jhefflol

You should try emailing the graduate school admissions email. I noticed an error in my CV yesterday and just attached a fixed one in an email explaining that I wish for this updated document to be forwarded along with my application. So far, one one school has refused (UMass Amherst).

Now that applications are done, this is probably the biggest stress-causing factor in my life. On our first date, I was very frank about the fact that I would be applying to PhD programs and that I hoped to end up on the east coast. He had been very supportive during this whole process, even helped me run through the entire box of GRE flash cards before he left to work, but him coming along wasn't something that I wanted to discuss because I was afraid of his answer. Well, we had a few drinks one night and I ended up crying about it. He said he would try to come along, unless something kept him from going, like his mom getting cancer. Duh. His mom is healthy though. He has anxiety and I think that was his way of agreeing without trapping himself. I'm not unreasonable though and I understand that life happens. I did keep him in mind when applying to programs. For example, I didn't apply anywhere in Texas because that's where he is from and he does not want to go back. But luckily with his job, the manager of a restaurant, he has the flexibility and experience to pack up and move and be able to find employment almost anywhere. However, and I have been clear about this as well, if he doesn't go, I'm not doing long distance. ETA: I'm sure if I get in to one of, like, 7 programs I applied to in the Boston area he would be more anxious to leave than I would. He's a huge Red Sox fan, lord knows why lol

I focused on my research with 2 short paragraphs outlining my teaching experience, pedagogical theories, and experience working with diverse students. I modeled that section off of Syracuse's teaching statement requirement, just shorter. My undergrad was in English education so it seemed natural to outline the formal training I have had.

I still have application deadlines up until the 15th though. I wonder if they start looking through apps before the deadline has passed?

Crazy stuff. I looked him up on Wikipedia and learned that it was under his rule that the Battle of Maldon took place. What a monumental event! I think that makes the find even more interesting. I wonder if the coins will have anything to do with the tributes.

That is amazing! Thanks for sharing. On a side note, how unfortunate would it be to be known as Ethelred the Unready?

Lol same. I'm resisting a resolution because I'm going to have so much pressure on myself this year anyway with admissions decisions, comps, coursework, and work.

The USC Late January listing just made my stomach flop. Yay for crippling anxiety!

Congrats, Proflorax! How exciting! I hope everyone has a wonderful 2015! Did anyone make any resolutions?

Good ol' Flannery is definitely one of my favorites. I think about "A Good Man is Hard to Find" at least once a week. Dr. Jekyll was creepier and more enjoyable than I had expected! I just started Z by Therese Anne Fowler. And by started, I mean I'm half way through. Highly recommended for anyone who likes Fitzgerald (so everyone). The writing is amazing.

I'm currently reading a book called Jessica on my Macbook Kindle app. It's absolutely terrible, but apparently it was highly recommended by the "editors" from Amazon. And it shares my name. And it was only 99 cents. I needed a new book to read while I was sick and by the time the meds wore off and I realized how terribly it was written, I've almost finished it. Now I'm too curious about how the book ends (apparently its a trilogy? I want to see how that happens) and refuse to stop reading. I'll probably finish it within the hour, honestly. But the foreshadowing in the book is the biggest annoyance. I feel like its comparable to Blues Clues or Dora the Explorer where the main character is oblivious to his/her surroundings but the next element in the plot is painfully obvious to the audience. I'm looking forward to finishing this book so I can start again on Beowulf to get ahead for next semester.

Literally-- excuse the SoCal expression-- I'm on cloud 9 right now because my Shakespeare professor (who is cited in the Norton and notoriously difficult as a professor) said she thought I was ready for the next level of grad study. Can I put her on every adcomm please? Jeez. The number of applications, in my opinion, has no effect on my acceptance. If my application is interesting and worth doctoral study, it will be accepted from a pool of 10 or 10,000.

Yes, yes, and yes. But I've been working to convince myself that I'll at least have my MA, which is good enough to start teaching at community colleges. Since there are ten bajillion CCs within 30 minutes driving time of my apartment, I'm just planning on that as my plan B. I consider myself lucky because my plan B is a lot of people's plan A. We can do this!!!!

Finally finished with finals! One thing I have learned in grad school is how to pump out a research paper in about 4 hours. Jeez. Now time to take care of the rest of the stuff of my to do list that I've been ignoring...like the dishes...and my lost Amazon package...

Thank Jesus. I submitted my supplementary materials last night (including my new, improved, shiny, amazing, longer writing sample!), so I'm glad my app won't be considered late.

All I have to say is "wut!" That is nuts!

Thanks Shaun! I'm trying to breathe, but everything feels like its piling up. If anything, at least the application was free (Huge thanks to whoever it was that posted about the CIC fee waiver. I was granted 3 of them!)

Meh, I guess I'll submit my app now and see what happens. But maybe I wasn't meant to go to Rutgers then? This is really discouraging.

WHAT REALLY? Ugh this was one of my top choice schools AND I had a fee waiver. Shoot.

I'm really feeling stressed right now. I have 4 applications due on the 15th, and since this wave consists of the schools that I'd be most happy to get accepted into, I decided to wait and use my term paper for my Shakespeare grad seminar as my writing sample for these applications. I figured that this term paper would reflect most accurately where I am as far as research and writing goes. Two days ago, I decided to start from scratch and pick a whole different historical context (yay for Margery Kempe!) and new critical sources. Basically I'm feeling the pressure. This paper isn't due until Tuesday, but I have to have it polished by Monday to submit with my applications. At this point, I'm still reading criticism because of course the best works for my thesis are all 29-36 pages long (the class only requires criticism to be a min of 12 pages). It looks like I'm going to have to turn in my applications pretty close to the deadline, which I was hoping to avoid. -4/10 would not recommend this strategy. Also, my best friend decided (on short notice, military couple) to get married this upcoming Thursday. I have been assuming all wedding planning-ish activities (not much, but still adds on to the stress). I'm looking forward to this paper being finished so that I can celebrate, very enthusiastically, their marriage. On a side note, my cat is much better than I at implementing study breaks. He systematically lays on my laptop about every hour for just ten minutes before hearing some noise he must investigate. Thanks, I guess.

Yes, this. I have a quote hanging on my fridge that says, "My ideas are good enough to start." Its a mantra I've grown to repeat to myself when the imposter syndrome kicks in.