I’ve sent in 10 apps:
U Michigan
Brown
Ohio State
Penn State
UPenn
Duke
U Toronto
McMaster
Columbia
WUSTL
I’ve applied to programs titled “English,” “Women’s Studies,” or both with exception of Brown, where I applied to the American Civilization program. My research interests and experience have been best served by the interdisciplinary approach and I can’t separate the two. Each program has faculty doing the kind of work I’m interested in and I’ve applied to so many because one of my recommenders told me to cast my net as far and wide as I can afford to. I completed my MA in English and BA in Journalism, both at Rutgers.
Of course, my biggest fear is an all-around rejection. I’m excited about all the programs I applied to, especially Michigan, so it would be a huge disappointment to not get in anywhere. Many of the programs guarantee funding but it would also be a heartbreak to get accepted somewhere with no funding as I am not going to pay for a PhD out of pocket. I’m currently living abroad and working at a university so if I don’t get in anywhere I suppose I’ll just stay where I have a job. With a full-time job, my reading has been limited and the book I’m currently reading (Lucky by Alice Sebold) is not exactly a happy distraction. I watch movies for that kind of escape.
What is everyone else up to in the meantime? Anyone still in school?
