fromeurope

If the school offer the same funding for all their students it might be problematic. Or, I should hope so at least (I see this as an advantage). If they deploy variable funding -- well, then I guess it should be doable.

Oh, you implied no such thing, and you did not come across that way. I do believe we're a bit off-topic now though.

According to the DGS at Rutgers, they also pride themselves on producing good teachers. I didn't ask about specifics (such as number of students...), but I was told that first year, you lead group discussions, second year you teach comp, third year you have the opportunity to design your own course. I guess this is a good way to ease into it (and, I would assume, the way it works in most places). Rutgers is a big university though, so I imagine that there still is a "cheap labor" factor in play. Anyway, you seem to have received a fantastic offer at Vanderbilt from more than just a monetary perspective -- congratulations!

How so? (Also, 24K! I'm jealous.) --- In relation to this, I guess that some sort of TAship is included in most/all of these packages? At Rutgers, there is a first year fellowship, but after that you explicitly get a TAship salary.

Anybody has a sense of system-wide total unique applicants VS number of funded spots? Pulling some numbers out of thin air for the "top 20" (simply because I have at least some sort of sense about the numbers here): avg apps per school: ~400 [they seem to range between 300-700+ -- the avg should possibly be higher] avg spots per school: ~10 [i guess?] avg apps within the top 20 per individual: ~5 [some people throw in a couple, others apply only within the top 20 range -- 5 seems a fair enough number] This would mean, if my math is correct (below the 50th percentile on the GRE quant...) that, in terms of individuals who apply, approximately 10% get in within the top 20 "system". Obviously, the situation is a lot more complex than this -- the top 20 isn't self-contained, geographical considerations... and not to mention the high degree of uncertainty of my estimates. The math: 400*20=8000 apps 8000/5=1600 individuals 200/1600=0,125 or 12,5% admits in terms of individuals Yes... much simplified, but I was curious to get some sense of the scale of this thing. But, hmmm, I'm not sure. 10% seems too high. Anyone have any real data on this?

With the benefit of hindsight, this is what I would do, were I to apply again (thankfully, not necessary!) a) apply only to schools you want to attend, and do research to be sure I realized (too late) that 40% of my apps were to schools that didn't really care for anyway. This situation could have been easily avoided, saving me both money (well, probably not money...) and hassle, as well as giving me a better chance of going somewhere I want to go. regardless of stats, do not only look to top-this-or-that schools; play the entire field I applied, basically, to top 20 programs this year, and I basically consider myself very lucky that it worked out. If I were to do it again, I would have shopped around more and not be as fixated on the rankings -- whatever those mean. c) leave no stone unturned I know that quant is not that important for us, but I really regret not putting at least some effort into it -- I focused on the verbal and got a good score there, but with not so much work I could easily have added 100-150 points to GRE total through the quant. This is one of the things that annoy me the most about my application cycle. I could have done it, but I didn't. Stupid. d) know what you want to do I've been asked by adcoms what general era I want to focus on -- yes, it's true, it wasn't clear from my SOP. The reason was, of course, that I wasn't sure myself. But I should have been. Things may change, of course, but at least for the application cycle, try to present a focused interest. e) don't freak out about the GREs High scores are all well and fine, but unless you tank completely, just work on the other parts of your application package! Were I to apply again, I would not retake the GREs -- that's my opinion at least, but c) applies. f) if at all possible, try to find a mentor from the "inside" They're invaluable. But I don't know that much -- you should check this out, I think: http://community.livejournal.com/wgi_lounge_2010/31395.html and keep an eye out for circumfession's upcoming post on re-applying.

I'm not arguing against you -- of course a higher score is better, and perhaps, even quite necessary at the most prestigious schools. I just think it is important to emphasize that a high GRE isn't everything, even if a high-enough score is vital. You're very aware of these things, I know, and it's great that you approach the GRE in Lit with such gusto. I personally found the experience quite abhorrent. Let me also add about my score: of course, I wasn't euphoric or anything -- but it was good enough not to keep me out, and that was reason enough to be happy. But you're probably right about next year though. A lot of people will be trying again, and they will be so much more ready for the process this time around. It's going to be rough. Although let me say this too: your application package next year is going to be impressive. I have no doubt that you will get the kind of score you're aiming for, and then spend the summer writing a killer writing sample.

...

