writing my letters. I was also really great buddies with a TA I had twice during my undergrad career, and she too looked over my SOP drafts multiple times. You have no idea how much is at your advantage when you maintain relationships with your teachers. 
    • Really question yourself and see if this is what you really want to do. I know this sounds cliche but I know a lot of people who started questioning why they were doing this (AFTER they started the program.) It's really tough. You've heard it all..."don't try to go back to school to avoid the real world" but you have to really know what you're signing up for. Don't do it for anyone else or because that's what your parents expect. Do it because you have your own reasons to do it. That's all I can really say. Some may disagree with me, but this is just from a personal standpoint that I have reflected upon for the past 8 months.
    • For GRE, use Magoosh. I swear by it. Don't bother with those extremely expensive Kaplan or Barron or Princeton Review courses. They dumb down the GRE in my opinion, and I learned it the hard way. I'm happy to vouch that the second time around before I took the test again, I used Magoosh prepware and I improved my score by 15 points. 
    • And as everyone's reiterated so many times on here, DO NOT PROCRASTINATE. Do NOT. I repeat, DO NOT. Have everything done early. You should have already looked at schools around this time of the year and spring into summer is when you should be going through several drafts of your SOP and writing samples. Don't ever send in a raw paper ever. Have all your materials ordered on time. I had a nightmare rush express mailing transcripts and GRE scores to my institutions. That was effing TERRIBLE. That's just more added stress you really didn't need. 
    • As difficult as I know this may be to all of you, stay the HELL AWAY from GradCafe from December - April. I mean it. I MEAN IT. It won't do anything for you, all it'll do is freak you out. I know that being on here helps everyone come together to talk about their stresses and such which is great, and I love the Literature/Rhetoric community on here because everyone is so helpful and reassuring (and it's great that we can all either cry together or celebrate together) but just step away from the computer. Go outside. Get some fresh air. Being on here has stressed me out more than it has helped me sometimes, as much as I hate to admit (because I love everyone here.) Just don't go on the Results board. Don't go on any forums. Don't go anywhere near this place. I've lost a countless hours of sleep just from stalking the forums on here that just added to my stress. I'm telling you, it doesn't help. 

    I know these are very general pieces of advice that have been circulated for seasons coming but from my personal experiences from the past year since this whole application process has started, these are the steps that I really really cannot stress enough. I don't care if it's cliche, it is the TRUTH. I know there were things that I didn't follow that I'm stating on here, and who knows, there could've been better ways I have prepared but I'm happy with the outcomes. 

    Staying Healthy Through the Stress

    in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition

    Posted

    On 3/6/2014 at 11:59 AM, BowTiesAreCool said:

    I like to toss sweet potatoes into my curry.

    Perhaps I should turn my blog into a cooking for grad students blog.

    Yes please DO IT. I myself love being in the kitchen and am always on the lookout for recipes and I'm sure you can provide a ton of ideas!! I was cooking a lot more during my senior year of college when I lived off campus and had my own fully functional kitchen. I'd always browse through recipes online. I think that's something for grad students to be on the watch for when living on their own and trying to eat healthy and (relatively) on a budget. 

    Staying Healthy Through the Stress

    in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition

    Posted

    Eating habits are always tricky, because 75% of weight loss progression is all what you put in your mouth. It was definitely tough going from being able to devour plates and plates of food after a 4000 calorie burning day (double swim practices plus weights/early morning 6AM gym during college swim season and club swimming practices my whole life) so having to watch what I ate definitely sucked! I missed eating my weight in food then stepping on the scale only to find out that if anything, I LOST a few lbs. It was AWESOME. I definitely took that for granted. 

     

    I never found calorie counting to ever really work that well in my favor. I'm not really sure what it is, but counting calories would stress me out and if anything cause me to relapse and binge eat eventually. I've just learned to avoid salt and sugar. I never relied on "low-fat" food either. I'm also careful about not eating outside so much. I absolutely adore cooking for myself in my own kitchen, and I find that restaurant portions in America are insane...they heap on twice as much food as what's necessary for the human body's consumption. When I went to Asia last fall, their food portions were so much smaller than the U.S. and my what a difference that made! You also don't know what exactly is going into your food since you aren't preparing it, so watch out. 

     

    As everything in life is, moderation is key I guess, to a healthier eating habit. AVOID SODA! (Diet Coke used to be my FAVE in high school), and just drinking water only is something that's probably had the most impact on my diet. It made such a huge difference in my weight. I lost 20 lbs in about 5 months just from cutting out soda completely. Carbonated soda is the enemy, I cannot stress that enough. Drinking green tea really helps too, which is a good thing because I absolutely adore hot green tea.

