Swagato

Hi all, Apologies if there's a list elsewhere on the forum, but could we put together a decent list of the top/notable journals in the field? It need not be US-specific, of course. I'm interest both in the storied ones and any new ones that have drawn attention. Feel free to include interdisciplinary ones like Critical Inquiry.

Hey all, Just popped in here to ask if there are any admits to Yale's American Studies program this year. I'm headed there for Film Studies and History of Art, and it'd be great to meet any Film Studies+American Studies, or just Am. Studies people.

Yup, precious little from my departments as well. I'm sure it's because there isn't really much to do right now. The GSAS has a checklist for incoming students that I'm moving through, and I was told not to expect departmental communications until much later. I don't even have course descriptions available yet!

While we're on the subject of how "New Haven gets sketchy toward the west"--how are we defining this? For example, I'll be living on Dwight for the next 2-3 years, and will probably shift off to East Rock when ABD. This is Dwight and Crown (if you extend Crown St. that is), so not quite as far south as George St. Is this considered within the "okay" zone? With Yale-New Haven Hospital just two blocks further west, and with the university itself two blocks east, I'm hoping we made a reasonable choice.

See: http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook_air Comparing prices across different manufacturers is always very disingenuous, as it happens. I could make a little pile of some of the top automobile components and request that you pay $100,000 for it, because that's what the components cost. BMW could put together an equivalent pile (and even use less "advanced" or high-end components) and request $100,000. They'd be perfectly justified in doing so, because when one buys a BMW, one does not purchase a list of components. It runs the gamut from the raw components, to the guarantee that the very idea of BMW offers, to the overall experience...and so on so forth. This, however, is very different from "buying Prada 'cos Prada." Hopefully that explains why the raw price/component comparison is always misleading. Also, yes of course Apple products are priced at a premium--they are premium products. Pointing out that that is a "barrier to entry" is simply stating the obvious. Apple's never targeted the masses as its demographic; that's Samsung/Microsoft territory. Different people, different strokes. Some may wish to invest in a premium product that can last a decade or more (most Apple computers do this in any case, unlike Windows iterations which typically require significantly upgraded hardware for each new edition). I don't really see the point of criticising my choice because it isn't your choice. I offered what I feel is a strong contender for OP's requirements. The iPhone follows a fairly regular product refresh interval. Upgrades are absolutely the user's choice. You're not prevented from using the latest version of iOS until, what, 2-3 product refreshes? Conversely, you don't have to use the latest iOS at all! I know people perfectly happy using their original iPhones. The choice to upgrade is purely on you--you're not at all compelled to follow Apple's rhythm. I agree that this is not very ethical. Surprisingly (it may appear) I'm a huge critic of Apple's corporate workings--including their Foxconn operations--even as I continue to support their devices and products. It's simple. Apple's products are brilliant, and the best options (for me). It's unfortunate that the company itself is not at all an example of good leadership. I used to be a massive critic of Jobs as well--certainly Gates has done far more for society than Jobs ever did. Still...pointing this out is a bit like hating the music of Michael Jackson because he may or may not have had questionable sexual ethics. I don't really wish to continue this further because it's often an issue that ends in the same repetitive cycle. What I wished to point out was that the numerous responses I received all tend to be straw-man arguments. 1) Component/price comparison = misleading. 2) Blaming Apple for product refresh cycles = misleading. 3) Pointing out that Apple makes premium products = stating the obvious. 4) Criticising Apple's corporate practices = has nothing to do with their products. Long story short, we all use what we find works best for us. My original post was a simple recommendation to the OP based on what I've found to work for me, and, therefore, do strongly recommend to others. It's interesting to observe how much vitriol that seems to have drawn.

OP: Just wanted to post an update to the effect that our rental application was approved without hesitation, despite my not-excellent credit score. As I said, I would not worry at all as long as you're applying to an entity that is familiar with renting out to graduate students.

Apartment secured. What a huge relief, especially as it was our first choice.

OP: I have several friends/acquaintances who earned their MAs at the University of Chicago's MAPH (Master of Arts Program in the Humanities) and then went on to numerous top programs in English (NYU, Johns Hopkins, Chicago, Brown, Cornell, Penn, Berkeley, etc. etc.). I don't think it'd be a problem at all. You would have the responsibility of ensuring that you're taking courses that are beneficial to an English PhD application, of course, but the breadth of a more interdisciplinary program can be a real asset when used wisely.

