Katia_chan

They once rejected me on April 19. I don't think it's common, but I was kinda pissed.

It's such a different process from applying to undergrad; it throws us all for a loop. It's harder, less fair, and more difficult to control on our end. But I'll restate what you seem to already know--you will still absolutely be competitive if you don't get top teer. I wish you the best of luck--hang in there, and know there will be plenty of people on GC doing the same thing if you decide to go for another round.

*hides under covers* You are so sweet. Wrong, but sweet. <333 And I think the part-time MA is a fantastic idea. Or...sign up for classes as a non-degree student. You can take as many classes as you want, but can also just not care if you get too busy. And if you don't want to leave the school after 4 years...then you wouldn't have to. You would be happy where you were, and that is worth just as much as an MA. Trust me, I understand the "must learn more" thing--I'm taking two classes at my former institution this semester purely for the hell of it. But there's nothing wrong with putting other things before that. You don't need the degree to learn more.

Initially read that as Muppetry. Started reevaluating what I wanted to do with my life.

I want to stop, or lessen, my procrastination. It screws me over in daily life, but positively knee-caps me in academics. I end up not reading everything I'm supposed to, or working on papers last minute... bad news stuff. Needs to stop.

To quote the wise Abed... I think I may have done some damage here. I didn't mean to introduce a tizzy about re-asking for letter recs. To clarify, it was the part *I* most hated about reapplying, but every single person I asked was incredibly wonderful about it. They didn't say boo to the fact that I had to do it 3 times, and they were encouraging and helpful every single time. I couldn't have done it without them. I got encouragement, and even suggestions for schools I had never considered before, one of which is my only current acceptance. And I know it's becoming my mantra, and I'm the repetitive crazy lady in the corner, but there is NO harm in reapplying. These days, less common is the one who gets into something their first round. There are just so many of us, and so many spots. And we all converge on the top 20 like frantic nerdy sharks, and a bunch are bound to go hungry. So you swim and circle for a year, take the time to become more awesome, and you do it again. And maybe there's a cooler shark, and you have to try again, and maybe again. But eventually you eat. /Shark metaphor. ...and reapplying is a drug. Every year I wondered if I had the gumption to go through it again. And then October came around, and there I was, gathering materials and being all optimistic and annoying. If it's what you wanna do, you just...have to keep doing it. Either that or I have an obsessive disorder and should seek help soon. But I can go both ways.

That was how I felt after last year. But it got worse when I finally had to give the "...failed for the third time..." and then, in the fall "...will you write letters for me again?" Everyone was gracious and super supportive, but it sucked rocks. I hope you guys don't have to do that. That was my least favorite part of reapplying.

First, you should ask yourself if you want to teach college or high-school. You seem to have the heart for teaching high school kids, which few do (and everyone hates their job on the bad days). If you could be happy doing only one of those, then you have your decision. But if it's either... I'm normally not one to be doom and gloom on the job market--I know it's terrible, but have never seen that as a reason not to get a degree. However, if you think you could be happy teaching, and have a potential job lined up... take it. If you love academia that much, you will go back to it eventually. And you may keep loving it, but decide you don't want to work in it. Just because you love learning you don't have to sell your soul to a PHD program. And if you do, it could be a long time before you get a university teaching job. Lastly, I don't know what it's like there, but where I am, it's fricking ridiculous how hard it is to get a teaching job with a higher degree. Schools are forced to pay you higher, and they don't want to do it. So if you think you might want to teach in high-school, get a job first. Then do a MA. There's nothing stopping you from going back, and heck, some schools will even help pay. I'm not a teacher, and I don't know the specifics. But I have several friends in education, and this is what I've picked up from them. Hope it helps.

I stayed with a student on my visit, and it was great. Unless the program is really scary, the student you'd be staying with probably volunteered. And it's free. And also, it gives you a possible chance to have a long chat in an atmosphere where there's less "selling" going on.

I would say there's nothing wrong with an unfunded MA, but it's the fact that it's in New York that is kind of tipping the scale. Your costs are going to be insanely high just to live, and that is without taking into account the cost of school. I say this without any founding, except in guesswork, but I also assume, with the number of unfunded MA positions NYU offers out, it...feels pretty likely that they will be using your money to fund others. Again, I have no proof of this, but it's just not a great feeling. Some people have talked about programs with later deadlines, and those might be worth looking at.