I'm not sure if this is of any help to anyone, but I had a contact at Umich Ann Arbor who inquired about my GRE scores so that she could make sure that my app would actually make it to the department if I didn't score well enough (I think she used the word "rescue"). It wouldn't be too fun, I think we can all agree, to be shut out of consideration before even getting to the people supposed to do the considering... Anyway, my scores were above the cut-off point, and in the Literature test, I scored in the ~60th percentile (and I was really happy about that score too!). From what I've heard, 50th percentile or more will get you through. Maybe not for Harvard and the like, but still at good schools. My GRE General, FYI, were V: ~98th, Q: ~40th, AW: ~LOW.

I'm looking at your admits, and the only word I find for it is... ridiculous! You must feel extremely validated. You're gonna get into NYU as well, I just feel it. You're going to make many people on waitlists happy.

Congratulations! I've seen some of your posts, and it makes me happy to see one that filled with happiness rather than anxiety (and to be fair: hope -- and well-founded hope, at that, as it turned out...)!

This is really the application season from hell; ridiculous amounts of applicants, fewer spots across the board... My advisor (who was at an adcomm committee at a school where I didn't make the cut) told me something along the lines that I don't realize how fierce it has been this year - and I probably don't. I feel so grateful that it all worked out for me.

I'd like to comment on this too: my experience has been exactly the same! It's been pretty amazing, and you really get a feeling that they care a lot. They have been forthright, enthusiastic, and very welcoming. If this is indicative of the atmosphere at the department (which I think that it is), it's going to be absolutely wonderful.

Thank you for all that great info! I have also been admitted to Rutgers, and I fully intend to accept unless something earth-shattering happens.

If you're above the 50th percentile in the subject test, I see no reason to take it again. Do the other stuff!

What's so great about being a medievalist? I admire your spirit!

Since I started visiting this site again (after I got an admit - couldn't deal with the anxiety spiral here before that), your posts have really stood out for me. You seem to be kind, considerate, and obviously enthusiastic and committed. Let me just say this: I can't believe that they would find your undergrad GPA to be a deal-breaker. That just sucks.

I looked at my status document just now, and apparently, they haven't received my GRE scores. I guess that's it for me then - pretty sure it's too late to do anything about it. Ah well, no matter, I'm happy with what I've got.

I have an offer from Rutgers too. Feeling pretty good about it. I wish those who haven't heard anything yet the best of luck! You never know.

Good to know. Do you put some sort of forthcoming notice or anything on it? I guess it is apparent that it is in the future anyway. The art of the CV... Well, I'm covered at least considered I have nothing to put on mine. 8)

That sounds like a strange thing to do. Maybe I'll put, Ph D, X University 2015 in my CV, then argue in my SOP that they must accept me otherwise the space time continuum will tear. Just to add a cosmic dimension to it. But regardless, you surely can find someway to mention it in your SOP or PS or somewhere, even if you care about reality as we know it :mrgreen: The effect would be the same. Especially since I'm assuming that whatever you're presenting on will be somewhat relevant to what you want to pursue.

Or, write "I am well aware of the fact that Spivak do not take on students anymore, as I was told so on a forum, but I believe she will make an exception for me, as I am post-genius, and also a genius punner, and therefore, you must admit me, otherwise no such exception can be made, and that would be a great loss, for you, that is; I'll be fine, because I'm a post-genius, and also a genius punner; and if I repeat myself, it is because the truth bears repetition, and it, indeed, in probablity, ontologically grounded in structural re-occurence." 8) I'm not helping, I guess.

I think this is an interesting subject. Considering the scarcity of viable information for Americans as to the inner workings of this process, it seems quite impossible to say much, if anything, about "internationals". Although, since you're getting an American MA, the situation should be different for you. Logic would dictate that non-native anglophones would have a hard time competing for these spots. I remember seeing at Columbia's page that they listed separate, lower, requirements for internationals for the GRE. But would assume that you would have to compensate for this by a brilliantly insightful writing sample - why would they otherwise take you over someone who have native proficiency in English, the tool of the trade? On the other hand, you're bound to have at least one language other than English, which one would assume to be at near native proficiency if you're even considering this, that you are intimately familiar with, so to speak. That might be something you could leverage.

That sounds pretty good. Find a school interested in your particular niche and I'm sure you'll be fine! (I'm on the same side of the fence as you too though, so I like you, I mostly don't know stuff!).