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Omg?!? Is this for undergrad or grad, though?!

@EspritHabile me too!!!!

Oh, also re: Purdue, I wanted to note how early the visit is: Feb 19th and 20th. So, they may be trying to make sure people can attend even though they haven't gotten all the admission stuff straightened out yet?!?! I feel like there is a lot of admin stuff involved in admissions that slows down the process

I straight up asked about the status of my application, and the DGS said she'd have the final report by Monday but that I'm a "highly ranked candidate." So, I think this could mean those who are invited are either a.) admitted but they can't say so yet, b.) highly-ranked who, even if not admitted first round, are on the invisble wait list/someone they feel who would likely be admitted, or c.) they're using this visit to gauge interest among highly-ranked candidates somehow? The email said "so we can show you what we can offer," so I definitely do not feel like it's an interview-type setting (Syracuse's email made the interview aspect very, very clear). No idea, but check/stalk your email tomorrow!!! Also, I'm sure it's fine if you express interest in the program but explain that you can't attend. I'm lucky in that it's within a reasonable driving range for me, otherwise I don't know if I could attend, either. Which program did you apply to, may I ask? Lit, rhet/comp, etc?

Oh, man!! Especially because they are an independent writing department (so, no other grad students from lit or something hanging around). I saw on the website that they aim to enroll 4-6 students per year. I wonder how many they are interviewing?

Oh snap! Do those acceptances come after the interviews, I wonder/assume?

Hi all! I'm excited for campus visits -- I'm visiting Purdue's English prospective student event Feb 19th & 20th and U Michigan's open house on March 22 & 23 (for English and Education, not literature or English & Women's Studies). I went on 2 for my MA, but I definitely recognize how important these visits are as I'm deciding where I'll be spending the next 5 years or so of my life! Anyone else currently still in school while planning all of this? I had to make classes I'm teaching online and will have to make-up missing a grad seminar. This will require a lot of work, lol.

Thanks, everyone! This feels quite unreal. Radio silence all of January, and then an explosion this weekend lol

Well, this has been an incredible 15 hours -- just got invited for a phone interview for Syracuse's PhD in Composition and Cultural Rhetoric!!!

Yeah, I have no idea what's going on with Purdue!! I got an email from the DGS (not the director of my specific program), and she could not tell me whether I was accepted or not, but that they wanted me to "be aware" of the recruitment event. The prospective student weekend is on Feb 19 and 20 this year. So, they may have been wanting to invite people earlier than notifications can go out, since it's so close??? No idea. I am anxiously waiting for more information.

Hi, all! I've been away from the forums, but I'm back to announce that this morning I got a call and was admitted to the University of Michigan's Joint PhD program in English and Education!!! And, also, yesterday I received an invitation to Purdue University's student recruitment event for the English department... But I haven't been accepted or anything yet? Has anyone else been invited to the Purdue prospective student event? I apologize, because I have not been keeping up with the forums.

Hey, everyone! Good luck to all. I am back on the forums after a hiatus and I'm happy to see this thread and at least one acceptance so far. Here's hoping we all hear good news soon!

Sometimes members will help each other with practice, but for some general advice about the GRE writing: it's so formulaic. They're looking for 5 paragraph essays with some fancy words that talk about the logical fallacies present in the prompts/strong arguments to be made. They're looking for a clear thesis statement, strong topic sentences, and support. If you can do that, then you'll get a good score. It's the sad truth about a test that thinks writing can be measured this way.

Hey everyone! Just a reminder that I'll be starting the gmail group later today, so please send me a gmail address if you'd like to join

I live in a rural college town, and housing prices can be pretty expensive. I'll be paying $850/month plus water and electricity this school year, but I managed to only pay $420/month plus water and electricity last year. The way I'm stomaching it is that I paid 35% of my stipend on housing last year and will spend 70% of it on housing this year, making it 52.5% average so far. Next year (if I stay at the same school for my PhD) maybe I can move in an actual house with friends I've made while here. That can cut some costs, but I do enjoy living on my own, so I'm not going to beat myself up too much for it. You gotta do what you gotta do, even if it means spending more money/working hard in the summer to pay for it/taking out loans.