The "importance" of contacting POIs is a really difficult matter to decide one way or another. This cycle, I was waitlisted at the place I had the most extensive POI contact, accepted at one place where I had courteous but minimal contact with 2 POIs, and another where I had no contact whatsoever. I was also waitlisted at another place where I reached out to a POI but did not receive a response (they were on leave anyway). At the place where I thought I had a very good fit, and the place where I did my MA and thus had extensive contact...I was not accepted. Turns out Yale is actually an incredibly perfect fit not only in terms of my existing research/work/interests, but also A) in terms of how I'd like to develop them, and how Yale's program itself is evolving. In short, it is easily the best fit out of every single one of my applications, MA place included. So my own data set is highly inconclusive when it comes to making any meaningful correlation between contact and end result. Ultimately, what matters is fit. I remember last year a friend off here was accepted to a place that turned out to be an amazing fit. They did not have any prior contact whatsoever. My take? Reach out to professors who really strike a chord with you (in terms of their research). Make sure you have something meaningful to say, beyond "Hi, I'm interested in your work.

I probably shouldn't rise to the bait, but I can't really resist the amusement. First of all, I can't understand what's hard to decipher about the "Pro" moniker. Apple very explicitly aims that line at a certain level of user, and it is not the average college student. Whining about the price there is like whining that your first car isn't a high-end BMW. Quit it, please. Second, do please list some of these "ridiculous, unnecessary, money-grubbing changes from Apple that seem to happen on an annual or semi-annual basis, but aren't met with an actual increase in quality." Third, a cat meme image doesn't really provide any explanation as to why you don't seem to agree that the Air ideally meets OP's requirements.

OP: I'm moving to New Haven as well. Recently visited to see some apartments, and I've spoken to representatives of most of the major leasing companies near the downtown area. They all commented that the award letter would do just fine.

I don't think there's any question about this. Unless you're in a field or discipline that requires highly specific software applications, a Macbook Air is the obvious choice for many, many reasons. -- Weight. You really do not realise just how much you benefit overall from the Air's incredibly light weight until you go back to any other computer. My SO has the 15" Pro. I have a late-2010 Air, maxed out. Bought it after our cats trashed my own 15" Pro. The difference amazes me, even after months of having the Air. Now consider that you will likely be porting your laptop around a lot. In your backpack, by hand, etc. I'm willing to bet the lighter weight is something you'll appreciate a lot. -- SSD storage. -- The smaller screen space doesn't mean a smaller screen real estate. And I think they're going to introduce Retina onto the Air this year (one hopes). -- Ages of battery life. -- OS X. Obviously, I can't say enough good things about OS X, though this is largely a matter of preference. For me, OS X is convenient, stripped down, and simple in a way that I've never found any version of Windows to be (tried Win 95 through Win 7). I've used OS X consistently since Tiger, and it just gets things done for me. I don't have to fight with it, I don't have to tinker around much (nor do I want to), I don't have to "go under the hood" (again, not something I want to do), etc. So, yeah, you may or may not convert to the OS X way of life. If not, just install your preferred Windows OS onto the laptop and it's fine.

Hey all. I did my MA at Chicago, so I just wanted to post my perspectives. Your mileage may vary, and definitely incorporate what others have said elsewhere in the thread. -- I prefer the proximity of campus. Part of it is that I unashamedly love "campus" life. I love walking along and catching sight of a professor, student, or ending up in the same grocery line as That Superstar...etc. Part of it is practical; one time I actually found out that a book I needed had been returned to the library. My paper (for which I needed that book) was due in a few hours and I knew if I could get that book, I'd likely get a significant quote and another 2 pages. It was the middle of winter and snowing hard. If I hadn't been living 15 minutes from Regenstein, I would not have been able to avail of that book. -- Closer you are to the Museum of Science and Industry (and Lake Michigan), the better you are. West of campus (that is, going toward the Garfield Red Line stop) is where things get sketchy. But, there's plenty of options right around 55th St, 53rd, etc....all toward the east. -- Please try to get out of Hyde Park once in a while. It's true that UChicago and Hyde Park can act like a bubble without you perceiving it. That's because it's just large enough that you can go about normal life without noticing how you're constantly retreading your steps. And the city is a significant bus ride away. Thus, hop onto the bus every so often and head down to the Loop, the Magnificent Mile, and all the fun of northern Chicago. I can say that the Loop and Mile area are just wonderful in winter. -- Live near South Hyde Park Boulevard and 55th/53rd/etc. if possible. Puts you in proximity to the 6, the 55, and the university's buses--though I did hear that the university may shut down the 170-171-172 buses--please check on that.

It's on Dwight, yes. We fell in love with it. We got to see a few really good options, along Park, Dwight, and Howe Streets. Would you mind forwarding the details of your landlord, since you say they also have several other properties? One never knows when these things come in useful. Hopefully, we'll get at least one of our top three choices approved, and then it'll be a big load off my mind. All the agencies we spoke with seemed very lenient/flexible regarding proof of income and what not--I figured as much, since they deal regularly with graduate student-types.