     

    I've tried this no bread/flour thing or at least, cutting out a lot and I feel like that's really helped too. On the days I'm not working out, I eat less because my body doesn't need that much energy to burn. After workouts I'm always sure to go for a green smoothie to replenish the water I've lost. Not eating at all is unhealthy though!

     

    I also started eating peanut butter a bit more. Snacking rather than having huge meals helps, and instead of the usual chips I used to go when I'd get hungry I'd reach for some green apples and peanut butter, celery + peanut butter, carrots+peanut butter, bananas+peanut butter. I will literally stick anything in a jar of Skippy. Yes PB tends to be caloric but at the same time has high amounts of protein plus they keep you feeling full a lot longer. Peanut butter on wheat in the morning is a great way to stay full till lunch, or at least make your brain into thinking it's full. 

     

    Making small substitutions is great as well...healthy alternatives are ALWAYS there, believe me. Go online and you'll find TONS of ideas.I opted for quinoa (Living in santa cruz made me really appreciate quinoa a lot more), and swapped white bread for whole grain or whole wheat. I love the Farmer's Market, so I'd also learn to stock up. Fresh produce is relatively cheap, and this way you have a better chance at getting organic vegetables rather than the ones with a ton of chemicals and pesticides and crap. That's another thing I learned in grocery shopping. I also don't eat any pre-packaged, pre-frozen foods or microwave foods. I know that one could be tough especially when you don't have time to prepare food for yourself and you want something quick. 

     

    Blood pressure and cholesterol levels are also pretty important to regularly check during app season when we're gaining weight left and right. It isn't always just about weight gain, but to get the rest of your body checked out and that everything is functioning well. I don't eat meat, (only animal I consume is fish) so lucky enough when I went to the doctor a few weeks ago, my blood pressure is relatively low and at an okay rate (128 I believe?)

     

    Food is something that we should be able to enjoy and not have to stress over. If everything is too complicated for you guys, I guess this line sums it up the best: "Eat food. But not a lot. Mostly plants." 

    Staying Healthy Through the Stress

    in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition

    Posted · Edited by gk210

    This is something I've definitely wrestled with for sure within the past 7 months. As an ex- competitive athlete, fitness regimens were an essential part of my daily life for the past 19 years up until I was 23 (I was a swimmer). That didn't stop after graduation...I wanted to be fit for the summer so I kept on with the 4 mile runs, green smoothies, and cross-fit.

     

    However, as grad preparation rolled around starting from GRE season, I found myself having less and less time to go to the gym. Around the same time I began prepping for grad apps around August last year, I got hired at an office (total green light for weight gain, sitting in cubicles all day) all the weight I was able to keep off I slowly started to gain back. One day of missing the gym would turn into 2, then three, then four, then eventually there'd be weeks where I'd go without exercising. It all caught up to me, slowly but surely. My body wasn't used to being sedentary. 

     

    And of course the stress didn't help...I'd find myself turning to "comfort food" (lots and lots of carbs) or having that extra half-pint of ice cream that I didn't need. It was all in small increments over time, as weight gain usually goes. I'd say that stress itself probably contributed to 25% of the weight I actually gained. Stress would also keep me up at night, and I know not getting enough sleep can also contribute to weight gain.

     

    Stress led to a lot of drinking for me as well at times.  I'd also turn to alcohol at times when I'd go out with friends...and it's no secret that alcohol is another great area for potential weight gain, since I'm a little prissy bitch at the bars and I like drinking fruity drinks. Beer also doesn't help...bottles of empty calories? Make it a double! 

     

    Now that apps are all turned in, I've been consistently attending the gym again, thanks to the free time I have now. Maybe not every day as I did in the summer, but I force myself to at least go 3-4 times a week. I also found that there are better ways to relieving stress than recreational smoking, drinking, and fatty foods, and that is working out. Going to the gym to just workout all your stress is great, and exercise releases endorphins that cheer me the hell up (thanks Legally Blonde!) After receiving 3 rejections yesterday, instead of crying into my bowl of Haagen Daasz, my best friend dragged me to the gym and I just poured out all my stress into my 2 favorite types of cardio: swimming and running. There's nothing like putting in 4 miles on the treadmill with some upbeat tunes blasting through your earphones and just sweating out all your stress and frustration. 

     

    I know the type of person I am and how I deal with stress and being down in the dumps from rejection. I feel like I can be sort of a weak person which is why I tend to indulge in terrible things when I'm not happy. This time in my life is no exception, and I'm sure there are a lot of people who can relate. It's up to ourselves to decide how we can de-stress in healthier alternatives. We can do it!

    Fall 2014 applicants??

    in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition

    Posted · Edited by gk210

    Thanks for sharing that info.

