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Medievalmaniac

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  1. Downvote
    Medievalmaniac got a reaction from saturation in Colleges Rescind Acceptance Offers   
    Dear SuperPiePie....I hope you won't mind, but I just need to...well, I need to help you out, here. I hope you won't mind. See below.

    There are more spots but there are also more of us. Our departments are massive[,] yes, but the amount NUMBER of people trying to get in is ridiculous(,) as well. You have to realize [that] some people in basic sciences and m(M)ath are trying to get into the same engineering programs as well.

    As for training people from other nations[This is a fragment; make certain your statements are phrased in complete sentences]. Although graduate schools give citizens [of what country? Ambiguous; consider revising for clarity] priority, qualified people from other countries are welcome. Many countries have very strong engineering and math because a lot of this is universal around the world[This statement negates your original premise; if many countries around the world have very strong engineering and Math programs then why is that a justification for U.S. graduate programs giving numerous spots to people from other countries? Also, "a lot of this is universal to the world" is a deeply general and ambiguous statement. Be specific - a lot of WHAT is universal, to whom, specifically?]. I know that in certain humanities[programs] it [ "it" here is an ambiguous modifier - do you mean the department, or the graduate student population within the department? Make certain your meaning is clear] is not as diverse as far as international students. Many of the people trained from different countries like to stay here at[to?] work.[consider using a semi-colon here to create a more unified statement; also, how is this statement relevant to your argument that humanities programs don't fund as many international students? You need to make certain your argument is organized logically.] My father is an example. The pay here is better and there are more opportunities. Furthermore, the research done by these qualified international students is beneficial to the school and department. The money is given to help those individuals who show a desire to pursue a degree in applied sciences. I don't see why we discriminate[against...? You need to make certain each statement is a finished one.].

    Doggone it...where were your English teachers when you needed them? This statement could have been so much more persuasive than it currently is, if only you had known tha (and I am only going to enumerate the glaring errors, for want of time):

    1. You use the word "number" rather than "amount" for anything that can be counted; amount is for things that can be measured but not individually counted.
    2. Every statement in English needs to have a subject and predicate. In "As for training people from other nations" you need to have a subject clause; this could be remedied simply either by your phrasing it as a question - "As for training people from other nations?" or by inserting a subject clause into the statement - "As for YOUR COMMENT concerning training people from other nations..." although, "as to" would be better; but really this would be best handled by combining this statement with the statement following it with either a colon or a dash.
    3. Math, as a discipline, is always capitalized; ditto for History, English, and so forth.
    4. A good argument is logically and clearly organized, rather than doubling back on itself.
    5. It is important to use specific modifying words and phrases in order to avoid ambiguity and fuzzy meaning in your statements. Expressions like "I know in many humanities it is not as diverse as far as international students" are weak because that "it" could be modifying either the department(s) or the students being named. A little sentence organization goes a long way towards clarifying and strengthening your argument.
  2. Upvote
    Medievalmaniac got a reaction from wannabee in Colleges Rescind Acceptance Offers   
    Dear SuperPiePie....I hope you won't mind, but I just need to...well, I need to help you out, here. I hope you won't mind. See below.

    There are more spots but there are also more of us. Our departments are massive[,] yes, but the amount NUMBER of people trying to get in is ridiculous(,) as well. You have to realize [that] some people in basic sciences and m(M)ath are trying to get into the same engineering programs as well.

    As for training people from other nations[This is a fragment; make certain your statements are phrased in complete sentences]. Although graduate schools give citizens [of what country? Ambiguous; consider revising for clarity] priority, qualified people from other countries are welcome. Many countries have very strong engineering and math because a lot of this is universal around the world[This statement negates your original premise; if many countries around the world have very strong engineering and Math programs then why is that a justification for U.S. graduate programs giving numerous spots to people from other countries? Also, "a lot of this is universal to the world" is a deeply general and ambiguous statement. Be specific - a lot of WHAT is universal, to whom, specifically?]. I know that in certain humanities[programs] it [ "it" here is an ambiguous modifier - do you mean the department, or the graduate student population within the department? Make certain your meaning is clear] is not as diverse as far as international students. Many of the people trained from different countries like to stay here at[to?] work.[consider using a semi-colon here to create a more unified statement; also, how is this statement relevant to your argument that humanities programs don't fund as many international students? You need to make certain your argument is organized logically.] My father is an example. The pay here is better and there are more opportunities. Furthermore, the research done by these qualified international students is beneficial to the school and department. The money is given to help those individuals who show a desire to pursue a degree in applied sciences. I don't see why we discriminate[against...? You need to make certain each statement is a finished one.].

