rainy_day

I know someone who did a PhD and MLS concurrently. The PhD program knew about the MLS degree, but he did it at a different school. Considering the state of the job market right now, it's really not a terrible idea. My program actually had an info session for PhD students on earning an MLS, because it might be helpful in the job search. I definitely would give yourself the first year or two to just focus on your PhD program, to get a sense of the expectations and work load. I would also suggest you look for an inexpensive option, because Library degrees really are not as name-conscious as PhD programs. My friend who did both really regretted the $$ he invested to go to a top program, because he realized he could have gone to a lower ranked program for less $$ and the same benefits. Also, here are a number of reputable online programs (which are based in a brick-and-mortar school, so we're not talking UPheonix here) that could really help you with the time-management side of things. On one level, it's a crazy things to do, but then isn't he PhD program in and of itself a little nutty? Be careful that you don't bight off more than you can chew with coursework or finances.

No question. Take the funded offer and run.

If you contact publisher's reps for your area at various publishing companies (Heinle, Pearson, McGraw Hill, Bedford St Martin's, etc.) they will listen to your needs and send you desk copies that you can choose from. Bonus: free books! Also, these books usually have instructor support materials.

For better or worse, your GPA and GRE are completely irrelevant to an MFA program. The only thing that matters is your writing portfolio and, once you make it to the finalists, your statement of purpose and letters of recommendation. This may not be the case for PhD programs in creative writing, however.

I am officially a member of this thread, now. Next time I plan to get into ALL THE SCHOOLS.

Thanks, lyonness! Maybe we'll be classmates, yet! Also, I'd really encourage anyone who didn't make it in this year to write to their respective schools, especially where they were waitlisted, and ask for some feedback. The feedback I have received has been extremely helpful and actually very uplifting.

Well, it's official, I'll be back here next year. 2013 we will get into all the schools.

Oh, Trip, I'm so sorry to hear that. Crazier things HAVE happened!! Internet hugz.

Thunder paws, mad mad congratulations!!!! I've been rooting for you. Here's more good vibes for everyone on this thread!!

Oh, dear, I'm sorry. Although, maybe it will be liberating? Wishful thinking.

Congrats, Timshel!

I'll second this. I scored incredibly high on the GRE, and i've yet to be accepted to a program. I wish I could go back and spend the time on my writing sample. Studying for the GRE is easy; you just follow what a book tells you to do. Write a statement of purpose and and editing a writing sample is much, much scarier and much harder to do, so studying for the GRE becomes, I think, a distraction that we convince ourselves is "productive." It's not, spend the time on your SOP and WS.

At this point, I'd definitely call back! It's only 5 more days until decisions have to be made, so I'm sure they've made a decision about you! At another school, they thought they'd alerted me to my waitlist status, but the announcement was still sitting in a file somewhere.

It's quite alright! I've received some really helpful feedback on my application, and I've already started prepping for next year. Is it strange & masochistic that part of me is hoping for rejections so that I can fix my app and try again? Yes, yes it is. Btw, I'm really pulling for Rutgers to pull through for you, Trip.