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Congrats @HopefulRhetorician! I just heard from the third Gender Studies program I applied to -- waitlisted again. I'm amazed, especially considering I was applying outside my discipline. BUT that means that I'm waiting on the English programs. What's gonna happen?????

AUGH YES. I feel like it's probably the first English program I'll hear from, and I am Freaking Out. Also, I realized after submitting that the writing sample I uploaded was too long (can't remember if it was by 3 or 8 pages... ), so I'm not holding my breath. And now that you've said that about the portal, I have an additional page to refresh.

It's been two years since I was rejected from all 9 of the programs I applied to. I keep telling myself it wasn't a mistake to try again because I'm much more prepared than I was -- then, I was still completing my M.A. and hadn't quite solidified my research interests. Also, I didn't have any idea what I was doing while applying, so my SOP was capital-B Bad. I definitely have much lower expectations than I did two years ago, which helps...? Still, I am a huge ball of nerves, simultaneously checking my email constantly and dreading new emails because what if it's another rejection???????? It's so terrible.

Ah! Yes, I looked into it a couple years ago, but spaced it this application cycle. If I'm unsuccessful this go-around, maybe I'll take it as a sign.

Fandom studies has always been my secret love. During my M.A. program, I spent my "free time" (or: the time when I should have been working on my thesis) writing papers about queer representation in fanfiction and presenting at conferences. I sometimes wish I had just done my thesis on that instead, but I'm okay with it being a hobby.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!! I just got waitlisted for a Gender Studies program -- first non-rejection in two years; I suddenly feel like maybe I have a chance.

@punctilious I have gotten back into Harry Potter in a big way as well. It helps. I've been off from teaching for the last month, and it has been agonizing. I'm hoping that the semester will provide some distraction. Best wishes, @katie64! At least you'll have a few hours' break from your inbox, anyway.

I'm also abroad. I'm just glad to not have Phone Anxiety on top Email Anxiety and Results Page Anxiety. A+ life advice.

I'm in the same boat. I went 0 for 9 in 2015, and while I feel much more confident about my application this year, it's hard to expect different results. I haven't quite figured out how to not worry about it, but I've been telling myself that I did my best and whatever happens, happens. Also I've been thinking about possible backup plans I might enjoy, just in case.

I just submitted my last application. Let's see what happens. Sending good thoughts to the rest of you!

Thanks for the advice, @jrockford27! It's very much what I needed someone else to tell me, haha. Typing out that post this morning kind of helped me come to terms with the idea that it might not be in the cards. If, after I get my other apps in, I find myself with an extra $80 and a little bit more optimism, I might give it a shot.

Hiya folks. I have a question about a program, but I don't think it really deserves its own thread? If anyone has any thoughts, I'd appreciate your input. I want to apply to the Gender and Women's Studies PhD program at the University of Arizona. @abenz there are a couple things about the program that appeal. Most of my work is in trans* studies, and several faculty members there have expertise in the field. There are also resources on campus like the Transgender Studies Institute that are drawing my attention. As for my question: The main welcome page for their PhD program has the following notice: While all applications will be considered, for fall 2018 we are especially eager to recruit and admit candidates interested in graduate research in the following areas of faculty expertise: Followed by 3 areas of study not remotely related to my interests. My assumption is -- based on current students and certain faculty members who specifically state they are not accepting new advisees -- that the program an overabundance of PhD students in my general area of interest. My question is: should I bother? Obviously my proposed research project isn't identical to what current students are doing, but it's clear that the program attracts people interested in trans* studies. I do feel like, without the above statement, I could have a chance of being accepted, but if they're specifically looking for people with other interests, I might already be out of the game. What do you think?

The queer rhetorical/composition strategies in the auto-narratives of people with nonbinary gender identities, and how they navigate articulating their identities using binary language

The closer I get, the less certain I am about everything, from my choice of schools to my SOP. But I am looking forward to submitting everything and being anxious about waiting for decisions (rather than stressing about finishing). Good luck, everyone!

Hi folks, It's getting to be that time, and I'm looking to get some more eyes on my SOP. It's been looked over by a couple people, so it's not totally raw, but it could still use some work. In exchange, I'm happy to take a look at your SOP. Leave a message here or in my inbox if you're interested, and I'll send you the doc. Cheers!

So, this is totally hearsay, but I was recently told to avoid the C&T program at UCI if you're into gender studies; it sounds like it's a less-than-welcoming environment for WGS students due to interdepartmental politics. I was considering applying to the program, but after speaking to some current students, I probably won't. TaliaTee, usually for a personal statement you're supposed to talk about your personal background and how it contributes to your decision to pursue grad school; a statement of purpose on the other hand, is where you talk about your academic/research experience and plans. You will want to be very specific and detailed for that, since especially for PhD programs, it's the document that the adcomm will use to determine whether you'll fit in their department or not. Good luck, and enjoy your gap year

feminismismism, that list is exactly what I needed. THANK YOU That is very heartening!! Thanks

Thanks for the leads, feminismismism! And for the update on Halberstam's whereabouts.

Of course! I had forgotten to add him to my list. I'm sort of familiar with his work, so I'm surprised I'd forgotten about him. Thank you!

I've definitely been doing this, and have found more than one faculty bio using gender neutral pronouns, or at least faculty who list their preferred pronouns. Thanks for the tips!

Hi all, I'm going to be joining you on this ride. This will be my second application cycle, after I went 0 for 9 in 2015. Since then, I've finished my M.A., published some of that thesis, taught abroad, and have generally developed a better sense of what I'm interested in. I am now slogging through my SOP and faculty bios/bibliographies, and watching the coming semester approach with alarming speed. As an aside: I've been struggling to neatly pin my interests into a discipline/program, and I would be very interested in any leads you might have. In very, very broad terms, I am interested in philosophies of perception, autobiography, and transgender studies. Does anything spring immediately to mind?

Hi folks. I'm popping by to see if anyone has ideas about PhD programs/schools/professors I ought to check out based on my interests. I have a B.A. and M.A. in English lit, but was encouraged by my thesis committee to look into WGSS programs in addition to/instead of literature programs (last application cycle was extremely dismal). While I have bookmarked a few programs (UC Irvine Culture and Theory, UCSC Feminist Studies, e.g.), I'm sure I'm overlooking many. Here are some things that I will probably pursue in future work: Autobiography/memoir Philosophies of perception, esp. phenomenology Transgender studies It's this last that I'm especially curious about; it's easy to find profs who are interested in feminist/gender/sexuality/etc. studies, but if I could find someone/where that could support specifically trans studies, that would be ace. Any thoughts off the top of your head?