Then rip away. None of us would do any different. Sending all the hugs and zen.

This this and all the thises. Financially I'm not so worried--I've been surviving on an adjunct's salary, and moreover, an adjunct only given one course. So financially, I'm no worse off, and maybe sitting a bit better off, actually. "I'm not good enough"...every hour of every day. I talk to faculty and other grad students about my research, and I feel like I'm making shit up. I have my MA--I should be further along. I should be confident, I should be intelligent. I should not feel like I'm lying through my teeth about my right to be there. (Except that I've heard impostor syndrome never goes away, so...we're all in for the fun of that).

You are still waiting to hear about 2 more schools. Whatever you decide to do, do *not* commit to that unfunded degree before you know where everything will land with your other choices. You have until April to make your final decisions, so don't rush into anything. At 98% of schools, they give you until April 15, unless they are very strange. So there's no point in rushing into it. And if the unfunded MA would be a good thing for you, great. If you adore the program and really want to be at that school more than anything. But my advice is not to do it unless you are truly in love with the program. If it's just that you want to be in *somewhere* just because, it's not worth the cost. If you're like some others here, and can't take a year off, or think it will drastically help your chances, then it may be the perfect decision for you. But there is also nothing wrong with working to improve your application and applying next year. Plenty of folks participate in two or more application cycles.

No sorry, I was trying to get a better idea of Horb's funding package.

How much funding do they guarantee? I know where I am you are guaranteed 4 years of funding, but there are plenty of fellowships and adjunct positions that no one seems worried about funding an extra year or two. It's worth checking, at least.

I looked at them after my advisor recommended them. Didn't end up applying, and I don't even remember why anymore. But they look amazing. It sounds like WUSTL does a ton of conference support, so maybe we will be able to see each other at conferences and stuff. Fingers crossed for you there!!!!

I could see her being an incredible mentor. She was helping me out when we were just sitting chatting in her office. She had this thing where even when it was a group of us talking, I always felt like she was talking to me, even when she wasn't--I don't know if she's intense, or just makes really good eye contact or what, but I always felt like I was being firmly engaged in the conversation

It was... so so amazing. I wish you were coming. First off, they treated us super well--food, receptions, multiple Q&A sessions... I've never been academically courted before (or other-courted, actually), and it was a new experience. Very fun though. The program itself is amazing though. I was a little unsure, because none of the faculty I had looked at had interests that directly matched mine. But they were all so interested, and actively pondered how I could do what I wanted within the department. I know you'd mentioned Ruth Evans--I loved her. She was so intelligent and thoughtful, and just a nice person. And British. That was just awesome. Lots of British folks around there... They have a really great teaching program too. It's a 1-1 teaching load, and you get a lot of training before and during. They talked to us about the course a little, and it sounded actually fun to teach. And, I guess, the main thing for me was.....there were medievalists. I'm used to sort of flying solo--I was the only one in my MA. So the fact that there was a community, and that it was active and welcoming, and that the department puts an emphasis on the medieval lit folks...it just blew me away. You're not the "other" there. You're a valued member of the department. They do group conferences, and research groups, and there's funding to pursue your work... Those were the main things for me... it was just lovely. I think it'd take a lot to change my mind about going there. It's definitely another plug for doing a campus visit--I was excited, but somewhat unsure before I went. Now I'm utterly enamoured. Sorry to prattle on. I'm just excited. :B

Thanks for replying. I did check out that site, and it was helpful. I just got back from visiting there, so I was able to get some good information from students too. The main consensus, save for a few exceptions, was that the area immediately around campus was a little...sketchy. There are some alright areas, but I've been advised that if it's not, like, hugging the campus, you may want to go out a bit further. Central West End and Tower Grove were the two places recommended to me most often. Clayton is apparently also nice, but really expensive. But if you're not there, then everything else looks really affordable. I heard similar things about the public transportation--if you need it, pick your living place fairly carefully. But it sounds doable. And thank you for that info about Fordham. I applied there too, and really love the school/being on the east coast. But it looks like it can't beat St. Louis for cheapness...and even if I love New York, the ability to survive comfortably on a grad stipend sounds really nice. Definitely something to weigh--especially when St. Louis really does seem to have a lot to offer. Not to mention a really nice campus.

