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?

How many of us out there are still waiting to hear from U of Arizona? I have emailed (no reply) and called (left voicemail). I know that they are not on spring break, that was back in March. And I've seen acceptances and a very recent rejection. But me? I've heard nothing. It is April 13. What could possibly be going on out there?

Quit making us jealous!!!

Can't seem to reach anyone. Or maybe they are just ignoring me. Or maybe it is spring break. In any case, for crying out loud, it is April 10. How ridiculous that they can't get their act together by now.

I'm not sure any one of us could actually prove that the economy is the only reason we've been rejected.

Did you email Marcia? I've been too scared to do so. I was really shocked to see that acceptance show up on April 2. And now they are going to meet again? Geez, I thought I was done with the suspense for this year.

At my school, I had to have it committee reviewed, revised, and signed off by mid-March for Spring completion. I re-chaired in January of that semester. If I hadn't, I would not have graduated. 6 weeks and 85 pages later, I was extremely happy with the work I produced as were all the members of my committee. If someone is still working on their thesis in April, my guess is that the goal is not to be done this semester. If that is the goal, and it is nearly finished, do it and move on. If the goal is for a later completion, do what is best for yourself and find someone willing to actually work with you. You will produce better work.

teaganc, don't give up yet!! Yeah, it sucks. So does most of everything in life. If you want it you gotta keep trying. We'll be happy to have you join us. Send me a PM with your email addy.

Bump. Having just returned from the MELUS conference, I am ready to begin rocking it out this year. Anyone else want to join us?

Your chair needs to be willing to carry on conversation about your research. Otherwise, what is the point of working with that person? I, personally, had issues with my chair whom I greatly respect. I re-chaired myself with another prof that was willing to read, talk, meet, do whatever was necessary to help me in my work, and I wrote a much better thesis because of this. Your thesis is your thesis. Do what you need to do to make it the best it can be.

All I know is that I would like to know. Come on, UA. It's freakin April 5!