    Doggone it...where were your English teachers when you needed them? This statement could have been so much more persuasive than it currently is, if only you had known tha (and I am only going to enumerate the glaring errors, for want of time):

    1. You use the word "number" rather than "amount" for anything that can be counted; amount is for things that can be measured but not individually counted.
    2. Every statement in English needs to have a subject and predicate. In "As for training people from other nations" you need to have a subject clause; this could be remedied simply either by your phrasing it as a question - "As for training people from other nations?" or by inserting a subject clause into the statement - "As for YOUR COMMENT concerning training people from other nations..." although, "as to" would be better; but really this would be best handled by combining this statement with the statement following it with either a colon or a dash.
    3. Math, as a discipline, is always capitalized; ditto for History, English, and so forth.
    4. A good argument is logically and clearly organized, rather than doubling back on itself.
    5. It is important to use specific modifying words and phrases in order to avoid ambiguity and fuzzy meaning in your statements. Expressions like "I know in many humanities it is not as diverse as far as international students" are weak because that "it" could be modifying either the department(s) or the students being named. A little sentence organization goes a long way towards clarifying and strengthening your argument.
  3. Upvote
    Medievalmaniac got a reaction from YA_RLY in Colleges Rescind Acceptance Offers   
    Dear SuperPiePie....I hope you won't mind, but I just need to...well, I need to help you out, here. I hope you won't mind. See below.

    There are more spots but there are also more of us. Our departments are massive[,] yes, but the amount NUMBER of people trying to get in is ridiculous(,) as well. You have to realize [that] some people in basic sciences and m(M)ath are trying to get into the same engineering programs as well.

    As for training people from other nations[This is a fragment; make certain your statements are phrased in complete sentences]. Although graduate schools give citizens [of what country? Ambiguous; consider revising for clarity] priority, qualified people from other countries are welcome. Many countries have very strong engineering and math because a lot of this is universal around the world[This statement negates your original premise; if many countries around the world have very strong engineering and Math programs then why is that a justification for U.S. graduate programs giving numerous spots to people from other countries? Also, "a lot of this is universal to the world" is a deeply general and ambiguous statement. Be specific - a lot of WHAT is universal, to whom, specifically?]. I know that in certain humanities[programs] it [ "it" here is an ambiguous modifier - do you mean the department, or the graduate student population within the department? Make certain your meaning is clear] is not as diverse as far as international students. Many of the people trained from different countries like to stay here at[to?] work.[consider using a semi-colon here to create a more unified statement; also, how is this statement relevant to your argument that humanities programs don't fund as many international students? You need to make certain your argument is organized logically.] My father is an example. The pay here is better and there are more opportunities. Furthermore, the research done by these qualified international students is beneficial to the school and department. The money is given to help those individuals who show a desire to pursue a degree in applied sciences. I don't see why we discriminate[against...? You need to make certain each statement is a finished one.].

    Doggone it...where were your English teachers when you needed them? This statement could have been so much more persuasive than it currently is, if only you had known tha (and I am only going to enumerate the glaring errors, for want of time):

    1. You use the word "number" rather than "amount" for anything that can be counted; amount is for things that can be measured but not individually counted.
    2. Every statement in English needs to have a subject and predicate. In "As for training people from other nations" you need to have a subject clause; this could be remedied simply either by your phrasing it as a question - "As for training people from other nations?" or by inserting a subject clause into the statement - "As for YOUR COMMENT concerning training people from other nations..." although, "as to" would be better; but really this would be best handled by combining this statement with the statement following it with either a colon or a dash.
    3. Math, as a discipline, is always capitalized; ditto for History, English, and so forth.
    4. A good argument is logically and clearly organized, rather than doubling back on itself.
    5. It is important to use specific modifying words and phrases in order to avoid ambiguity and fuzzy meaning in your statements. Expressions like "I know in many humanities it is not as diverse as far as international students" are weak because that "it" could be modifying either the department(s) or the students being named. A little sentence organization goes a long way towards clarifying and strengthening your argument.
  4. Upvote
    Medievalmaniac got a reaction from apieceofroastbeef in unrest/doom/insanity   
    Still haven't heard anything from any of my schools, about anything. Not even the "your application is under review" emails some are receiving from some programs. So if this is you as well - you're not alone.
  5. Downvote
    Medievalmaniac got a reaction from garibaldi in Colleges Rescind Acceptance Offers   
    Dear SuperPiePie....I hope you won't mind, but I just need to...well, I need to help you out, here. I hope you won't mind. See below.

    There are more spots but there are also more of us. Our departments are massive[,] yes, but the amount NUMBER of people trying to get in is ridiculous(,) as well. You have to realize [that] some people in basic sciences and m(M)ath are trying to get into the same engineering programs as well.

