commoner

Cheers! Looks like I'm headed to round 4.

Yoohoo! Santa Cruz! Where are you?

This is my third year of applications. My list is much more limited than it ever has been. Just making some last ditch efforts. The UC system has a great extension program. Though not offically extension courses, as long as there is room, most profs will allow outsiders. I took a seminar on F. Jameson at Santa Cruz last spring. It was fascinating. Half the students were History of Consciousness majors; half were Lit. The Hist/Con folks could cite philosophy like it was written on their eyelids. The rest of us Lit types were much quieter. Heh heh. Not so much our discourse community.

This is my third time applying to Santa Cruz. They make phone calls in Feb. Two reports on the results page already for this year. All that's left are waitlisters and rejections. Hollie is very helpful. But at this point last year, she was no longer willing to give out any info. Just said that notifications would come soon. Actually, this time last year, I had received my rejection. In any case, the wait is almost over.

Yeah, what's with Davis? 13 acceptances reported here. I can't imagine they are sending out any more. And what's with Santa Cruz? I'd like to continue ranting. But it won't help. Rejections will come soon enough.

Hammer #1. Santa Barbara.

Ouch. 0 for 12 is painful. I feel your pain. I went 0 for 13 my first year (1 official waitlist, 1 unofficial waitlist), 0 for 11 my second year (1 acceptance without funding). This year, the silence has gone much longer than ever before. I want to think that it isn't a terrible thing. But I know that some of the schools to which I applied have already filled their bills. Just waiting for the hammer to come down.

"As I ponder'd in silence, . . ."

I was accepted without funding to the Lit program last year. I am competing for funding again this year. Here's the kicker. I didn't hear from them until April 14th last year. Painful wait. Good luck! One of my profs went through their Rhet/Comp program. She was one of my best influences! c.

Well stated Baldwin! 3rd round for me. Have had small successes, but nothing fruitful yet. Waitlisted at one school in '08, flat rejected in '09 from same school. The ups and downs are horrendous. My first round (technically second as I applied to MFA programs several years ago) was particularly tragic. I felt really horrible. Second year, got an unfunded acceptance. Thanks for nothing. But, as mentioned, the goal is to put together a better package every time, refine your list of schools to find the right fit, and keep moving forward. I'm much less worried about this year. There are plenty of options outside academia. I hold an MA which provides for a few more. It's not a terrible idea, but one you might consider pursuing as you refine your application. Try a different school. I went to a state school. Much less expensive. Made my own road through the program, too. Worked on what I wanted to work on to make myself a more well rounded candidate (and human being). In the end, it is what it is. Life does not end after 28 rejections (can't wait for #29!). c.

You never know with those time frames. My experience has shown that by the time that March 1 comes around, all acceptances are already planning their visits. But then, others are dreadfully silent up until the second week of April as they wait for others to turn down offers. Just depends on the school and the circumstances. Better to just relax and not think about it. Take up golf or something instead. c.

Yes, Bakhtin. And Jameson most definitely. Nothing light-reading about those two. But if you have the time to chew on it, it sure is tasty.

That's a great idea! I'll get on it. Time for us to get moving as well. Watch yer email boxes! c.

OK folks. I'll be contacting you all later this week.

Well, I just got off the phone with the director. I've been offered an unfunded acceptance. somewherebound, you are probably on the phone with him right now getting the same. yes?