CulturalCriminal

It all depends on what you’re calling reputable and how you’ll pay for it. There are programs that are under appreciated that are still accepting, though many have had funding deadlines pass. The rankings of English grad programs look only at institutions with PhD programs, but there certainly are Masters only programs that place people in strong PhD programs.

It’s UT or bust this year; my partner has another year left on their degree, so I stuck with programs nearby that I wouldn’t regret (didn’t want to be that “why, I should have applied to [insert University] before committing to [insert less prestigious University]” person).

UT places people across the board. That combined with fit should indicate that the rank might not be as important (esp, since it’s still top 20)

I've worked both in writing center and as instructor-of-record. It's a rewarding experience that has helped me turn around and teach those first-year writing courses as instructor-of-record. Even with your experience adjuncting, it might be good to do for a year; instead of just knowing the common writing mistakes, you'll learn why students make these mistakes and what they prioritize (wrongly) while writing. I would say, though, if Denver has you in the writing center for the bulk of your degree, that might be an odd choice. Even if they do have it mapped out to where you'll eventually jump to instructor-of-record after a few years in the writing center, you may only get the experience of teaching FYW before you finish your PhD. I imagine, given what I've gathered from your interests, that you will eventually want to be instructor-of-record for at least second-year literature survey courses (i.e. Am lit prior to the civil war), if not also special topic courses. There seems to be a common path that programs offer lit folks, which I feel that eventual employers will expect (Y1- WC or assisting a big class, Y2- teach FYW, Y3- teach survey, Y4- teach special topic, Y5+ - research).

This is the week we’re supposed to hear news! I’m nothing but nerves!

It seems like everyone on here might have heard back from everywhere. Anyone waiting for more news? Any folks with options entering the decision-making phase?

Most schools are open. Those that aren’t may also use the day to contact.

I’m that person who’s going to tell you to only go somewhere you believe in. Otherwise, make room for someone who might be on their last leg of academia if they don’t get in off the waitlist.

I’m a contemporary Americanist, but I do appreciate pre-civil war personal narrative (e.g. de Vaca, Rowlandson, Dana jr, Melville’s Typee and Whitejacket, Jacobs). Cooper and Irving are likewise of interest to me.

Lol, I just read your Americanist post, so not at all surprised on McCarthy. Have you read Harrow County, House of Penance, Pretty Deadly, or Southern Bastards? They all seem up your alley.

@hng Shadow Tag is my favorite.

I noticed other roll-calls and figured it might be “fun” to have one for us 20th & 21st century (US) Americanists. I concede that I’ve always been a little suspicious of the need to pick a time period and location-based limiter in literature to study, but I admit that my interest in writing research drops significantly pre-20th century. Likewise, I may love literature written or unrelated to the Americas, but cultural studies is my primary sandbox and picking apart (US) American culture is my favorite thing to do in that sandbox. Besides, I spend most of my time with film, tv, and comics. It’d be hard to pull that off as a 18th century Russian Lit person ?

Same. Even when they ask for first-name basis, I only use first names when I’m talking in person to them. If I’m talking about them or emailing them, it’s Dr so-and-so. My friends all assume it’s my military background, but I was doing that long before I was in the army. University email often becomes semi-public to view after so long in some states; I don’t want people seeing emails from me that start with “hi Bob”.

Anyone else here love just about anything Louise Erdrich writes?

I always put Dr. X in emails, if they have PhDs. And I hate the idea of being called Dr X someday. Despite this hatred, Dr is more appropriate over correspondence.

Waitlisted at UT’s AmStudies program. I would deeply appreciate it if folks in or on waitlist for this program and know they are taking another offer would inform the program. This is basically my dream program and would allow my partner and I to stay where we are, while also allowing my partner to get a Masters at the program they want. I’m riding this wait train to the end of the line and reapplying if It’s a train to rejection.

In my TAship, I have the instructor-of-record experience. There is a support system in place, but at the end of the day it can feel like being thrown into the middle of the ocean with a life-vest and flippers. Then again, that's teaching for you. You either make it work, waste your students' time and money, or find another profession.