    As for training people from other nations[This is a fragment; make certain your statements are phrased in complete sentences]. Although graduate schools give citizens [of what country? Ambiguous; consider revising for clarity] priority, qualified people from other countries are welcome. Many countries have very strong engineering and math because a lot of this is universal around the world[This statement negates your original premise; if many countries around the world have very strong engineering and Math programs then why is that a justification for U.S. graduate programs giving numerous spots to people from other countries? Also, "a lot of this is universal to the world" is a deeply general and ambiguous statement. Be specific - a lot of WHAT is universal, to whom, specifically?]. I know that in certain humanities[programs] it [ "it" here is an ambiguous modifier - do you mean the department, or the graduate student population within the department? Make certain your meaning is clear] is not as diverse as far as international students. Many of the people trained from different countries like to stay here at[to?] work.[consider using a semi-colon here to create a more unified statement; also, how is this statement relevant to your argument that humanities programs don't fund as many international students? You need to make certain your argument is organized logically.] My father is an example. The pay here is better and there are more opportunities. Furthermore, the research done by these qualified international students is beneficial to the school and department. The money is given to help those individuals who show a desire to pursue a degree in applied sciences. I don't see why we discriminate[against...? You need to make certain each statement is a finished one.].

    Doggone it...where were your English teachers when you needed them? This statement could have been so much more persuasive than it currently is, if only you had known tha (and I am only going to enumerate the glaring errors, for want of time):

    1. You use the word "number" rather than "amount" for anything that can be counted; amount is for things that can be measured but not individually counted.
    2. Every statement in English needs to have a subject and predicate. In "As for training people from other nations" you need to have a subject clause; this could be remedied simply either by your phrasing it as a question - "As for training people from other nations?" or by inserting a subject clause into the statement - "As for YOUR COMMENT concerning training people from other nations..." although, "as to" would be better; but really this would be best handled by combining this statement with the statement following it with either a colon or a dash.
    3. Math, as a discipline, is always capitalized; ditto for History, English, and so forth.
    4. A good argument is logically and clearly organized, rather than doubling back on itself.
    5. It is important to use specific modifying words and phrases in order to avoid ambiguity and fuzzy meaning in your statements. Expressions like "I know in many humanities it is not as diverse as far as international students" are weak because that "it" could be modifying either the department(s) or the students being named. A little sentence organization goes a long way towards clarifying and strengthening your argument.
  6. Downvote
    Medievalmaniac got a reaction from Pamphilia in unrest/doom/insanity   
    Still haven't heard anything from any of my schools, about anything. Not even the "your application is under review" emails some are receiving from some programs. So if this is you as well - you're not alone.
  7. Downvote
    Medievalmaniac got a reaction from Febronia in Colleges Rescind Acceptance Offers   
    Dear SuperPiePie....I hope you won't mind, but I just need to...well, I need to help you out, here. I hope you won't mind. See below.

    There are more spots but there are also more of us. Our departments are massive[,] yes, but the amount NUMBER of people trying to get in is ridiculous(,) as well. You have to realize [that] some people in basic sciences and m(M)ath are trying to get into the same engineering programs as well.

    As for training people from other nations[This is a fragment; make certain your statements are phrased in complete sentences]. Although graduate schools give citizens [of what country? Ambiguous; consider revising for clarity] priority, qualified people from other countries are welcome. Many countries have very strong engineering and math because a lot of this is universal around the world[This statement negates your original premise; if many countries around the world have very strong engineering and Math programs then why is that a justification for U.S. graduate programs giving numerous spots to people from other countries? Also, "a lot of this is universal to the world" is a deeply general and ambiguous statement. Be specific - a lot of WHAT is universal, to whom, specifically?]. I know that in certain humanities[programs] it [ "it" here is an ambiguous modifier - do you mean the department, or the graduate student population within the department? Make certain your meaning is clear] is not as diverse as far as international students. Many of the people trained from different countries like to stay here at[to?] work.[consider using a semi-colon here to create a more unified statement; also, how is this statement relevant to your argument that humanities programs don't fund as many international students? You need to make certain your argument is organized logically.] My father is an example. The pay here is better and there are more opportunities. Furthermore, the research done by these qualified international students is beneficial to the school and department. The money is given to help those individuals who show a desire to pursue a degree in applied sciences. I don't see why we discriminate[against...? You need to make certain each statement is a finished one.].