I'd like to add that it's a great way to put yourself out there in the field. As I'm applying to PhD programs, I've been reading through student bios to get a better idea of the work being done in the program. Their names are in my memory now, so if I come across a presentation being done by the person at a conference (which has happened), I'm more likely to go up to them and talk about their research. This is good for the person, I'd think, and good for me as I meet other people in my field who are also in graduate school/recent alumni of programs. Of course you shouldn't have to write up a bio if you don't wish to do so, but I feel that it's a good way to get yourself out there. My research interests are up on my school's site, so people will be able to see them if they ever decide to Google me after meeting me/seeing me present/as I'm applying to PhD programs. It's like free marketing almost!

Okay. So, if you're interested in joining our group where we help each other stay on track with applications, please private message me a gmail address and I'll coordinate a chat. Let's aim for everyone to provide me with the address by Monday so we can get going. Sound good? I think this is the best option because we could also share our work on Google Docs if we want to coordinate readings and offer each other feedback. I'll try to mention everyone who has shown interest so far: @mk-8, @Keri, @Narrative Nancy, @punctilious, @a_sort_of_fractious_angel (don't know why it won't let me tag you?), @lit_nerd, @verjus. If I forgot anyone, please go ahead and let them know. If anyone else wants to join, please send me your info. You can make a new gmail account with your screen name if that makes you more comfortable. There's no pressure for you to provide your real identity if you don't wish to do so.

I could start the Group Me chat, but I think there is a character limitation that might be a problem for those of us who like to send long messages Perhaps we could do a Gmail messaging group, if people would be interested? And it'd be less hassle since people wouldn't have to download and learn a new app?

We could try Group Me! Have y'all ever used that? You can participate either by text message, the Group Me app, or a tab on Gmail. You sign up with your email address/number and then can add people into groups by their numbers/emails. But you can choose your name, so you could totally put your Grad Cafe screen name if you're not comfortable having your real name listed. My cohort and I use it as our primary group messaging, and we've had good luck with it so far. There's a mute option that I love using sometimes when I'm really busy and don't have time for distractions, and you can upload pictures and such. It might be worth trying? Plus the notifications are better than here, haha

Congratulations, @Keri! What wonderful news. Hopefully that makes you feel better about the process, because I know waiting is the WORST but hey -- you've got an acceptance in hand already

LOL, my SOP is like a shape-shifter in Harry Potter. It takes on a new face every single time I open the document and start editing. July will be busy for me as well!

Whew, that's encouraging to hear, @Old Bill! I was thinking that, but the "this replaces the personal statement" bit made me worry. I think I'm getting extra anxious simply because it is my top choice program.

Hi everyone, A program I'm applying to requires an essay on intellectual history and academic interests instead of a personal statement. The website clearly states this is not a personal statement, listing questions like: - What questions and concerns motivate your study of composition and rhetoric? - How have your academic background, work experience, or other life experiences generated these questions and concerns and prepared you to study composition and rhetoric? - What inquiries do you hope to pursue specifically in the [program] and why? So, is this genre more like a cover letter where I'm laying out my interests, my qualifications, and why this program is a great fit for what I want to do? Is the "why" here, the "how have your academic background, work experience, or other life experiences generated these questions and concerns" the most important part? Or is it more important that I explain how this program in particular can best help me pursue my inquiries? I feel like I have more answers to the latter here. This is my top choice program, so I'd appreciate any thoughts and advice on how I should approach it. Thanks!

We will figure this out, everyone! Hopefully @lit_nerd checks back in soon So far we've introduced ourselves, talked about our application goals, talked about our research, and keep each other updated on what we've been accomplishing. I've been setting weekly/monthly goals and check in whenever I'm feeling good/need some extra encouragement. It's been helpful for me so far. Accountability is huge, and we can help each other cross the finish line!

Sure thing! Hopefully the others are more tech-savvy than I am ?