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Everything posted by snyegurachka
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Fall 2015 Acceptances (!)
snyegurachka replied to hreaðemus's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
I would recommend considering it if things don't work out. I got an MA and switched programs after the first semester so that I could better prepare for a phd program and live near my partner. If you don't get in to any phd programs this year, your chances will improve significantly if you take the time to work on honing your interests and writing with supportive faculty without significantly uprooting your life. A lot of people in my program still work full time and take 2 classes per semester instead of 3. I got a half tuition scholarship at the first school I attended and have about 1/3 where I am now plus work study and loans and T.A./instructor positions (might not be available for MA students at a school with a PhD track) to cover expenses. I am also able to receive food stamps because I am a work study student. I am poor but am doing an okay job of not getting into the crazy debt that people talk about with unfunded MA programs. Even if I don't get in anywhere this time around, I feel confident that I have the tools and focus to do it if I apply again. It's a step along the way, not a detour. -
What are you reading?
snyegurachka replied to queennight's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
I am reading Domesticating History, a history of the political origins of American house museums. Oh, and my thesis. Millions of times over and over again. I can't even remember the last time I read a fun, fiction book for something outside of school. I was on a pretty big Marguerite Duras kick but mostly reading short stories, essays, and newspaper articles. The joke here is that I am terrible nearsighted and have astigmatism that my glasses/contact lenses only sort of correct. The most comfortable way for me to read without getting a headache is to sit at a desk with a book in front of me at enough of a distance that I don't get dizzy. My days of being able to read in bed ended long ago.... -
2015 Rejections
snyegurachka replied to SilasWegg's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
The funny this is, at least at Berkeley, there wasn't anything wrong. I just wasn't what they needed this year. He told me that I was clearly talented and serious about my work and should just keep going what I'm doing—the implication being that eventually I will get in somewhere....though probably not Berkeley. Anyway, I think it confirmed what everyone has been telling me, that it is a matter of fit + luck, especially with these hot-ticket programs. It was nice to know that I made it to the short list despite having a mediocre undergrad GPA and okay GRE scores. -
2015 Rejections
snyegurachka replied to SilasWegg's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
I waited a few days, thanked the DGS/admissions committee for taking the time to read my application, and asked for some feedback on my application. I think the etiquette is to mirror the politeness of your rejection. If the department is polite/personal about the rejection (say, sending an email rather than a "check status on website" automated message), or you have been in contact with your POI or the DGS for a while, then writing them back seems like the correct thing to do. I am glad I asked for feedback and may do this at other schools once I receive official rejections. -
I think the best thing to do is ask for feedback once the sting is gone and you feel comfortable. Even though it made me more anxious to hear what Berkeley's adcom had to say (mainly that who is ultimately chosen is not exactly random but is for reasons outside of my control), it was good to hear that there wasn't anything bad to say about my application. I should probably try to save up money and find more interdisciplinary programs to apply to the next time around (if there is a next time around) that aren't Rhetoric and MTL and hope I will fit into a niche for one of them.
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2015 Rejections
snyegurachka replied to SilasWegg's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
I was a little crushed by my UC Berkeley (Rhetoric) rejection. I am sensing implied rejection from Emory and University of Chicago, but those hurt less, as in retrospect were not as good a fit. I asked for feedback from Berkeley (as I am anticipating I may need to apply to schools another year), and was told that there was nothing wrong with my application, I made the short list (which was still long), my POI liked my proposal, but ultimately the candidates who were accepted were chosen for reasons outside of my control, like balancing the research interests of the department, which faculty were taking new advisees, available funding, etc. This gives me simultaneous hope and dread. I only applied to two more schools (Brown and Stanford), and whether or not I am chosen—even if I am on the short list—is at its core going to be a little random. Though I haven't seen anyone post about Comp Lit at Brown, I know that the new student recruitment season will be in March (a colleague was accepted to the Performance Studies program a few days ago), so I am wondering if I may have been rejected there as well since I have not heard yet. I am hoping that I may have a right place, right time situation with Stanford, as MTL is a similar program to Rhetoric. I also submitted that application a bit later and think it may have been an improvement. Alas. -
Fall 2015 Acceptances (!)
snyegurachka replied to hreaðemus's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
Comp Lit or English, if you don't mind my asking? -
Fall 2015 Applicants
snyegurachka replied to tingdeh's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
I emailed the DGS at Berkeley and wish I hadn't. I read the email as positive, then negative, then annoyed, and overall feel just as bad or worse than I did before. Not worth the trouble/the feeling stupid and embarrassed afterwards. -
Fall 2015 Acceptances (!)
snyegurachka replied to hreaðemus's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
oh my oh my...who is the Berkeley Rhetoric admit? Or has it been posted already and I just missed it? Whoever it is...congrats! I am impressed. -
Fall 2015 Applicants
snyegurachka replied to tingdeh's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
I don't know...while I'm enjoying the assertion that I will hear amazing and unexpected news ~February 3, I am a little wary that ms Miller has noted that I will be thinking about doing my taxes this month...no shit. -
Is that generally for the department of the whole graduate school? I am suddenly having terrible anxieties that no adcoms actually read my application. All of my statuses only say "submitted," and I haven't received any notifications except from financial services (fee waivers) and a note about my app being received by Stanford. I think I'm starting to crack.
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I know how that goes. I've been obsessively buying higher end fitnesswear from ebay...and I work out in my apartment.
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Application Status
snyegurachka replied to DramaDuck's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
All of mine just say "submitted." Cannot attest yet whether that is good or bad. -
Fall 2015 Acceptances (!)
snyegurachka replied to hreaðemus's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
This is one of my worst fears! How did she know it wasn't read/how could/did this happen? These adcoms can be such assholes. -
Fall 2015 Applicants
snyegurachka replied to tingdeh's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
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Fall 2015 Applicants
snyegurachka replied to tingdeh's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
I wouldn't necessarily assume that. From what I understand, letters don't really matter very much (unless perhaps the professor has ties to the school?) because every school assumes that the letters are glaring recommendations. Don't give up yet. -
Fall 2015 Acceptances (!)
snyegurachka replied to hreaðemus's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
Congrats to all the Berkeley admits. I am very impressed I think this is the first English tippy-top program to have results so far, and I'm glad to see that the forum is so well represented (it seems). but then...thoughts on when Rhetoric might come out? Just seeing English acceptances go up gave me butterflies. Guessing there are a few others on here feeling the same way. -
Sh*t people say when you are applying to grad school
snyegurachka replied to Clou12's topic in Waiting it Out
"shouldn't you apply to some safety schools?" -
Fall 2015 Acceptances (!)
snyegurachka replied to hreaðemus's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
Same thing—ever since I saw the January 28 acceptance from a few years ago on the results board, I have been on the edge of my seat. Especially after someone in Berkeley, CA viewed my academia.edu profile about a week ago -
Fall 2015 Applicants
snyegurachka replied to tingdeh's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
You never know though. I have friends who have been involved with editorial work, have taught for a while with an MA or no degree (generally not in the US), have had residencies and grants for research, etc. I think it depends on how old you are, how active you are in the field/in which ways, and how you are connected. If you have been sitting on the editorial board of a publication for a while, you are probably more likely to have publications there and in related works than someone who is outside the scene. As a person entering a program with a writing MFA, I think it is somewhat more likely that s/he has been involved with publishing in some way, has been teaching in English or some related field with the creative writing degree, and has decided to move forward some time later. I could also be wrong about this, but I know some of those 14 publication people, and they are real. Often international and older (than I am)