    Doggone it...where were your English teachers when you needed them? This statement could have been so much more persuasive than it currently is, if only you had known tha (and I am only going to enumerate the glaring errors, for want of time):

    1. You use the word "number" rather than "amount" for anything that can be counted; amount is for things that can be measured but not individually counted.
    2. Every statement in English needs to have a subject and predicate. In "As for training people from other nations" you need to have a subject clause; this could be remedied simply either by your phrasing it as a question - "As for training people from other nations?" or by inserting a subject clause into the statement - "As for YOUR COMMENT concerning training people from other nations..." although, "as to" would be better; but really this would be best handled by combining this statement with the statement following it with either a colon or a dash.
    3. Math, as a discipline, is always capitalized; ditto for History, English, and so forth.
    4. A good argument is logically and clearly organized, rather than doubling back on itself.
    5. It is important to use specific modifying words and phrases in order to avoid ambiguity and fuzzy meaning in your statements. Expressions like "I know in many humanities it is not as diverse as far as international students" are weak because that "it" could be modifying either the department(s) or the students being named. A little sentence organization goes a long way towards clarifying and strengthening your argument.
  8. Upvote
    Medievalmaniac reacted to qbtacoma in Colleges Rescind Acceptance Offers   
    SuperPiePie, I think what we are running up against here is an unspoken assumption on your part about what the study of the humanities serves in the end. I see your point about engineering etc. saving lives, being the main force ending physical suffering in the world. That is a point well made, but let's set that aside for now and see what study of being human has to offer.

    Two examples. When Ann Bannon wrote softcore lesbian pulp fiction in the 1950s, her work was eagerly devoured by women even though the publisher intended the books as porn for straight men. The women who read her books were starving for portrayals of themselves - of women who had deep emotional and sexual connections with other women. Her books were the only contact many women, who were isolated from underground lesbian subcultures (and, for that matter, unexposed to a literary education which would have introduced them to non-normative sexualities that any classics person knows), had. The books were a positive cultural presence for these readers, who knew they were not alone in their feelings, despite the moralizing bad endings. This sense of isolation from peers remains one of the main drivers of queer teen suicide even today with all the unabashedly positive portrayals of all kinds of people available, suggesting how important it is that people see themselves represented.

    When Alice Walker published The Color Purple in 1982, the presence of black women in popular culture was virtually nonexistent. Whoopi Goldberg, the biggest black female presence in popular culture of the 80s, was pushed into the popular spotlight by that film adaptation. Walker's exploration of black womanhood in general, not to mention the trauma of the aftermath of slavery, male abuse of wives, children, and partners, female sexual choices, mixed feelings of empowerment/colonialism inherent to Christian missionary work in Africa, the legacy of abuse and the struggle to rise above it all - these issues are explosive even thirty years later. Walker introduced to the popular consciousness certain discussions of gender, blackness, and the legacy of history which were incredibly unique and valuable - like Bannon (but better!), her work began a conversation which simply did not exist to the vast majority of people. Like Bannon, Walker gave voice to (in this case) black women in general and black lesbians in particular

    When are students exposed to ideas like these? In English classes.

    The study of the humanities can, like you imply, be just about creating art or exploring themes which are of particular interest to only a few. But English, film studies, theatre, history, and other fields all have the task of transmitting and reinterpreting the soul and, dare I say, morality of our day to day lives. YES, absolutely funding vaccine research is important! YES, funding research into making better bridges, better strains of wheat, better energy sources is important! But giving a voice to the voiceless is the reason that I myself research history, and teaching students to be better critical thinkers and writers is why teaching is social justice.

    YES, there is more than a little selfishness to my area of study - no one's life is going to be saved (directly) from my work. (That's what volunteering is for!) YES, some of my work is masturbatory and not particularly useful even for social justice purposes - they are simply interesting topics to me. But then, some computer scientists end up working for Pixar instead of protecting the nation's defense systems from cyber attacks. Some engineers end up working for SpaceX (a private rocket company which will eventually send tourists into space) instead of designing more effective medical imaging equipment. Most chemistry Ph.Ds will end up making drugs for big pharma which manage symptoms instead of treating underlying causes (oops, did a little bias slip out there?).

    I'd still fund the education for those non-life-saving science folks. It's still a net gain for society. But humanities research isn't inherently less valuable than anything these folks do.
  9. Downvote
    Medievalmaniac got a reaction from chaussettes in Colleges Rescind Acceptance Offers   
    Dear SuperPiePie....I hope you won't mind, but I just need to...well, I need to help you out, here. I hope you won't mind. See below.

    There are more spots but there are also more of us. Our departments are massive[,] yes, but the amount NUMBER of people trying to get in is ridiculous(,) as well. You have to realize [that] some people in basic sciences and m(M)ath are trying to get into the same engineering programs as well.

