rainy_day

When I interviewed to be a TA, I brought a copy of my CV and a list of references. (I had taught before; they could speak to my TA-abilities.) I wore nice slacks and ironed my shirt, prepared a few questions for the prof, and showed ate breakfast that morning. Don't over think it! You're only going to stress yourself out needlesly. Your teaching chops are what the prof will be largely interested in, so present yourself as someone who will be a good TA (i.e. confdent and articulate). I think a big thing that helped me get the job was preparing a few questions that to ask about the course, because at the end of the interview s/he will inevitably ask you: Do you have any questions? It's super awkward to say "No." (Some questions to consider: How do you see the TA role being ideally filled? How do you expect your lectures and the TA-led discussion sections to be run? What do you most want students to walk away with at the end of the semester? etc.) Good luck tomorrow!

I know this thread is a bit old, but I just wanted to jump in and say something about earning an MA: Not all MA programs are created equal. Obviously, funding is part of this, but it is not the only thing to consider. I'm currently in a partially funded MA program. (After a few years in corporate sales, I was able to cover the unfunded portion with relatively little debt, and this was, personally, worthwhile.) My program is small, and makes pains to establish limited distinction between MA and PhD students in classes and mentorship. The pros: I've been able to fine-tune my research interests, which, upon entering the MA program were scattered. I have developed strong relationships with professors, who can speak to my ability to do graduate level work. I've written a number of strong seminar papers, which will help me write a deep statement of purpose and provide a writing sample that I am proud of. I now have conference appearances and teaching experience under my belt, which only strengthens my application. Having been through the application process once, I have experience researching schools and faculty, writing SOPs and editing writing samples, etc. I know what works, and I can learn from my past mistakes. The cons: The issue of funding If my MA program were exclusively one of those infamous "cash cows," funding the PhD students in the department and seen as nothing else, I would have a different story, and I really don't think those programs are necessarily worth the money. Every MA program is, to some extent, a "cash cow." Humanities departments need money. The question is: do they respect you as a novice scholar, or do they see you as a dollar sign? The former can be a really positive experience. Run from the latter.

The best person to tell you if you are applying to the right schools, regarding questions of fit and competition, will be your advisors.

Lit Theory person here, too! Lots of programs have a theory concentration; it is pretty clear from program website's where people are doing theory and where they are doing formalism, etc. (In addition to what people have mentioned, UC Irvine, for example.) What kind of theory are you interested in? If you are interested in theory, I would really stress research, research programs because the truth is there are definitely some profs/departments out there less friendly to certain strands of theory. (Derrida: still a pretty controversial guy; learned that the hard way in my first semester of my MA program.) I will say this: Even in the most liberal, theory friendly places, you're probably going to need to pick a time period eventually, and it mght help you in terms of fit/who you want to work with to think about that now.

Yes, the advice I received was specifically regarding publishing as an MA student; I should have clarified. So I think that makes both pieces of advice valid and not mutually exclusive, perhaps.

A terminal MA sounds perfect! I'm working on my own MA right now, and it's been hugely helpful in narrowing down my interests and making me increasingly qualified for the PhD; even though it wasn't fully funded it's been hugely helpful. If concerns about relocation post-MA are part of the motivation for wanting an MA-->PhD program (I'm reading between the lines, and noticing that your daughter and perhaps a partner are part of the equation) Boston has a *ton* of MA and PhD programs in the city or within an hour drive, so it might be worth looking into. Good luck!

The advice I received on publishing early in one's career was: Don't. It's not expected, and your interests and perspective can change, sometimes drastically, and your skills improve, often dramatically. You could wind up regretting the words published more than the publication as a fact was of help to you.

UMass Boston, if you apply separately (and get) the teaching assistantship. Also, Brandeis isn't funded, but offers partial funding for many admits and doesn't charge tuition the second year, just "continuation" fees around $1000.

I didn't go to UMass Boston, but a good friend of mine did, and she really loved the experience! It's affordable, the faculty are great and really encouraging and challenging, and they offer TA-ships which can cover tuition PLUS provide a stipend. And they really wanted to help her work towards a PhD, so there is support for that, too, if it's your ultimate goal. Good luck!

You mention that languages aren't your highest priority, but demonstrable strength in a number of languages is one of the most important qualifications for Comp Lit; it's what distinguishes English from Comp Lit. So if languages aren't your thing, I'd look at Continental Philosophy influenced Theory-heavy English Depts (Duke, for one, comes to mind) and Philosophy Depts (which I know less about). Good luck!

I got a letter on Saturday, and I live an hour south of Boston, so maybe your letter will be arriving Tuesday or Wednesday? (Not for Irish Studies specifically, but for the English program in general. I had applied for the PhD but was accepted to the MA instead.) Good luck!

I'll be attending the Joint MA in English & Gender Studies in the Fall. Anyone else going to Brandeis?

I'm sure this has been discussed around here, but I can't find the discussion anywhere, My very dear friend has been wait listed at her top choice program, and I was wondering if anyone had advice of what she could do to increase her chances. (She lives in the city that this school is in.) Thanks all!

Did you get a full tuition scholarship? I just got accepted to their joint MA program as well, w/ a 50% scholarship. I am not sure if I will go or not. I think this will be my only acceptance.

All right, I'll chime in here. GPA: 3.9, Distinction in the Field 3 excellent LORs Paper accepted for presentation at major national conference this March I was a teaching assistant and a tutor at my undergrad (Won a tutoring award) Wrote two senior thesis papers: one for honors that I spent an entire year working on independently and one for my major The cons: bad GRE score, some unfocused SOPs that I still can't figure out how to fix *fingers crossed it is enough*

I have a super adult job. As someone else said, too adult! I work in publishing right now. Returning to this industry is my back up plan if I can't get a TT job down the road.

I'll be 25 and I think this is the perfect time for me.

Nice idea. Maybe a set open time, like a weekly social? Anyway, EST here.

i think they say two weeks to arrive, right? i imagine there is flexibility here--I hope there is because one of my schools is getting late GRE scores. thankfully it is my last choice.

I would wait until the end of this week, giving them some time to process ALL the applications that are coming in their door, and then write a quick, "I want to confirm that you received all the pieces of my application..."

For what it is worth, when I was applying to undergrad, my letter writer a) wrote the letter on a typewriter spelled my name wrong and c) when he noticed it, hand wrote the correct spelling above the typed misspelling. It looked ridiculous! Forgot about that until just now.

hahahah! this is the best.