iwontbelyeveit

Congrats! How exciting!! I have several rejections, waiting on about 10 more, and an interview TOMORROW at what would be a really great program for me! I'm nervous! But I'm going over my stuff tonight and trying to STAY CALM.

Hi friends, So I have an interview coming up on Wednesday, and I'm nervous! Nervous because this is a dream program, and because I'm afraid that I won't be nearly as articulate as I want to be. As I'm preparing, all I can see is everything I haven't read or know or considered... It's maddening! Any tips from those of you who have gone through this already? What's the best way to stay calm and sound like the best candidate ever??? Thanks!!

Thank you!!!! Thanks, you! It will be via Skype. And I will check it out! I am going to be prepping (in between speed grading sessions) all weekend. My thesis chair from my MA said he would help me develop a "game plan," and I'm reviewing all my materials and putting together some talking points. I WILL NOT BOTCH THIS DREAM! I'm so sorry to hear that, Katla! I've been there; it's rough. Although (and I know it's a cliché), but I'm sure you did much better than you feel. Was it for Rutgers comp lit?? Congrats on even getting an interview there! I applied, but have not heard anything! Good luck, everyone! This is my 2nd round of PhD applications, and it can be so disheartening. Hang in there!

I have an interview next week with U. of Alberta comp lit!!! It's one of my top choices!! I'm so nervous! Excited! Kind of shocked! AHH!

Congrats!! You must be thrilled! I've yet to have any good news...or much of any news! Agh!!!

With respect to the "Plan B" discussion, I'd like to throw in my own experience. I finished a funded MA in 2011 and had applied to six PhD programs for that fall. I was rejected by 5, waitlisted at 1, and at the 11th hour rejected, as no one turned down a spot. I was devastated. I spent a tearful week in bed snuggling with my cat and got a tattoo (thankfully, not one I regret). After I picked myself up, I took a couple of days to reexamine my life, my work, and what I wanted to do. Through this reflection, I realized I needed to "get out of the cave" for a little while, so I joined Peace Corps. I ended up, quite serendipitously, being assigned to a region that I had done graduate work on. I learned a language, taught at a university there, developed some projects, and had lots of the best kinds of struggles. It was so good for me, and it was something I hadn't even imagined for myself before all of the rejections. I wouldn't have done it had I been accepted that year. That may have been an okay route for me, who knows, but I'm so deeply grateful for the experience I had through my "Plan B". Now I'm applying again. No acceptances yet, but with 14 more to go, I'm still hopeful. I still want the PhD so much, and I will do it, but the slight detour I took enriched my life, my research, and my CV so much. And I couldn't have planned it. So—this is to say—rejections are awful. They feel like a pile of crap on your heart and your work. But I encourage you to try and embrace the possibility that other different and amazing doors can open up. Be actively aware of the places you can engage with and contribute to. There are no regrets in that.

DREAMS COME TRUE!! (right??? right???)

HANG IN THERE, WT! I'm hanging in there right with you... it's agonizing. And question: I see U of Chicago is crossed off of your list. Did you get an *official* rejection from Chicago? I applied to their English department, didn't get an interview, but I haven't received a rejection. I assume it's implied for me, but I'll wait to cross it off until I hear for certain.

wow! Congrats! You must be so excited! I have to admit, I'm a little envious in my post-rejection blues, but I'm certain it's well-deserved!

I just got it too! Bleh. Womp wompppp.

What Tolstoy are you reading??!?! I support this

And HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY, EVERYONE!

Good call! And so far I have.... nothing! However, and appropriately so, the not hearing back makes my daily life feel a little...Groundhog Day-esque. HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY!

There's also still that lone Penn State Interviewee. Still no takers?

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek

Another Madison reject, right here!! Congrats to those admitted, and to everyone else—hang in there!

Alright, it's killing me: Who's the Penn State interviewee?? Congrats, but oh so envious!! One of my top choices!!

I didn't think I would be this anxious.... but oh.... I am. How annoying.

Comp Lit People! Any news?? None from my end! But just remember:

Every day when I check my email: Followed by:

What I keep telling myself: And yet....

Bely is dear to my heart. My writing sample is an article I published on Petersburg. What a gem.

I stated that I wanted to work with Epstein too! However, my Russian is weak at this point (I'm proficient in Ukrainian, so it's not too far of a stretch). So it was a jump, but I tried! Congrats to you, Scribnera

I applied to Berkeley Comp Lit and U Oregon (finishing tonight!). I haven't heard anything back from Berkeley yet.

It wasn't me!....Some other lucky person, I guess! Good luck to you!