    As for training people from other nations[This is a fragment; make certain your statements are phrased in complete sentences]. Although graduate schools give citizens [of what country? Ambiguous; consider revising for clarity] priority, qualified people from other countries are welcome. Many countries have very strong engineering and math because a lot of this is universal around the world[This statement negates your original premise; if many countries around the world have very strong engineering and Math programs then why is that a justification for U.S. graduate programs giving numerous spots to people from other countries? Also, "a lot of this is universal to the world" is a deeply general and ambiguous statement. Be specific - a lot of WHAT is universal, to whom, specifically?]. I know that in certain humanities[programs] it [ "it" here is an ambiguous modifier - do you mean the department, or the graduate student population within the department? Make certain your meaning is clear] is not as diverse as far as international students. Many of the people trained from different countries like to stay here at[to?] work.[consider using a semi-colon here to create a more unified statement; also, how is this statement relevant to your argument that humanities programs don't fund as many international students? You need to make certain your argument is organized logically.] My father is an example. The pay here is better and there are more opportunities. Furthermore, the research done by these qualified international students is beneficial to the school and department. The money is given to help those individuals who show a desire to pursue a degree in applied sciences. I don't see why we discriminate[against...? You need to make certain each statement is a finished one.].

    Doggone it...where were your English teachers when you needed them? This statement could have been so much more persuasive than it currently is, if only you had known tha (and I am only going to enumerate the glaring errors, for want of time):

    1. You use the word "number" rather than "amount" for anything that can be counted; amount is for things that can be measured but not individually counted.
    2. Every statement in English needs to have a subject and predicate. In "As for training people from other nations" you need to have a subject clause; this could be remedied simply either by your phrasing it as a question - "As for training people from other nations?" or by inserting a subject clause into the statement - "As for YOUR COMMENT concerning training people from other nations..." although, "as to" would be better; but really this would be best handled by combining this statement with the statement following it with either a colon or a dash.
    3. Math, as a discipline, is always capitalized; ditto for History, English, and so forth.
    4. A good argument is logically and clearly organized, rather than doubling back on itself.
    5. It is important to use specific modifying words and phrases in order to avoid ambiguity and fuzzy meaning in your statements. Expressions like "I know in many humanities it is not as diverse as far as international students" are weak because that "it" could be modifying either the department(s) or the students being named. A little sentence organization goes a long way towards clarifying and strengthening your argument.
  10. Downvote
    Medievalmaniac reacted to SuperPiePie in Colleges Rescind Acceptance Offers   
    I just wish the humanities people stop would stop crying. Everyone has it rough. It's not like just because I'm an engineer I get automatic grants from everywhere. It's just as competitive. It's tough being an engineer. If you design something incorrectly you can get someone killed. May it be a drug, a building, a medical device, or even a car. The tiniest error of even nanoseconds or microns can cause disaster. So many accidents have occurred because of poor engineering, its terrible, yet engineering is unavoidable in anything so we need better and more engineers to keep up with the demands. It's what people want.

    It's like some of you (not all) act like you are martyrs or something or actually better than us even though you didn't get admitted. I was chatting with a few people in humanities the other day saying they did what they wanted to do because it is what they loved, and I respect that. But when people start demanding respect because they feel underprivileged that just gets ridiculous. I'm sure if an English major and a engineer swapped shoes for a day both would actually realize how tough it is. And like I said, the world is the way it is because that's the way it is, so stop complaining and actually go do something. Maybe if you showed some strengths you would get more funding. If you showed Obama more progress in your field he wouldn't cut your funding first.

    So far in this thread the only for-English argument posed was by one person about being the Cinderella of academia. All of the rest was just personal attacks or crying.So for all the tough ones out there in humanities , mad props. To all the sorry complainers, tough luck.
  11. Downvote
    Medievalmaniac got a reaction from Deletethis2020 in Colleges Rescind Acceptance Offers   
    I've just been depressed that those engaged in such shenanigans chose to do so as English candidates. Why can't some other discipline get picked on for a change....?

    I know people perceive English as being an "easy" major...but I mean - especially for those of us who are medievalists - we're required not only to master our specialty area and two other areas of concentration in English, but also 2 or 3 (dependent upon the department's requirements) languages besides English, one of which must be Latin. We are also strongly encouraged to minor in one or more appropriate fields - Art History, Women's Studies, History, etc. etc. And it's no longer just reading books and journals and doing close readings and comparative work - now, you also have to be proficient in the mind-numbingly difficult practice of critical theory, as well as the exploding arena of online resources and research.

