Branwen daughter of Llyr

Another challenge to add to this... Drunken "Summarize Proust" Contest (taking the idea from my current Monty Python's Flying Circus marathon...)

Trust me, you guys, I know how you feel. BUT - there are ways around it. Have you thought about teaching? A lot of private schools are willing to take people straight out of their BA to teach in their field. It can also help on your apps for next year. I know the economy is tough... but we're smart people (after all, we're applying to grad school!!) and should be able to work out a plan B. Teach English overseas, sign up and do work with Non-Profits. And even if you ARE relegated to working minimum wage, find other stuff that you can volunteer for in the area. Hey - why not try and sell an Ecology Education seminar at the schools in your local area? It's a hot topic, they may appreciate it! Also - take some classes that can help you fill in the gaps you need for grad school, even if part-time and in a non-grad track. It'll keep your mind sharp, and it may open up some unexplored opportunities. The important thing is to try and be as positive as possible. The economy isn't much better in Israel, and I've been unemployed for a year and a half barring some freelance work... only now do I have any proper leads for a Tech writing job, and meanwhile I AM working at a minimum wage crap job, and still I know that somehow I'll find what to do until next year. I decided it's even a good thing, since meanwhile I can take Latin classes and beef up my languages.

I'm 37, and applying with a family of pets . So although I don't have to worry about school districts and a husband's job - I do have to worry about: Finding housing where 2 cats and a dog are allowed. Making sure they have all the right paperwork for entry into the US (my cats are originally from NY, but they made Aliyah with me in 2002 hahahah, my dog is a native born Israeli) Working out the logistics of feeding myself AND them on the stipend Dealing with all the stupid questions from other people "Wouldn't you just rather leave them behind???" NO!! THEY ARE MY GUYS, AND THEY ARE BETTER THAN PROZAC!!!! (see what not having kids does to you... you end up being unable to imagine life without your pets). I'd rather deal with every single logistic nightmare involving moving them across the pond with me, than imagine for a second leaving them behind.

Keep yourself as busy as possible with other stuff. Despite my life being a mess at this point, I guess I'm lucky, because between dealing with my financial snafus, looking for a proper job, taking any freelance translation work I can find, and working in the stupid store I work at 6 days a week, my "grad school" stress is limited to the few hours a day I have at home in front of the computer. And as I stated in my other post, I've found some bizarre ways to cope with the wait. I highly recommend getting a pet (dog, cat, what have you) - they are a constant distraction (and they love you even if you have rejections in your inbox hahahahah), and are also a constant source of amusement. The politics between my two cats and my dog are immensely amusing. Get hooked on a series you like. Read loads (and no, NOT the department websites). The wait is almost over keep your chin up, and since Yoga is the most relaxing thing I know, don't forget to actually breathe!!

I don't think I'm applying with "technical, narrow, limited research interests" - I've never had them. I don't see academia as limiting them - quite the contrary. I do know where I want my starting point to be. I do know where I want my PhD research to be oriented on. But truth be told, I'm pretty much interested in most things written between 1066-1900 in the UK. And although my "specialty" is medieval, and internally, Celtic medieval (and its continuing influence), I'm also crossing it with a very non traditional genre - children's fiction and fantasy. Not a whole lot of scholarship there. It's new ground. From all the information I've gathered, this actually gives me a better chance of pursuing my research interests. Since I also write fiction and hope to get published on that front over the next few years, that gives me an edge teaching-wise, after the PhD (why not hire someone who can also teach writing fiction as well as medieval lit?). These, however, are just the beginning as far as I'm concerned. My role model is one of my undergrad profs, who graduated with a PhD from Yale in Medieval lit. Since then, she has written and researched a GREAT DEAL more, in many different areas, and has collaborated with profs in different fields to publish some really interesting interdisciplinary work. I think academia, just like everything else, is what YOU make of it. It can limit you, sure. But it also gives you the opportunity to expand and enhance your contribution to scholarship tenfold. Personally, I feel like I have a much better chance of reaching my research goals (and developing them further, after all, I also love the 18th century satirists) in academia than anywhere else. Maybe that's a sad testament to our society, but it's the reality of it.

Since none of the schools I've applied to have even started sending people emails (good or bad), I've found that my coping mechanisms with the horrifying wait for rejections are becoming more and more bizarre by the day... Here is a choice sample: I've embarked on yet another Monty Python's Flying Circus marathon.I find myself wishing I had all my Discworld novels back.I grab my dog and hug her for absolutely no reason, and then pull her floppy ears.I become overly engaged with my grumpy cat in a battle of wits re his not eating dry food (i.e. telling him every morning "Mommy is poor, so eat your crunchies, I can't afford to buy you wet food!).I find myself wishing I could find that wardrobe to Narnia (yes, I've reverted to the ripe old age of seven).My coffee and cigarette consumption has risen to alarming highs.I faithfully report to my mother everything I read on this forum.I rejoiced when American Idol auditions started airing. Watching all those terrible singers made me feel better about myself (at least I'm not that deluded).I obsessively research schools and programs for next year's applications.I fantasize about leaving everything and going to South America to save Jaguars. Please share yours, so I don't feel like the only headcase in the world!!

