ModernMimetic

Does anyone have news about potential WUSTL movements, per chance? That waitlist turning in my favor would put a glorious end to this admission cycle. As ever, best luck to others waiting it out for their top programs!

I am sitting down to read the final 100 pages or so right now! This is my first time through it--magnificent! It took a moment for Book Two to stabilize and match the locomotive energy of Book One, I thought. I have been reading through the works of Graham Greene and Martin Amis in rotation for the last few weeks. Next up is Irvine Welsh's Filth, which I've heard both lives up to and transcends its title.

Greetings! I see we are both just outside of the gate! Let us in there! Hopefully good news comes along for us. It sounds like the department opted for a slim intake this year. Very exciting, nonetheless!

In a two minute span, I received an acceptance from Tulsa and a waitlist notification from Washington University in St. Louis! I'm really hoping for entry off the list at WUSTL. That would make my decisions much easier I believe. Congratulations to all others receiving positive news today, and continued well-wishing for those suspended in limbo!

To tag briefly onto the solid advice above: as an undergrad, I double majored in English and philosophy. I found it to be a powerful interdisciplinary cocktail, and I completed my BA feeling prepared for graduate studies in either field. I should clarify, though, that I was on the literature end as opposed to rhet/comp. On that front, I can only speak anecdotally. Speaking to graduate students in both departments, it was quite common to hear that they transferred across these disciplines between their undergrad and grad programs. This is especially the case for students in the MA programs. It really does come down to clarifying how your studies in philosophy tighten your grasp on the theoretical underpinnings officiating dialogues in literary-critical research. This is not a particularly hard shift to justify in a SOP. I would consider finding an English professor (at best, two English professors) willing to contribute letters, if at all possible. If you composed philosophy-heavy papers in any English classes, even better! Those professors may be able to attest to your strength in both fields. I am continuing into an English PhD program after my BA, and used two letters from English professors, and one from the chair of the Philosophy Department. Adcoms want to get a snapshot of your unique approach to academic work, and an interdisciplinary background is nothing to be too concerned about...in many cases, it just might make you a memorable candidate. The only caveat is this: if your undergraduate philosophy curriculum fell heavily on the side of analytic or continental philosophy, the way you connect your background in philosophy to your continuing studies in English may vary. I, too, would be willing to talk to you about my own experiences. I also encourage having a pass over the rhet/comp thread, if you have not done so already. Best luck moving forward! It is an exciting time.

Chronic lurker here, adding one to the Buffalo herd! After a heartbreaker of a rejection last evening from OSU (my first official response), I was over the moon to get Buffalo's acceptance today. I believe I've finally stopped shaking enough to type. I know the post-acceptance euphoria is momentary...eight applications to go... Many congratulations to all receiving good news from on high in this trying time. To those still in academic limbo: keep heart!