cloudyword

Thanks everyone for the cheer! I applied to the MA from BA! And @eadwacer, I know the cost might be a lot affordable than American private school but, compared to the average here in my country (about 2k for tuition and fees per year in a public grad school), it's still a huuuuuge amount of money. I'll have less struggle for my decision if I can know how likely it is for us (international students) to get TA-/RA-ship and other funding/scholarship/fellowship opportunities! (Or how to win lotteries, if that also works.)

I got an email from UBC yesterday, saying that the GC has offered me an admission. My first acceptance, hooray! Though I'm still waiting for other result turnouts, I've started to consider accepting this offer. (Only if the costs were not so intimidating!)

That's also where I've redirected my focus. I know I desperately want to see myself admitted somewhere fit and can thus develop my career sooner, but I also understand this "ticket" is only a small part of the long race. I don't know how many more years it'll actually take to get me in; yet, what becomes more important is to build up my strength and keep on the right track. Though, I've found it really difficult to stay positive and stick to the real work without fearing for more rejections to come!

Haven't posted for a while. I've got three rejection in a row and zero acceptance.... felt really disheartened for a while and quit my result-page-checking routine/obsession (probably a good thing). While I was indeed much remedied by the cheerful vibe here, as always, I was also thinking about how I could improve myself next time if I receive no acceptance at the end of this cycle. Dealing with negative emotions aside, anyone is up to practical change? I only have three things in mind: sign up for a Spartan Race, read on, and write on (then I'll force myself to stick to a balanced schedule). Anything else? Or any reading list/writing challenge/productivity tips/academic guidebook?

Glad to know you like it!

Well... I don't quite get it. I don't see how this is specifically American. I'm not an American, but I simply want to know how graduate system works in the U.S., which is also where I'm heading to. I definitely recommend you read Graduate School in the 21st Century! I have the same concern until I found this one book. It's dedicated to the humanities, and the writer himself is a faculty in English. It's not simply for graduate students in English programs, though. Some of the details/examples are drawn from departments like Art History, History, etc. Maybe you can take a look at the table of content and intro and see if such book interests you in any way. I plan to quickly go through it once and consult it later in details when I'm officially a grad student.

Thank you @Glasperlenspieler and @tvethiopia for the advice. Yes, I think I'll learn better with background knowledge first. I've been trying to figure out grammar rules (even French pronunciation, how naive!) simply by doing and re-doing my Duolingo sections. I guess it's time to strengthen it with more beef. Actually, I've been thinking about adding: 45. Figure out the big picture of the graduate years ahead. I'm reading Graduate Study for the 21st Century, hoping not to ruin my graduate life with stupid/rude mistakes. Most know-hows in the book might still sound vague and distant at this stage, but I do think a big picture of time-frame to graduation and workload to fulfill requirements in time would help alleviate my shock, if I ever get in. Any other useful guidebook/blog/article to read?

44. Start Duolingo. I guess we'll all be too overwhelmed to learn (pack in) one or more languages in the first two years. Any advice on other language learning tools?

I'll suggest you email to ask. I had some technical issue with my UCLA application, and the coordinator was willing to help check up applicant's status. I'm not sure about other Wisconsin schools, but UW-Madison would send you a confirmation email, saying that your application is complete.

Same here! I was quite relieved after I sent out last-minute applications. My plan Bs: applying to a couple of Master's, looking for job opportunities, planning some skill roadmaps, etc. But the anxiety goes the same: I should've done this, I've missed this deadline, I've got to learn this and do that, perhaps this plan will work, oh but that one sounds more tempting... what if this and what if that. I guess I have been thinking too hard on my academic trajectory and forgot how to enjoy life and embrace uncertainty.

Thank you @Wyatt's Terps for bringing up this topic. A couple of hours ago I asked a similar question here: Out of ignorance and anxiety, I was constantly checking if someone would offer some insight, especially when the following Trump scenario might make foreigners' situation dire. I was guessing it might take a few days for people to cool down and provide some strategic thoughts/analytical warnings for the aftermath. The election sensibility is also one of the reasons that holds me back from emailing my recommenders or contacting POIs since the timing is a bit tricky right now. I don't even want to risk asking my recommenders what Trump's presidency would mean to my application and my pursuit of higher education in the States.

I am not sure if it's proper to ask here, but I am a bit worried about it: If Donald Trump is elected President (quite certain now), how would his presidency affect graduate application, especially for international students? Times Higher Education has this article (https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/donald-trump-us-president-what-it-means-higher-education) coming out, touching upon student loans, tuition fees, and other policies. What else? Would American institutions less likely to admit foreign students due to policies or budget cuts? Would it be more difficult to get student visas? Or, would it be more likely to stifle international students regarding job opportunities in the U.S. during and after our study?

I really appreciate all the above sharing from @Staara304 and @DogsArePeopleToo, since not everyone is comfortable with telling his/her own "special story" when the academic world demands such toughness and politics to appear "professional" and "competitive." And, yes, I also agree with @AP that playing victim card would not get us any further. The reason why I started this post, however, has its practical purpose, and it is nothing close to the kind of useless complaint displayed for the sake of some feel-good moments. Either from showing compassion or sharing practical information, I am trying to create a space that encourages young and inexperienced would-be grad students, including me, to not be deterred from our dream. Unlike @AP's footing, some of us have no access to academic advice, no one to read our SOPs, cannot see a model to follow suit, etc. Simply put, we just don't know if it is going to work for someone like us. Perhaps we will have more things figured out once we get in an academic circle when resources are more available, or perhaps we will gain more confidence once we are connected with a like group. Or perhaps not. What does it matter? It is at least worth the try, casting out HELP signs or stupid questions in an anonymous forum, seeing if any experienced grads or some like-persons would kindly offer their advice. I don't see this kind of question any more irrelevant than questions like "How to select POIs" or "What if my GPA isn't good enough." Isn't this board there to connect and to help one another? Yes, everyone is fighting against his/her own odds, including those who are supposedly born with better cards at hand. I guess my intention is quite simple: I hope at least in this cyberspace, we are allowed to ask for help and support when anyone needs it; no one should be shamed by not knowing how to master something or overcome some adversities. There is nothing wrong to show weakness and be human. (I guess even know-all-and-conquer-all professors have their struggles, too.) It's not like we're going to faint at conferences or explode when confronting other future tasks in grad school. I believe we are all tough and persevere enough to come to this life path. It's just a slight push we need from one another to eventually reach the point where our voices are heard and papers are cited. Last but not least, I think this is the kind of dialogue we need!

Hi folks, I came across this article (http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/03/the-problem-with-the-gre/471633/?utm_source=atlfb) from the Atlantic earlier this morning and could totally relate to it. Does anyone also have trouble scoring high due to lack of resources and affordable coaching? I would like to hear from your experience and how you all manage to overcome it!

Thanks for the heads-up alert! I hope I can also know more about these "unspeakable secrets" in other English programs in case I dive into a wrong place... I know graduate experience might vary, but I am trying to avoid possible down-drags that'll make me-- a woman and person of color-- an easy victim. I haven't experienced such a personal assault myself, but I've witnessed something similar happened to one of my TAs. Finally she had a mental breakdown and left (or she was forced to leave, I don't know). As for #4 and #5, should I still be worried about unexpected financial burden even if the program offers a 5-year financial package to every admitted applicant? Any suggestion and alert would be appreciated!