bgguitarist

I like to think of starting Grad School as a sort of clean slate--a fresh start full of potential. I guess this is particularly true in my case because I did my B.A. and my M.A. at the same University, conveniently located in the tiny city in which I grew up. Just to clarify: I don't need a new start in terms of grades or anything. I've just been in the same place for so long that I can't wait to finally move on and REALLY start my life away from the people who have known me since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. Does anyone else feel this way? All that said, I'm approaching the start of my new program much like I would New Year's: making plans and resolutions. Be more social and be part of the community (my cohort, the university, and the city itself). This was hard for me during my B.A. and half of my M.A. because I was under 21 and so the ways in which I could socialize with my peers were very limited. I'm also fairly introverted and, although I have been getting better at socializing comfortably, I default to reclusive. But, I've been making socialization a priority because I need to be a balanced person (I know my spouse appreciates it when I am!) and I plan to continue doing so wherever I end up this fall. Explore! I've always wanted move away from my hometown and explore bigger, different, interesting places and cultures. This is another step in the right direction! I will get to know a new place, and probably the places within driving distance (by New Mexico standards, that's about a 4 hour drive away, btw). This is a given, but: KEEP ROCKIN' IT ACADEMICALLY. The application process really crushes our self-confidence and emphasizes impostor syndrome, but we wouldn't even be applying--let alone be getting accepted--if we weren't academic rock stars. Don't let my music die (my husband and I perform a mix of folk/punk/bluegrass/blues/etc., a lot of which I write). Find venues (open mics, farmer's markets, etc.) and make time to play! READ MORE. But this is always my resolution. Ah, the life of the English major. How about you all? Are you making any resolutions for the upcoming academic year?

I was at work wondering whether or not I should eat a candy bar for lunch, since I'd woken up late and forgotten to pack a real lunch. The phone rang, and all thoughts of lunch were immediately replaced by shock and euphoria.

Bourbon and sea salt and vinegar chips.

That is completely understandable. Oregon is my only acceptance, so far, which means I'm much more inclined to love it

Probably. I have to talk to my SO and see what sort of funds we can scrape up, but I love OR and despite the low stipend the program is one of my top choices. I mean, the stipend is more than I make as an adjunct now so... What about you?

Last name "F," Victorian /19th Century Novel, called about 40 mins ago. They just had the ad comm meeting yesterday. They said they're looking for a cohort of 8-12 PhDs.

Accepted at U Oregon! Woo!

Thank you for the info! Maybe I have a chance as a Victorianist applicant, then. *shrugs*

Do you mind sharing your research focus? Also, did they give you any information about # of applicants and/or acceptances? And congratulations!

Yes, PLEASE!

I'm going to be presenting at a conference on Thursday and I've got this weird fatalistic hunch that the Universe will send me a notification of acceptance while I am presenting. Ah, the delusion of grad applications. But hey, if it happens I'll be over the moon.

The only place I've run into that terminology is the CU Boulder GTF info, which indicates that 50% is a two course load. Not sure if this is true of other places, though.

The most I did for my M.A. was a 2-1, but, as ComeBackZinc noted, when they're sections of the same course it's not terrible. Sure, the grading load sucks, but that's the life of an instructor/professor. I've noticed that a bunch of universities require you to take a pedagogy course / instructing course before actually teaching for them, unless you have prior experience. I'd be less concerned about the course load and more concerned about the course caps, to be honest. I can handle a couple of courses of 20-30 students, but undergrad courses can be huge in some places...

ACK! So shaky now. This process is insane.

I guess that's what I get for having favorites? lol

You are my new favorite person. Made my day.

And three of them should be reporting ANY DAY. Well, I mean, Chicago already is. Gah. The anxiety.

Here's hoping we both get in to some of them! Love that they have that To-Do list.

If I knew any good luck rituals, I'd be doing them right now. Maybe I'll build a shrine to academia and offer it freshly ground coffee every morning for the foreseeable future.

Yes, it's the FinAid stuff. It wasn't there last week (I don't think). Maybe this means they're getting ready to send out decisions.

Anyone who applied to CU Boulder: I logged in to MyCUBoulder today to check my status and noticed there is now information under the "Finances" tab. Is this true for all of you, too?

I've been listening to this on repeat for the past week, trying not to give in to the crazy. It occurred to me that sharing might be a good idea https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWInwDmGdCg&feature=kp

Congrats! I was being productive and grading reading responses. Now, all I wanna do is stare at my inbox and will U Chicago into accepting me.

It looks like Boulder's first round of acceptances went out about Feb. 15th last year (unless I'm completely hallucinating)...although it seems like it took them forever to send out their second round. Still waiting on Chicago. The suspense is killing me.

Cheers to that!