Cayg118

Okay, so of the schools I've been accepted into, I have narrowed the choice down to two schools, and am now having severe anxiety. I am interested in Rhet/comp and literature, and eventually want to get my PhD in Rhet/comp. School A: Is fairly well known, and everyone I speak to about it says they have heard it's a great program that people don't often think of. It would be an MA in literature, but they have an excellent PhD program in rhet/comp. It is a bit more traditional, although very rigorous, still. However, the program accepts very few MA students applying to do their PhDs within the program. Many current students have suggested taking a year off in between. It is much closer to home, and a beautiful campus with friendly people, many of whom I met during the open house. However, they offered me no funding, and it would end up costing me $60,000 to get my MA. School B: Is not a well known school for my program, but everyone I've spoken to about it says it's an up-and-coming program, with young, excited faculty. I've also heard the faculty members are (unusually) rigorous, and vigorously push their graduate students to improve. However, they do not have a PhD program, although some of their students have gone on to PhD programs at UCLA and NYU, among others. Also, this program would be an MA in rhet/comp, and I think getting my MA in literature might help me look more well-rounded for more traditional departments during my prospective job search after grad school. However, School B is flexible and will encourage me to take literature courses. There are two faculty members there whose research interests align with mine, and the courses are experimental and interesting-- but maybe too experimental? They have offered me a full tuition waiver, health insurance, and a $9,000 Grad Assistantship, where I will teach two courses a semester. That being said, the program is 22 hours away from my home, and the reality of picking up and moving freaks me out a little bit. I didn't have time to go visit, or go to the open house, so I'm worried about not having met anyone in the program. However, should I want to take time off between my PhD and my MA, it will be nice to have teaching experience and no loans. I appreciate any insight you all can give me! --CG

MA for Literature, actually. But composition has always been a big interest for me, so I'd like to go on at UNH to their PhD program. See you on the second!

I'm going on April 2nd too! & I also was accepted to URI (again without funding). I really like UNH because of their rhet/comp PhD program, so it's still my first choice (as of yet) despite the funding issue. --Caitlin

I received an acceptance email, but no funding. Anyone considering attending UNH and want to discuss the pros and cons?

I got accepted into the ASU M.A Rhet/Comp program as well. I'm currently torn about it. They didn't offer me any funding, and I live in CT. You all seem to have great things to say about it-- anyone want to shed some light about what living in Arizona's like? What particularly attracted you to the ASU program? One of my concerns is the big cohort. Caitlin