Abyss21

I recently wrote the GRE General Test and received this score: V: 157 Q: 152 AWA: 5 I'm applying to English Literature programs in top schools (Harvard, Stanford, Berkeley, University of Chicago, UPenn, etc.). From what I've seen, my quantitative and writing marks are just fine for English programs, but my verbal reasoning should be 10 points higher (at least 166-167). Realistically, I don't know if studying would increase my verbal reasoning mark significantly enough to make a difference. I'm a very strong candidate in every other respect (I have academic publications, a very high GPA, and a master's degree in English from a Canadian institution). Should I still retake the GRE or do I have a shot of getting into those top schools anyways?

Update: I called ETS and they told me that they don't know anything about receiving a paper ahead of time that tells you which room you have to go to in order to write your GRE. They just told me to go to the "main office" and that there will be people there directing me where to go. I told them that it's a fairly large university so I have no idea what their idea of the "main office" is and that it's not a good idea to have people lost before their 8:30 am test. So I guess we're on our own. Thank you for the help anyways! I'm glad that you were able to get into your top schools regardless of a sub-par GRE score in Physics. Hopefully I have the same luck.

Thank you for this information! I feel terrible for you that you had to go all the way from Kingston and then have the room changed on you last minute like that. I hope the test went well for you (I'm assuming it did because you're a Canadian student in California haha). Do you remember how long it took for the paper admission ticket to be mailed to you? I haven't gotten anything of that sort but there are still two weeks left until my test so maybe I just have to be a bit more patient. My confirmation email didn't say anything about a paper admission ticket though so I really don't know what to think. Thank you for your advice though! I will keep an eye out for a ticket or a confirmation of some sort in the upcoming week.

I am writing the GRE specific to the English Literature subject at McMaster University in less than two weeks and I still have not been informed about which room it is written in. The test is at 8:30 am and I am coming all the way from Toronto, so it is important for me to know the room ahead of time. Does anybody know where it is usually written or does the room change constantly? If so, how soon would I be expected to find out the room? Thanks in advance!

I'm taking a gap year because I went straight from my undergraduate program to my master's program and I'm honestly quite burnt out and exhausted. I've heard from many people that taking a gap year is very beneficial and helps you refresh and feel reenergized for your PhD (which I'm sure we all need).

Literatures of Modernity at Ryerson student here! I'm currently finishing up my final research project and I've overall had a fantastic time in this program. It really is an unconventional master's program that offers great funding and many opportunities to explore possibilities outside of a straight line towards a PhD. I highly recommend taking a creative writing class as well as taking on one or two research assistantships. Sadly the current grad director is leaving (he was the absolute best) but he's being replaced with someone who seems great as well. I can't say enough good things about this program!

Yes, there is a box that you have to check off when you're filling out your online application to be considered for OGS. If you apply for CGS and don't get it or even if you don't apply at all, they will give the OGS to you if you are ranked high on their list of acceptances.

The exact same thing happened to me. I applied to a masters program in the same school where I did my undergrad and my professor wouldn't stop calling me, emailing me, and trying to recruit me. However, I received a much better offer from another university so I had to turn that university down. At the end of the day, every professor who likes you and has been close to you will seem more personal while trying to recruit. They aren't trying to be rude - they genuinely think that their program is the best and that you should be there. Therefore, just be cordial and say that you are very sorry but you've already made your decision. I'm sure your prof will understand.

That's very true! I'm an alternate for CGS but I just found out today that I got an OGF (Ontario Graduate Fellowship) so there actually is hope for alternates in Ontario.

I just found out today that I got the OGF (Ontario Graduate Fellowship) for Ryerson, which I think is similar to the OGS.

Alternate at McMaster, Ryerson, Guelph, and Brock. Didn't even apply to Brock, so it's interesting that I'm an alternate for that one. It's my birthday so I was really hoping to get one. How likely is it for an alternate to get it and when are we supposed to find out?

From what I've been told, they're not all that important, especially compared to your PhD. If you plan on doing a PhD, I'd say find a balance and choose a place that'll give you good funding so that you could save up money for the long haul.

The place that screwed up is trying to get me to cancel my acceptance to the other one.

I've heard non-stop debates about this and I just want to get some more opinions. I'm a Canadian student that goes to McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario right now for my undergraduate degree in English. I've applied to a Masters in English at McMaster and through many terrible bureaucratic failures, I have yet to receive my official offer. The other university that I've already accepted is Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario. It's a much newer university and therefore has less prestige, but it's more innovative and in a better location. Now, McMaster has realized that they forgot to send me the official offer and are going insane trying to keep me. However, Ryerson has been much more organized and showed interest in me much earlier so I have already officially accepted it. Both universities are offering very generous funding and both programs seem interesting so I would really like to hear some thoughts on this. Thanks in advance!