ecg1810

You would think all of these repeated queries might make them wonder if someone needs to reword and/or add information to the website--especially since this seems to directly contradict what's currently posted.

That's how I interpreted this wording too, stesha123--but for some reason (it's too long ago for me to remember specifics) I still felt dubious. And I'm with you on sending a strongly worded e-mail. . . especially after that eloquent rejection letter. I swear I don't have sour grapes--really--I just don't appreciate this all-around lack of diplomacy.

That's exactly the response I received when I e-mailed with a different query (also not on the website), hence why I took a shot in the dark concerning M.A. vs. Ph.D. programs instead of contacting UW again. Also, I certainly hope they defer stray Ph.D. applications like mine to the M.A. program rather than tossing them out.

Heck, I wish I'd known this in advance. I applied straight to the Ph.D. program, sans M.A. I must have missed this on the website (which I found difficult to navigate). Ah well. Life goes on.

Agreed. So many schools seem behind this year. . .

LOL! I'm right there with you, QuentinComp.

Oh, you were completely fine! Seeing my comment quoted prompted me to reread it, and I thought I might have potentially come off the wrong way. Just clarifying, is all!

That stinks. I didn't mean to sound snarky in my post, BTW--just posing a general query to the Universe.

Rutgers didn't even make the list. . . ?

Thanks again for all of the inside info, byronlover. I have to say I don't understand the "no visiting day" routine though--it doesn't seem like a great finanical burden. Ah well. What do I know, eh?

I found this strange, too--especially since many of us crafted new-and-improved grad school writing samples post-graduatation in order to demonstrate intellectual growth, maturity, evolving academic interests, etc. (As you indicate, TC3.) Besides, many of my profs just assigned a letter grade to my papers with a one-word comment at the end--no extensive marginalia.

Thanks for the info, byronlover--and sorry to hear about the fellowship. I wonder what led to all of the extra chaos this year. . .

Agreed. I've started to wonder if all hypothetical rejectees/acceptees thus far aren't on GC--but that seems highly unlikely. I really thought Iowa would notify last week.

No worries.

Ah! This solves the mystery. This is for Political Science; I searched for English.

Maybe I'm just really dense or blind. . . or both. . . but I truly can't find this post. It's not showing up on my compy.

Weren't those for Iowa State, not the University of Iowa?

I paralleled independent study and thesis writing since I'm not sure how your department handles that sort of thing. At my undergraduate institution, there isn't any sort of "official" thesis-track/seminar option for students who aren't members of the honors program--I assumed they'd have to enroll in independent study and make the necessary arrangements with professors if they wish to pursue an extensive research project in lieu of traditional course work. Also, electing independent study could provide you with an opportunity to interact extensively with one or two professors, which would enable them to write you strong, specific letters of recommendation. And I think TC3 did a solid job answering your theory query.

Kudos to you, basicpolitics, for getting a jumpstart on this process! If you have the opportunity, I would definitely suggest pursuing some sort of independent study/thesis project during your junior/senior years, which will facilitate the writing sample development process. Also, (though it sounds like you've already done a decent amount of theory reading), my mentor suggests Terry Eagleton's Literary Theory: An Introduction to most students who express an interest in English graduate study. Hope this helps, and best of luck!

C'mon, Iowa. . . get with the program. . . Don't you want to be like those other cool schools that have already sent out notifications?

YupYupYup.

Thanks, byronlover!

I've been nervously refreshing my e-mail and status checker all morning in anticipation. Hopefully they'll put us out of our misery soon.

And thanks for the info, lit864. It's always nice when a blessed acceptee chooses to share scoop!

I second the motion!