Scarlet A+

I'm applying to PhD programs and marketing myself as a 20th century Americanist, with sub interests in gender & sexuality theory and Southern literature.

Does it say somewhere on the website that Berkeley prefers BA-only applicants and I'm just missing it?

?‍♀️Here! I'm going into my second year of my MA in the Fall (and first year of teaching!!), so I spent the majority of this summer just researching/narrowing down PhD programs, creating a study guide for the Subject Test, and drafting the bones of my SoP. I'm not retaking the GRE. For my writing sample, I'm bringing in a completed seminar paper to a Fall publication class for revision and feedback, so I didn't prioritize it this summer (although I did present a section of it at a conference for feedback and CV points). I'm currently looking into programs for 20th century American gender & sexuality, with bonus points for faculty with queer specialty/interests. I'm also really enthusiastic about the American South, but I'm willing to apply that interest to whatever program I can attend, rather than hold the South as a deal breaker. Honestly, I am just constantly worried that I'm not doing enough. The deadline for applications seems so close. ?

In a three day conference, is it rude to only attend 2/3 days, especially if the day you're missing is the first day, when registration is scheduled but there are far less presenters? I'm trying to save some cash on hotels, but I really don't want to make a bad impression. I was going to email the conference and ask them if missing the first day is acceptable, but I figured I'd ask here first.

I'm looking into PhD programs and I've narrowed it down to 15. My goal is to apply to 8-10, but I was wondering how to go about factoring in funding. Many of the programs are so ambiguous about the funding situation, but if they are Top 30 programs admitting such a small amount of students, can I assume that (at the very least, through teaching) the courses will be funded? It would be nice to know exactly how much the stipend would be (in order to factor in cost of living for the area), but I'll settle for knowing that it has some sort of guaranteed living stipend (and tuition coverage). I'm just afraid to waste an application on a program that doesn't guarantee funding in place of a program that does offer funding (not to mention the time & application fees), because if accepted with no funding offer, I won't be attending anyway. The funding sheet on GC has been super helpful, but just because one person was offered that amount does not mean that everyone is. Do I email the department and ask what the majority of admits receive for funding? I've seen program websites say something like, "with the many fellowships and assistantships that we have, many applicants receive some sort of funding" but WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN? Is it too much to ask to have the funding laid out (or at least the base rate), including a break down of what you have to do each year to earn it (first year fellowship, second to fifth year teaching, sixth year dissertation fellowship, etc)? I am too Type A for this lack of detail. ?

I know this is has probably been asked before (with varying results), but how many applications do you think a PhD applicant should submit? I originally planned on sending out 10, especially since I'm only applying to schools within the top 30 rank (I know rank is somewhat arbitrary in some cases, but I have my reasons). But at $100+ a pop, I'm thinking maybe 8? Am I shooting myself in the foot? How many are y'all sending?

I've been wondering the same thing. And who knows if the grad students even know? Just because it worked for them doesn't mean it's what the current committee prefers. SoPs are honestly what I'm most worried about because they're so crucial but so ambiguous. How do y'all find good SoP examples?

This might sound like a stupid question, but how involved do emeritus professors tend to be? I've seen a few schools where the emeritus professors fit my interests perfectly, but I don't want to base a fit around retired professors with whom I might never see/take a class with/get to work with.

I'm officially starting the process of looking into PhD programs (I graduate with my MA from UA in Spring 2019), and I was hoping to get some advice / recommendations for programs to look into, especially if the ranking sites can't be trusted. My interests lie in queerness (and gender in relation to queerness) in Southern Literature, 20th century onwards. I know the ranking sites have to be taken with a grain of salt, but I DO want to attend a prestigious university; the odds for employment are too low not to value the program's reputation. Here are my questions: - This one feels a little ridiculous, but I have to ask: should I only apply to schools in the South? My partner wrote her MA WS about Mississippi and her SoP about her Southern focus, but she got into Villanova (full ride) and didn't get into Ole Miss. I know, I know, fit is important. I'm just hesitant to limit my applications to one area, especially since everyone agrees that you should apply to many places. After all, couldn't I attend a highly respected program outside of the South with a wonderful reputation in queer exploration (and apply the Southern aspects on my own) and do just as well, even bringing in something unique to the program? Or am I just shooting myself in the foot? - If I can't trust the ranking sites, does anyone have any recommendations for highly respected schools with a focus in Southern and/or queer literature? - Are there any resources that are useful in the process of applying to PhD programs? Thanks in advance for any advice.

I'm in my second semester of obtaining my Masters at UA and I was hoping to get a head start on my writing sample soon for PhD applications. My focus is exploring the relationship between Feminism and Queer Studies in the American South, 20th century onwards. I'm terrified that my writing sample won't be interesting enough or specific enough or too specific, if that makes sense. I know that my professors are my best resources for these sorts of questions, but I would rather approach them with a rough thesis than an "I have no idea what to do, please send help." I work best when I have examples to refer to for format, so I don't second guess myself so severely. Does anyone know of a website/place/way to read examples of Writing Samples (or even just Writing Sample abstracts) that were recently well received by Top 30 PhD programs? Or am I just dreaming?

This is my first year in my M.A. program and I was wondering if I could get some advice about conferences. My university will only fund one conference a year, so I really want to make them count. I need my CV to look as impressive as possible for Ph.D. applications in two years (an anxiety I'm sure we all feel/ have felt). I'm on a fellowship my first year, so I have plenty of time to create a work from scratch, I'm just not sure which conferences to look into. I'm hoping to attend one in the Spring Semester. My focus is American lit, 19th century to modern day (I know, too broad, but I figure I have time to specify). Also, my strengths lie in analyzing anything having to do with gender and sexuality. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

My girlfriend and I are definitely going in the Fall (MA in English Lit), and we are looking for a house now. The good news is, it seems to be a really inexpensive place to live, although I might be biased, only having lived in expensive places (FL and NY). Any info that y'all get and pass along about houses/realtors/neighborhoods would be greatly appreciated!

