wintergirl

Use the Princeton Review book: http://www.amazon.com/Cracking-Literature-English-Graduate-Preparation/dp/0375429719.
Skim the Norton British lit anthologies. (I wouldn't even bother with the American, there's so little of it.)
For theory, try something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Literary-Theory-Basics-Hans-Bertens/dp/0415396719/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322530228&sr=1-2-fkmr0
Read previous posts about this fall's torture session test.
Pray.
Sharpen your pencils.
Trust no one.

I pandered. And I'm totally cool with that.

Hahaha, this is me to a T. It goes from "Hell yeah, I'm a future academic rock star!" to "I wonder if In-n-Out is hiring..."



Yeah, I had the same experience last year watching this board--except I wasn't even applying. I was just PREPARING to apply. So I can't imagine what it's going to be like this year...



Feels like I'm stalking you, cquin, but can I ask the kinds of things you did to revise your list by fit? I hope I'm going about it the right way, but I'm not sure what else I should be looking for besides relevant faculty (and funding, and location, etc.). What am I missing?

I pandered. And I'm totally cool with that.

I pandered. And I'm totally cool with that.

I pandered. And I'm totally cool with that.

Any guesses as to when UCB might deign to send out our (presumed) rejection notices? Ready to put that final nail in the coffin of my crushed California dreams.

Also got a call today re: an acceptance. DGS was surprised to hear that I'd already been rejected via the website last week.

Of course, now I'm hoping that ALL of my rejections were mistakes! If only.

Sweet Lord of the Rings, I'm so far behind on my thesis it's ridiculous. Time to crank it up and crank it out! Got one chapter done, and my goal is to finish another chapter this weekend then the third/final one by the following weekend...

Uh huh.

Yep. You nailed exactly how I'm feeling too. Happy for others but feeling like it's a form of sick masochism to even look at these boards without a single acceptance yet. And sending love and strong vibes out to you too! <3



Yep. <3 I've been thinking the same thing about when to use these boards ~next time~ (if there is/has to be a next time). Been staying away from GC also since it's been hard to even get out of bed this week. At least my best friend isn't applying this year so she's totally in my corner, but there are others in my MA program who are getting acceptances (not to my schools) and it sucks donkey balls to not want to even show my face around my department lest someone ask me "any news?" and I burst into tears. Hang in there, lolo! Keeping the faith for you. : )



Yep! Hats off to your positivism. (I've fallen into the tv/depression trap myself...) I'm also already starting to think about how to do things differently next year. Can't believe I'm even considering applying again, to be honest. This process has gutted me.

Keeping the faith for you guys and any other lurkers out there who are also feeling like crap right now. Things WILL work out eventually. Stay strong! Keep yourself happy with the little things--new purse/shoes, music, Plan B planning, lots of tv and Ben & Jerry's... whatever it takes. We'll get through it. <3

Hahaha, thank you for this thread. I needed it!

My contribution:



Luckily, I'm not applying for graphic design programs.

Hahaha, thank you for this thread. I needed it!

My contribution:



Luckily, I'm not applying for graphic design programs.

Mainly American lit, 19th & 20th cent -- especially California and Western lit. You?



Hahaha, that was me. I totally forgot I'd learned that when I called the dept about something else. : )

Does anyone else imagine this is what the rapture would be like? Waiting to see who gets taken away to graduate school heaven (or purgatory) while us sinners remain.....LEFT BEHIND.

Yay! Congrats, bdon!



HAHAHAHAHA. This is my favorite (and the most accurate!) grad cafe comment ever.

Not at all. This is EXACTLY how I'm feeling, completely disheartened and struggling to get my thesis done when it all feels pointless now. And none of my programs (according to the results board) have started giving responses yet so I have no idea how I'll get through another six weeks of this!

Ah! Thanks for pointing that out -- I didn't know that change occurred. Will mentally move Stanford to the back of the line for my "when I might have my hopes crushed" calendar. :|

WORD. The growing suspense is killing me, minute by minute. (I'm looking at you, USC American Studies & Ethnicity!)

TripWills, I've been meaning to ask you if you considered applying to USC. Your interests sound like they might be a good fit for the ASE program.

This is my weakness too.

Damn you, "only those with an image" Cragislist searches + Google Maps!

WORD. The growing suspense is killing me, minute by minute. (I'm looking at you, USC American Studies & Ethnicity!)

TripWills, I've been meaning to ask you if you considered applying to USC. Your interests sound like they might be a good fit for the ASE program.

Also a dog-owner here. Not looking forward to trying to find a student-budget-priced, dog-friendly apartment with charm and fenced in back yard. Perhaps I should just look for a needle in a haystack instead. ; )

You rang?


(I kid, I kid...)

You rang?


(I kid, I kid...)

Hahaha, this is me to a T. It goes from "Hell yeah, I'm a future academic rock star!" to "I wonder if In-n-Out is hiring..."



Yeah, I had the same experience last year watching this board--except I wasn't even applying. I was just PREPARING to apply. So I can't imagine what it's going to be like this year...



Feels like I'm stalking you, cquin, but can I ask the kinds of things you did to revise your list by fit? I hope I'm going about it the right way, but I'm not sure what else I should be looking for besides relevant faculty (and funding, and location, etc.). What am I missing?

That's my drink too! Maker's and ginger ale. Nom nom nom.