    Also, I'm familiar with automatic refresh syndrom. I feel like many of us on this site probably are. ;) Let's keep our fingers crossed (and also thumbs pressed as we do here in Germany) so we won't need to do it all over again next time.

     

    As for the willpower thing. Thank you! ;) I tend to call it stubbornness. I give myself two tries for most things since I'm usually pressed for time the first time around. Also, I look at rejections like they could just be bad luck. We know what the chances are and we also know that not getting in does not necessarily mean that the application portfolio was bad. I'm not trying to convince you to try again, even if it doesn't work out, but it might be worth considering, do you feel you could improve your chances next time around?

    Probably. I'll take a leaf out of most people's books from here, at least from what they shared, about talking to the department asking what I could possibly fix for the next time around so as to not make the same mistakes. I will take a leaf out of your book as well Megeen, and try, try again. 

     

    Every year I'm told the applicant pool differs...if it's my GRE, I'll re-study ALL over again (although I'd really really REALLY rather not go there again, haha) or if it's my GPA, well, I'm not sure what I can do there (suggestions?), re-fix writing samples (My professor told me they were absolutely CRUCIAL to an application), take on another, better approach to crafting the perfect SOP, and probably look for another job.

     

    I get so many signs every day that I'm meant to do this, and it's beyond just being able to say I have a Masters degree. It isn't really about trying to "avoid the real world" for me either. I want to do this more than anything. This is a way of LIFE now, and I'm committing to it. 

     

    Wow, slow down there, gk. Haha. 

    Fall 2014 applicants??

    in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition

    Posted · Edited by gk210

    I have a question about Chicago. Are you just talking about the MAPH or also English PHD? If there's a glitch in the admissions system, that wouldn't affect the acceptances the English Dept sends out directly, right? I'm still hoping against hope that there's a PhD admission in there somewhere.

     

    As for coping: I had a couple of pretty miserable phases when acceptances started rolling in and I didn't get any and then I somehow convinced myself that none of them are gonna work out this year and I'll try again next time. I'm still hoping for the last two but I've gotten to a place where I don't really see it as an option anymore and I'm fine with that. Sorry, that probably doesn't help much. For me it's mostly a head space thing. Mine tells me I don't want to be miserable anymore and then I move into resignation/acceptance stage...

     

    The person who emailed me back just simply told me that she thought there is "a glitch in the application system," her exact words. I know, I'm sorry that that isn't much help. It was not specified as whether it is the PhD or the MAPH or the entire admission system in general. She said "application system" so who knows. I myself applied for MAPH, or maybe the system just messed up for me and me only. Either way she told me the Assistant Dean of Admissions will see if my decision can be released and that if it doesn't show up in 24 hours to contact them again. I've just been refreshing the page nonstop for the past few hours, but nothing yet. 

     

    I was told that decisions are never stated directly on the emails, only emails to notify you to check on the site. I'd rather just know already. I almost wish they could just tell me over the phone..."Oh okay so it says here you're denied." LOL! Man I am being a complete pessimist! I admire your courage to keep on keeping on and trying again for a new cycle though Megeen. Major major MAJOR props to you. I wish I had that type of willpower, but I'm the type that gets so discouraged and too afraid to try again.

     

    But at least I know that if one door closes, another one will open! That's my light at the end of the tunnel that I'm trying to remind myself with.

    Fall 2014 applicants??

    in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition

    Posted

    Congrats Des! I'm so stoked for you. I'm waiting on Syracuse as well, and Chicago's MAPH. For Chicago, they said there's a glitch with the admission system or something but I'll find out within the next 24 hours. I don't really have expectations to get into either but I guess my biggest problem right now is learning how to deal with rejections physically, emotionally, and mentally. How have you all coped with it?

    Fall 2014 applicants??

    in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition

    Posted · Edited by gk210

    Seeing that despejado (?) got considered for a fully funded MA position at Syracuse, (I offer my sincerest of congrats to you by the way, way to go!) does that mean we MA applicants have no chance, since our positions will be relegated to the back until AFTER PhD applicants will be considered for MA positions? :'[   I applied to the Syracuse MA program for English, and I wonder if I should start anticipating another implied rejection...

     

    I was thinking about this the other week when someone mentioned they got considered for Carnegie Mellon's MA department (when they were applying for PhD's).

     

    I'm sorry if I sound whiney or rude, I'm just really stressed. I figured nobody will want a first-timer MA applicant anyway when there are so many competitive PhD applicants around and will obviously be considered first. I don't even care about funding at this point, getting in anywhere would be a miracle.  :(

    Fall 2014 applicants??

    in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition

    Posted

    I’m sorry :( Here’s to hoping you get accepted somewhere wonderful if you haven’t already. 

