ProfessionalNerd

Thanks! Areas=Poetry, poetics, africana studies and theories of diaspora

I was just waitlisted at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. I've also declined my spot (is that the correct phrasing?) at the University of California Riverside. It's such an amazing program and the faculty are all great. I hope that one of you lucky folks get that spot

@englishgrad2017 Rutgers also has an unranked waitlist that's based on your area, just as a fyi.

Don't use your safe writing sample. Use a paper that really creates an interesting argument and pushes what is normative. For example, I was really worried about submitting a rather experimental paper to programs. I had two choices: one was a decent paper on PoCo theory and aesthetic form. It was just a normal, well-written paper; the second paper threw all caution to the wind. It was on so many things, but I organized it pretty well. It was on theory, art, form, aesthetics, the diaspora etc etc. My heart and soul rejoices every time I read it, but it was less traditional in form. Due to my irrational fear of sharing the second paper, I submitted paper A to half of the schools I applied to and paper B to the other half. Fun fact: every school that received paper B accepted me, and 2 others waitlisted me. Moral of the story, submit one paper that you are confident in to all of your programs. Be confident in your work and in you application materials. You've worked hard to get where you are, and you owe it to yourself to believe in your work. Also, don't go into debt applying to programs. It's not worth it.

Have you visited either of them? I wanted to visit UPitt, but it's proving rather difficult to get days off from work. I actually feel pretty bad about the fact that I won't be visiting any of my programs due to not getting all the days off that I need.

This is the common sense answer, but it feels strange all the same.

Does anyone on here feel bad about declining programs? All the ones that have taken me (even the ones that have waitlisted me) have been so kind. I just feel awkward about the fact that i'll have to decline some without seeing them. I can't afford (time-wise) visiting each program, although I wish I could. How are the rest of you feeling about you decision making process?

Thanks. I'll reach out if I have any questions

I'll also derail the thread by asking why Cornell is never listed as an Ivy, even though it is? Also, at what point do you say that UBerkley, Stanford, UChicago, Duke, Emory etc are/are not top tier? I've always regarded them highly. To slightly echo @yanicus, what then is considered the top tier?

Thanks! And I wasn't asked to do an interview. I know that some other fields did.

I was just waitlisted at Rutgers. I missed a phone-calll, but did receive a really kind email. I've never heard of programs calling for Wait-listers. That was really nice of Rutgers.

I first applied to PhD programs when I was 20. I got into a MA and was waitlisted at a PhD program (which I have gotten into this time around). People told me that I probably didn't get in for two reasons: a weak research focus and my age. I've since aged (obviously haha) and have developed a really defined and interesting area of research. What i'm getting at is that MA programs can really help your mature and prepare for a PhD. It gives you the time to really articulate and pursue your interests. I would personally advise that you go for the MA. Certainly try for the PhD, but a MA is just as good a starting place as any

I thought they were referring to Penn State. Nothing's been updated on the results page.

Can anybody give me any info on UPenn, UIC and UNC? Have they finished their acceptances and waitlists?

When you write Penn, are you referring g to Upenn or PennState? I see a smatter of rejections for Upenn, but i'm assuming that they're meant for PennState.

Thank you!!

I GOT INTO CORNELL!!!! WHATTTT?!?!? MY GOSH!!!

It might make sense to start a "Waitlist Movement" thread or something. Is that a normal thing to do on the grad cafe?

Thanks! I actually learnt about Riverside after reading copious amounts of Moten's work (and listening to almost every available lecture of his on YouTube). The program is really quite amazing. On the flip side, I have the issue of having to pick between three amazing programs (not complaining though!). March will be a whirlwind of decision making that i'm abundantly grateful to have.

Just got admitted into UC Riveride!!

I absolutely adore that text. I bet that your paper is quite interesting!

Congrats! My focus is on contemporary Poetics and Post-Colonialism (specifically Africana).

My writing sample was my thesis proposal. I took a bit of a risk, but I used it anyway. Some school allowed me to submit a 2nd WS, so for them I submitted a post-colonial reading of an experimental text from a Black-British writer.

I'm also a bit of a lurker. I needed something to distract me from my thesis and applications, hence why i'm here haha. I'm not too sure about what Rochester is doing in terms of sending out acceptances. I'm just pleased to be on the waitlist, at the very least.

I was just accepted into Pittsburgh I was also waitlisted at Rochester last night. This is turning out to be a really eventful application season.