ArthChauc

So I'm brand new at this whole "applying to a literature Ph.D" game and since I'm here around some of those better informed than me, can anyone lend a hand and discuss a little what the typical style is for hearing back? Do universities typically send out their rejections and then acceptances? Vice versa? Do they feel remorse when they crush dreams or is it a fun hobby? When do they typically inform applicants that they've been waitlisted? Do most/all schools waitlist? Is there a particular time (early February, mid-February, March, never) that acceptances or rejections typically come? All of this is to say QUELL MY INSECURITIES AND TELL ME THINGS BECAUSE APPLICATION STATUSES ARE NOT. Also hi.

Thanks for all of the (relevant) replies. As far as the job market for Medievalists being "abysmal", I think that you might want to note that the job market for generally every literature scholar is currently taking a hit--the universities I applied to have some of the top Medievalists in the country and I believe letters of recommendation from them will trump a general university name. Again, thanks. I suppose I'll focus on my applications now.

I am currently in a studying "crunch" and take about three to five practice tests per day (skipping quant as I am absolutely focused on my verbal score as a literature Ph.D hopeful). I think a lot of the GRE (and I'm sure many would agree) is knowing the test itself--the format, the implication of questions, how the test "thinks" in terms of which answers are "best", etc. Practice tests are the best means by which I've become attune to what to expect on the GRE, not only as far as content but in terms of the underlying, often implied "question" the test questions ask. Look at any GRE prep book--the answers to practice questions aren't just listed, but explained. There is a system to this, I think everyone would agree, and learning the system is a good deal of the battle. Also, good luck!

Hello, lovely GradCafe lot. I'm a first-time poster and exceptionally nervous about the Ph.D application process (I realize that I am definitely among superb company from reading various other threads). I am currently finalizing a list of potential Ph.D schools and have no idea what to think of what I have so far or if I should be diversifying my list further (suggestions of additional schools are absolutely welcome!). Just a little background...I come from an R1 undergraduate institution and am finishing up a theory-heavy master's degree in literature where I am looking at psychoanalysis and medievalism. My current institution is a very small program but I am working with two extremely reputable, well-published Medievalists (one is a chair of an MLA section and the other an editor for a Bedford edition). My current list stands as follows; any suggestions? Absolutely all comments are welcome! Cheers, everyone. Looking forward to mutually panicking together come late February (who am I kidding? I'm already losing it.). In no particular order: U. of Nebraska U. of Colorado Boulder U. of Oregon Rochester U. of Tennessee Kent State U. Wayne State U. Southern Methodist U. South Carolina U. Purdue U. U. of Washington