Are McGills' MAs funded? (could be an interesting backup option...)

I applied to their MFA/PhD (MFA creative writing and PhD in literature), and I haven't heard anything. I don't think I have much chance of getting in - and I'm definitely applying there again next year, but I wouldn't worry about hearing from them. From Cornell, specifically, my motto is "no news, good news." They probably got all my stuff, and are now laughing their asses off at my presumption

Yup. On both counts. I've been out of undergrad for nearly nine years. At no time in these nine years have I managed to pursue my love of lit to the level I did in college. I don't have the ppl around me who are interested in it (in fact, when I start talking Chaucer, they yawn and look bored), I don't have the library, I don't have the time and "peace and quiet" to delve in deep. I'm just busy surviving most of the time. Obviously, the world won't end if I don't get in this year. I'll apply again. But truth be told? There is NOTHING I'd rather do. And trust me, I've tried my hand at just about everything. Unfortunately, we don't live in Paris in the 1920's, where we can sit with all our fellow writers and artists and talk intellectually over a cup of coffee all day long. Life has gotten too expensive for that. And when you're not surrounded by the constant discourse, it tends to lower your drive. At least it does for me. Scholarly discussion is exactly that - discussion. You can't really do it alone. Oh yeah, and aside from loving poking in old manuscripts and puzzling over the connections between Morte L'Artur and Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising Sequence, I really love teaching this stuff, and getting students excited about it. And unfortunately, except for some really exceptional high school programs, academia is where the juice is at!

I'm applying to Duke for 2011 (barring some miraculous occurrence in which the Adcoms get hit on the head and accept me this year), and possibly UNC, as well (it's still on the long list. Duke is definitely on the shortlist). Something about Durham seems so appealing... and I loved Duke's program right from the start. Unfortunately, this year I missed their deadline. *sigh*. I shall continue viewing this year's round of applications as a trial run which I am learning loads from (like what I need to do next year hahah). Otherwise I might go insane

Congrats! And thanks for the lovely post It's always wonderful to see hard work paying off (that's what I'm hoping for next year...)

Would love to know as well - Since I'm also looking into Canadian U's for next year (also UK), as well as a wider range of American U's. If anyone answers this question, I would be immensely pleased

Indeed!! *sigh* Don't forget we're also in the wrong country

Was Yale (both because it's well... Yale... but also because I thought it would be a terrific fit and loved their courses) However, while researching schools for next years apps I discovered other top choices: Cornell (I'm definitely applying there again next year), Duke, Notre Dame, U Michigan, U Illinois, and Ohio State. No top contender among them, however - I would probably be equally pleased to go to any of them (at this point - it may change), each for their unique reasons. But all of them have a strong Medieval program, with at least one prof interested / researches Medieval Celtic / Arthurian, and at least one prof in the department who is interested / researches Folklore / Fantasy / Sci-Fi / Children's. May all of us get into our top choices + full funding, AMEN (even if it's next year).

Oh, I check. The minute first responses are posted for any of my four, I'll start getting hives, no doubt about it (even though I'm sure it's rejections, WAITING for them is excruciating. I'm keeping myself busy by getting ready for next year, job hunting, and trying to get out of my current financial fiasco hahaha). Since I haven't heard from UVA re any missing stuff, I'm assuming they got everything. If they didn't - I guess it's my bad. I was especially disturbed when I saw "transcripts - incomplete" and was about to throw a hissy fit and call ye olde college with some choice curses, when I saw their disclaimer. So Fewments to UVA . May the Unseen University in Ankh-Morpork have a magical accident on UVA's application site and turn it to flying doves. Oook.

How about a Harry Potter style "Tri-Grad Championship?" After all, I'm sure most of us would rather face a flaming mad, psychotic Hungarian Horntail than take the GRE's again....

Mine all say "submitted". And the UVA one still says "Incomplete" (while placing a disclaimer that ALL applications will be listed as "incomplete" even if transcripts and writing samples have arrived at the department). I'm just waiting for the rejection emails. sigh.

Vision, you just MADE MY DAY (especially the ring bearer and how appropriate it is for Yale... although I would think that You are our Percival, the Holy Grail is before you, God, Christ, the Holy Ghost, and every single Monty Python [including Graham Chapman, back from the dead] cast member will be in touch with you soon... would also be highly appropriate for Yale... can you tell I'm dying to go there?) and I'll add... 7. Got Good GRE Scores Celebration So you raised those GRE scores, worked your ass off, studied vocab/math until it leaked out of every pore of your body, are on first name basis with editors of "Cracking the GRE" and "Kaplan's Advanced" series, you know words like OBSTREPEROUS and SOMNAMBULIST without consulting a dictionary, and scored in the 98th percentile - the grad schools in your field should at least send you a congratulatory email! Something like : Congratulations, potential applicant! Your GRE scores now qualify you for acceptance to our University with full fellowship + generous stipend! Please apply as quickly as possible so we can assess the other brilliant things you will add to our department! Wouldn't it be nice to be COURTED rather than COURTING for a change?? 8. Applause and Adulation when finished with Application Process You just finished sending out those 10-20-howevermany applications, and you get a balloon party w. Godiva chocolates, a HUGE bottle of Glenlivet, and a week long beach vacation in - enter your fav holiday spot here (mine? Thailand, Aruba, anywhere with pristine beaches and turquoise water) - just to recuperate from the process and gather strength for the excruciating wait...