I think this thread is a great idea. I came *this* close to (probably) 0 acceptances, so even though I thankfully won't be needing to reapply, there were still plenty of what-ifs going through my head. There are a few things I would do. The first one being one a lot of other people have said--I'd submit everything earlier. Maybe not over the summer, but at least by Thanksgiving. I had a few crunches, and while nothing screwed me over, it was still stressful. I was finding out about transcript issues long after some deadlines, and not getting LOR writers their notifications until rudely late. Luckily I think they've all forgiven me, but I still feel like it wasn't very considerate of me. Secondly, I would get over myself and have more people read over my SoP. I'm fairly shy and insecure, so I was scared to have people look at it. It's a bad habit I need to shake in a lot of areas of my life. More input, as long as you can weigh it, is always good. I'd also spend more time prettying up my writing sample. While it was a nicely representative piece, I think it could have been made much better. (also someday I want to publish it maybe, if I'm ever confident I located all the plotholes, and if I'd spent more time on it now I'd have less work to do later). Hope that's helpful to someone. Hopefully those looking at this who don't have acceptances yet will still get them this year. But, if not, there is nothing wrong with getting up, dusting yourself off, doing something interesting for a year, and putting yourself through this hell again. Eventually it pays off...

I'm really glad Fordham is notifying earlier than in the past, in spite of the amped up anxiety; I wasn't looking forward to waiting another two weeks. Also, I know this is sick and wrong, and I can't believe I'm saying it, but I...almost hope they reject me. I just got back from an amazing visit weekend, and Fordham was also near the top of my list, and I think choosing between the schools would be absolutely awful. I know that I'm an ass for even saying that, but...I can't decide what I want for dinner. How could I choose between two amazing schools where I'd be spending 5+ years? So I'm wishing all the luck onto you guys--you're both amazing, and should definitely have spots there. They would be fools not to bring you in--fools, I say!

I second the idea of trying to Skype with some people. A professor of mine really loved UPenn, but after her visit she was completely turned off by the atmosphere of the department and the general beat-down attitudes of the students. (This was like 20 years ago, so not meant to comment on the school, which is now a wonderful amazing place. Just an example of a visit/talk with grad students changing things). I also got a few cautionary talks on Berkley from my advisor, but that may have been medieval studies in particular, and might also have been just her opinion. So take it with a salt shaker.

I wouldn't let lack of language skills deter you. I didn't do any Latin until I was an MA student, and even then, mine is...pretty bad. It will keep you out of a place like Notre Dame, which I didn't apply to because of that, but unless it's that specific, you should be fine. Someone just told me a great thing about this today--they are not expecting you to become a master. Where the program is concerned (most likely YMMV etc), they just want to ensure that if you come across a source or an article, that you can muddle your way through it. You have your whole life to master something--they just want to make sure you have access to as much material as possible. Also I just did a campus visit and am in love, so I may be parroting program-specific advice. I don't know.

I actually just finished doing one, and I agree with all of this. The part that's been addressed here, and that I hadn't really expected, was how...interested they were in asking me about what I did. It wasn't so much about "so, how will you benefit us," as it was "I see you study this, and I love it/am interested in it/would like to learn more/haven't seen anyone study that before." My experience was that they wanted to geek out with me. It was surprising and nice. Also, if you're teaching, find out if it's a pre-prepared course, if you will be designing your own, etc. Also find out about summer funding/job opportunities. ...and if you're an introvert like me, sleep for a week beforehand, because you will literally be talking to people for 12 hours straight. Amazing, but utterly draining. We got stuck in traffic with only 3 of us in the car, and I was so relieved to just be able to sit and listen...

I have a friend doing her PHD there, and she told me their committee met last week to finalize the acceptances. And they usually notify over a day or two, so...I think we're probably out of luck there. But still hopeful for you guys. Their rejections come early to mid March by mail. Just FYI. You learn the pattern when a place rejects you more than once...