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EsMussSein17

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  • Posts

    11
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Profile Information

  • Gender
    Female
  • Location
    Sunnyvale
  • Interests
    American Lit, Jewish Lit, Chicano Lit, Comparative identity studies, critical theory
  • Application Season
    2013 Fall
  • Program
    English PhD

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  1. Just to add, I scored in this wheelhouse. I think it was 540, in the 44th percentile. All but one of the schools I applied to required the subject test. I didn't get into the one that didn't require it. I did get into one great top 40 that required the test, with full funding and their highest fellowship distinction to boot. So...SOP, writing sample, recommendations. Test scores are important to some (maybe many) schools, but they aren't the only thing. At least not in my case.
  2. To echo what others have said, I secured my adjunct position by emailing the Dean/Department Chair in my subject--just a little blurb saying I was qualified and interested, plus my attached CV. Timing was everything. For my school, they were looking for Spring adjuncts in January/February. Now they're looking for Fall adjuncts in May/June. Not sure how typical that is. Overall, I would suggest trying anything other than the online system first. It seems to me that those who only apply through the online/HR channels fall into the abyss.
  3. I finished an unfunded MA at an excellent school (excellent as far as prestige, faculty, and the incredible opportunities in the city where the school is located), and while the $loans$ freak me out a bit, I'm happy with my choice. I worked full time throughout the program, plus landed an unheard of TAship, so I my loans were only for tuition. Because the program was awesome, the professors were very supportive, and I made it work for me, I presented at several professional conferences, plus got a paper published. I applied to PhD programs for Fall 2013 with success (and full funding at a great program!). One thing to think about though, and I apologize if you've heard this WAY too many times, but you may want to consider taking a break, since you graduated from undergrad very recently. I had 5 years between my BA and MA, and I'm glad I did. I got a lot of outside experience which, ultimately, solidified my desire to pursue a career as an academic...which has made swallowing the loans easier. Another really practical thing not to overlook: calculate the estimated monthly repayment of your potential loans, and then think about what you might be doing in the year after the MA, especially if for some reason you don't get into a PhD program and can't defer repayment. Can you handle the amount?
  4. I've had the same questions about my own diversity statements. Basically, I have three options: cultural diversity (I'm of an underrepresented ethnicity), social diversity (I have a close relationship with drug addicts) and economic diversity (I grew up poor and have to work through school). My diversity statement touches on all of these (which was a feat for Stanford's 700 character limit), but focuses on economics, as this seemed to be the element that most interested my professors/recommenders. One professor, also the grad director of the department (English), said that he always looks for students who have left the university and worked for several years because (1) most of the grad applicants he gets haven't and (2) those who have are always the better students (in his opinion). He also said that students who have worked through school show real dedication and seriousness. This is a long way of saying that I think you should focus on your work experience in your diversity statement. It's more likely to set you apart since, like you said, those identifying as queer might be over or at least fairly represented in your field. I also don't think you will come off as sounding exploitative. The fact that you are sensitive to it gives me confidence in that.
  5. EsMussSein17

    NYU

    I may be (probably will be) heading out there, too. MA English. Just have to find the sig oth a job and everything else is pretty much, hopefully, I-don't-know-yet-but-I-think-we-will-get there good to go. Thinking of living in Hoboken. Woot!
  6. It is exactly <i>The Unbearable Lightness of Being</i> and I even have the phrase tattooed (hardcore, I know...too much so, perhaps), but, no, I'm not comp lit. American. You? Also, anyone who was accepted into the MA without funding (like me...haha): will you go? I'm trying to decide if all the financial debt will be worth it. It's certainly a great program.
  7. Just read Pride and Prejudice (first time, I know, I know). Now reading A Room with a View. I was reading Freud in the meantime, but found him exhausting. Oh, and also, I just read Bird by Bird. BEST read for any creative writer.
  8. I only applied to four schools, not including the MA at NYU (which you can elect to be considered for when you apply for the PhD). I'm still waiting to hear from 3/4, but so far I've gotten 1 rejection and 2 implied rejections (implied by me and my incredible powers to perceive the future, of course). It's hard waiting on just 4! And 2, I'm sure even harder. I don't plan to apply to 20-30 or 12-15 or whatever other number of schools next year though, probably just 2 of the same schools and 2 different ones. I had whittled my list down from 12 originally (for this year's round) and found that the 4 I applied to were really the ones I could see myself attending. I don't see why next year would be any different. But, of course, you had geographical constraints and I didn't really, so maybe my situation doesn't apply. I can say this, though: my professors/mentors suggested that I "not go fishing" and instead keep at it with the schools I really want to get into. I'm going to wait it out.
  9. I can't speak for all of the UC's, but I can tell you from a one-on-one interview with Berkeley's department chair back in December that they will not be cutting program funding any more than they had two years ago. To quote (sort of) "Last year was our lowest year; I realistically don't anticipate going any lower with funding than last year." He said that the program had planned well and the PhD funding/support should be in its worse shape right now and will only get better over time. Hope that helps!
  10. is awaiting decisions, decisions, decisions.

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