I thought about staying here for grad school as well... but doing a PhD in English Lit in Israel? I think not (And you can make wicked money here with your English, btw - so don't discount the idea. Technical Writers, for example, make the highest salaries outside of programmers, and if you're a techie, you can make pretty good money and still pay off loans (although it can take a while - I'm still working on mine, but FASFA is very understanding). Oh - and grad school here is NOT free, unfortunately. It would likely cost about 15,000 NIS a year, which can add up, especially since it's hard to work full time + concentrate on your dissertation. But hey - doing Aliyah is always a great idea !!

yup (especially on the old thing... heheh) I've already started re-writing my SOP (and I haven't even gotten any official rejections yet), already redid General GRE, and am now in process of cramming for the subject GRE. Also seriously researching schools so I have a good amount and range of programs to go to. So I start grad school when I'm 39 instead of 38. At least I'll have an extra year to prepare for Latin - I've already decided to sign up for a Latin course in Tel Aviv University starting next October - solidify what I want my research to center on, re-write and revamp my writing samples, and just generally be better prepared. There's plenty to do and improve to be a better applicant. (also, I'm hoping the economy will improve and less people will apply next year hahahahahah)

I'm applying from Israel... and to reach my alma mater on the phone to make sure they SENT TRANSCRIPTS was basically hell. Between my working and sleeping hours, their working hours, and the time difference (7 hours), I managed to reach them only twice, then they lost my fax with my ID and transcript request (and they say you don't have to call. liars), so I had to call again, fax again, and UVA still lists my application as "INCOMPLETE" (they just do. I have to stop developing an ulcer about it). Supplemental materials? Luckily I only had one, and was in the US over xmas - left if for my brother to take to the post office and send. He forgot. When I got back from Florida, envelope was STILL sitting on the kitchen table. My dad ended up sending it the day before the deadline. Have promised myself that next year I will be much better prepared, make sure I talk to my Alma Mater months in advance, send GRE scores months in advance, send supplemental materials FROM HERE (also months in advance). Luckily, most grad schools i'm interested in are pretty much online, and my LOR writers are in the US (which, of course, will complicate sending stuff to UK for programs there...). I cannot even imagine applying anywhere from China. Isn't the internet censored there? i.e. very difficult to get to sites outside of China??

Hey, there's always next year. At least that's what I'm thinking. It took me over 8 years to decide that this is what I want to do, and that nothing compares to it. One year of rejections isn't going to deter me, especially since I wasn't particularly well prepared for this year's round of apps.... Keep your chin up. Things could be worse - we all could be buried under a rubble in Haiti (or worse... alive and left with nothing).

I had some serious Yale daydreams until a couple of weeks ago. However, I'm now resigned to the fact that I WON'T be getting in this year (despite my mother's assurance that "you never know" - no matter that I tell her that there isn't a chance in hell that Yale, Cornell, Brown, and UVA will be soooo impressed with my lowly 600 V to wait for subject scores in April hahahah), and my brain has gone into overtime researching NEXT YEAR's round of applications (also acting the GRE verbal last week). At night, currently, I mostly dream of mountains crumbling. I think it has to do with the fact that my financial situation is extremely stressful, and has nothing to do with grad school, except maybe a subliminal message to not apply to U Colorado in Boulder, or to Vermont

Plan B?? Stay here for another year, find a job (in the process at the moment, considering I don't really believe I'm getting in this year anyway), work my ass off and save up some nest egg money (for the joyous experience of paying rent, buying junker car, and best of all, new laptop), ace the Subject GRE in April, research and find 10 schools I want to go to, rewrite SoPs, rewrite and improve writing sample (honors thesis, with the second half not in great shape due to a saving snafu back in 2001), get recommendation letters again (my poor profs), and go through the whole process again next year, only better prepared. I will hear of NO REJECTIONS NEXT YEAR. I'm going to grad school, and that's that.

Damn (pardon my Middle English) I was thinking of applying to a couple of UK programs (if I could get funding) as well as the US programs next year. If Universities in the States aren't hiring UK PhDs, I won't - after all, with more and more stringent UK work and immigration laws, there isn't a chance in hell I'll get a job THERE post graduation. Humph. (Although I suppose I understand US Universities. With such a bad job market anyway, you want someone with the best teaching experience straight out of grad school...)