    It's not exactly the walk in the park people think it is to be an English doctoral student/professor. I wish the discipline received more respect in the greater community.
  12. Upvote
    Medievalmaniac got a reaction from Waffles in Colleges Rescind Acceptance Offers   
    Buuut...without English (in English-speaking countries), you wouldn't be able to read the textbooks and instructions on assignments for the disciplines you work in, to fill out the applications and to write the SOP that gets you into the programs you want to get into, to read the publications that lead you to your ideas for your groundbreaking research, to write the papers about your research that are published to let other people know about your important work, to avoid plagiarism that could end your career, or to write the acceptance speech for your Nobel prize. Let's face it - you can look down your nose at the English folks, but in the end, we're the ones on whose shoulders pretty much everybody else stands.

    I'm OK with the fact that as English folks we are (generally) paid less, respected less, and more often than not dismissed as being the step-children of academia...but it would be nice to get some acknowledgement for our fundamental importance in getting everyone else where s/he wants to go.

    We're kind of the Cinderellas of academia...without us, nothing gets done around the castle, but in the end, we don't get to go to the ball.
  13. Downvote
    Medievalmaniac reacted to SuperPiePie in Colleges Rescind Acceptance Offers   
    The problem is usefulness has diminished greatly. Back in the day I agree it was important, but the importance of science and engineering as of today far exceeds that of the fine arts. My significant other and my mother are both artists and one is majoring in comparative literature. They are probably just as smart as I am and work just as hard, BUT the applications of what they are doing I will not admit are greater than the ones I am working on. Literacy is very important, and although in the past it has brought us to where we are, we have plenty of teachers to teach us how to read and write and at least interpret important papers or readings. If you want to do research about a certain writer's style or a certain time period, that's fantastic. But that does not mean that it will somehow make everyone later in the world better off even if you succeed and become famous.

    My argument was speaking about the general public because their respect stems from application of study. I look at the individual and that is why I fully respect the field, but many people just want results and product. If any big revolutions are going to occur NOW (yes the past there were many in literature but also MASSIVE ones in science and engineering like the industrial revolution which pretty much changed the world flat out).

    If you look to the future science and engineering have larger chances of changing out world and helping people who are sick or in need of food and water. That is why most people put money into these fields. Your argument about flourishing in the past is true, but now we have overcome that hump it is time for us to take over. You guys got us out of the stone age, now we will take you to the space age.



    I completely agree, without language we would be screwed over. However, now that we have it it's not like we need millions of English Ph.D. students to help teach people to read and write. We need English teachers to teach elementary school and high school. You can do that without a Ph.D. Like I said we are now in the age of science like it or not, and that is how the world is and represents it self as. So I thank all of you for your contributions in the past. But now that we got enough knowledge to communicate decently, let us take over. You guys got us out of the stone age, now we will take you to the space age. Just because you were the king once does not make you the king now. Just because no one gave a shit about us many centuries ago doesn't make us the paupers now. Things are not equal, and it has always been this way. Just learn to accept it.

    Think of it this way, if 90% of the world's English students decided to be lazy and stop doing their studies, it would be sad but the world would still be alright for awhile. If 90% of scientists and engineers just gave up and stopped working, we would be in some... deep... you know.
    Note: Once again RESPECT the people who work so hard, but money goes where it needs to go, not where respect needs to go.
  14. Upvote
    Medievalmaniac got a reaction from psycholinguist in Colleges Rescind Acceptance Offers   
    Buuut...without English (in English-speaking countries), you wouldn't be able to read the textbooks and instructions on assignments for the disciplines you work in, to fill out the applications and to write the SOP that gets you into the programs you want to get into, to read the publications that lead you to your ideas for your groundbreaking research, to write the papers about your research that are published to let other people know about your important work, to avoid plagiarism that could end your career, or to write the acceptance speech for your Nobel prize. Let's face it - you can look down your nose at the English folks, but in the end, we're the ones on whose shoulders pretty much everybody else stands.

    I'm OK with the fact that as English folks we are (generally) paid less, respected less, and more often than not dismissed as being the step-children of academia...but it would be nice to get some acknowledgement for our fundamental importance in getting everyone else where s/he wants to go.

    We're kind of the Cinderellas of academia...without us, nothing gets done around the castle, but in the end, we don't get to go to the ball.
  15. Upvote
    Medievalmaniac got a reaction from anonacademic in Colleges Rescind Acceptance Offers   
    I've just been depressed that those engaged in such shenanigans chose to do so as English candidates. Why can't some other discipline get picked on for a change....?