    Haha, thanks. But weirdly enough I don't feel that bothered. I feel like I should be more bummed but maybe just seeing old friends while I'm up here is helping me forget about how bad I should feel. Actually if anything I feel really relieved, you know? I don't know if that's weird. 

     

    On the bright side, SJSU has been bugging me to apply for GA and TA positions. The grad program director has been contacting me and emailing me asking me if I've applied for it, because according to my records they think I'm a competitive applicant, and want me to apply for those positions. I sort of told them, "Hey what the heck, I haven't even been accepted yet," but they kept telling me to apply for it anyway.

     

    I told my professor all of this today and he tells me that I should take that as a positive sign. His wife works in that grad department, so he tells me he's very familiar with the graduate application process at CSU's. He says the program wouldn't be doing that if they don't think the applicant has a chance to get in. He told me to not give up, and that there will be a silver lining. I don't want to count chickens before they're hatched, but I'm looking at their funding and they pay their TA/GA's quite handsomely. Sounds a lot better than a completely unfunded MA program if you ask me, which is what would happen if I were to attend UCSC. I mean I still don't know, and won't know if I got in until April/May (what SJSU told me) so we'll see what happens. It won't hurt to keep hoping I suppose.

     

    I guess I'm just meaning to say, things will all work out in our favor at the end and shit's just meant to happen.

    Fall 2014 applicants??

    in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition

    Posted

    I flew up to Santa Cruz last night to visit my alma mater, visit my old professors/thank my old LOR writers. He told me very kindly, "Listen, I know this is tough but I'll just give it to you straight--you probably didn't get into the program. I'm sorry." I already figured that was going to happen. I went down to the UCSC Graduate Department and they told me since they started focusing a lot more on the Creative Writing PhD program, they were starting to take funding out of the Literature department to create spots for the PhD program. Pretty much I hear they were only focusing and accepting PhD students this year, and not really doling out MA spots. 

     

    It sucks but I mean what can you do, right?

     

    For those applying to the UCSC PhD program, they're starting to send out their offers this week. Just a heads up. And if you're applying for a Masters and you got in, congrats, because I hear they literally didn't have spots this year to offer. They are handing out offers to 15 applicants, btw. 

    Fall 2014 applicants??

    in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition

    Posted · Edited by gk210

    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. 

    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.

    Fall 2014 applicants??

    in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition

    Posted

    Did anyone here apply to Syracuse? I haven't seen that they're historically popular here, at least on the results board. Anyone know why?

    I applied to the Syracuse MA Humanities program. Their department for English looks absofreakinglutely amazing. Their program really appealed to me...one because I noticed they are one of the few institutions I'm applying to that actually cares about Masters students. Most don't give a piece of poop until PhD from what I've heard from several grad students. "Caring" meaning, I saw that they offer funding from what I understand and took from their department coordinator. I really like that. 

    Fall 2014 applicants??

    in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition

    Posted

    I was told to mention people. I also found some sample SOPs online from the UC schools, and one successful applicant listed 2-3 people and talked about their work, so that's what I did. I mentioned 2-3, read some of their work, and wrote about how these individuals might help my own work. However, I was instructed not to phrase it as, "I would like to work with so and so" for reasons stated before (ie, 5 people wanting to work with the same person). I kept it general at, "I would enjoy speaking with/conversing with/etc such and such professor about..." so that I wouldn't be boxed out due to my POI not being available.

     

    Not sure if this was the right decision, but I guess we'll see. I haven't heard back from anywhere really out of 11 schools. One implied rejection so far from BC but that's it.

     

    I mentioned a few people as well for the most part. Some programs that were a very general spectrum, I didn't, but most yes, I did mention a few professors whose research REALLY stood out to me and were studies and mentorship I believed would benefit me.

     

    I had professors all advise me to mention a few POIs. One teacher I had who's in with the adcomm board for the school I'm applying to says it's helped past applicants more than it has hurt them. "Just do whatever you can to get your name out there and tossed around somehow," was what she told me.

     

    Fingers crossed.

    Fall 2014 applicants??

    in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition

    Posted · Edited by gk210

    I've gotten several emails like this  -- one of them just yesterday -- from various schools.

     

    I know -- in my heart of hearts -- that they're conspiring to never utter (neither now, nor in mid or late February, nor any part of March, nor ever) any words to me other than that my application is in a committee being reviewed.  

    Right?! All I get when I log on to my portals for other schools is "Your application is received and being reviewed," but this is the first school that actually sent me a separate letter telling me they're now starting the process of reviewing. UGH. I just want it all to be over. I really don't know how well I'm going to handle rejection...I feel like I'll probably sink into depression.

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