Gray Under Gray

Thank you all! I chose Georgetown! SO HAPPY

GT is calling it a "scholarship" and saying that "the English department will pay tuition for two years."

I was admitted to the MA/PhD track. However, I only applied to the MA. I would have to complete the courses necessary for the MA and then get faculty approval to continue on in the PhD program. However, the MA is strictly a series of courses. No capstone or thesis. And when I visited I got the vibe that it's sort of expected that you'll continue on with their PhD. To quote a member of the faculty, "Why wouldn't you continue? Funding is guaranteed!" Additionally, I was told that only one person in the last ten years has stopped after the MA, of course who knows if that's accurate...

All advice welcome! I have two choices left. It may seem like an easy call, but I'm in complete meltdown mode, and the advice I'm getting is different from all of my peers and mentors. University of Illinois (ranked #26) PROs -Fellowship (first year) -TAship (subsequent years) -Queer studies minor -Great people, such as Tim Dean CONs -I don't want to be pressured into pursuing their PhD. It is important to me to get my PhD elsewhere. -I've visited the midwest and it's just not my thing. However, it's way more affordable. -Large school Georgetown PROs -Tuition waiver -Flexible program -Great reputation -MA only -Located in a great city -Smaller school CONs -Waitlisted #2 for TAship (there are only two spots) AND I won't know anything until after 4/15. Neither of the initial offers have responded. -No minor -More expensive city Both schools are great, of course, and I've been incredibly lucky this season. However, the big day is upon us and I just don't know! As a poor, first generation student from a conservative Maine family, I feel this great pressure to make something of myself, and I worry that's clouding my judgment.

I've turned down my offer. Goodluck to all of you who need funding. Hopefully you will get my spot!

If anyone on here has been offered the Community Scholars teaching associateship, please respond to GT as soon as possible. Also, congrats! I'm waitlisted and cannot make plans/decide on my backup school until I hear back from GT. THANK YOU

You're so optimistic! I LOVE it.

Anyone going to the accepted students event on 4/8?

You're right. I will see what I can do, but the edit button is no longer available.

This is exactly why I'm going for an MA. I still need to focus my interests. The "bird in hand logic" sums up my trouble and anxiety. Yes, I'm incredibly lucky to have two great offers. But I've also seen people screwed over by the perceived worth of their alma mater to not give ranking a serious consideration. I find a lot of peace in this! Yes! Totally — That's why I reached out about VU's Phd placement. I've read a lot on here about how unranked programs make it more difficult to get into a top PhD program. I already come from an unknown undergraduate institution, though I loved it, it's not doing my CV any favors. I worry about placement (probably too much) because of my mentors—both in their forties and accomplished in their literary fields. One went to Columbia and CUNY. She got a TT position within several years of finishing her PhD. However, my other mentor, though equally brilliant, cannot find a permanent teaching position. She hops around universities, submitting dozens of apps every couple of year; she went to Texas A&M and UT: Knoxville (great schools, yes, but less esteemed). She's so jaded by her misfortune that she unknowingly talks students out of going into academia. I've been told by several tenured professors that her experience has everything to do with her education — I worry about ending up in that same boat. A good point. Currently, I think Villanova is a better academic fit based on what I've read, BUT I'm still very new to all of this. My interests are clay, so maybe I should worry more about secondary factors (networking, exposure, etc.)... No problem! How do you respond to the message I received? Does it affect your decision at all?

Alright, I need help making a decision between two fully funded offers. I've been beating myself up over this and just can't work it out by myself. Please, all relevant opinions are welcome! The two programs: The MA/PhD English lit program at UIUC (ranked #26) or the English MA at Villanova (unranked). My interests include gender and queer studies. And I'm currently interested largely in the ability of language to oppress and liberate people within these groups. THE CASE FOR UIUC: -Better ranking (I'm pretty sure I want to get a PhD elsewhere and UIUC might make it easier to get into a prestigious program) -Teaching Assistantship -Larger stipend in an area with a lower cost of living -Minor in Gender and Women's studies. -Option to pursue PhD afterward. -Self-proclaimed women's and gender studies powerhouse THE CASE AGAINST UIUC: -Giant school (might affect my experience as an MA student) -Less attractive geographical location imo -Despite having a larger faculty, fewer faculty share interests similar to mine. THE CASE FOR VU: -Smaller school, courses are limited to MA students (15 students in each course) -Gender and Women's studies certificate -More exciting area -Option to TA (eventually) -Faculty with interests more similar to my own (esp. Travis M. Foster) THE CASE AGAINST VU: -unranked program (rumors of graduates from the MA program having difficulty getting into a top PhD program.) -Graduate assistantship (with option to eventually TA. At UIUC I will begin teaching asap) -More expensive area with smaller stipend And I haven't visited either campus yet. I won't be able to until the week of the 4/15 probably, so I can't use that as a factor.

I'm unsure. Thanks for asking. The program seems wonderful and there appears to be more faculty with similar interests to me at VU (I want to study feminist and queer lit). BUT VU being unranked is a big drawback. The University of Illinois gave me better funding (and it's a TAship instead of a grad assistantship) in a significantly cheaper area. Plus, UIUC is highly ranked, but I'm not sure it's "as" good a fit in terms of the university's size and interests. I'm completely conflicted. I'm visiting both in the next two weeks so, hopefully, that will help. BTW CU is gorgeous! I almost applied there! And congrats on the TAship!

Do you think you'd choose VU over CU if they offered you funding? I can tell you that the graduate assistantship offered comes with a stipend of roughly $16,000 if that helps at all...

Got full support! Found out this morning!

Did anyone else receive a call yesterday saying that funding information will be sent out today or tomorrow? Good luck!