Mattie Roh

Well, my apps are all in so I'll give my two cents!
 
Favorite poet: Whitman. Whitman has gotten me through some very tough times. There's something about the way he speaks to the reader, the way he creates this camaraderie, this notion of a universal experience that we're all in together, that I find soothing. I've also been partial to the Wordsworth, though I think that's generally considered the mark of an amateur (I've never studied poetry). Perhaps this exposes my traditional Dead White Male upbringing in literature. For nonfiction, I'm a sucker for Malcolm Gladwell and, as I mentioned in another thread, Sam Keane.
 
Authors: I've always been partial to the 19th century -- Hawthorne, Melville, Dickens, Austen, Wharton, James. And for plays, the Golden Age of American Drama -- Miller, Williams, O'Neill. Love me some Ibsen, too.
 
My favorite books all over the place, however -- The Lord of the Rings, The Sword of Shannara (yes, Tolkien and Terry Brooks are not mutually exclusive in my book), Catch 22, The House of the Seven Gables, The Age of Innocence, The Historian, The Disappearing Spoon. 

to get that cheese
 

Maybe it's been said in this thread before and it probably ought to be repeated every few pages: Prepare for a long haul. Admissions can be a terrible beast. By February blood begins to boil and things begin to change. 

You're all doing very well getting your app materials prepared early - just don't leave your mind/self/ego/psyche out of the preparation. 

Think a bit about what sort of books or hobbies you'll have to keep you busy while waiting. Think of ways you can remain collegial when the going gets tough. Maybe even familiarize yourself with your Campus Mental Health / Counseling services. There is no shame in asking for help. "You don't understand", is probably more true now than it has ever been in your undergrad career. 

Admissions is a journey. No matter the outcome, you'll learn something.

"It is better to travel well than to arrive"

Hi fellas -- I'll probably throw my hat into the ring again too. Already trying to think of what I can do to clarify my approach, add to my SOP. I'm also somewhat limited by distance.
 
"Once more unto the breech, dear friends, once more"

ASSEMBLE THE MINIONS 

I hit my like quota before the end of the first page. I totally agree with Graditude's advice. Seeing a close friend, a homie from the hood in Houston, Tx get his PhD and become a chingon, seeing my girl from immigrant parents and one of the worst neighboords in Dallas go to Berkeley and seeing her evolve into a badass, those experiences have had a profound effect on me, more than they will ever know. It wasn't even anything they said, but watching them go through the process made it seem like a real possibility for me. I'm the youngest in my generation by at least 5 years and was first to graduate from college in my family, and then I was the first to get my MA. I know that this pushed my sister and cousin to finish, even if it was out of pure embarrasment. Anyway, my point is that by doing this you're bringing a whole group of people along even if you don't realize it. I'm sure that you will go on to be that inspiration even if you don't pursue the TT positions.
 
Edit: Just wanted to add that I'm pulling for you too. Y gracias por el ánimo!

Let's be honest...idk if it is just me or I am having a break down or what, but does anyone ever get cold feet or have second thoughts about going into graduate school, especially when you would have to relocate and give up...everything. Idk...I'm breaking down man. I read an article discussing reasons TO go to grad school and reasons NOT to go. One of those reasons centered on location, stating that relocating should be a CONSEQUENCE of graduate school, not a reason to attend. And I'm definitely feeling this consequence now. I got into a good program with a really great offer, and I have a passion and thirst and hunger for this subject and topic. I want to keep learning and maximize every ounce of potential I have. I want to write....and I want to do this for me. I'm not going to grad school in an attempt to stick some elitist badge on myself, to make money, to advance myself, or any of that. If I never secured a tt job and worked at Mcdonalds for the rest of my life, I wouldnt consider myself a failure. I had one life to live, and I lived the experience of graduate school, of learning, of immersing myself in subjects I wanted to learn so much about. I'd be content.
 
But I would have to give up so much to do it. I'd have to leave home, say goodbye to everything, to my significant other--the best person I have ever known. Idk if it is worth it. I recall sitting in a cafe, drinking coffee with my 70 year old professor and discussing this very same subject with him. The one thing he told me was that he made a lot of mistakes in his long life, and a lot of those mistakes have been choosing business over personal pleasures. I can't help but think I'm going to make the same mistake. 
 
If I were to never attend and just stay home and work, I could be happy. I'd have Sportscenter, a cheeseburger, a dog, a book, and my home, and I'd be content. Sure, I'd never get the experience I'm striving for, but I could be happy. 
 
I keep equating it to walking down the aisle. I've dreamed of this day, but now that it is finally here, it is like, "Holy shit. Am I really about to do this?" Im scared right now and stressing like crazy. If only I didn't have to leave home and say goodbye to so much. Idk...does anyone else feel like this? Is it just me?? 

I seem to recall this sort of anger from last year--people get pretty heated around this time. Good luck, guys. Honestly, I do believe that we're all in this crazy Humanities boat together, however fluffy that sounds.

"You'll get in! Why don't you think you'll get in?!"
 
(said in a sympathetic voice as if I just have low self esteem or something)

Mom: "Oh, I'm sure you'll get into every school you applied to."
Me: "That is literally a statistical impossibility."