Branwen daughter of Llyr

I'm not taking any chances. No way would I be satisfied with a 60th percentile subject score - my top choice programs are Harvard and UCLA (due to the program, not the prestige - I'm applying at U Colorado Boulder, as well). And if you've had a 9 year gap in your studies, like me, you really don't want to give them any excuses for not taking you. StrongFlatWhite, like myself, is a "different" candidate. His UG major was not English, so he has to go above and beyond the call of duty to get into a top-50 school. I wouldn't recommend to anyone to blow off the GRE - general or subject, especially if they haven't taken it yet. Obviously, the SOP and writing sample carry a great deal of weight in English PhD applications. However, why in God's name would you sabotage your chances of getting into your top-choice schools because of a stupid test that all you have to do in order to do well in is study for it? My main goal is making my 2011 apps as attractive and competitive as possible. And part of that is doing well on the stupid, idiotic GRE's. It's possible, and it doesn't do me ANY harm to sit down and study for it properly. I get to learn things that I enjoy, review stuff that I haven't touched in years, and I've gotten some superb ideas just from reviewing criticism. For me, 60th percentile just doesn't cut it. I'm not a 60th percentile student, and I never have been. I fully intend to work my ass off to prove to the top programs in the country that I'm more than worthy of attending, and that I have the drive and incentive to work hard and succeed. My first general GRE wasn't terrific, so I took it again. Achieved a verbal score of 720 - 98th percentile, Q670 - 63rd percentile, and an AWA of 5.0 (although personally I think I should have gotten a 6.0, or at least a 5.5, but what are you going to do, argue??). With an excellent subject score, I'm in reaching distance of my goals, and I can concentrate on the really important stuff - SOP and writing sample. I'm glad you got in to U Mich - it's a great program. But this app season has gotten SO competitive, that I'm preparing myself for an even more cutthroat season for the 2011 app season. And although a good GRE profile doesn't guarantee a spot - it sure can give you an edge between comparable applicants.

I so feel for you, hon. Has he even considered sending out job applications to DC papers? It is the home of The Washington Post, after all, the wet dream of every journalist in the US (aside from the NY Times, of course). Just to test the waters - see if he gets any bites? And you just reminded me why I'm so, so, so, so happy that I'm single (despite not having someone to cuddle with at night). After two rounds of putting my hopes and dreams on the sideline because of an guy (not even a husband - they start their BS at the boyfriend stage) - I vowed never again. This is the downside of any relationship - their fears and insecurities can literally wreck your life, in a roundabout way. Don't give up. I mean it. He knew this could happen, right? that you would be accepted in out-of-area schools and not in the locals? Or was he in a fantasyland and just didn't think about it too much? And to all those who say that you should have thought about this before having kids - a marriage is a two-way street, as is parenting. Single mothers around the globe get through BA's, MA's and PhDs. And a marriage MUST leave room and space for individual dreams and hopes. Maybe someone will dismiss my words, saying "oh, she doesn't have kids, what does she know." Well, my mom finished her BA when i was a baby. My mom AND my dad were in grad school until I was 6. Anything is possible when you put your mind to it, and children are a whole lot more resilient than we give them credit for. Keep your chin up! You can make this work, I know it!

All medievalists (or just those interested in medieval stuff) I HIGHLY recommend Terry Jones' Medieval Lives - 8 half hour episodes about a variety of medieval professions / lives - outlaws, kings, etc. VERY FUNNY, and states what we ALL KNOW - the medieval period is one of the more fascinating and diverse periods in history, as well as the most misrepresented in subsequent literatures and texts! For those interested in Roman history (or skewed version thereof) - he also had a great series called Terry Jones' Barbarians. Introduces and debunks a LOT of ummm... myths our dear Roman Empire perpetuated about those people who well... weren't Roman . As he says in the end - History is written by those who won.