Everything is in! I am officially going to The University of Alabama (for an MA), the proud winner of their Graduate Council Fellowship!! Pretty soon I'll have a challenging and rewarding education, a new home with my partner (who also got accepted, as a TA), a new dog, and a more than livable wage ($17,000 fellowship + part-time tutoring job + double income household). I could not be more excited about this chapter in my life!

We applied to the same programs, but she didn't get accepted at Purdue. We both got into UA.

Before, I thought that UA had my focus, but was lacking in rank. Now I know that Purdue has many more classes and high name professors in my interests, and specific resources for help with publication. All in all, I think that I've come to realize that Purdue is a better fit for my interests and has a more structured system in place for PhD application prep than UA, with or without the question of rank. I apologise if I seemed like a broken record by asking similar questions without presenting the new information directly enough. I guess I really need to be asking UA more questions, not GC.

I visited Alabama, and I thought to myself, I could really see myself making this work. The conference budget is huge, the gender and sexuality classes are interesting (if still in their early stages), and I have at least one big name, Trudier Harris, to make my mentor/recommendation letter, even though she studies something different (African American lit and southern lit). Best of all, my girlfriend got in. Then I got into Purdue. In the last two years all of their MA students got into top 20 PhD programs, there are 15+ well known faculty that teach my interests, and they have wonderful resources that help with publication. On paper, the choice seems obvious. I'd be happy with my girlfriend at UA, and they have the resources to help me make something of myself, if I'm hard-working and self-driven. But Purdue increases my odds in a very tangible, real way, of succeeding in a terrible job market. Can I afford to take the risk? And am I a horrible person for being angry that UA is perfect for my girlfriend's interests (southern studies), when it's so risky for mine? She doesn't even want to be a professor!! I felt so sure about UA, but Purdue seems so perfect, so tailor-made for me in ways I didn't anticipate. Can I really get into a great PhD program from UA? I hate myself for entertaining the possibility of risking my future career for a relationship. I need impossible guarantees. Fuck, I need for this to be over. Maybe this belonged on the vent page. I'll probably regret writing this, but I don't really have anyone to talk to, and I really need input. Tell me I'm an idiot for considering turning down Purdue. Or tell me UA has a good record or placing students in top PhD programs, outside of the south. Tell me something.

Email Purdue. That's what I did, and that's how I found my place on the wait list, (before I got accepted a couple of weeks later through phone and email).

I know I sound sappy about U of A, but I really need help being practical about this. The decisions I make about my education now will affect me for decades, and I don't want to make the more comfortable decision based on a relationship that has no guaranteed future. I have to make sure that I am picking the school because it is what's best for me academically, not emotionally. I'm strong, I can take it. I visit Purdue next week, and they have one of my favorite authors reading when I'm there (Margaret Atwood)! I didn't realize what a perfect fit Alabama would be for me until I visited, so I'm giving Purdue the same shot. That being said, I am a very Type A personality sometimes, and I made a table of the pros and cons (link at the bottom). I need unbiased advice, and I can't get that anywhere but here. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IJthHiD1e2tk7bNZGmc0wz4yn87i_PlQtv-0Ba2UCaw/edit?usp=sharing

I know! I met with her when I visited. I also met another student who attended a conference in China and then received a job offer from there (which he accepted).

How important is rank at a Masters level? As long as I'm active in conferences, publishing, and finding a big name mentor, does MA rank really matter that much to get into a wonderful PhD program later on? I visited University of Alabama and fell in love. At least one funded conference a semester, Trudier Harris as a mentor, cheap living with a nice stipend, and my partner got in fully funded as well. But then a few days later I got accepted to Purdue, and while I've booked a flight to go see my options, I can't tell if considering turning down Purdue (and it's high rank and English Lit tenure-track rate) is ridiculous. On the other hand, I feel like Alabama has valued me from the beginning, and Purdue might pigeonhole me into 19th century, when I'm not sure that's what I want to do. To make matters worse, Purdue means breaking up with my partner, and while I value my future more than my present happiness/sacrifices, I can't tell if Alabama would seem so appealing without knowing I'd have the perfect life with my partner there, including being each others support systems and getting 1.5 pups. Basically, I know rank is essential in PhD for tenure-track jobs, but how important is the rank of the MA university to get into those great PhD programs?

I've received a fully funded MA offer from University of Alabama and Purdue University, but I'm on the wait-list for Ole Miss admission and for Villanova funding. Can I use these offers to move up on wait-lists, and if so, how would I word the email? Trying really hard to stay professional, but I only have so much time before April 15th and I want to visit the campus before I accept, but in order to justify a visit, I need to be accepted. Help please.

My girlfriend is #2 on Villanova's funding wait list, but she's decided to go to U of A instead, so she'll be declining. You should be seeing some movement on the wait list soon.

I am considering it pretty heavily! I'm actually visiting the campus this weekend. I'm hoping to pick the brains of the current students about housing, and tips for finding a place to live from another state. Have you visited yet?

@natalielouiseIf you ask her, she will tell you what number you are on the waitlist.

Rejected from my #1 (Syracuse) Waitlisted at Ole Miss (#5 on a 12 person list) Waitlisted at Purdue (In the top 4 on the list) Waitlisted for Villanova funding (#13 on a 24 person list) Feeling like a runner-up.