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Now, you can present at most conferences with only a BA. Most of them have panels for undergraduates or independent scholars (which is actually what you’d be since you have a degree). For instance, I was at SAMLA last year and there was one. You may also try checking graduate conferences. There’s a category devoted to that on the UPenn call for papers site. Or simply see if the call for papers allows independent scholars to submit— a lot of them do. In addition, there’s one here at my school (University of Mississippi) called Southern Writers, Southern Writing, you could submit to. It’s in July, I believe and you can find the group on Facebook.

This is basically my routine. It’s a problem.

Lol I know!!! When you start adding everything up it can be scary. Especially because, in many ways, your life is sort of put on hold for an indefinite amount of time to pursue this career path.

I totally get this!! I just turned 32 so I completely understand being stressed about timing. It’s especially hard when everyone seems to be making progress at such a young age.

Don’t lose hope! The first time I applied, I got a lot of rejections at first and the programs that did want me didn’t contact me until way later. I was also initially disappointed that I was shut out by PhD programs and had to get my master’s but that ended up being the best thing for me and I’m incredibly happy I went that route now. That’s to say, there’s a lot of time left and in the end you’ll wind up where you should be. I know it’s difficult though and I’m bracing myself for the next couple of weeks. On the other hand, a professor who is on my committee told me that taking a year off if you don’t get the offers you want may sound terrifying but it could be a really great thing. For instance, there was a student in my program who got shut out and then ended up getting offers from extremely competitive programs the following season. I think you’ll surprise yourself in some time! It isn’t even February yet! My fingers are crossed for you!! Keep your chin up.

Congrats!!

Congratulations!!

Thank you! Yes, having some early responses has been so nice. Although, there's still part of me that is incredibly anxious about the rest (of course)!

Just got a call that I’m in at Nebraska! Surprised to hear so early.

I stumbled across a book today called Inside Graduate Admissions by Julie Posselt. She observed the admissions process of a number of competitive programs in various disciplines. I found her original dissertation online and thought I’d share. It has been incredibly interesting, especially after being simultaneously so unaware and curious about what the admissions process actually entails. Here is the link to her dissertation if anyone else is interested: https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/99950/jposselt_1.pdf?sequence=1

aw thank you guys!! Have you gotten an email yet with details? She said they would be sending in a few minutes. I’m probably just being impatient though!

I’m also a Rice acceptance! So excited.

Thank you for the info!! I’d heard about that from my advisor and it made me a bit nervous to apply. However, I talked to a couple of current graduate students and they seemed to be doing well.

Thank you! It was nice to get some sort of good news!

I was informed that I am on a short waitlist at Wisconsin-Madison this morning. Does anyone have any knowledge or experience about their waitlist? As in, does it move?

When you go to your actual application it says this: Documents submitted with the application, such as transcripts and standardized tests, will be marked as received or not received as your application is processed. During the months of December and January, when the volume of submitted applications is high, it may take a week or more to process complete online applications. Official documents, which are not required for review purposes, mailed to the Admissions Office will NOT be marked as received in the application checklist. So I'm thinking that the official GRE report likely won't be marked on your checklist?

It was an image of an envelope in the upper corner of the application. Of course, I could also just be losing it.

Has anyone noticed that the decisions folder image on Chicago's application isn't there anymore?

What did the email say?!

I briefly discussed my teaching experience. However, I was told by an advisor that since they aren’t “hiring” you to be a teacher, you should emphasize your research. On the other hand, when I applied to Oregon, I had to submit past syllabi, student evaluations, a letter of rec from a professor who had observed my teaching, and an essay on teaching. Definitely took me by surprise.

@kendalldinniene I think if you come from a department that fully prepares their undergraduates for PhD programs/applications then you shouldn’t have any problems getting into a PhD program straight off!! That said, in case anyone else is looking, there are a number of funded MA’s, it really depends, like everything else, on your research interests and which department fits those best.

I came from a very small university that didn’t have anyone working within my theoretical area. As such, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get into a good program so I opted to apply to a small pool of PhDs and mostly funded MA programs the first round. Ultimately, I got into all of the MA programs I applied to. Despite being anxious to live in Mississippi, I couldn’t be happier with my decision. My program is fully funded, my department and peers are amazing, and I’ve had a ton of teaching opportunities. I’ve also developed and grown as a scholar in ways I would have never imagined. As a result, I’m now both knowledgeable about my chosen field and confident that’s where I want to continue my research. So, I can’t say enough positive things about my experience in Mississippi’s MA program. I’lll also add that one person in my cohort actually decided she didn’t want to pursue a PhD later. With that in mind, the MA allowed her the chance to see that a doctoral program wasn’t a good fit before committing to one. Finally, I wouldn’t advise getting an unfunded MA in the humanities. I’m sure it has been beneficial for some, however, that’s a lot of debt to take on without the assurance you’ll be able to make it back.

Hey everyone! I thought I’d add myself to the mix while anxiously waiting for results. My focus is the environmental humanities. I’m also currently getting my MA at the University of Mississippi if anyone has any questions about their program.

In my experience, professors check their email during break. I would contact the program and let them know what happened as well.

Thank you! I didn't know about Utah or Nevada. I'm definitely already thinking about Mississippi, Nebraska, Michigan, Oregon, Texas at Austin, and UC Davis. Also- as someone coming straight from undergrad, is there anything I can do to make my application stronger or stand out? I am very confident in my writing sample and have a few awards and conferences. What is it that signifies to faculty a student is capable of moving straight to a phd?