you are right - quant scores don't count AS much for the department. Unfortunately, for state schools, they somewhat count for fellowships (no - you DO NOT need to get a perfect score - just be around the 50th percentile). Oh - a year and a half is plenty. If you're taking courses anyhow - take a LOT of surveys - they will help a great deal. And yes - it's good . You sound amazingly dedicated! (I wish I wish I wish I could take full classes next year) (and thanks ) ahhh writing sample. While taking classes next year, you need to take at least one in which your final paper is a research paper (not just close reading or analysis) about 12-15 pp long. Try to make sure that it uses some sort of critical theory, has a good bibliography, and showcases your writing, analysis, and researching skills. Of course, be as original as possible in your paper's argument. If the paper is the result of a senior / honors thesis seminar, so much the better. If you have a specific period / subfield you're interested in, try to focus the paper on that. I.e - if you are interested in modernist poetry - try to write the paper about a topic in modernist poetry. However, since you haven't taken any classes yet, don't limit yourself in the classes - I ended up falling in love with medieval lit utterly by mistake (I was a renaissance - early modern girl obsessed with Shakespeare before my first medieval / Chaucer class. Oh wait - I'm still obsessed with Shakespeare.... and Jonson... and Swift... however, I'm more obsessed with the Arthurian cycle hahahahah). It's ok that you haven't been published (neither have I). Most applicants straight out of BA haven't been published. Even many MA students haven't been published yet. What you need to make sure of is that the writing sample is publishing worthy - so even after you get an A on it from your prof, revise it, tighten it, make sure all spelling errors are gone, and sit down with your advisor and have a prof read it again and give you comments specifically for publication and applying to a PhD. You're actually very lucky - you'll have the support of a school and profs for the writing sample! And a LIBRARY!! Take advantage of everything the department offers. You have an amazing opportunity to create close relationships with some profs for your LORs, as well!

The two tests are completely separate. The subject test is held 3 times a year - in April, October, and November. it's a paper test, 230 questions, covers everything from classical greek plays to Alan Ginsburg and Jack Kerouac. Also covers major critical theories, some grammar (especially in convoluted 20 line sentences from Paradise Lost, and vocabulary in context (i.e. "in the above passage, what is the meaning of 'happened' (line 3)). Almost no one manages to answer every single question correctly (I want to meet the person who did and bow at their feet in utter humility), but it IS possible to answer only 3/4 of the exam and still get above a 700. This is a test that you SHOULD PREPARE FOR - especially if you're interested in pursuing an English PhD with BA / MA from a different field. I've been out of school for 9 years, and the way I'm compensating for that is this test, and by revising my writing sample. The general GRE is now a CAT test - computerized completely. Often the tests are administered in different locations. So no - I do NOT recommend taking these tests less than a month apart. Get one done (either general or subject), and then do the other. Despite recurring discussions about importance of GRE scores, most top-tier programs do have high expectations of applicants. If aiming for a program like Harvard, Yale, UCLA, Cornell, etc., aside from the best SOP and writing sample you've ever written, you should aim for above a 700 on your verbal GRE section, and be at LEAST in the 85th percentile for the subject test (normally at or above 650). of course, there are always exceptions to this, but if you are thinking of making the move to English, you really have to present an AMAZING application to compete with the other hundreds of amazing applicants out there. Read the above posts for suggestions of how to prep for the subject test. it's a killer exam, I'm studying appx 3-4 hours a day for it, and more on the weekends. i'm also planning on taking less shifts at work the week before the test (thank god it's passover vacation!! means other job is out for a week anyhow) to cram pretty much straight up to the exam. If you are new to English lit as a field of study, register for the November exam and pace yourself - there is a lot of material to take in! Good luck!

I actually doubt there are many fellowships out there with deadlines that haven't passed - so this was more for your second year. I would recommend looking for a part time teaching job - there is a HUGE need for teachers in high school now, someone with your experience should have no trouble. Also, teaching community college could work as well, as Sparky mentioned - you should look into NOVA (or even George Mason - they always need extra comp instructors) for that. Hmm... Private tutoring is always good cash - either for SAT related stuff, ESL, kids that want to get into AP classes, hey, you should even advertise helping to get app material for college together, editing essays, and whatever else the app package has to include (usually a personal essay and a "school" essay with a given question, right?) DC Metro is HUGE - I'm sure you'll find a way to make ends meet! Be as creative as possible! (wow, I just got homesick for northern VA. oh dear.)

Oh my... 3rd place... I think this indicates the need for a short break (or not...)