Given that my partner has another year on their degree, the deal was that I apply to programs in the area I won't regret going to. This means that I am going to be doing things much differently if I go into round 2. I plan to apply to at least 10 programs, of various 'tiers.' That said, I think I'll stick to American Studies or Lit/English programs next time around. I applied to comm and media studies programs this time, but am not sure I'd repeat that decision again. Likewise, I don't think I'll apply to multiple different types of programs at one university.

Congrats to whoever the Brown acceptance is. Here's hoping Brown just started notifying.

While I sympathize with @Fineanddandy (though I am on a wait-list), I think it is entirely valid to be afraid that the program you've gotten into won't be a strong fit or won't help you get where you want to go. I don't think people with acceptances can't be upset at not getting into programs. This is a big decision and we all want some choices.

Looking at applying to Kansas in the next application cycle. It sounds like a nice space and I am encouraged to hear Lawrence is a blue oasis. That said, does anyone know how accepting it is of the LGBTQ community? Specifically, how accepting is it of queer folks that aren't gay men? My partner and I are both trans and queer, so the idea of spending 4+ years in Kansas is a bit frightening.

@Excelsior!It really depends on how much debt you're currently carrying. I have friends who are on 18k/yr that live fairly comfortably (though in surrounding area). I have debt though, so I have to supplement my income with content writing gigs. I would imagine with no debt, I would want at least 20k/yr if I was to live in Austin. @madamoiselleit just keeps getting higher and higher. If I do manage to get off the waitlist at UT, I'll probably stay where I am in San Marcos. Even if we hypothetically move the following year, I doubt we'd find a comparable place north of Slaughter lane or south of Research blvd.

@madamoiselle's breakdown of neighborhoods is still fairly accurate through today, though I should warn that all the rent prices are at least 1.5 - 3 times described. There are quite a few options within the city or up to an hour's drive from UT. These include Texas State University, St. Edwards, Southwestern College, Huston-Tillotson, and Austin CC (probably one of the best community colleges in the country). There is also Concordia Texas, though that is a pretty conservative, religious university. On top of those, driving an hour and a half will get her to the various San Antonio schools (UTSA, Alamo colleges, St. Mary's, U of Incarnate Word, Out Lady of the Lake, TAMU-SA, Trinity), Texas Lutheran, a few Texas Central Colleges, A & M Central Texas, Mary-Hardin Baylor, and one of the Blinn College locations. Some of these are also pretty conservative, religious universities. Hope that helps!

I just saw this gem of over-venting on the results page for Pitt's Film program: "Seriously who is in charge of admittance?! No wonder your program has fallen by the wayside like U of Iowa. MFA Film Production from top 3 film school, Student Emmy Winner, Student Academy Award Finalist, MA in Film Studies from top 5 University in the entire world, 1 publication, 1 forthcoming, and 5 conferences. I would say good luck to the admitted, but I'm sure you'll produce mediocre research. Bitter...just a bit. You did me a favor Pitt. Deuces" I really hope this is a joke, or at least someone not in LRC or Interdisciplinary threads. If it isn't a joke, someone needs to chill tf out. Does Pitt even have that big of a production program, anyway? It seems like a poor fit for whoever this was.

I saw this gem on the results page for Pitt's Film program: "Seriously who is in charge of admittance?! No wonder your program has fallen by the wayside like U of Iowa. MFA Film Production from top 3 film school, Student Emmy Winner, Student Academy Award Finalist, MA in Film Studies from top 5 University in the entire world, 1 publication, 1 forthcoming, and 5 conferences. I would say good luck to the admitted, but I'm sure you'll produce mediocre research. Bitter...just a bit. You did me a favor Pitt. Deuces" I really hope this is a joke, or at least someone not in this thread. If it isn't a joke, someone needs to chill tf out. Does Pitt even have that big of a production program, anyway? It seems like a poor fit for whoever this was.