Yanaka

Hi! I'm back. I think I'll build up a list of MAs to apply to that have late deadlines (typically March, because until late Jan might be too complicated for my referees). This might be a stupid question, but is there any difference in quality between schools that have very late deadlines and multiple applications processes (i.e. Spring, Summer, Fall) and others that have not-so-late deadlines and have only 1 as for PhD programs? Also: is there any info regarding competitiveness -- anybody have insight of how important is having an MA from "name" schools? I read over here it doesn't matter where the applicant received their MA from, but I'm not so sure that's really accurate... And again: I guess choosing the MA with regards to the desired PhD program would be the ideal way to go: to speak to my Boston College example again, the fact that it seems to be teaching oriented might not suit all PhD programs, e.g. those who emphasize research and lab skills? Thanks. Sorry for posting so much. It's all so new!

Hey @biyutefulphlower yay! That's really funny. I don't think La Légèreté has been edited in any anglophone country. It's too bad, the book is great By the way I have a quick question: which synonymous terms do you use for a graphic novel? I've used book and novel, but I thought album was a possibility, too? Since I wasn't sure and the internet wasn't really helpful, I didn't use it. Thought I might ask and pimp my WS accordingly

I'm flagging the post. I think I should build up a list of a few MAs as a "safety" plan. @biyutefulphlower I see we meet again Would you mind sharing a few words about the program and faculty? And telling us how selective entering the program is?

Can't help you @engphiledu but I want to wish you good luck, too!!

Okay well I can't resist lurking here, also I'm procrastinating cramming Rhetoric for an exam. I've already opened a thread in the more general section, but I thought I'd give it a try over here. It might be more appropriate. Would anyone agree to reviewing my SoP? It's not as much out of anxiety for what I've already submitted, as it is to make sure I've done my best for upcoming Duke and Princeton apps. And Cornell. One friend has helped me from her PhD applicant point of view (and she has an MA), and another friend with an MA helped me with another point of view on the dynamic of my statement. But since a lot of you have already been through the process, I thought an ultimate review would be awesome. I'm only going to graduate from a BA, and it's my first cycle so the odds are rather against me. I might as well try everything I can right now, even if it means asking for the boring services.

@engphiledu that's an amazing post. Thank you. I thought I'd look into MAs that have deadlines in March, so I can give myself a break and focus on exams. And I'm going to get off of this forum, a bit. Thanks for the advice

I'm freaking out. Now I'm thinking I have no back-up schools and should apply to fully-funded MA's, but that means bothering my profs for their reference letters again. What should I do!! Also, the application process has had its toll on me already, and although I've only submitted Berkeley and UCLA applications and have 5 more to go, I don't feel like continuing. Reading publications, tailoring the SoPs... I'm tired! And I have exams coming up for my actual school. That I have ignored for the past two weeks. How do you guys deal with the "I'm not gonna get into one of those schools/I hope this is not all going to be fruitless" feeling?

I'm thinking of what would harm you most: you lying and them, by "chance", actually checking and seeing that you are a criminal AND dishonest (kidding for the criminal, wait did that happen in California? ); or you "fessing up" and specifying it will be wiped out in two months. I'd say they won't check by the time it's erased, but I'd also say if they find out you lied, they will probably not even consider you anymore. Maybe you should ask their grad office. They won't tell on ya, and they will advise your criminal-a*¨! HA!

I want to know all of your stories: where did you end up going, if you ended up somewhere?

Ughhhhhh I don't like that prospect!

Well now since I'm freaking out about applying to PhD's with only a BA, I'm looking into fully-funded MA's. I see the list is not exactly up to date, I might change that later (when it's not 3 in the a.m. over here). How likely do programs like UCF provide funding? How does "merit-based" funding work when you're a US citizen like me who's done a BA in another country? @Romanista do you have any info? Also, Boston college's MA seems to be very teaching-oriented. I am guessing it might hurt for certain PhD applications...

Oh! Thanks... Yes, confirmed: I'm too "young" and innocent to get into a PhD.

Interested! What's New Crit.?

It's funny how all these lists go from reassuring to dream killing I'm also an "international" applicant @Monody (US citizen graduating from a French BA), and many points are impossible for me to evaluate, such as the grad-level courses to excel at and the independent studies. Let's stay calm. haha!

Hey there. Duke Lit is in my top 3 and I'm wondering: do they still do interviews?

I hope you can have the offer back... :/ let us know, please!

I can't help you for English lit programs, but from what I've gathered from my own application process is that Comp Lit would require you to have very solid knowledge of one foreign language, at least reading... So given what your apprehensions are, I'd say that, if you don't feel comfortable with French, then Comp Lit might not be right for you? Although you may be a very modest person and would be able to build a very solid proficiency rapidly if were you to study it a little more before entering the program!

I'm in France and, yeah, the European way is humble and reserved. I have excellent letters (but short), and I am taken aback by the warm words because I was expecting something much more neutral. I spoke with an gradadm office about this (before I received the letters) and she told me the committee probably knows how other countries work. If you feel the letter really disserves you, you might want to speak about it with the prof. But honestly, it's probably just a cultural thing!

Thanks Caien!

Sorry for my questions. I'm still familiarizing with this forum and asking my questions while reading stuff. Thanks for your reassuring words, though!

@Determinedandnervous I forgot to put two French words in italics (name of a TV show I used to work on, and the name of my school's feminist society), and have a double ".." instead of one single period at the end of a sentence. You think that's fine? Sorry for being so specific. These applications are really nerve-racking!

Does this topic apply to Comp Lit? I wish to specialize in feminism and gender studies, and I'm applying to UC Berkeley (<3), UCLA, Duke, NYU, Princeton, Cornell, Columbia. What made you not apply to Berkeley?

I realized their are just a couple typos in my CV, which I didn't see yesterday because I had no rest and was so used to seeing all my docs that I became blind to them. I am wondering if I can email them and change a document, it seemed to be possible since they gave an email to write to in case changes were required

I took advantage of my sexual identity in my personal statement (NOT the SoP). That's the weird thing about US universities: they have percentages and diversity interests, and parts of our intimacy and personal background can actually be useful to/of interest for applications. Since I am applying to LGBTQ+-friendly programs and am kind of politically involved in those matters, I thought it was a necessary and helpful information to my application. I hope my thought on this helps you or others!

Hey y'all! So here's my situation: I'm a US citizen but been living in France since I was six. I am also a senior undergrad at la Sorbonne applying to PhD programs of Comparative Literature to seven universities. I know the grad applications are new to most of you, but the entire US university system is new to me and I'm worried I will make dumb mistakes. I have already submitted two applications including my first choice and probably should have asked for advice beforehand, but it's never too late, considering I am applying to other schools i.e. Princeton. A friend of mine who's been at Columbia for a semester and who's currently applying to PhDs in Archaeology already helped me a lot and told me my SoP was great, but I'd rather have some of you read it too (especially if you're in literary fields or aiming at one). Thanks in advance to those who will help me out!