Good lord that is a long list of languages.

I actually have had a few moments of panic as to whether I'll even be able to pick up French and German to the degree required to successfully read in the originals. My field is not very text-centric (i.e. it's unlikely that I will find myself reading Hegel or Merleau-Ponty in the original), but there will be plenty of essays and articles by French and German writers to read. Do we think it's possible to achieve at least the French within 2 years? Assume that I will be taking courses every semester, and will also be using the other resources I mentioned. And summer immersion programs whenever possible.

That's really good, based on what we've seen so far. $800+utils for 575 sqft is very impressive. Our hope is for a 2BR on Dwight that's going for $1100 (includes heat and hot water). We're unsure as to sqft, but will find out. The space seems a good deal given the asking price. Is your place managed privately, or by one of the real estate firms operating in the area?

Welp. It would appear some amongst us cannot confront a genuine, if somewhat provocative question without becoming needlessly snarky. I think I've clarified the intent of my original question enough. Take it for what it's worth, or don't; either way it's no skin off my back. We're all aware of what we're getting into. Good luck to us all.

Probably the biggest factor is cost. Moving is expensive, and my stipend doesn't kick in until September. And my SO will need to find a job...etc. I did consider a crash course. But, given how many resources there are for at least getting a decent grip on it on your own (the resources I mentioned), and the fact that I can always take language courses @ Yale, we figured it isn't worth the expense. It's just that the courses I take won't count toward fulfilling the requirement.

I guess because I've always had a particular vision of the PhD itself. This ideal is, of course, under heavy attack today as we all know. Still, that doesn't mean I've changed my vision--it has just gotten a lot more difficult.

I'll need French and German. I have no language background @_@ (my schooling was in India, where those languages aren't usually offered. I'm fluent in Bengali and Hindi which are perfectly irrelevant to my graduate work, although my POI did indicate that we might be able to use one of them if necessary...) Anyway, I'm relying on a slew of online/programs (Duolingo, Pimsleur, Headstart) to prepare my French. Also bought the highly recommended "French for Reading" book which is apparently designed with humanities grad students in mind. I'll need to establish one language proficiency before I can take my quals. I got the impression they are fairly relaxed about this timeline, though it obviously impacts time-to-degree.

Fair enough, though I should point out that being "grumpy about turning 30" doesn't justify making assumptions about the intentions of others. To clarify, there was no patronising intent in my original post. I am genuinely in admiration of those who choose to pursue the doctoral project regardless of age, in full cognizance of the fact that it does put them at a significant disadvantage. I would hope that all such applicants know this going in, just as I would hope all doctoral students go in knowing the odds, knowing what happens to the vast majority of PhD-earners, etc. As I said somewhere earlier, I already view myself as being toward the older side, which is why I'm even more impressed by those much older than I am. Does that betray an inherent prejudice? You may argue so; I'd choose to put it as me being impressed that someone would knowingly take on the odds. And yes, for me the objective of a PhD is a tenure-track position, so for the purpose of this discussion, at least, I won't consider other options. As dazedandbemused said, it is important to be aware of what lies ahead. That was the spirit of my original inquiry.

The only question that I have to you folk over 30 (and in some cases around 35) is: why? Are you doing the PhD as a passion project? If so, hats off and my congratulations--I love your spirit. Are you doing it in hopes of a traditional academic career afterward? If so, my congratulations again--I'm not sure I could stand the odds. You're looking at 5-7 years to complete (effectively placing yourself at or near 40). Then you're looking at a year or two of postdocs, and then you begin on the tenure track (at or near age 42-43). You're looking at something like 50 by the time you're tenured. This is in a market that will be full of PhDs at or near 30 (if I finish in 6 years, I will be 32, and I already think that's on the older side). Wouldn't there be a distinct advantage to being younger, or at least, within the usual age range?

I was told that 6.5 years is the usual for my program. However, it is a joint program, so coursework requirements are appreciably more than is usual for a single-program PhD. Plus, history of art often expects field work, which can add to the time. The department doesn't show anyone beyond their seventh year, though, which is great. And funding doesn't continue after that either--you have to find your own. I think this is pretty damn good for a joint program, especially considering their rigorous language requirements (you cannot use courses to count for the language reqs).

Whereabouts did you land yours? East Rock? I'm unfamiliar with socio, so I don't know if you'd be frequenting the science part of campus more or the central campus. Also, if you don't mind, what's your deal like (rent+/- utilities, sq footage, etc.)?