jhefflol

Which one are you taking first? That will answer your question.

You know what's funny is that with my score, I answered half of all the questions correct, left maybe 10 blank, and answered half incorrect. I guess I just don't understand how I can really improve my score. Even by not guessing my score would have only been a few points higher. Ugh. This is so frustrating.

Don't worry, I just took a practice test last week and got a 410 and I'm almost finished with my MA! I think a lot of schools understand how hard the test is and take that into consideration. My question for everyone on here would be about sending scores to universities where the subject test is optional. Most universities who say the test is optional say that they will consider the scores if sent, but it will not hurt the application. However, with a score in the 400s, would that be true? Anyone have any insight on this? I'm thinking about just saving my money and sending only to the universities that require it instead of sending it out with every application that I had previously planned.

No. I haven't had any advice for going to these so far so I've decided to use my resources to present at conferences instead. You'll have to let us know how it goes though!

Sleep. Lots and lots of sleep.

Meh, I don't think so. What I make now is almost double what the average stipends are. I plan on serving still as I know its absolutely impossible for me to live on a financial aid package alone. And I need to keep busy:)

I am absolutely glad for it. Less competition. More opportunities for acceptance into programs, funding, conferences, research opportunities. Although it surprised me how many students in one of my second year grad classes planned on graduating this spring and going into a PhD program this fall. It was nearly the entire class. At least they were mostly Victorianists and therefore not competition either.

Hi Medievalists! One of my papers was just accepted as part of a panel for a conference in Texas. Has anyone heard of this conference/any of the presenting professors? I'm just curious if its a legit thing I should use my resources for. It's affiliated with UT Denton. http://www.texasmedieval.org/

I've already come to terms with the fact that I'm going to be a waitress for the rest of my life, PhD or not. It's my actual back up plan if I don't get in to any PhD programs as well. But I'm perfectly fine with working as an adjunct wherever will hire me (my boss where I tutor is the DH for the college's LA department so that might help) and waitress 2-3 days a week. With my current serving job I make enough to pay rent in one weekend so while its completely unrelated/not glamorous/a frustrating job, it puts money in my pocket.

You are both a genius and a life saver. Thank you! I just found them!

I have personally decided that this is not a part of the applications that I plan to worry about. I think the advice given here has been solid. During this stressful time its definitely easy to get caught up on the little things!

Seriously. I have never done so much cleaning in my life.

A lot of the programs that asked for page lengths specify that they want double spacing. The programs that ask for word counts don't specify. Of course, this is generally speaking, so be sure to double check each program's website and/or email to ask for clarification.

I don't know how to not obsess! haha

I agree. I consider my program to be one loooooong job interview and dress accordingly. Most students look like they just threw on whatever though.

Your approach seems so much more intense than mine! I don't know who to believe when the test books say its mostly identifications and people who have taken the test already say its not. How did you get the pasts tests from ETS, if you don't mind me asking?

Yes, my guess is that we're all busy "studying" for the GRE. I'm finding that I'm doing the oddest things that seem important to avoid studying. Ugh.

I have to use paper books because most of the professors in my program won't allow laptops/e-readers in class. Make sure this sin't an obstacle for you before you decide! Personally, I prefer regular books because the chances that I'll need them later on is pretty high. Especially with my field, there's a standard set of anthologies that you can pretty much guarantee you'll use every semester. And I like having a library.

I have a 5k in 2 days (its my mom's first, and its a big deal because she was told by medical professionals 10 years ago that she would never walk again) and I just sliced my toe apart. Awesome.

From my experience, professors acknowledge that each professor has his or her own style of writing/grading that they prefer. Usually I have been assigned a short paper near the beginning of the semester just so us students can gauge the way the professor wants things done without having to deal with the learning curve on a larger assignment. Good luck, and try not to stress!

I'm taking 2 second year classes and I think I'll be good. The workload doesn't seem to be anything I can't handle and there aren't any major assignments due until after I'm done with the GREs. One class is my specialization and the other is a subject with which I have purposefully avoided but after the short assignments we did for the first day I'm feeling confident. Good luck everyone!

I personally don't do this because I don't take notes, but you could try writing one or two main ideas from each paragraph into a word document. Just make sure to cite what page you got the idea from so you don't plagiarize/have to go back and look for citations. And be very careful about using quotation marks if you copy exact phrases so that you know when you have paraphrased/summarized versus quoted. Even if you parenthetically cite the quote but leave off the quotation marks, that's considered plagiarism. Just be careful so you avoid a future headache.