Hmm. I haven't even STARTED looking at external fellowships - so my first question is - how large is the stipend? (do you know yet)? But here is a list of things I've randomly found when researching schools: Medieval Academy of America: http://www.medievala...ts_schallek.htm - offers a $30,000 fellowship for one year of study in any Late Medieval field. - They also have additional prizes and grants, so read deeply Check out the Ford Foundation - http://www.fordfound.org/ - they have fellowships for applicants committed to a career in teaching and research at the university level (for all fields). Check out this article: http://www.gradschoo...ships/1676.html - many fellowships and grants listed. Check out this: http://www.isi.org/p...ellowships.html And this: http://www.radcliffe.edu/bunting/apply.htm (for women in scholarship, creativity, and social activism, what ever that means. You're a woman scholar. You can apply). Check out Teachers-Teachers.com for part time teaching positions in the DC area. Tutor English for ESL students. Tutor at the writing center. Also, talk to the people at Catholic - they may know about a lot more funding out there! (you know this means I'll be asking you to review my writing sample over the summer, right?? )

Thank you! I probably will - I was woefully unprepared for this round (my first GRE was not very good, SOP was not focused and terrific, overall, I doubt I presented my unique interests and abilities at their best. However, general GRE was ratified, subject test in April should solve that, and I'm revising a writing sample and writing a brand new SOP - much more focused and together for next year). However, I learned a LOT and in case that my new writing sample won't cut it (since I'm writing it on my own without benefit of professors around me), I hope I can get into an MA program and try again .

Thanks! Unfortunately, I haven't been living in the US for the past nine years, so my VA residency has probably expired (as did my driver's license). But a funded program is a must - I can't afford to pay for two years of grad school. Thanks for the link, I'll add it to my growing Grad School bookmark folder hahahahah!

Increasing interest - YES. and that's the role of the teachers. The fact that there is SO much bitching on these very boards about the math tells me that there is something wrong with the way it's being taught. My initial reply was just that - you said something about the system being flawed, I agreed. I got pedantic, because you replied to that in an EXTREMELY insulting manner, misconstruing everything that I've written. Yes, obviously some people fall in love with math and sciences early - but you yourself state that it's not nearly enough. You say one thing and then it's opposite - we both know that the basic fact is that most kids are not interested in math and sciences because teachers don't get them excited about it. Of course, there are many teachers who try. But even those good teachers are often stifled by a system that very rarely gives them the freedom to teach things in a unique and exciting way. Not enough time, not enough resources, etc. You state that it makes no sense that a country as rich as the US is lagging in STEM? Of course it makes no sense. The education system is NOT GEARED TOWARDS IT. It's not just my own experiences with math that I'm relating - I'm also presenting an attitude, quite widespread. As a teacher, I had very few students who saw any usefulness in mathematics. Why? Because no one taught them the usefulness of it. You may agree or you may not, but the dismal state of math and science scoring in the US (and unfortunately, Israel is most definitely sliding down towards the US in the rankings) compared to the world doesn't tell me anything about the quality of the students. It does, however, tell me quite a lot about the quality of the system that is supposed to be providing learning tools and knowledge.

Question about the research you did into the schools - I'm thinking about adding two or three terminal MAs to my app round next year, (just in case I don't get into any PhD's again) - how to you determine which ones were the best for future PhD plans? I'm not horribly ranking oriented, but I do want to go to a program that I know that if I do well in, my chances of PhD acceptance are higher, (although my undergrad isn't bad - it's quite good actually, as are the recent GRE scores. It's that I graduated nine years ago, so my LORs are from profs that knew me nine years ago - they remembered me well, but more recent LORs are better, as we all know). I've found so little data online regarding MA programs that it's hard for me to figure out where I should apply for a terminal MA! (PhD's are much easier. Rankings, talk on the forums, placements, etc.) Also, being in a different country doesn't help. I'd appreciate any input B

