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CLEMSON VS. NC STATE. I'm torn. My research interests are in rhetorical theory, digital media and web social activism. My far-too-simple analysis of these two programs, which are my finalists and are both offering similar funding packages, is that Clemson RCID focuses more on rhetorical theory, while NC State CRDM focuses more on communication, media theory and social media. I can't really go wrong with either-- both boast nearly 100% job placement rates. For anyone with inside knowledge of the programs, could you perhaps give me some advice on how they differ/which better sets up someone who'd like to one day publish in Kairos, Computers & Composition, and Philosphy & Rhetoric? My gut inclination as of now is to head to Raleigh and commit to NC State based on the faculty, the cohort, the awesome city, the location, the focus on media theory (which attracts me), and the overall level of comfortability. I haven't visited Clemson, so I haven't a clue what life would be like there. But they have big-name faculty and a history of excellence. Anyone have any inside knowledge on these programs? Thanks in advance!

CLEMSON VS. NC STATE. I'm torn. My research interests are in rhetorical theory, digital media and media theory. My far-too-simple analysis of these two programs, which are my finalists and are both offering similar funding packages, is that Clemson RCID focuses more on rhetorical theory, while NC State CRDM focuses more on communication, media theory and social media. I can't really go wrong with either-- both boast nearly 100% job placement rates. For anyone with inside knowledge of the programs, could you perhaps give me some advice on how they differ/which better sets up someone who'd like to one day publish in Kairos, Computers & Composition, and Philosphy & Rhetoric? My gut inclination as of now is to head to Raleigh and commit to NC State based on the faculty, the cohort, the awesome city, the location, the focus on media theory (which attracts me), and the overall level of comfortability. I haven't visited Clemson, so I haven't a clue what life would be like there. But they have big-name faculty and a history of excellence. Anyone have any inside knowledge on these programs? Thanks in advance!

Congrats! I'm in there as well. Looking forward to the visitation dates in a few weeks.

Congratulations! SLU is a great school. I'm considering it there. They have an up-and-coming rhetcomp program for sure. Are you visiting the department? I'll be there in early April.

You'll have better luck over on: https://forum.thegradcafe.com/forum/32-engineering/

That's what I was wondering! Seems like some early acceptances have already gone out, but I haven't heard anything one way or another. I was tempted to email the grad director, but I've held off for now. We'll see.

Oh, how to choose between a program with a 100% TT job placement rate and a dream program (and perfect fit) in my research field. Anyone out there in the same pickle as I am?

I'm generally deciding to not do this at all, simply because these programs have already made at least $100 off of me through application fees and GRE scores, and because I assume any competitive program will have the funds allotted to bring grad students in to visit. Frankly, I have more than one program asking me to come in and covering my costs to do so. It's not a good look to ask me to pay for my own ticket to your out-of-the-way rural university in comparison, haha. The difficulty comes in when there's a program not holding an accepted students event (or at least not covering travel costs for it), yet is one I'm very much interested in getting a first-hand account of. I'll be meeting you at the Miami open house! Which day will you be there? Just out of curiosity, how did you find out about your Virginia Tech acceptance (congratulations, by the way)? I'm still waiting to hear back from them. Was it over email or through the portal?

Thanks! Will PM you.

Anyone else have a job and need to make some tough decisions in regards to which programs to visit? I'm deciding between three programs, all of seemingly equal merit, and trying to determine which is the best fit. BUT- I'm a practicing teacher, and I can't just cancel three or four class sessions at the drop of a hat because programs want us to visit on weekdays. My students NEED to hold class. Such a frustrating situation to be in. What I'm doing is narrowing down to my top choices and only visiting them, but... AH! So frustrating.

I really like the inclusion of Latour on this list, as he's as "hot" a philospher in academia as anyone out there. I'd replace We Have Never Been Modern with Reassembling the Social instead, though, as the latter includes an actual overview of Latour's Actor Network Theory which is only hinted at or outlined broadly in WHNBM.

So, last year I was rejected from every PhD program that I applied to. My thesis advisor presented me with two options: give up on academia, or commit to some serious reading over the course of the year. What he told me to do was simple: read the past five years of the major rhetoric and composition journals. Obviously, you don't have that much time. My recommendation is to read as much of CCC (College Composition and Communication) and College English as you can. These journals are the most prestigious in the field, though they're not specified to a particular sub-discipline within rhet/comp. Once you understand the general outline of the discipline, ie. the major debates scholars are still arguing about, you can specify the journals you're reading into those tackling only your specialty, such as those dedicated to queer rhetorics, etc. If you can show up on day 1 and make references to the major theorists in the field (Burke, Elbow, Flower....), imposter syndrome won't be quite so resolute.

Apologies if this has been asked before, but what are the best coffeeshops/cafes/public workspaces in Raleigh? Preferably near NC State?

Congratulations! I was accepted with funding as well. What are your thoughts on the program? I'm having an informal phone call with them on Friday to discuss. How exciting!

Nice! What are your research interests? I've heard great things about UCR lately.