    I know people perceive English as being an "easy" major...but I mean - especially for those of us who are medievalists - we're required not only to master our specialty area and two other areas of concentration in English, but also 2 or 3 (dependent upon the department's requirements) languages besides English, one of which must be Latin. We are also strongly encouraged to minor in one or more appropriate fields - Art History, Women's Studies, History, etc. etc. And it's no longer just reading books and journals and doing close readings and comparative work - now, you also have to be proficient in the mind-numbingly difficult practice of critical theory, as well as the exploding arena of online resources and research.

    It's not exactly the walk in the park people think it is to be an English doctoral student/professor. I wish the discipline received more respect in the greater community.
  16. Upvote
    Medievalmaniac got a reaction from schoolpsych_hopeful in Colleges Rescind Acceptance Offers   
    Buuut...without English (in English-speaking countries), you wouldn't be able to read the textbooks and instructions on assignments for the disciplines you work in, to fill out the applications and to write the SOP that gets you into the programs you want to get into, to read the publications that lead you to your ideas for your groundbreaking research, to write the papers about your research that are published to let other people know about your important work, to avoid plagiarism that could end your career, or to write the acceptance speech for your Nobel prize. Let's face it - you can look down your nose at the English folks, but in the end, we're the ones on whose shoulders pretty much everybody else stands.

    I'm OK with the fact that as English folks we are (generally) paid less, respected less, and more often than not dismissed as being the step-children of academia...but it would be nice to get some acknowledgement for our fundamental importance in getting everyone else where s/he wants to go.

    We're kind of the Cinderellas of academia...without us, nothing gets done around the castle, but in the end, we don't get to go to the ball.
  17. Upvote
    Medievalmaniac got a reaction from reverdy in Colleges Rescind Acceptance Offers   
    Buuut...without English (in English-speaking countries), you wouldn't be able to read the textbooks and instructions on assignments for the disciplines you work in, to fill out the applications and to write the SOP that gets you into the programs you want to get into, to read the publications that lead you to your ideas for your groundbreaking research, to write the papers about your research that are published to let other people know about your important work, to avoid plagiarism that could end your career, or to write the acceptance speech for your Nobel prize. Let's face it - you can look down your nose at the English folks, but in the end, we're the ones on whose shoulders pretty much everybody else stands.

    I'm OK with the fact that as English folks we are (generally) paid less, respected less, and more often than not dismissed as being the step-children of academia...but it would be nice to get some acknowledgement for our fundamental importance in getting everyone else where s/he wants to go.

    We're kind of the Cinderellas of academia...without us, nothing gets done around the castle, but in the end, we don't get to go to the ball.
  18. Upvote
    Medievalmaniac got a reaction from Purled in Colleges Rescind Acceptance Offers   
    I've just been depressed that those engaged in such shenanigans chose to do so as English candidates. Why can't some other discipline get picked on for a change....?

    I know people perceive English as being an "easy" major...but I mean - especially for those of us who are medievalists - we're required not only to master our specialty area and two other areas of concentration in English, but also 2 or 3 (dependent upon the department's requirements) languages besides English, one of which must be Latin. We are also strongly encouraged to minor in one or more appropriate fields - Art History, Women's Studies, History, etc. etc. And it's no longer just reading books and journals and doing close readings and comparative work - now, you also have to be proficient in the mind-numbingly difficult practice of critical theory, as well as the exploding arena of online resources and research.

    It's not exactly the walk in the park people think it is to be an English doctoral student/professor. I wish the discipline received more respect in the greater community.
  19. Downvote
    Medievalmaniac got a reaction from SuperPiePie in Colleges Rescind Acceptance Offers   
    Buuut...without English (in English-speaking countries), you wouldn't be able to read the textbooks and instructions on assignments for the disciplines you work in, to fill out the applications and to write the SOP that gets you into the programs you want to get into, to read the publications that lead you to your ideas for your groundbreaking research, to write the papers about your research that are published to let other people know about your important work, to avoid plagiarism that could end your career, or to write the acceptance speech for your Nobel prize. Let's face it - you can look down your nose at the English folks, but in the end, we're the ones on whose shoulders pretty much everybody else stands.

    I'm OK with the fact that as English folks we are (generally) paid less, respected less, and more often than not dismissed as being the step-children of academia...but it would be nice to get some acknowledgement for our fundamental importance in getting everyone else where s/he wants to go.

    We're kind of the Cinderellas of academia...without us, nothing gets done around the castle, but in the end, we don't get to go to the ball.
  20. Downvote
    Medievalmaniac got a reaction from repatriate in Colleges Rescind Acceptance Offers   
    Buuut...without English (in English-speaking countries), you wouldn't be able to read the textbooks and instructions on assignments for the disciplines you work in, to fill out the applications and to write the SOP that gets you into the programs you want to get into, to read the publications that lead you to your ideas for your groundbreaking research, to write the papers about your research that are published to let other people know about your important work, to avoid plagiarism that could end your career, or to write the acceptance speech for your Nobel prize. Let's face it - you can look down your nose at the English folks, but in the end, we're the ones on whose shoulders pretty much everybody else stands.