I never said it shouldn't be important. I said that as things ARE in the system (educational) it ISN'T important. I was merely quoting my student's attitudes towards math, which reflects not MY attitude, but the system they are learning it in. People like me?? I'm one of the broadest educated people I know. I adore physics theory, I read voraciously about history, scientific history, physics theory, and I can even grasp advanced mathematical theory. What I'm saying is, is that the educational system FAILS most students regarding maths and sciences. They are NOT taught as "practical" subjects. No math teacher I ever encountered EVER taught the practical applications of algebra. Most students are NOT aware of math and science's importance in their future lives - and that is a SYSTEMATIC failure. I never said they weren't important - I reflected the ATTITUDE prevalent here in Israel, as well as in the US. As I stated earlier, the fact that only ONE math class is required for college general education in most subjects (barring those who require statistics, the sciences, or math majors) illustrates my point. The fact that you expect a 14-18 year old to go to the trouble to study something that is taught in an extremely boring manner, without any practical applications for their future (as it's taught, not as it SHOULD be taught) is a failure of the system. It is the same with any subject. Things that teachers got me hooked on early in life stuck, and I continued pursuing learning independently. Subjects that were taught in an uninspiring way were ditched. Some I got hooked on later, just by being a bookworm - for example, I started getting interested in mathematical zeta functions after reading Neal Stephenson's Cryptomonicon. I got interested in quantum mechanics when I read The Dancing Wu-Li Masters. However, if you would have asked me in my senior year in high school what I thought about advanced math and physics, I would have made retching sounds. Not because I don't have the mind to grasp it - but because none of my teachers inspired me to take an interest. I love learning, pretty much of any kind. I'm not "major" oriented. I'm not saying that maths and sciences are not important. They are. However, since most people don't actually use them in their day-to-day lives, since they are not taught HOW TO, then the fields lag behind. You claimed that I'm blaming the system because I didn't do well in math. Well, yes I am. As an ESL teacher, it was MY failure if my students didn't grasp the material, not theirs. It was the educational system's failure as well, when the standards are dropping on a daily basis, no effort is being put in to devise alternative methods of teaching, that the textbooks are crap, and that I got penalized for introducing my sixth graders to Rudyard Kipling and challenging them to think. Kids need tutors when the SYSTEM fails them. Some kids can't afford tutors, and many schools don't have approachable teachers that students feel free to come to for additional help. My only argument is that it IS a systematic failure, not that the subjects aren't important. And the systematic failure is reflected in many ways in the attitudes towards math and sciences in society. Most people feel they don't need advanced maths in their day to day lives. Guess why? Because NO ONE ever taught them otherwise, or taught them how to apply those advanced math skills in their lives. It's all a bunch of equations and rules that appear completely disconnected from just about everything else.

You said this, not me. When I had a tutor, I got A's. As I said in my post before. However, you CANNOT expect a 16 year old, unless they LOVE mathematics (a rare thing indeed) to search out a tutor if they are NOT failing, by merely getting C's. And yes. It is THE SCHOOL'S responsibility to teach - not the student's responsibility to find a tutor. If a teacher CANNOT teach math properly so that at least 80% of his class understands what they're studying, it is a FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM. Most people who are NOT IN THE SCIENCES / HIGHER MATHEMATICS do NOT NEED TO USE ALGEBRA / GEOMETRY / TRIG. They need ARITHMETIC. Big difference. Yes, I do understand, since I AM a technorat. I was a network admin and am currently a technical writer. I never needed to use advanced mathematics for either. And I never said that math wasn't important. I DID say, that most people DON'T THINK THEY NEED ADVANCED MATHEMATICS. They may be proved wrong later in life, but as long as the educational system doesn't emphasize it, they definitely won't know it when they're in high school. Even most colleges require one math class for gen ed requirements, and usually you can substitute logic instead. I'm not saying that's the way it SHOULD be, I'm saying that's the way it IS. I don't live in the unique academia bubble. I've been out of school and working in the real world for 9 years. And you need algebra for your finances?? You need ARITHMETIC for your finances. Not algebra, or trig, or calculus. No hidden "x" in your budget, no square equations, and gee, you don't even need to know the geometric formula for the area of a circle. I didn't blow it off. I said I wasn't great at math in high school, got a tutor, and got better at math. However, I have never needed to use it since, despite being in Hi-Tech. I am not an engineer, nor a programmer, and I never particularly wanted to be. Even when I thought about pursuing an MBA, it was on the marketing side, and I know how to build a budget (NO, I wasn't taught that in high school. I was taught that by my mother). You asked about the system? That's what I answered. The basic fact is, most kids DON'T get "into" math and sciences due to BAD TEACHING. When I had good teachers, I learned. When I didn't, I didn't learn. simple as that - and considering I'm not the only person who didn't do well in math in their school years, and didn't particularly care - that says something about the system, doesn't it?

I'm using both sites mentioned above - reading through Norton Anthology (English AND American), brushing up on criticism, did fairly well on the Princeton practice test and am now on the ETS one. I'm taking my time, and actually READING the test (i.e. for each question I don't know I hit the books immediately until I find the reference, and then put in down on my index cards). I'm also reading a LOT of poetry (they seem to LOVE the romantics), reviewing plots for longer novels that I'm less familiar with, and memorizing the Author-Title-Main Characters-Plot scheme. YOU DO NOT NEED TO KNOW ANYTHING IN DEPTH. The tricky parts are the "reading comprehensions" - they use very difficult passages for those. Also, review your grammar - transitive verbs and such - they seem to love using Milton for grammar questions because his 20 line sentences are so effing convoluted (I love Milton, but I SWEAR, asking grammar questions about him is like standing in front of a firing squad). Considering ETS takes at least two weeks to give subject test results, and I'm taking the test overseas, the October/November thing is tricky. I may not KNOW my results in time to register for the November test. So I'm taking it in April. I'm studying about 2-3 hours a day (I've been reading my Anthologies at work on slow days), and devote a lot of my weekend to studying, so I'm hoping for above 700.

I'm using both sites - they are FANTASTIC. I'm using Penguin's dictionary of literary terms and theory - has pretty much everything I need for the criticism part - major players in each theory, key terms, etc. I can now easily distinguish between feminists, psychoanalytic, deconstructionist, structuralist, etc. How awesome!! I'm aiming for the 700-750 range. I can recognize most stuff pre-1800 really well, less good on the modernists. Thank GOD I can recognize most restoration comedy from one line. I took a great course in restoration comedy and theater - so all those guys are my best friends already!! And thanks!

Once I'm done with the test in April, I'm moving on to revising my writing sample. I thought about changing the test date to October, as well, but then thought - what If I bomb it? I won't have time to take it again - may as well take it now, and if I don't do well (hopefully this WILL NOT HAPPEN), I can always take in again in the fall. Good luck! And study your criticism thoroughly - from what I've heard, they've been putting more and more questions in regarding theory and criticism, and much less identification than they used to.

If 3.66 (and 3.8 in the major) doesn't make the cut... well... I'm going to shoot myself and be done with it (or end up in some no name university and then never get a job hahahahhah) I don't care - it is their loss, even if they don't think so (yes, yes, it's their decision to make, and all that. But it's still their loss.) And of course you're going to do this, even if not at UNC - there was never any doubt about that! It just sucks when a program you really like doesn't like you back. Kind of like with men *sigh* (and god knows I have plenty of experience with THAT ) My recommendation? Start with the Nugat filled chocolates. And open a REALLY nice bottle of Shiraz. Yum.

Unfortunately, most math teachers suck. I'm not terrific in math (or at least I wasn't in high school) due to one reason - no one ever explained it to me properly. I'm one of those people who has to UNDERSTAND something very well in order to succeed at it - so if I don't get the underlying logic, I don't do well, no matter how much I try to memorize the rules. When I had a private tutor who explained things to me, I got A's. People, after all, are individuals, and every single brain has slightly different ways of processing learning and information. I was actually really decent at Algebra and Calculus, until I got a different teacher in High school - and I can tell you this - the system is NOT equipped to teach math in various methods so the entire class can "get it." Since it's a basic fact of life that most "pedestrians" will never use calculus or algebra again (let alone geometry and trig) unless they pursue a sciences degree, while ALL people in a literate world should know how to read and write, the focus is definitely not on math. At least 5 of my students (whom I taught English, not Math) kept saying about their math classes that they'll never use it - after all - they don't need an equation to count the change they get in the supermarket. However, they were VERY willing to work on their English skills (ESL that is), since it's such an important part of being in a global community and for future work plans. Perhaps if class sizes are reduced, and teachers with more patience and a deeper understanding of math theory start teaching high school, scores will improve. There is very little to get excited about in memorizing "math rules" - but if you teach the underlying exciting stuff as well, you might get some more students really hooked on math and sciences.

If you like Haruki Murakami, definitely read Kafka on the Shore (it involves a talking cat - most excellent), The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, and Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World - wonderful books, very strange and otherworldly. He translates so well into English that I keep forgetting he's Japanese... Vonnegut is WONDERFUL. Sirens of Titan is also very very good, and I highly recommend it after you're done with Cat's Cradle.

I haven't taken it yet. And most programs I'm looking at "require" at least 85th percentile. I'm aiming for above 90th. And trust me, the entire SUMMER will be devoted to the other stuff.

Thanks!! *blush* I just hope those programs agree with you!! Considering the length of THE LIST, losing UNC may actually be for the best. Anyhow, they concentrate on Irish, rather than Welsh. So there (although my Irish grandfather will LOVE it if I end up learning Gaelic hahahahah). humph. (my mind is still going "must get above 700 in subject test, must get above 700 in subject test, must write publishable paper, must write the most exciting, amazing SOP EVER, must get above 700 in subject test...")