    I'm OK with the fact that as English folks we are (generally) paid less, respected less, and more often than not dismissed as being the step-children of academia...but it would be nice to get some acknowledgement for our fundamental importance in getting everyone else where s/he wants to go.

    We're kind of the Cinderellas of academia...without us, nothing gets done around the castle, but in the end, we don't get to go to the ball.
  21. Upvote
    Medievalmaniac got a reaction from wanderlust07 in Colleges Rescind Acceptance Offers   
    I've just been depressed that those engaged in such shenanigans chose to do so as English candidates. Why can't some other discipline get picked on for a change....?

    I know people perceive English as being an "easy" major...but I mean - especially for those of us who are medievalists - we're required not only to master our specialty area and two other areas of concentration in English, but also 2 or 3 (dependent upon the department's requirements) languages besides English, one of which must be Latin. We are also strongly encouraged to minor in one or more appropriate fields - Art History, Women's Studies, History, etc. etc. And it's no longer just reading books and journals and doing close readings and comparative work - now, you also have to be proficient in the mind-numbingly difficult practice of critical theory, as well as the exploding arena of online resources and research.

    It's not exactly the walk in the park people think it is to be an English doctoral student/professor. I wish the discipline received more respect in the greater community.
  22. Upvote
    Medievalmaniac reacted to Medievalmaniac in Colleges Rescind Acceptance Offers   
    I've just been depressed that those engaged in such shenanigans chose to do so as English candidates. Why can't some other discipline get picked on for a change....?

    I know people perceive English as being an "easy" major...but I mean - especially for those of us who are medievalists - we're required not only to master our specialty area and two other areas of concentration in English, but also 2 or 3 (dependent upon the department's requirements) languages besides English, one of which must be Latin. We are also strongly encouraged to minor in one or more appropriate fields - Art History, Women's Studies, History, etc. etc. And it's no longer just reading books and journals and doing close readings and comparative work - now, you also have to be proficient in the mind-numbingly difficult practice of critical theory, as well as the exploding arena of online resources and research.

    It's not exactly the walk in the park people think it is to be an English doctoral student/professor. I wish the discipline received more respect in the greater community.
  23. Upvote
    Medievalmaniac got a reaction from Moxie42 in Friended by My Grad School   
    I think it is acceptable to message them back and check it out. I would word it something like, "I am always happy to receive new friend requests! However, it seems odd that I receive one from the admissions office of a university to which I have applied. While I certainly have nothing to hide and will gladly provide you with access to my Facebook account, I would like to verify first that this request was made by an officer or employee in your graduate office and not by a robot or spammer. Thank you, XXXX"

    Then, the ball is in their court. But I think as long as you make it clear you are just verifying this is "for real" and not trying to hide anything from them, you're good.

    Also, depending upon your privacy settings, their requesting you as a friend is all it takes to get your profile information and friends list made available to them.
  24. Upvote
    Medievalmaniac got a reaction from newkidontheblock in Friended by My Grad School   
    I think it is acceptable to message them back and check it out. I would word it something like, "I am always happy to receive new friend requests! However, it seems odd that I receive one from the admissions office of a university to which I have applied. While I certainly have nothing to hide and will gladly provide you with access to my Facebook account, I would like to verify first that this request was made by an officer or employee in your graduate office and not by a robot or spammer. Thank you, XXXX"

    Then, the ball is in their court. But I think as long as you make it clear you are just verifying this is "for real" and not trying to hide anything from them, you're good.

    Also, depending upon your privacy settings, their requesting you as a friend is all it takes to get your profile information and friends list made available to them.
  25. Upvote
    Medievalmaniac got a reaction from YA_RLY in overflowing gratitude   
    You can certainly make your own Edible Arrangements, it's not so hard to do - just a PITA.

    This is really a personal thing - it's all dependent upon your degree of interpersonal connection with the people you want to thank, your resources/ how much you have to spend, your comfort level in giving gifts, etc. etc.

    I think with professors, if you are unsure as to what to get for them but are set on giving, a $20.00 - $25.00 gift card to Amazon is always appropriate.

    With other people - honestly, who does NOT love home-baked cookies, or pie, or whatever? What's your specialty? I have presented my (guy) friends who helped me out with a giant platter of homemade nachos on a Friday night, my girl friends with pies/cookies, and my professors with homemade mead. They were all more than appreciative.
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